MRI scan to detect crohns?

So Sorry you are going through this :( I'm not sure about official diagnosis via MRI. I was dx via colonoscopy. Have they done stool studies to check for c-diff, parasites, etc?

I can tell you my experiences with the MRI procedure. Depending on how many areas they scan will determine how long your scan will last. For example if they scan your pelvis and abdomen it will be twice as long as if they just do abdomen. It's not like a CT scan. It can take quite a long time like 40 min per section. I was told if I got up they would have to start from the beginning, so use the restroom beforehand. . If you are clostphobic, you may want to get your dr to prescribe you a valuim. You can take it before they start. It is painless. You won't feel anything, but it is so ridiculously loud. It sounds like hammering. I brought earplugs and used some headphones on top of them. If you choose to listen to music, they will usually play some through headphones for you. Or maybe at some places you can hook up your phone? They will probably do with and without contrast, meaning at some point they will inject the contrast into the IV they put in your arm at the beginning. That's pretty much it. The worst part for me is the loud noise!! I hope you get some answers soon <3

Sorry to hear you're not feeling well. You've come to a great place for resource information.

I don't think they would rely on an MRE for a concise diagnosis. When you had a colonoscopy, they should have taken biopsies. That's what would give you a difinitive diagnosis for sure. The scope often is unable to reach a critical part of the small intestine though.

The terminal ilium is a commonly effected part of the intestine, and that's likley why your GI is ordering the MRE.

Good news that the scope hasn't shown anything so far. There are several blood markers that would give an indication as well. You can ask about your sedimentaion rate, along with C-reactive protein. They should also check your iron stores.

There are several things that could cause your symptoms. I would also rule out lactose intolerance, and gluten intolerance. Food allergies could be the culprit as well.

Good luck, hope you're feeling better soon.

Sorry for being a bit slow on the replying. In the coloniscopy they took biopses and they came back all clear. I have my MRI tomorrow and I am feeling super anxious about it. I am just scared that the contrast I will have to drink will make me feel really sick :( I really hope the scan tomorrow shows up with something because I am becoming exhausted by going around in circles with my health. So over putting different antibiotics into my body! Fingers crossed ot goes well 😤

I wish I had seen this before, I have had MRIs and CT scans and if you have to drink the giant bottles of contrast I found that the easiest way is to get a straw from someplace like McDonald's (I don't eat there, but the straws for sodas are huge) and drink it faster that way by keeping the straw farther back in my mouth. It's not fun and hopefully you can get it over with quickly.
During one flare I had to go back to the dr or ER several times and each time they would want a new scan; I finally started refusing them after the 4th one. It's so tricky; I've had so many tests and cultures and scans and blood work and thankfully am okay right now, but it really seems to me that when I'm sick my GI needs to schedule at least a sigmoidoscopy - unless they can take a peek inside they can't tell what's going on; with me anyway.
Good luck! I hope it goes/went well for you.