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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 9/28/2014 7:36 PM (GMT 0)
I am wondering how many of you have had colonoscopies. It seems to me that diagnosing IBD can be very difficult given that some of the symptoms are very similar to early symptoms of colon cancer. I have never had a diagnosis of IBD even tho I have told my doctor of my frequent diarrhea. But I don't have pain or bloating. Loss of weight, yes, but a lot of that was due to depression last year. I would think that to get a definitive diagnosis of IBD, one would have to rule out CA.

Would really like input on this.

Ppim
Posted 9/28/2014 7:53 PM (GMT 0)
Unfortunately colonoscopy is essential to rule out cancer at older age and it's the only way to distinguish IBD (inflammation) from IBS (no inflammation). But you should definitely discuss this with your doctor. Having diarrhea can be indicative of many things, however if you are younger than 50 than you're not in colon cancer risk group. So it could probably be IBS or IBD (which is more serious condition usually involving a bloody diarrhea and severe abdominal pain). Try talking to your GP about your symptoms and if your diarrhea persists for a longer period of time than colonoscopy wouldn't be a bad idea after all.
Posted 9/28/2014 10:09 PM (GMT 0)
ppim, the forum you posted on is for IBS, which is irritable bowel syndrome. Diagnosing IBS is a process of elimination where inflammatory disease is ruled out among other things. You can't diagnose IBD or CA without a colonoscopy, but in a colonoscopy they are easily distinguished via biopsy.

If you are struggling with diarrhea and weight loss a scope seems like a reasonable next step.
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