Has anyone had an endoscopy/colonscopy to check for Crohn's?

[Wiifitmama]

I have finally seen a gastroenterologist for tests after an adult life of assuming I had IBS. The stool sample showed elevated calprotectin (251 when it should be 50 or less) which is apparently indicative of Crohn's. So I am scheduled for an endoscopy and colonoscopy (done at the same time) then an MRI of the small bowel (on a different day). Can't say I am looking forward to the procedures. Has anyone done this and want to reassure me. Also anyone have these sort of results and it not be crohn;s?

[Wiifitmama]

Bump

[Wiifitmama]

last hopeful bump for the evening crowd

[Nikkinoo77]

Sorry I've only just come on,
I have.
I've had Crohns for nearly 16 years.
Any worries or questions you have I'd be happy to answer.

[Wiifitmama]

My worry is all related to the sticking of things down my throat and up my bum :) How awful is it? I will be sedated apparently. I have an absolute phobia of vomiting so the thought of gagging is not nice.

[Nikkinoo77]

I always have sedation, how people have it without is beyond me.
I can vaguely remember very slight gagging at the beginning endoscopy but then I was out like a light.
I was terrified of of the colonoscopy but it's honestly a walk in the park. The prep to clear out before hand is the worst bit.
Also was given gas and air with the colonoscopy

[megletthesecond]

I've had not for IBS.

The prep for the colonoscopy isn't fun, but it's bearable because the procedure will confirm or eliminate certain problems. I was sedated for mine but remember some murmering when it got a bit uncomfortable for a moment. All over very fast though.

I can't quite remember how I had to prep for my endoscopy. Possibly nil by mouth overnight. I was sedated and had a throat numbing spray so no discomfort. I do remember the doctor saying to me beforehand that they were going to put the camera down my throat and my body would try to stop them but they would win (in a nice way). Again, it went smoothly and I felt ok after recovery.

[Wiifitmama]

The prep doesn't sound fun either. I have been told I will have to fast 24 hours, some sort of clear out drug at 6pm the night before and then a second dose. I assume I willed to be very near a toilet?

[Doilooklikeatourist]

Ive no experience of endoscopy , but have had colonoscopies in the past {and one booked in for January ]
The prep is the worst , just stay near a loo
I didnt have sedation the last couple of times , just pain relief
Honestly its OK , not the best day of your life , but its bearable

[Nikkinoo77]

The prep can work very quick so definitely near a loo, get some moist loo roll and sudocrem as you can get a bit sore.
Before endoscopy it's just nil by mouth fro night before. But you're having both so you'll be empty any way.
I've also had MRI's to check for inflammation too.
With your calprotectin test being so high I do think it is likely that it could be Crohns or Colitis.
Colitis only affects the large bowel but Crohns can be any where in the digestive tract.
A colonoscopy can only get just slightly into the small bowel so if there is Crohns further up it might not pick it up.

[Wiifitmama]

So I probably shouldn't take it on the tube on my way home from work then :)

Colitis very unlikely as I have never had blood in my stools. The gastro thinks crohns more likely. I am having three things to check the entire digestive tract - endoscopy, colonoscopy and MRI of small bowel. The MRI has to be on a different day as you have to swallow something for it, but the other two are done one right after the other.

The funny thing is that among all the tests I had, he only ordered the stool sample to prove I did not have Crohn's! He was very surprised by the result.

[Nikkinoo77]

I've had very active Crohns before and I didn't get the level you had but MRI showed it was raging!
You must be feeling very poorly I hope they get you sorted soon.

[Wiifitmama]

Nikkinoo77 - that is really interesting. I didn't know if it was very high. I suspect that I do have crohns and probably have done for a long time and just put it down to IBS. I actually went to the gastro for investigation into Small Intestinal Bowel Overgrowth and the stool sample was just an extra he did. The SIBO test was positive too, but he wants the results of the other tests now before proceeding. I currently treat all this through diet (very low fodmap) and looking into crohn's and other IBD, the diet is not very different.

[Nikkinoo77]

No there's not much difference really.
I do find at my worst it doesn't really matter what I eat, everything makes it bad.
Currently back on steroids while waiting for my next plan of action as last long time medication didn't really do much and caused a few issues.

[mamaneedsamojito]

I've had a colonoscopy without sedation and it was pretty uncomfortable. I chose to have it without because DS was quite young and I wanted to go straight home afterwards. I was also on my own with him during the day and didn't fancy the potential memory loss side effect of sedation. However, if circumstances mean you're happy to be sedated I probably would opt for that. They do give you gas and air which helps and I found it ok until they turned the camera round the corner of my bowel but I almost asked them to stop at that point. I gave birth without any drugs so I think I have a reasonably high tolerance for discomfort but I really didn't like that bit. The initial bit and when it reverses out at the end are fine. I also got tea and toast afterwards to help with the wobbles. Prepare to be bloated for a while too, it took a week for my tum to go down.

[lennonj]

I had a colonoscopy a few weeks ago as I have crohns. I would say the same others the prep is the worst bit. I had sedation and felt no pain and very little discomfort. I was chatting away (too much as if I'd had too much to drink!)and asking lots of questions about what we could see on the screen! It's a long time since I had an endoscopy but had it without sedation so wasn't very nice!