Finally Been referred for a Colonoscopy!

[Roc548]

I've been struggling a while now with IBS when I say a while probably about six years ever since I was 19, now I am 25. Been going to the GP on and off for years but never get referred to see a gastroenterologist, up until recently where my calprotectin levels in my stool tests have been getting higher. I have been treating my IBS with a dietician and have been eating a lot cleaner and cut out a lot of triggers, like Dairy, Gluten, Insoluble Fibre. I have noticed great results in terms of the symptoms improving but my calprotectin has risen since my last test in august 2019 where it was 64 now shot up to 134. Luckily I saw a really kind GP who did a great assessment, booked me in for another coeliac test, Fit test and referred me to have the colonoscopy done. Most likely only because of my family history as my mother suffered from UC and my uncle has his large intestine cut out also.

Has anyone got any ideas, what other than IBD can cause an increase in calprotectin? I was thinking that I still consume a lot of gluten-free biscuits, sugary things, and bread that contain vegetable oils and refined grains that could possibly cause inflammation.

Does anyone treat their Crohns or Colitis/ IBD naturally with no medications and is there a way of reducing the inflammation through diet?

Has anyone ever done the coeliac test through the GP, how much gluten do you need to consume per day. I had some bread this morning I can automatically notice the difference when I have it, makes me bloated with some pain.

Thank you guys

[Lburdock1]

Hey , I had a colonoscopy last Friday , all came back clear but awaiting biopsy results I was the same my calprotein leveled were sitting at 154

[Roc548 in reply to Lburdock1]

Hey hows it going, glad to hear it went all okay its probaley such a relief once youve done it knowing you may get some better results. Hopefully it comes out clear or they tell you have IBD. I hate not knowing and randomly guessing theres nothing worse.

[Lburdock1 in reply to Roc548]

Hey not bad thanks , there's nothing worse then the unknown , I still get the bad pain every day and never seem to get any answers it can be very frustrating as limits to what you can do when your feeling unwell all the time

[Roc548 in reply to Lburdock1]

Yeah it could be like a mild ulcerative collitis, keep me posted though us gut crippled people got to stick together lol.

[Lburdock1 in reply to Roc548]

Yeah will keep you posted , I remember chatting to you while back about gut issues

[xjrs]

My calprotectin level was 329 prior to my colonoscopy last year and the diagnosis still came back with IBS rather than IBD. Prior to then I'd spent a long time treating SIBO with antibiotics, a highly restrictive diet, natural antimicrobials etc when I don't think I actually had it even though a nutritional therapist said I did. I have since found out there is no accurate diagnosis for SIBO backed up by the fact that the treatment didn't work. I wouldn't be surprised if all of that really messed up my system. Prior to SIBO treatment my calprotectin was normal.

In terms of inflammation I have started taking Alflorex probiotic (Bifdobacteriam longum 35624 culture), which has been studied for IBS and has been proven to reduce inflammation:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/193...

After my colonoscopy of was formally diagnosed with IBS-C and intestinal nerve pain and been taking Linaclotide for it. Along with the Alflorex this has reduced my pain considerably and is allowing me to introduce more foods back into my diet.

I have also read these studies about curcumin and inflammation though I haven't tried this myself:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/193...

liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1...

69.164.208.4/files/Anti-inf...

[Roc548 in reply to xjrs]

Hey Xjr's interesting you say that about SIBO, i was also treating a potentential bacterial overgrowth with a course of antimicrobials and other probiotics im wondering if this could cause an increase in calproctein levels due to irritation of intestine. To rise up by 70 in about 6 months isint a massive rise but a considerable one. I had never been on the antiobiotics for it though. Ill take a little look at those studies you put on about curcumin im currently taking fish oils atm.

They want me to do a coeliac test where i consume 10 grams of gluten for 7 days i mean this isint a problem but. I rather get the best results i feel 7 days isint long enough for the body to produce the autoimmune cells its advised you eat 2 pieces of bread for 6 weeks.

I was gluten free for about 6 months piror to getting tested for calproctein so, seeing high levels I was confused as i thought I was doing something right as I reduced my symptoms and managed to gain some weight.

Ill check out that alflorex thanks so much