Yet another Diagnosis

I was originally diagnosed with Pan Colitis back in early September after a colonoscopy..Then I was told it was UC..now the doc says blood test was positive for IBD consistent with Crohns. Has anyone else had this problem??He has me scheduled for some test next week to look at the small intestine to confirm it or not.  The Doc said the test is not pleasant at all..Something about putting a tube in my nose that will travel down my throat to get pics. Has anyone had this test and how uncomfortable is it??. If I understand it a Radiologist does the test under mild sedation. He also wants me to start Lialda 1.2 mgs..I am not taking any prescription meds (never have) only Amp Floracel and a good Probiotic. I have no symptoms at all anymore. I have not started the Lialda yet because what I am doing seems to be working. As far as the meds it appears that despite folks being on scripts they still have to take other meds along with Asacol or Lialda or whatever 5 ASA med they are on. I do not want to start a roller coaster of meds if what I am doing is working.  I don't want to seem harsh but just very,very frustrated with the whole mess. I just can't believe with all the medical miracles they can't diagnose people properly without going through a bunch of uncomfortable tests. We have enough to deal with. Again I am not trying to upset anyone about meds if they work for you,great. I just hate that people have to take so many meds for one condition. I have seen both of my parents health decline or gotten worse after taking scripts. Seems like one fixes one thing but then causes another problem and then the doc says here take another for the new problem this med caused then on and on. EErrrggg!!     

If your Crohn's diagnosis came via a blood test through Prometheus labs you may or may not have Crohn's.  That lab does not provide a 100% accurated diagnosis.  In fact many of the top GI hospitals and many CR surgeons won't even consider looking at the results for their tests for making a firm dx.  One of the most frustrating things about IBD is the difficulty in differentiating between diseases and making an accurate diagnosis.  I was originally diagnosed with UC but my GI always felt I had Crohn's.  I consulted with a surgeon who felt my symptoms were UC (btw-I always knew I had UC) and so I had surgery after a few years of suffering.  That was 9 years ago and I have had no disease since and my pathology on the excised colon indicated UC.

No matter which disease you have the treatment is mostly the same.  If you want to maintain long term remission research shows that the most successful way to acheive that is by taking the anti inflammatory medications.  This is a life long chronic disease that is measured by periods of remission and cycles of flares.  No matter which route you choose, meds or no meds, at least you can feel you have some type of control over your health.

I have not had the test you are having but I did have the small bowel CT.  That consisted of drinking barium and having multiple x-rays.  The test is to look for indications of disease in the small bowel that are indicative of Crohn's.  I believe the test you are having will be similar but why you have to have it with taking barium through the nose is beyond me.

Sue

Thanks for the replies. I am scheduled for the procedure next Tues morning. I have had the Barium with x rays and it was fine. I think I am going to call the doc and inquire further about the test. I also like where I am now with whatever it is I have. I "think" I will start the Lialda at the low dose just to ensure I maintain where I am. I have to admit I do have some reservations though with the side effects but I guess I won't know unless I try..Thanks again