Question Thank you for replying to me, here is my story.
I was having some blood and mucus in my stool, I was given a colonoscopy and during the scope 4 biopsy's were taken and tested. They were taken from the mucosal layer of my transverse and descending colonic area. The ilium was not viewed during the scope. The pathologist reported occasional architectural distortion with branching, crypt abscess formation. Crypt wall inflammation. Lamina propria contained a moderate increase of inflammatory infiltrate, predominantly composed of lymphoid cells. No granulomata or parasite were seen.
The pathologist listed segmental colitis as a clinical diagnoses.
My G.I. specialist said, "If I had to pick one I would say Crohn's disease." He told me that there were 4 areas affected in my colon, with rectal sparing.
Is this consistent with crohn's?
Could it be colitis with skipped areas?
Is this chronic IBD?
Could it have been caused by the antibiodics I was on 3 months before I was diagnosed?
Could this in anyway be related to a viral disease, like HIV?
I have been really scared about HIV although I tested negetive, 96 days after last possible exposure, unprotected insertive vaginal sex with unknown status female.
I have joint pains (shoulder, ankle and recently knee) and yellow flat semi formed stools, I have never had abdominal pains or much if at all diarreah.
WHat other tests should I be asking for?
My most recent blood work was all normal except a elevated uric acid level. My SED rate was a 10. I do not have a great deal of confidence in my GI and I do not have a regular GP. I am a 32 yr old otherwise healthy male. When I was diagnosed I was extremely stressed and it may have contributed, in addition to the antibiodics, which were for a finger infection. I also used Indomethacin for joint pain in my foot and ankle, I believe the uric acid was causing gout arthritis. I do not use it anymore and have not had a gout attack in 6 months.
Thank you.
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Followup To
Question -
I have been diagnosed by colonoscopy and biopsy to have crohns. Are these tests definitive? Is there any other tests I could ask for to identify CD? I have been given Asacol. Do I need to take it daily indefinitely even if my symptoms are mild? My pathologist suggested it was segmental colitis and my G.I. said it was Crohn's.
Thank you.
Answer -
Hello Stew,
You MUST take the medication whether you are having an attack or not! Asacol is an anti-inflamatory medication and without it, you will be assured to get worse.
I do not understand why they preformed a biopsy...may I ask what tissue they took? The best way to detect CD is via a CT scan. Colonoscopy is usually done once diagnosed. But doctors do what they feel is best.
Please be sure to take the medications your GI has and will eventually have you on. If not, you could get worse and possibly lose your life. CD is nothing to fool around with and medications can help you live a normal life.
Best of health,
Odette
Answer Good morning Stew,
I am so sorry, I just don't have the answers. I am only a patient and that is not helping you much. I do know that having anal sex will not cause this disease. It is a mutated gene, so I would not worry about that. You do not sound like you have CD. Some of the symptoms are: Major abdominal pain, not being able to eat without pain. Constant runs to the bathroom, weight loss, fevers. You may have UC but it does not sound like IBS. I have a friend who had IBS and she has none of the symptoms you have. I would suggest that you get another opinion from a GI. I don't like the idea that the doctor is "Guessing". CD can sometimes take a long time to disgnose. Get a CT scan, that will determine whether is is UC or CD.
