chronic diarrhea

[beansandcornbread]

Okay, I have been getting diarrhea for some time now- months in fact.  I had a baby in NOV 05 by csection, and since then I have been all messed up bathroom-wise.  I went to my doc and he did an ultrasound, he said my colon was inflamed and that colitis would go away with meds.  I have been on the meds for about three weeks, and am almost out of them- they seemed to help at first, but now not so much.  It was hysoclamine? (spelling incorrect probably)  anyway- I am getting b12 defecient again, My corners of my mouth are all red and cracked, and I am def suffering from malabsorption.  I get sick everytime I eat again now, and it is very fatty stools.  My doc said if I come back a colonoscopy is the next move- which I am dreading- badly-.  I am even losing weight again too.  I just would like to avoid the colonoscopy- my doc seems kind of lazy.  He didn't run any blood tests, just gave me an iron and b12 shot and the meds and seems to write me off.  If I was better I wouldn't mind, but it seems to be recurring.  Any ideas- other avenues I could try???  Anything to avoid the colonoscopy----- thanks!!
-HS

[lizziecee]

In my experience colitis does not "just go away" (I have pan-Crohn's colitis) but can be kept in remission with appropriate medication. I don't see how an ultrasound can diagnose ulcerative colitis or Crohn's. The usual procedure is a colonoscopy of the large intestine and/or endoscopy of the small intestine.  They are duck soup these days, as he gastro will give you light sedation ad you won't feel or know a thing until you wake up. The worst part, for me at least, is the preparation to clean out the intestines.

Do you know why you are B12 deficient?  I have been having B12 shots every month for the past 20+ years as my terminal ileum is scarred from many Crohn's flares. The terminal ileum is the only place in the body where B12 is metabolised.

I would seriously consider having a colonoscopy with biopsies of any suspicious tissue and then you can move onto proper medication if you indeed have an inflammatory bowel disease. Leaving matters will only make the condition worsen and could permanently ffect the internal mucosal lining of the intestines.

I don't know if inflammation can be seen on MRI, but it is a thought, as the procedure is non invasive. I had one last week (first time) to look at a stricture in my small intestine, which was dx by endoscopy a few months ago and my gastro is concerned it is getting narrowed and may burst. You could ask your gastro if an MRI is indicated for your problem.

Hope you get it sorted out soon.
Liz.

[lizziecee]

In my experience colitis does not "just go away" (I have pan-Crohn's colitis) but can be kept in remission with appropriate medication. I don't see how an ultrasound can diagnose ulcerative colitis or Crohn's. The usual procedure is a colonoscopy of the large intestine and/or endoscopy of the small intestine.  They are duck soup these days, as he gastro will give you light sedation ad you won't feel or know a thing until you wake up. The worst part, for me at least, is the preparation to clean out the intestines.

Do you know why you are B12 deficient?  I have been having B12 shots every month for the past 20+ years as my terminal ileum is scarred from many Crohn's flares. The terminal ileum is the only place in the body where B12 is metabolised.

I would seriously consider having a colonoscopy with biopsies of any suspicious tissue and then you can move onto proper medication if you indeed have an inflammatory bowel disease. Leaving matters will only make the condition worsen and could permanently ffect the internal mucosal lining of the intestines.

I don't know if inflammation can be seen on MRI, but it is a thought, as the procedure is non invasive. I had one last week (first time) to look at a stricture in my small intestine, which was dx by endoscopy a few months ago and my gastro is concerned it is getting narrowed and may burst. You could ask your gastro if an MRI is indicated for your problem.

Hope you get it sorted out soon.
Liz.