about ibd

[Janeylou69]

well I've had symptoms such as weight loss ,loose stools every day but some days more often then other days ,slight stomach cramps ,really achy painful joints and tenderness all over my body ive had a fit test which came back normal and my calprotectin test was high at 469 ug im very worried ,I don't know what is going on they ,want me to repeat the calprotectin test I'm concerned it's something bad , any ideas on what it could be and if it's the nasty coz I'm so depressed and can't go on everyday feeling like this ,I also am hypothyroid . Thanks for any help

[Tangerinefish]

I have IBD, I’m on a regular 8 week cycle of infusion - imfliximab, iv 30mins & done, all brand new now, it’s also coming out soon as a 3 week self injection

[Janeylou69 in reply to Tangerinefish]

Hi what was your symptoms before you were diagnosed with ibd because I've no blood in stool but my calprotectin is high thanks .

[Tangerinefish in reply to Janeylou69]

Occasional traces of blood but a constant need to go to the toilet, sometimes mucus instead of poo, my dailyLife was intolerable

[Janeylou69 in reply to Tangerinefish]

I'm very worried ,I don't know what is wrong with Me ,I had the weight loss problem a couple of years ago in 2018 where I lost stones and they didn't know what was wrong with me then ,I had a colonscopy that year as well ,they removed polyps ,now I'm concerned that something nasty is going on ,I had to start taking ,b12 injections in 2018 as well ,I'm hypothyroid as well ,I'm so depressed right now ,it's on my mind everyday .

[Tangerinefish in reply to Janeylou69]

Sorry to hear your troubles, the thyroid has a lot to answer for

[Hily]

Calprotectin tests indicate illness in your body. Only a bowel specialist can diagnose that. To be precise he would need to investigate your bowel. Ask your GP for a referral so you can find out.

[Janeylou69 in reply to Hily]

Hi hily what other disease does calprotectin pick up .thanks for your reply .

[Hily in reply to Janeylou69]

Calprotectin Levels

Faecal calprotectin has proven to be an extremely useful and cost effective marker to help differentiate between IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). The test gained approval from NICE at the end of 2013 for screening purposes and since then the volume of calprotectin testing has increased dramatically. The calprotectin result helps doctors determine the next course of action in diagnosis and treatment of bowel conditions. It has no doubt saved many patients from unnecessary colonoscopies and helped in the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of those with some form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) e.g. Crohn’s Disease (CD) or Ulcerative Colitis (UC).

[Janeylou69 in reply to Hily]

My calprotectin was 460 or somewhere near that and they said if it's raised when I do a second cslprotectin test then I will have to have a colonscopy so im quite worried ,it's on my mind every day ,I hope its not anything nasty .

[Hily]

Colonoscopy is the best way to see what it is. They will take biopsies of your intestinal wall and look see. I have had many. Mainly without anaesthetic so I can watch on the tv - it is very interesting.

[Janeylou69 in reply to Hily]

Hi hily I had a colonscopy in 2018 ,it was interesting to watch but quite painful for me and I had polyps removed as well .

[Hily]

The worst bit is the camera going in and them pumping air in! It is a bit embarrassing but they are not embarrassed!

[Janeylou69 in reply to Hily]

Yes very true ,they do loads everyday so they are used to it .