Inflammation

have you had blood tests to check your inflammation markers like crp and sed rate?

Petah, you can ask for what is called a "Fecal Calprotectin" stool test. This test is designed to explicitly test the amount of inflammation throughout your digestive tract.

Colonoscopy is, obviously, the most accurate.

In Germany my GI used to do ultrasound every time I saw him. He was able to see how much was inflamed. I'm surprised GI's in the US don't do that just because it's old school?!

You mentioned that it's trapped, I assume that means you have difficulty getting it out? I'm having the same thing my friend... happens to me after eating. Can't really seem to get it out. Noisy and uncomfortable in all four corners of my large intestine in my case.

When I'm not having clinical symptoms (that I know of) such as bleeding, sometimes I wonder if in my case, there's an IBS component as well. And I read somewhere that even if there's mild or microscopic inflammation in the rectum, it can be enough to send some "confusing signals" to other parts of the bowel on how to function. Take that for what you will =)

I remember from another thread that our cases are similar in some respects. So while I don't have any help for you, I sympathize and I'm happy to see that you've got good advice on the ultrasound and fecal test. Good luck and keep us posted!

Btw I've suffered generalized anxiety disorder and panic attacks since I was 14, I'm now 40. I know it reeks havoc on the digestive system. That's why anxiety and reflux almost go hand in hand. If I'm upset or anxious, the first place I feel it is in my stomach. Even long before my IBD.

I'd love to try so many things, such as abdominal massage, learning breathing techniques and meditation but it's all expensive.

Here I got some good things which help to reduce the inflamtion.

For getting minerals and chlorophyll, Alfalfa is best source.
More usage of Aloe vera juise is helpful for reducing inlammation.
Garcinia Cambogia! Bilberry is also a good thing to deal with inflammation because it contains flavoniods.
Cat's claw flowers are a good for inflammation and healing.

Post Edited (Albern) : 4/28/2014 4:13:06 AM (GMT-6)

Petah: I will have to agree to disagree with you. Medication, ALONG with therapy can solve alot of issues. Once solved, there is no longer a need for the medication. There are also tons of herbal remedies for anxiety too. You said you've had panic attacks since you were 14 and are now 40. Obviously, whatever you are doing is not working. It's only triggering your other issues.

Also, have you visited our Panic-Anxiety Disorder forum?

Hardworking compare some of your symtoms to those on the anxiety forum, you'll be surprised. IBS is very much like IBD and also goes hand in hand with anxiety. How they can say stress isn't a factor is beyond me.

My mother was treated with Meds only for her anxiety. We took her Dr to the HCCC and he was handed a huge fine, banned from prescribing S8 medications for two years and counselled on how to manage patients with GAD.. Medications are short term solutions. They enable the patient to cope while seeking therapy. I'm coping without Meds, I just can't afford the therapy at the moment. I'm not against them in the short term. I just know they are not a permanent solution so why bother when I need a permanent solution, not a short term one

Yes I've also eliminated bad foods. Added blackstrap molasses, magnesium, and researching NAG for both anxiety and IBD, a supplement used for UC. On top of my existing anxiety, I've read that pentasa can cause anxiety, as well as showing strong signs of peri menopause. I'm about to start natural progesteone cream for PMS symtoms, peri menopause can also include bloating/gas and anxiety, hairloss, Acne, all of which I'm suffering much more than usual.

Yes