Inflamatory bowel disease

Today marks the third day of what I think is InflamatoryBowel Disease, based on two important and classic symptoms -- occasional cramping plus inflamation (inflammation) -- both of which appear to be improving.  So, as long as it seems to be improving on a day by day basis, it is my contention that I can probably handle the occurrence without medication.  

I follow the recommended guidelines of getting plenty of rest along with a normal, well balanced diet and have had not experienced any diarrhea (other than the day of onset), rectal bleeding, fever or vomiting.  My appetite seems quite normal.  So I'm curious to know whether I should be taking any OTC drugs and whether the absence of these other symptioms would sufficiently rule out Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis?

Perhaps the most facinating part of this episode is that it was one year ago that I suffered what was then diagnosed by experienced medical personnel as probable appendicitis.  It also occurred at the end of a long and stressful motorhome trip from western New York to the Florida Key and was treated (at my insistence) with massive anitbiotice and no surgery.  The only difference was that last year the pain and inflammation was 10 times greater, with constipation and no appetite whatsoever.

It is my "gut" feeling (no pun intended) that last year's appendicitis introduced the IBD which is known to recurr but not be contagious.   What a surprising twist of fate.  Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated in line with the questions posed.

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi,
Cramping is not a specific symptom of IBD. It can occur in many other conditions also.
IBD has to be confirmed with colonocscopy/enteroscopy and biopsy.

[hkight]

Thanks for the information.  In the absence of a colonoscopy and/or biopsy, I would like to believe that there might be other symptoms of IBD which would provide some confirmatory evidence or point to the "liklihood" of IBD.