Prometheus test accuracy (or inaccuracy rather) ?

I have done a search of this test here and it seems every thread mentions how this test has the propensity to be inaccurate. In my case, it has come back saying that the patterns are consistent with ulcerative colitis.

One of the reasons my new doctor ran the test (in addition to checking 6mp compatibility) was to help rule out Crohn's. She intended to do a small bowel biopsy but was unable to reach it during the scope a few weeks ago for some reason.

My aunt has very intense treatment resistant Crohn's and this has been a concern. So, my question is even if this test isn't very accurate as far as predicting disease, is it at least accurate for ruling OUT Crohn's? could I assume this result could be relied upon?

Thanks, MK.

Hi quincy,

Well, she didn't say what the problem was, but I go back to see her for the follow up on path reports next week and I'll ask.

This is my brand new doctor and when I first entered her care, I was in the midst of thinking I had kidney/liver pain and was assuming it might be the steroid enemas (possibly).

My first GI had switched me to them after 2-3 months with no changes on the oral/rectal mesalamine.

So hearing all of this, my new doc rx'd me Uceris and said that if it didn't produce results either, then 6mp would be our next move up the ladder. Remember that at this point I was going on 19 months with symptoms.

SO......I didn't tell her, but instead of using the Uceris, I decided after reading a bunch of threads here that maybe 2 months with the mesalamine wasn't long enough. Actually it was a lot of YOUR posts that made me realize how slow the rectum was to heal......so THANK YOU !!!

I have been on melamine now 4 months and I am now in complete remission. I am on 3 weeks with zero symptoms and just picked up my pathology reports and I think they are pretty good . I need her to analyze them, but my suspicions are that it's positive

it is encouraging it reported uc, but there will always be a little room for doubt.

it is more puzzling why they could not peek into small intestine. the scope usually reaches a inch or two past colon.

promethus is a lab, they offer several tests. one is about 90% accurate for cd vs uc genes. another is tpmt gene that predicts how well 6mp would work. a third is for seeing if 6mp is working

if mesalamine does not prove strong enough, 6mp is a step up commonly taken.

@ DBwithUC, yeah, I was sort of surprised, as I read several posts by people who definitely have it and yet it came back inconclusive or not matching. I know there are many types of Crohn's, but the type my aunt has is utterly unworkable. She was glad it came back UC, too.

@ Alice22, my doctor had the TPMT test run, too. It came back that I can use that med if needed. I thought they were actually one in the same, and I learned a valuable lesson in all of this. I need to ASK questions instead of just signing the papers, lol. Darn me, I ask all sorts of things here at this forum.

Regarding my eyes, they are better now. My eye doctor just thinks it was inflammation related to the rosacea I was experiencing. That is much better now, too. I suspect ALL these things are related to my UC unfortunately. Like a cluster of immune responses......it's very strange to be in my 50's and all of a sudden have such weird crape going on. The eyedrops have cleared it up though. I am watching for dry eyes which come n go.

The bottom line here? I guess I need to just relax and remember.... "Things always work out in the end, and if they haven't worked out, it's not the end"---my mom

@quincy, 6mp isn't needed at this point. And I never took the Uceris she rx'd either. Once I realized all I had was dehydration (supposedly anyway) I went back to the mesalamine and my other helpers and it's been fine. This test should have waited anyway. I will call around and see if I can't work a deal like these folks have

http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=75821

In the mean time I will just focus on the POSITIVE aspects of this.......I feel pretty darned good right now. And I have some wonderful people I haven't seen in a long time coming over for lunch today and the weather is going to be fabulous. Those are the things that are in my present. Thanks guys.

Well, just got off the phone with the hospital billing dept. I was hoping this was a typo, but unfortunately she said the original bill was over $4000, but they are still working with BCBS so I could toss this bill---but be expecting a new one. Ugh.

I hope you are right iPoop !!!

I am so over this entire UC adventure for a hundred reasons. This bill is actually the least of them. But whatever. Cross each bridge as I step onto it and move in a forward direction......if I start feeling sorry for myself, all hell breaks loose. Not going to allow that (today) ;-)

@ Alice22, yes, a few of us seem to attract these issues in clusters......at least they seem to dissipate that way, too!