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Diagnosed by colonoscopy?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/22/2009 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone, new guy here
So I have a scheduled colonoscopy and endoscopy for tomorrow to see if I really do have UC. Its been a long and difficult trial since I got symptoms. Lots of doctor/hospital visits and no one has been able to help me. With me its not just the diarrhea, but also really bad nausea during "flares".

My main question is this: How many of you were diagnosed using a colonoscopy/endoscopy?
Im asking this because I did some blood tests and a CT scan and they said I was "fine". (Im not, there is something wrong with me).

Has anyone here gone through the same experience of a colonoscopy following other previous tests that said you were "fine"? Also what should I expect of this procedure both during and after?

Right now there is a big box containing MoviPrep that I have to take tonight. I am not looking forward to it...

Thanks a lot in advance!
God bless
Posted 7/22/2009 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
All of my previous tests were normal, causing the GP to label me with IBS for more than ten years, when they finally scoped me I most certainly was not normal!
The scope will be uncomfortable, not painful, but tolerable.
If you get a chance watch the screen, it's always interesting to see your own insides.
The prep is the worst bit, and the trapped wind afterwards isn't fun!
Make sure you keep yourself hydrated, it wont be nearly as bad as you think it is going to be.
Good luck.
Posted 7/22/2009 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
Generally they do rule out everything else before doing the scope, so this is pretty much the norm. They will take multiple biopsies to help with the diagnosis. I don't think it's possible to reliably diagnose UC without a colonoscopy.

The prep is never fun, but it's just one more ugly thing we all have to do in our lives. No matter how much we whine or grump (and believe me, we all do), it can't be avoided if we want to take proper care.
Posted 7/22/2009 3:18 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with the others--once you finish the prep, the worst is over. My hospital sedates ("twilight") for colonoscopies, so I just go in for my little nap!
Unlike the others, I was diagnosed via sigmoidoscopy, but I think that has fallen out of favor since then. Colonoscopy is preferred.
Good luck.
Posted 7/22/2009 6:47 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I had many other tests and visited 3 doctors that all told me I just had "the stomach flu" or an anal fissure before I found one that listened to me and believed me. I had 2 or 3 rectal exams, x-rays, a CT scan, lots of bloodwork, and eventually a colonoscopy. The blood work and x-rays were normal, I believe. The CT scan did show inflammation, but they didn't diagnose me until I had the scope. I understand your frustration (and probably some desperation, if you feel how I felt). I get nausea a lot now too.

I agree with others that the prep is the worst part of the colonoscopy, assuming you are being sedated. Some people choose not to.

Good luck with everything and let us know what your test results say.
Posted 7/22/2009 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
yup all of my bloodwork came back normal and it wasn't until they did the colonscopy where I was diagnosed. Good luck and just think tomorrow it will be all over and maybe you will have some answers.
Posted 7/22/2009 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
Oh man, the MoviPrep is nasty. At least it was for me. I had the hardest time drinking it. =/ Maybe they've improved it since 2007...?

I have had 3 endoscopies, but those were for stomach/pancreas things.

I had a colonoscopy to diagnose the UC, and there were definite signs. In the clinic I went to, they totally put you out for the procedure. However, when I got in to the room, the doc started it right away and I wasn't out. Well, I screamed, and the nurse put me out... I didn't like the feeling (ouch) and it creeped me out to see my guts on the screen around me.

I was gassy after, but I felt so empty. I know, really bad, but I went to McD's after and ate a breakfast sandwich.
Posted 7/22/2009 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
Wow. Im glad I found this community. All the replies were great especially Sara14's (they told me that I had stomach flu, IBS ect!). Thanks for the replies.

My biggest fear is that after it is done the GI will say "Well everything's fine here!". That would be the death of me. Because im sure I have UC!

Well, 3 more hours until I have to down the MoviPrep. And from what I have read its not gonna be fun!

cry
-Dave
Posted 7/22/2009 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck with the prep, and please let us know what the outcome is!
Posted 7/22/2009 9:14 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck with the prep!  Colonoscopies are no fun.  I was diagnosed from sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy and like most others on here am dealing with this illness each day at a time.  I am going in for my routine colonoscopies next week so I totally understand what you are thinking.  You will do fine, just dont "jiggle" yourself around the day after - words from my dr.
Posted 7/22/2009 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed with a colonoscopy pretty much right off the bat, which I have since learned is rather unusual. When I complained of bloody diarhea to my nurse practitioner she prescribed a strong antibiotic, I am not positive but I am fairly certain it was Cipro. When I still had it after that she tested my poop for parasites and such and it was all positive, so since I was about to turn 44 anyway, she gave me a referral to a GI for the scope. I was diagnosed with UC on the spot and was given all sorts of information in my groggy state.

That GI turned out to be AWFUL, but I soon found the best GI ever who has been shepherding me compassionately through the last few years with this horrible disease.

Meesh
Posted 7/22/2009 9:36 PM (GMT 0)
Diagnosing UC is usually through an elimiation process because there are other things that can mimic it.

Hopefully, the GI will take lots of biopsies to make sure it's not microscopic colitis, as well to establish a baseline for precancerous cells, etc.

I went through the indignity of a barium enema with my "then" internist and it came back clear....weird since I was in excrutiating pain and bleeding with every explosive bm 20 times a day. She was sure I had hemmies...oh right!

When I saw the GI, he took a quick look-see and said that it looks like UC, but the elimination list has to be gone through to determine if anything else could be going on. That included stool samples, blood tests....and colonoscopy.

Yep, have a clear-cut case of UC....but that didn't mean, however, that my initial sudden onset of symptoms 3 years previous wasn't caused by some sort of pathogen. If my "then" doc would have sent me to the specialist instead of just giving me lomotil, it might have had me feeling much better sooner.

Regardless...the c-scope is a must.

Welcome to the forum! Yep, the cleanout is the worst....and I opt for the gallon prep.

quincy
Posted 7/23/2009 1:23 PM (GMT 0)
Yep, I was diagnosed after a colonscopy.  I was having lots of bleeding and went to my Family doctor who immediately sent me to a GI.  The GI suspected UC and tried meds for two months with no luck so he did the scope and officially diagnosed me.  It was pretty clear on the scope.  Bleeding is always my most persistant symptom but even so...my bloodwork is usually pretty normal...
Posted 7/23/2009 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
I hope your experience is ok with the scope. They put me out for mine and I am glad they did. For over 10 years they told me I had IBS despite the fact I had bloody episodes of diarrhea several times a year and pain so bad I almost passed out. Now that I am on colazal, no more pain and blood. Four years ago, I had a colonoscopy and CT scan, the CT scan showed inflammation and they said the biopsies from the scope were all normal. LOL.... Whatever. I am just glad that I finally got diagnosed and I am on meds. It has given me a lot of peace just to know what I have. Sometimes with women, they think it is all in our heads and it makes me really po'd. Good luck and keep us posted on your results.
Posted 7/23/2009 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hey. I was just diagnosed about a month ago with UC. The symptoms started two years ago when I was having bleeding bowels and lots of nausea and cramping. After giving stool samples and a blood test the doctor just told me I had some weird virus and a sensitive stomach that caused me to bleed. Well, when the same thing happened to me a little over a month ago they scheduled me for a colonoscopy. After the procedure I was diagnosed with UC. The prep isn't fun but the colonoscopy really isn't bad at all since you don't remember anything (if you are under an IV). The doctor will be able to take biopsies of your colon as well as see whats going on in there. My whole entire colon was really imflamed and that is what determined my UC I guess. Best of luck tomorrow!
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