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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 3/25/2011 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

I'm currently undergoing testing for what my doctor suspects is Crohn's Disease. However, my former doctor thought I had IBS (of course she ran no tests). I've had increased cramping in the past few months. Even after I have an "attack" I'll have severe cramping anywhere from 3-24 hrs after the attack has ended. Does this happen to anyone else with IBS or is that more consistent with Crohn's?

Posted 3/26/2011 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
kdlalib, it is hard to go through the process of diagnosing bowel problems. It often takes a long time and involves invasive procedures that are uniquely unpleasant. Be patient and continue advocating for better health and life for yourself. Your DR will work with you through this, and if you feel that you are not being heard, find a new doc.
Posted 3/26/2011 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
There are symptoms that differentiate the two conditions.

But ask about this


Diagnostic Accuracy of Fecal Calprotectin Assay in Distinguishing Organic Causes of Chronic Diarrhea from Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Prospective Study in Adults and Children

http://www.clinchem.org/cgi/content/full/49/6/861

Its a simple stool test that looks for inflammation. But they will probably scope you which is a good idea if they thing its Crohn's.
Posted 3/30/2011 6:37 PM (GMT 0)

Hi I am 38 and I have had a number of symptoms lately, fatigue, exhaustion, weight gain, blood in stool, mucus, pins and needles in left arm and fingers, burning sensation in my skin on my chest, huge bloating!! Stomach aches, feeling more like period pains? Feels like stool is ripping my colon on its way out!

Anyway had bloods taken all came back fine. Had urine tested this was fine after a recent urinary tract infection - ecoli. Then had stool sample done, result were that my Calprotectin level is 527. It should be below 60.

Went to hospital last week to see a consultant, ended up seeing her Junior who didnt know her arse from her elbow, kept contradicting herself :(

The Junior had a look in my bottom and said all looked well except for internal piles. However, the consultant recommended I have a colonoscopy.

Im due to go for the colonoscopy in 3 weeks and feel worried.

All the sites I have checked say that calprotectin would be low for IBS , which leaves colitis, chrones or cancer!!

Anyone got any ideas about what might be going on, 3 weeks seems an eternity away!! :(  

Posted 3/30/2011 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
diagnose me - replied to your thread in UC forum

kdlalib - do you have loose stool, blood or mucus? They are usually indicators of inflammatory bowel
Posted 3/30/2011 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
Tori, forgot to say I dont have diarreah but my bowel movements have increased. I used to go once a day or once every couple of days and now I go about 6-8 times a day - full evacuations, full bowel exit, but feels like I can go again - never feel entirely emptied... most sights say with cancer I would loose weight but I have put on around 2 stone in less than 6 months!!
Posted 4/3/2011 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
Crohn's can sometimes take a long time to diagnose. I was diagnosed with crohn's in 1994. I was very sick and hospitalized. Symptoms that I had were fever, my stool was like water with blood and mucus, vomiting bile and blood. I could not keep anything down, not even water. I had an endoscopy and colonoscopy with biopsies. My GI doctor said that I had a classic case of crohn's. I also had @ 15-20 canker sores in my mouth. They found ulcer sores throughout both small and large intestines. Needless to say I was pretty sick for quite sometime. Good luck with your scope.I have been (knock on wood) pretty lucky and have not had too many problems since I began Humira. My GI doctor says that you can experience IBS symptoms with your crohn's. Good Luck to you!
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