Posting here for traffic: does this sound like Crohn's?

[MyBeloved]

History of IBS.
Erratic bowel movements.
Loose stools with some pus (sorry) for almost 2 weeks now, going between 5 and 8 times per day.
Fissure with a sore ulcer slightly above the fissure also.
Exhausted.
Forgetful.
Nausea but no vomiting.
Pain in lower right hand side of abdomen.
Rectal pain is so bad I am off work.
Weight loss in past month without trying.

I am waiting for results from samples.

Thanks in advance.

[BusterGonad]

All the signs are there. Not quite my crohns symptoms but looks likely.

[MyBeloved]

Fed up! So much pain :(

[Ellabella989]

Could also be ulcerative colitis

[MyBeloved]

Will they be able to definitively diagnose from fecal sample and/or colonoscopy? Just want answers tbh.

[Ellabella989]

You’d need a colonoscopy to 100% diagnose Chrons/colitis. I think a stool sample would just show them whether there’s blood or some sort of infection going on

[MyBeloved]

Will it still show on the colonoscopy if no longer in active phase? Worried that by the time I get my appointment my flare up will have calmed dowm

[CrumpetWithMarg]

You definitely need a colonoscopy, and a referral to the Gastro unit, or IBD team if there's a dedicated one close by.

All sounds very likely, though of course you could have an infection that needs treating, too/instead.

[MyBeloved]

Thanks for your replies. I'm normally a really positive person but this is beginning to drag me down.

[Ellabella989]

They will probably do a stool sample first just to rule out food poisoning type infections and parasites. They might want to do blood tests too to see if there is inflammation in the body and maybe a cealiac blood test too.
The next step would be referring you to a gastroenterologist at the hospital. They can then get you booked in for a colonoscopy and maybe a gastroscopy too which checks your stomach out. If everything is coming back normal then you will probably be given strict dietary advice for a few weeks to see if that calms your symptoms down as you might be eating things you’re intolerant to.
Have you ever tried buscopan before? I have bad IBS and it always makes me feel a lot better so I can go about my day without feeling half dead

[MyBeloved]

Hi Ellie. Yes, have been on mebevarine and peppermint capsules for IBS in the past. Nothing is touching this and my symptoms are totally different now. Eliminating dairy and gluten made no difference.

I'm just concerned that by the time my colonoscopy appt comes around I won't be in a flare. Will any IBD still show up?

[Ellabella989]

Yes they will probably take biopsy’s during the colonoscopy and they will be able to see inflammation etc even if you aren’t having a flare up. Have you been losing weight at all?
Easier said than done but try and not get too anxious or google your symptoms loads as it will make you feel 100 x more unwell. I hope you get answers soon as it does sound like an IBD

[MyBeloved]

Yes, i have lost half a stone in 3 weeks. I am feeling very sorry for myself :(

[bookworm14]

Not a doctor so I can’t diagnose, but that does sound like IBD. I have Crohn’s and had many of those symptoms when I was diagnosed.

[MyBeloved]

Why can't I get on top of this pain? About to have yet another hot bath. It is unrelenting. I think I am going to see if I can get my referral done sooner. I hate being like this. Sympathy to all fellow sufferers

[Ellabella989]

With the rectal pain you could also have internal hemarrhoids which can be agony! A hot water bottle on your side might help a little with the pain in your right side.
In your situation I would phone the surgery and ask for an urgent phone appointment with the Dr. I would then insist that they push for a referral ASAP. Tell them that you can’t even go to work because of the pain and they will hopefully move things along for you

[MyBeloved]

It's a fissure, ella, along with an ulcer. No internal piles. Hot water bottle usually soothes but to no avail at the moment. I was in a&e at my gp's request 2 days ago so they are fully aware of my situation. I am going to call and speak to them again though.

[CrumpetWithMarg]

I had a fissure, and you have my sympathies. Regular sitz baths used to help. I also had an abscess so totally feel your pain!

If nothing eases it though, don't be worried about calling 111 for advice if your GP can't see you to help.

[BusterGonad]

They are doing a calprotectin stool sample test, If you have calprotectin in your stool then you've most likely got IBD as IBS sufferers do not have this. Once you've got a positive on the stool sample test you will then be referred for a colonoscopy, regardless of active inflammation they will take samples (feels like someone pinging you from inside) they will look out for scaring (cobble-stoning) and look for mucous etc. luckily/unluckily I had active inflammation and was prescribed Entocort there and then (if I remember rightly) I then was referred for an MRI so they could see exactly what was going on.
It was all very depressing, I can't eat salad and loads of fresh fibrous foods as they cause a flare up so I've therefore become fatter than before! I must be the only person with crohns to become fatter!
I've got to be 100% honest, nothing helps with the pain during a flare up. Heat helps but tablet wise nothing hits the sides. Do not take codeine or ibrufen. Go to The Pound and stock up on heat pads to stick in your clothes.
Do not eat salad, nuts, popcorn, don't drink coffee during a flare as it's too harsh on your bowels. Good luck

[MyBeloved]

Thank you,buster (love the name btw)
I have as already been referred for colonoscopy and ultrasound by the hospital. The doctor felt a mass in my abdomen on the lower right hand side which caused a lot of pain when examined. I also had high serum ferratin in my blood, if that is at all significant?
Dr felt I presented as IBD so wanted to run the tests. Will the calprotectin be raised in my stools all the time if it is IBD? Or does it fluctuate? Honestly, I feel like I'm on a huge learning curve.
Thanks for the dietary advice. Weirdly, I can't stomach the thought of fresh ftuit and veg at the moment and I usually love them...
Just got to wait now, for my sample results then for my procedure dates.

[BusterGonad]

Blood wise I had high CRP levels but don't know much about anything else, I'm not sure that the cal protectin is always there, sorry! Mine was present and I think I was flaring.
Fruit and veg wise is a bummer as I love fruit but I have to be careful. Salad is my worst enemy, before being diagnosed I always flared up when I tried to eat healthier.
You need to go low residue during a flare.
My main issue is restricting, where my bowels get a restriction and I get a blockage which isn't mining, the pain is like child birth apparently (I had a Caesarian) it's hell in earth. Eventually it clears but I spend all night by the toilet bowl willing myself to be sick or the other end to move!
If you are diagnosed I highly recommend The Crohns Forum for helpful info, it was one dark and depressing night when I was ill googling my symptoms (yet again) and came across this webpage, that it hit me what I had, you do learn to live with it. But you'll never do a secret fart again through fear of pooing yourself! 😂

[CallItLoneliness]

Faecal calpro will fluctuate depending on your disease; it's a good test though, reasonably sensitive and fairly specific. It's being used a lot in Australia to minimise the need for surveillance colonoscopy post-diagnosis. Your symptoms sound very much like crohn's or colitis to me--have you ever had a colonoscopy? (if not they should not have dxed IBS, it's a diagnosis of exclusion, but that is another bugbear of mine). Not sure how things are on the NHS but elevated faecal calpro may get you higher up the colonoscopy list.

When I was flaring badly I found that tramadol helped a bit--if you're really desperately in pain (and trust me, I believe you) it might be worth asking your GP for something really strong so you can function.

As for fruit/veg etc, everyone is different. I'm in full remission, and I eat everything except meat, which I gave up for ethical reasons and then realised it upset my guts. @BusterGonad I gained weight with IBD--I was on steroids for over a year (wouldn't happen now) and gained 18kg in 6 weeks. I ended up about 4 kg heavier than I started before I got sick, and only lost that weight nearly 15 years down the track with a stressful life event...

[BusterGonad]

@CallItLoneliness my weight gain really depresses me, it obviously started with the steroids and now I'm off of them I still can't eat healthy stuff as such so it doesn't go down! I had salad for 3 days in a row last week and let's just say, I didn't teach the bathroom in time. I only ate it again as I had a dilation last year and my specialist said I could (hopefully) eat normally again! Well I can't. Only booked veg and certain fruits for me!

[BusterGonad]

Well cooked!

[CallItLoneliness]

@BusterGonad that sucks, I'm sorry to hear your disease is so limiting for you :(.

[BusterGonad]

Thanks @CallItLoneliness I do get quite depressed at times, but following on from another thread I'm going to treat myself to a new dress and make up today as I bloody deserve it!