Can you have IBD without any symptoms?

[gnabeok]

I have an urgent colonoscopy soon, after having two short periods of bloody diarrhoea a few months apart. After my large bout of it a month ago, my GP sent off a stool sample and as my calprotectin was high my GP sent an urgent referral for suspected IBD.

However, I don't really have any symptoms. From reading online it seems people with IBD have quite severe symptoms. The only thing I would say I have is a 'nervous tummy', where I'll need to go a few times in the morning when I'm nervous. Around once a month or so I get diarrhoea, which I thought was pretty normal to have every so often when food doesn't agree with you etc?

Is it possible I could still have IBD without any symptoms?

Look up Silent IBD

IBD symptoms can come and go. Also the symptoms you describe aren’t everyone’s normal so you do have symptoms. IBD like any condition can be mild, moderate or severe which your colonoscopy will show.

It could be systemic ibd which is caused by a single event but then gets betters quickly, or something different. It’s great you are being seen so quickly, that is positive.

I have Crohn’s and I’m currently in remission thanks to biologic medication, during flares my calprotectin levels have soared, in the 1000s. I was diagnosed in 2016 with moderate disease.

My first symptoms were bloody, loose stools, going to the toilet 20+ times per day.

Colonoscopies are good as even though your bowel might look fine, they should take biopsies, the results of these might show disease you can’t see.

Hoping all goes well for you 💐 any questions about the procedure, just ask.