Mixed symptoms
So close to giving up and not furthering the investigation. Maybe someone here has the answer...
IBD positive:
-My blood work has shown chronic inflammation for 5 years now
-CT enterography showed inflammation on large intestine and sigmoid colon
-Had Anemia a few years back, and more nutritional deficiencies that come and go
-Can live only on a low residue diet for the past 5 years.
The symptoms: chronic lower stomach pain, diarrhea, urgency and frequency but on the other hand...
IBS positive:
-Normal colonoscopy (though with no biopsy taken, lord knows why)
-Normal CRP, ESR, Calprotectin so far.
I've been told it's IBS, but I'm wondering about the actual inflammation I had- what it could be? Has anyone had a mix of symptoms and signs similar? Has anyone been misdiagnosed with both clean colonoscopy and calprotectin tests?
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Hey there
. It can be challenging at times to differentiate between IBS and IBD, as they can often have overlapping symptoms. There are people here in our community who are living with both, or have even been misdiagnosed. I wanted to first go ahead and share an article with you, from our irritablebowelsyndrome.net community, that goes into details about the key similarities and difference between IBS and IBD: https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net/what-is-ibs/similarities-differences-between-ibd-ibs/ You absolutely should get a second opinion though if you feel like you're not satisfied with the conclusion, especially without receiving a biopsy. Due to human error or our bodies not always “performing” when tested, it is important to have another set of eyes look at you in case something was missed. I also wanted to share another forum topic where a community member speaks of a similar experience: https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/topic/anyone-here-been-told-they-had-ibs-but-actually-had-ibd/ Do not stop seeking answers because you absolutely deserve that the answers you're getting are the best out there. Please do keep us updated, and know that we are thinking of you. Best, Ashley (IBD Team Member) thank you!! <3
As above, it's possible to have both. Maybe IBD is in remission and you current symptoms are due to IBS. It's such a complicated disease, which can make it difficult to diagnose and to treat.
Also, there is something called Colitis, which is basically inflammation of the colon which is not a form of IBD. Colitis = not IBD. ULCERATIVE Colitis = IBD.
Psuh your healthcare team for answers if you're not happy with where you're currently at. We know our body better than anyone else!
- Sahara (team member)Thank you for the reply! this raises the question though- can IBD go into remission without treatment? I do feel better than i did when I got the CT a few years ago.
I am obviously not a medical professional, so I can't comment from a medical perspective. I have seen posts from people that say they have been in a mild flare, and claim to have gone into remission due to lifestyle changes, but I don't know whether they were ever confirmed to be in a flare in the first place and then confirmed to be out of it (clinically).
They may simply have triggered some other disorder, like IBS, or Colitis (not Ulcerative - the IBD kind), which was easier to control via lifestyle changes.
- Sahara (team member)
I'm so sorry you are going through this. It is always so frustrating when you can't get a clear diagnosis and feel like something is being missed.
I have both IBS and IBD (Crohn's). It is definitely hard to differentiate which is acting up as they can be similar. If you feel like you have IBD, I would definitely push for more tests to be done until it is definitive that you don't have it. You may find this article helpful: https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/diagnostic-tests-and-procedures/
I hope this helps some. Let us know if there is anything else we can do.
Elizabeth (team member)
