Defining nonspecific colitis

[Funnel]

Over the last 6 months to a year I have experienced intermittent diarrhea and rectal bleeding as well as occasional abdominal cramping.  Most recent episode experienced diarrhea, bleeding, fever, severe cramping, weight loss, and anorexia.  Initial stool cultures were negative.  Colonoscopy revealed mild protitis and grade I hemorrhoids.  Cultures done at this time came back positive for campylobacter, greater than two weeks after initial onset.  Histology report diagnosis was moderate nonspecific inflammation, random colon biopsies.  Micro--Sections show pieces of colon mucosa with moderate lymph-plasmacytic infiltration of lamina propria.  Significant crypt distortion is not identified.  Thickening of collagen band or transmucosal inflammation is absent.  Occasional reactive lymphoid aggregates are present.

I also have psoriais and psoriatic arthritis.  Abdominal symptoms worsen with menstrual cycle.  Prednisone and other anti-inflammatory/immune suppressors improve symptoms.  Cannot treat arthritis/psoriais until determine cause of GI complaints.  So what exactly is nonspecific colitis?

[Funnel]

Thanks CalGal.  I followup Monday with the doctor to discuss what all this means.  I was just wanting  a little foresight to prepare myself in advance.

[CalGal]

It's basically a form of inflammatory bowel condition that they can't pin a definitive 'name' on. Some of the wording sounds like the pathologist was leaning toward microscopic colitis, but didn't have enough parameters to go on. They appear to have ruled out collagenous colitis, however.

All-in-all, you're dealing with an inflammatory bowel problem, and it probably should be treated as such. If your doc is leaning toward the idea of M.C., you may want to look into both medication for IBDs and into the idea that for some with M.C. they find some benefit from following either a gluten-free and/or dairy-free diet. Doc's haven't all 'caught up' with that idea yet, but many of those dealing with the problem are very vocal about it.