What were your first signs of IBD?

[foreverchangingnappies]

I’m suspecting I may have it, but I also don’t have many classic symptoms so unsure! I am currently awaiting a colonoscopy after high calprotectin results.

Ive had on/off loose stools for about a year. Went docs last year and was given folic acid as I was low in folate following blood tests. This cleared it up for a long while. Then it came back about a month ago (it’s not all the time but a couple of times a week.) Had calptotectin tests which were 550 then 700. Now awaiting colonoscopy date.

As far as I’m aware my only symptoms are clear mucus when wiping and loose stools with urgency a couple of times a week. No stomach pain, no blood (had FIT test which was 4), no weight loss.

My son's first signs of IBD [ crohns ] was chronic constipation. He also had sores around his mouth, ulcers inside his mouth and often stomach pains. He was 8 when diagnosed, probably had it from around 6 yrs old. He was very fatigued as well. it took well over two years to finally get an answer.

Good luck with your colonoscopy.

Lots of blood for me unfortunately, no pain, awful digestion but have always been like that (so probably had it much longer than I realised). Colonoscopy diagnosed for certain. I'm in my 50's. Go on regular steroids when I have a flare up by actually it's fairly manageable atm.

Daily diarrhoea, once a day. It was a while before the bleeding became obvious, but when it did, it was very heavy and the bloody bright red diarrhoea increased rapidly to 25 times a day.

Ulcerative Colitis.

Good luck with it. I'm 15 years on and it is well controlled now that I use rectal medications like suppositories rather than pills. I've been off all steroids and immune suppressants for at least 7 or 8 years.

Did you get a screening for coeliac disease?

I’m still waiting for a diagnosis after my calprotectin tests this year were 1500 and over 2000 (more recently). Colonoscopy didn’t show enough inflammation to warrant those readings and colitis ruled out on biopsy (some mild inflammation) and no inflammation in small intestine/terminal ileum after CT. I’m a mystery.
I don’t have the mucous/blood but I get really bad explosive wind - it can be fine for a week or so then it returns w a vengeance.
CRP also elevated and I was low in folate/iron but fine after supplementing/increasing iron food intake on most recent bloods.
I’m really pushing for a diagnosis now rather than just treating the symptoms.