Non Specific Colitis

It means it doesn't fit into a specific diagnostic category.

I found this that has categories listed....

http://www.endoskopischer-atlas.de/kdde.htm

q

Thanks for that guys. But doesn't that apply to all forms Colitis? I mean noone knows why colitis in whatever form happens do they?

Does non specific colitis mean it is UC? Or something else?

I am just so confused.

Quincy you sure know your stuff. Right here goes.

3 months ago I had a Flexible Sigmoidoscopy which showed "non specific colitis" and the private GI discharged me after seeing the biospies saying it was an antibiotic induced episode that will clear up in time and it was not IBD.

Well it didn't clear up and I continued to bleed although mildly. I then looked for and found a top GI / Colorectal Surgean in London who suggested I do a Colonoscopy to get to the bottom of it.... he found "sore" inflammation and said I might have IBD but he needed to see the biospies.

He then checked over the biopsies, did TWO further blood tests for which he said he was looking for markers for Chrohn's and Colitis. Now they have come back all normal so he has disgnosed "colitis" with a small "c" of a "non specific nature".

I was given Flagyl which I have now finished, and am taking Asacol every day - the bleeding stopped after a few days. I feel much better but maybe I have lost a few pounds but I guess that is more down to the non stop anxiety at not knowing what I have.

The GI said to me "I think you are much better already, you are clinically healthy according to pathology but we don't know how these things will pan out so come and see me in 3 months and we will have another chat, so far I am very pleased with everything".

So do I have UC, Chrohn's or as he says "mild inflammation of the colon which is not determined". I guess the unknown is scary and seeing how people are suffering on here makes me wonder if I will be really ill one day. God willing it won't happen and I will be better.

I saw your article which has confused me even more as I could be any one of those and some of them seem curable.

LR.....I don't think the marker tests for IBD are conclusive...

The fact that you're not diagnosed yet is OK....and you're being monitored...that's a perfect scenario.

Do research on marker tests for IBD and see what you come up with. That will help you formulate questions where you can have answers you can live with.

Not everything is conclusive in life....some things are a wait and see. IBD is difficult to diagnose because not everyone presents in way that's obvious to the criteria. The subjective aspect of a formula does change.

I will question you on one thing.....what exactly is it you expect? And will that expectation give you total piece of mind?

quincy

Quincy said: what exactly is it you expect? And will that expectation give you total piece of mind?

I have had IBS for many years (anxiety induced BM's, soft unformed stools but never really total diarrhoea or total constipation) so it is difficult to check my stools as a sympton.

I feel totally well so I was hoping to God that my Colitis is not UC but of the standard kind that came about from taking antibiotics or having a bacterial episode. After now taking Asacol for 3 weeks and Metronidazol for 2 weeks my stools are normal, BM's 2 or 3 times a day and I feel great. God willing the GI will see me and say "it's over, you are fine". That's what will give me piece of mind - the news every one of you wonderful people want to hear.

PB4 said: Ask your doc exactly what kind of inflammation he saw.

 

I have already asked him and seen the pictures, it was patchy inflammation which is like what you see for Chrohn's. However the key markers on pathology (2 sets of blood tests and a full set of biopsies) came up negative.

Also my lack of key symptoms and bleeding being the only symptom meant he diagnosed colitis with a small "c" and said it is a case of "wait and see" but he said "i think you are better already with the drugs but nothing is certain with this kind of problem."

And this is why I am here, in limbo, feeling well, no longer bleeding, mild urgency 3 times a day, and my doctor been sent a letter by GI stating "Mild patchy Inflammation, pathology checked, diagnosis: colitis of a non specific kind, 5ASA treatment prescribed as course of action"

So in 2 months time I will go back and see him, God willing my bleeding will still be gone, then what? This is what does my head in, not knowing how it will pan out.

There are no scopes or blood tests planned, I guess he will do them when I see him again in 2 months.

I think he will check again for inflammation markers on blood tests in 3 months but they are clear even now so I don't know what he is clooking for.

I guess he is taking his time, waiting to see if it clears up or if it is IBD.

I don't have a list no, but he has done 3 sets of them.. from what I know he checked for.

1. Bacteria and Fungus
2. Chrohn's Markers
3. Further inflammation in body

All came back normal, the only thing he has seen is visible inflammation across my colon which he hopes will clear up with 5ASA and Antibiotic.

So I don't know what is next.

LR....it seems a good report from my perspective. I'm impressed your doc sent it to you. It's also good he's got you in mind for future treatment..or lack there of.

Just for clarification....did you mean to write GI instead of GP?

quincy

I had gone to the doctor for with nausea, and I took a blood test and my ESR had shown that I had inflammation present.   I took a promethus test if was positive for C.D. I also had a colonoscopy and it show a little inflammation yesterday..do you I have C disease.

Hello. I am new to the forum. I am in the EXACT same boat as you. I have been trying to get a diagnosis for more than 10 years. I have had 6 colonoscopies, 2 sigmoidoscopies, numerous blood tests, including the promethius lab tests (which are negative). I have recurring episodes of left sided colitis, mainly limited to the sigmoid colon. I have patchy erythema, increased friability and in the worst attacks, ulceration. I have negative ANA's and have been tested for vasculitis and a host of other conditions. I have had multiple trips to the ER for bloody diarrhea and non-stop cramping that anti spasmotics won't even touch. My GI dr. said he's never had a case as mysteryous as mine. NOT COMFORTING. A Rheumatologist believes I have ankylosing spondylitis because I do have episodes of sacroilitis. I also have had episcleritis in my right eye and a few episodes of 1-3 mouth sores. I completely understand the want/need for a diagnosis. It would be nice to know what it is and if it can possibly affect other organs at some point. I am so sick of the term "non-specific" colitis! One Dr. swore it was intestinal endometriosis, so since I had fibroids and monthly migraines, I went ahead with a hysterectomy and oophrectomy. It didn't help. Another test showed celiac artery compression syndrome, so I had arcuate ligament release surgery, which resulted in an injured pancreas, atelectisis, pleural effusion and finally having my gallbladder removed. Guess what? I STILL have the colitis! I'm almost out of disposable body parts and the Stanford Dr. I just saw said that surgery was pretty much useless because it would only cause mesenteric ischemia and I did not have problems in the small bowel. He said my case was "interesting and complicated". That's all well and good, but I just want to know what "it" is! I am doing much better on Lialda, so he feels I do have UC and that even though previous Dr's saw no rectal involvement, there could be. He wants to do a sigmoidoscopy, but I can not afford the 300.00 deductable at this time, so will have to wait a little longer for a possible diagnosis. btw..he said the do NOT use the promethius lab tests as a diagnostic tool for IBD at Stanford university. And sometimes UC can appear to have skip lesions.