Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum.  ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Gastroenterology  (Expert Forum)
 | 
IBS or IBD?
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin Pho, MD Boston - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/ Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
Post a Question Back to Forum
MedHelp Member's Question

IBS or IBD?

by SCR, Dec 05, 2005 12:00AM
I am a 32 yr. old female who has been experiencing bouts of sometimes extreme abdominal pain for almost 3 yrs now. The first time I experienced the pain which was intense, I was 6 months pregnant and spent a night in the hospital. After which I had an ultrasound of my gallbladder, which was fine. Sometimes the pain is moderate, and other times it is a severe cramping, and usually (but not always) located in my upper middle abdomen which is comparable to labor pains. I also usually have explosive diarrhea and some nausea, however this does not relieve the pain which usually is intense for one day and lingers for 3 or 4. Finally after 6 or 7 episodes in 3 yrs I went to a gastro doc. I never have constipation. I also have muscle and some joint pain in my legs. Also twitching of the muscles in my legs usually when I try to sleep. Doc did a fecal occult blood test, which was positive. The doc ordered a series of tests, sed rate, h. pylori, RH, ANA Titer, and A/BC igG (<---I think that was it-doc's handwriting was hard to read as I was taking the orders to the lab.)All my test turned out in the normal range except for the sed rate which was high (exact number I do not know.) He also scheduled me for a colonoscopy and an endoscopy, and he found "colitis and gastritis." My husband remembers the pics: pics of my stomach showed a red stripe, however colon pics were just pink with no ulcerations. Doc did find and removed a polyp and took several different biopsies. I also had to give stool samples, which were all ok with no parasites. A nurse called back to say that my biospies showed no bacterial infections, and stool samples showed no parasitic infections. I have a follow up visit scheduled for next week, which hopefully the doc will have some answers by then. Also my mother has Still's Disease, and my father has had a milder form of digestive episodes himself. However he has had 2 ano-rectal abscesses, which required surgery. Other than that he has not sought a diagnosis for his gastro troubles. I was hoping for feedback from this forum. Specifically on the difference between IBS and IBD, and ideas on a diagnosis.Thanks!
Doctor's Answer

by Kevin Pho, MD, Dec 06, 2005 12:00AM
Irritable bowel disease and inflammatory bowel disease are two seperate disease.  Inflammatory bowel disease consists of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.  Normally, an endoscopy (either colonoscopy or upper endoscopy) would be needed for the diagnosis.  Specifically, in Crohn's disease this can affect the small bowel, so some imaging of the small bowel may be needed.  Treatment would involve steroids and other anti-inflammatories.  



Irritable bowel syndrome is caused by a spastic colon.  It is not normally associated with inflammation.  This is normally a diagnosis of exclusion - meaning it can be considered if other causes of the symptoms are ruled out.  Treatment would involve increasing the fiber in the diet, and possible antispasmodic agents.



More can be found here -



IBS:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/irritablebowelsyndrome.html



IBD - Crohn's:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/crohnsdisease.html



IBD - ulcerative colitis:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ulcerativecolitis.html



Followup with your personal physician is essential.



This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.



Kevin, M.D.

kevinmd_b
Member Comments (9)

by nelsonchatham, Dec 05, 2005 12:00AM
To: SCR
any depression, fatigue, low body temp, etc?  IBS is one of the most common hypo symptoms...so you might want to rule that out.  ask for thyroid antibody testing too.

by SCR, Dec 05, 2005 12:00AM
I do not have depression symptoms, and actually I have always had a slightly lower body temperature. My temp is usually 98 degrees or lower. I do have some fatigue, but I have always attributed that to having a busy lifestyle. I have 2 toddlers, and work partially from home. I have not had any thyroid function tests. I will mention that to my doc. Thank you for your input.

by sick for 22 years, Dec 07, 2005 12:00AM
To: SCR
And thyroid problems can cause all kinds of muscle aches and pains.Please see my earlier thread GET YOUR THYROID CHECKED.

by nelsonchatham, Dec 08, 2005 12:00AM
To: SCR
I highly recommend that you get more than the standard TSH test.  Ask for thyroid antibodies and Free T4 and Free T3 (the actual thyroid hormones).  if those labs are in the lower 1/3 and/or you have thyroid antibodies - i think you will have found the origin of your problems.

by SCR, Dec 09, 2005 12:00AM
I am a little confused? I do not have many of the symptoms of a thyroid problem. Could a thyroid problem cause inflammation of the colon (colitis) and my stomach (gastritis), severe abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and nausea, and blood in the stool?  I would not think so.