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I would think long and hard before getting another colonoscopy. If your doctor is not convinced I don't see how another scope will change that. Maybe I'm missing something?
I believe getting my first colonoscopy ten years ago was the first step down the LC path for me. I had already been dealing with chronic constipation all my life and flipped to chronic D after the procedure (starting with the prep). My second resulted in a UC diagnosis by the doctor who performed it, a diagnosis of "mild, chronic colitis" from the pathologist, an LC diagnosis from my primary care doctor and an IBS diagnosis from the big city GI doc. Very confusing, to say the least. My condition remains the same, regardless. Plus I got worse after the last procedure, possibly from the prep
I find it interesting that so many GI docs don't trust other GI specialist's work. That always makes me suspicious of their motives. It suggests that they question the accuracy and reliability of their own work. (Otherwise, why would they distrust other doctors with similar qualifications?)
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
So pretty much everyone agrees not to get one, but he was also going to do an upper endoscopy as well becuase of me not digesting my food well. What does everyone think?
As long as you have active MC, with D, you are not going to be able to digest your food well. I doubt that the "upper" would show anything, unless you want him to check small intestinal biopsy samples for villus atrophy, (celiac disease).
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
tex wrote:I find it interesting that so many GI docs don't trust other GI specialist's work. That always makes me suspicious of their motives. It suggests that they question the accuracy and reliability of their own work. (Otherwise, why would they distrust other doctors with similar qualifications?)
Tex
I always keep in mind that doing procedures pays better than an office visit.
My gut feeling was that I was missing something. It sort of makes more sense now that I know he wants to do an upper, too. It helps to better know where he's coming from.
Would it be possible to get a second opinion on your biopsies that confirmed the LC? If so, do you think that would be helpful? I had planned to do that with mine but was unable to get a doctor to order it done (long story). It made sense to me, since I got a different opinion from each doctor involved. Granted, it might have only given me yet another totally different diagnosis, rather than confirming anything, but it seemed logical at the time.
Colonoscopy is a great tool, but I want to avoid it if at all possible because I think it can, in some cases, do more harm than good.
Good luck with it, and please let us know how it goes, and how the results turn out.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I'm coming in to this discussion late and I apologize for not being familiar with all your symptoms and circumstances. Having said that I would strongly encourage you to talk with your GI doc about being screened for mastocytic enterocolitis (ME) since you are opting for the repeat colonoscopy. Your doctor would need to send out a biopsy sample from your colonoscopy for special staining. Many doctors are not familiar with this newly recognized diagnosis. I was diagnosed with ME in 2009 thanks to my very savvy gastro. If it weren't for him I undoubtedly would still be carrying the (frustrating) diagnosis of IBS, which is why I am a self appointed "poster child" for getting proper screening for ME.
If you are interested in providing your gastro doc with more information here is an article (my GI doc was a co-author) that will provide him/her info on ME and the special staining required for the biopsy:
ME may or may not be the cause of your symptoms, but you will never know if you are not screened for it. I strongly encourage you to have your biopsy sample tested for it.
Good luck with your procedure. I hope it provides you with some conclusive answers.
I hope all goes well and you get some answers. Your situation sounds so frustrating! Please keep us posted.
Julie,
Thanks for posting the link. I'm too tired to read such a long article tonight, but it looks like a good read. My symptoms fit ME, but just asking for the special stain (after the fact - I did not know about it before my colonoscopy) seemed to knock everyone for a loop. I could not get anyone to agree to it before my giant deductible started over this month, so I gave up on the idea.
Final Diagnosis
Random Biopsies throughout colon: Colonic Mucosa Biopsies, One Fragment shows mildly elevated Intraepithelial Lymphocytes.
Note:
These Findings are non-specific. However, it raises possibilty of boderline changes of Microscopic Colitis. Clinicopathological correlation is recommended.
What does everyone make of this.
This is why I am so confused. My gastro in Boston says it it MC and IBS. She says they have the best pathologists. My gastro in my area is not convinced. This is why I am so confused.
that is what my GI also told in, in the last app. a couple of weeks ago, there is no doubt about CC and no need for another colonoscopy, but when I told him about some of my non D bowel complaints, he decided I have IBS too. Well IMO that is
"As the sense of identity shifts from the imaginary person to your real being as presence awareness, the life of suffering dissolves like mist before the rising sun"
Visit the Microscopic Colitis Foundation Website
