Biopsy results negative

[Lastboyscout6]

Hi

So I got the results of my recent colonoscopy biopsies. Nothing was seen during colonoscopy but 6 random biopsies were taken - no abnormalities were found. I have a follow up appointment with gastro on 23rd March so just over a week away. I am at a loss as to what is causing my symptoms ( abdominal pain- upper middle and left quadrants and some lower left sided pain which feels like when I need to go to the toilet but can’t) mixed bowel movements was previously diarrhoea prominent but last few weeks seems to be more constipation. Still been struggling to eat but think I’m more worried in case I get pain so have done better last few weeks although still not put any weight back on - just concerned as all tests have been negative so far the only thing to flag was diverticular disease but no inflammation observed so unlikely to be the cause of my symptoms - having had CT scan , ultrasound, chest X-ray and the colonoscopy not sure what else they will do - do you think this means IBS as other stuff eliminated ?

[winfong]

IBS is typically diagnosed by process of elimination. I guess that's good news and bad news. Good news in that you don't have anything more serious (cancer, Crohn's, etc.). Bad news in that IBS is a royal pain in the a**e.

[Frasina]

They may need to do a pillcam? To see the upper colon (small bowel) as colonoscopy does not get that high... and pillcam has diagnosed things like crohn's when all other scans have not. Speak to gastro about this...

[Lastboyscout6 in reply to Frasina]

Ok thank you, I will mention this at my gastro appointment which is this Saturday coming. I’m just at such a loss as to what is wrong and nobody seems to have any answers. Doctors seem baffled too as investigations, blood/stool samples aren’t identifying anything. I ended up back in A and E yesterday with pain and had to have strong pain relief and 2 drips as I was dehydrated even though I’m trying to drink lots of fluids. I was so anxious in the hospital but think the morphine was making me feel a bit weird so this added to my anxiety.

[Frasina in reply to Lastboyscout6]

I hope you get some answers this Saturday. I would definitely push them for a pillcam - if that draws a blank, then at least you know they have images of your entire digestive tract that have not shown anything untoward. Hopefully, the pillcam at least will show something though and then you can be treated accordingly. Good luck.

[Viklou]

MRI is a good idea next have you had a stool sample to test for inflammation

[Lastboyscout6 in reply to Viklou]

Yes have had Fit test, Calprotectin and cal elastes all of which negative except calprotectin was elevated to 113 but they said likely due to minor inflammation of colon which showed up on CT but then colonoscopy didn’t identify anything on camera or biopsies

[Viklou]

Next step would be an MRI then a pill cam. Pill cam was the only thing that found my crohn's which is in the middle of my small bowel

[Lastboyscout6 in reply to Viklou]

That’s really interesting. Can I ask what symptoms you had ?

[Viklou]

It took 7 years to be officially diagnosed my initial symptoms were dramatic weight loss, stomach pain and diarrhoea, and fatigue. The issues would often continue during the night, it was like it didn't have an off button. Then came joint swelling, rashes, nausea and vomiting. Not all the time, I'd have periods where I'd be ok but not much appetite. My calprotectin was always raised over 250 but never hugely, which can be the case in small bowel crohn's

[Lastboyscout6 in reply to Viklou]

That’s crazy that it took 7 years, that must have been really frustrating for you. Whereabouts did you have pain… mine tends to be upper abdomen and under left rib sometimes lower left side and occasionally I get a sharp twinge under left breast. If I have a bad episode of pain it can be middle of stomach and spread to both sides but still fairly high up

[Viklou in reply to Lastboyscout6]

Around belly button to lower right. I've had gallstones too but had my gallbladder removed in 2015