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should i still go to doctor?

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Posted 5/3/2013 6:33 AM (GMT 0)
Hi
I am hoping for some advice. I have never been formally diagnosed with IBD. I started with symptoms about 8 years ago ( i am now 30). I had a colonoscopy last year after being sick for a few weeks. The doctor felt that I probably had a atypical form of UC, and put me on Asacol for 6 months. I spoke to another doctor friend of mine and he said that the area the found the most inflammation in my colon was more common in Chrohns. I have been reading a bit about Chrohns and it seems more likely to than UC. Not sure. I was fine until about a month ago when I seriously started having diarrhea and horrible cramps at night. After the third week of this i made an appointment to see the specialist - my appointment is for next week. Now this week - I am much better. Diarrhea has gone and I havnt woken up with pain in the last three nights. My question is this- should i still go to see him? Or should I wait until I get sick again? I want to avoid going if they are going to be unable to see whats going on because the flare seems to be over, and he is really expensive.
Please let me know what you think.
Posted 5/3/2013 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
I think if you have chronic inflammation it won't just have disappeared. It's pretty common to have flares that randomly start and stop. Women are especially plagued by flares that are triggered by hormonal changes.

I suppose from the information that you provided that there were findings in your terminal ileum? It would be good for you to have a better understanding of just what happened last year in your scope. Did the Asacol seem to help?

Have you had regular physicals? One of the most pernicious aspects of inflammation in the terminal ileum is poor nutritional absorption. If you are having regular physicals and you're not anemic, your vitamin D levels are normal, then maybe it's not worth going through another scope or other diagnostics at this time. However, there is some risk that ignoring chronic inflammation will lead to damage that cannot be reversed by meds, and may ultimately mean you will need a surgical resection of your bowel. In my opinion it is better to get to the bottom of this.
Posted 5/3/2013 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi lizzy...I'm in the same camp as kazbern...better to get an idea of what is really going on. Make sure you go prepared with all of your questions so you can make sure you feel fully informed.
I go to the doc regularly since 1990 despite mostly years of limited symptoms of mini flares. When I stop maintaining my care and meds, I do suffer so personally I believe good follow up is important. Despite the lask of major issues, the doc still sees some inflammation and we can keep track of any changes.
Hope you stay feeling on the well side!
Posted 5/6/2013 5:55 AM (GMT 0)
thank you both for your reply.
I havnt been for a check up or general physical since the scope last year. I have decided I will go and see him, thanks for your help.

Kazbern - from what I understand the most inflammation was in the ceacum. The Asacol did seem to help.

thanks again, I will see how it goes on thursday
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