Posted 6/25/2013 10:16 AM (GMT 0)
For past two years ive been trying to get a diagnosis for whatever is wrong with my bowels. Ive had colonoscopies which visually loooked normal but in the first the biopsy revealled inflammation consistent with IBD. The second was done while on steroids and only showed "historic inflammation". Prior to the second colonoscopy my fecal calprotectin was raised suggesting inflammation too. The constant diarrhoea, cramping, blood, mucous etc usually waking me in the middle of the night & rendering me useless for most of the day was what drove me to get checked in the first place. This always coincided with other inflammatory flare ups with eyes and joints.
Ive been on prednisolone for 18months for scleritis so have had no time off steroids since the first colonoscopy to see what changes there are on and off.
The GI doc says i have IBS but my consultants- rheumatologist, opthamologists and GPs thinks the bowel problem is linked to the inflammation problems im having. None of the IBS treatments work, the only time i get relief is on high dose steroids and codeine (both of which i hate)
Ive started MTX for my eyes & joints and hope that it will help my bowels but I'm concerned that if they insist on saying its IBS and sending me away with peppermint that should something serious occur they'll just keep on ignoring it.
Ive been in pain the past week with the same sharp pain down my right side. Its not my kidneys as thse tests are fine so can only presume its my colon again. Painkillers arent working. Ibs treatments arent working.
My grandmother went undiagnosed for UC and got so ill, it killed her in the end. Forgive my neuroses but im worried i'll end up the same way.
Can anyone offer any advice on how to relieve the pain when noone else seems to be listening?