Is it IBS or Crohns?

[vampirevolkova]

i was diagnosed with Crohns in 2006 and on Prednisolone and Asacol then undiagnosed in 2008 and told I have IBS. I now take IBS medication but it is not working, i am in pain daily right side and have gastroentiritus issues alot as well as bowel issues, Is my doctor wrong? all my investigations are showing nothing,,,,,I am so confused! please help me!

[vampirevolkova]

thanks for your reply. I appreciate it.

I live in the Uk.

I dont know whats going on, if i didn't have Crohns then why was i on Steroids and Asacol? They're not IBS meds.... Its so confusing!

I've had many tests, somethin must of indicated Crohns to begin with and now nothing shows up, so i've been told I have IBS! The specialist said my symptoms are typical of Crohns but has given me meds for IBS.

The Buscopan isn't working, the codeine is not working like it used to, i have been taking it for 4yrs though!

I told my GP that i'm in daily pain, have bowel issues, not sleeping well and my appetite just comes and goes.... He just gives me same meds, tells me to drink my Ensure when i cant eat and i'll be ok. BUT  I'M NOT OK! He just won't listen!

I don't know what to do, this is really depressing me and getting me down.... I can't work due to my health, lack of sleep, trips to the loo many times a day and the pain. I just want to be ok, so I can work and provide a better life for me and my civil partner. Instead of being stuck in pain and home watchin my life go by!

[thephdtobe]

IBS and Crohn's are extremely different. There really shouldn't be any confusion in diagnosing between the two.  The problem at times is diagnosing between Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis as they are parts of a continuous spectrum of the disease.  Crohn's is an auto-immune disorder that can occur anywhere from your esophagus to your anus.  The location and extent of inflammation and ulcers often are what lead to one diagnosis or another.  Ulcerative Colitis is more typical in the large intestine and is curable through surgery.  Crohn's can be anywhere including the large intestine and will spread.  IBS is the diagnosis when someone has Crohn's Colitis type symptoms without showing inflammation in testing.  Is your doctor wrong?  It has happened in the past, it is strange that he changed the diagnosis.  Prednisone and Asacol and staple drugs in both Crohn's and colitis, and if you were put on them it makes sense that the doc saw inflammation when you were tested and diagnosed it as Crohn's.  It could be that the medications were working and upon further testing the inflammation was reduced to the extent that the doctor felt the initial diagnosis was wrong, when in fact you were going into remission.  Honestly there are only a few places in the world where one should seek treatment for Crohn's/Colitis.  There are hospitals that are light years ahead of the rest in research and treatment of the disease.  I don't know where you live.  But get in touch if you want, and I can point you in the right direction.  Best of luck.