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Question about UC and Crohn's.

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/11/2014 11:40 PM (GMT -7)
Hello, oh my goodness, I have not been here in a long time! I am happy to say that I have been in remission for a few years now! I have a question and I'd like to hear your input.

My question is about my sister. Is it possible to have Crohn's or UC where other than terrible stomach pain, severe constipation is the only other symptom?

She has always suffered from constipation and nothing has ever helped. This last year she has gotten worse. Her stomach always hurts, she's lost some weight, and she's even had the occasional bout of diarrhea/runs (unheard of for her). No blood or mucous.

She sees a regular doctor and a naturopath. The doctor is useless as usual and at this point the naturopath is stumped. She has eliminated dairy, wheat/gluten, and sugar from her diet for the last six months and it has not helped.
Posted 5/12/2014 5:19 AM (GMT -7)
Yes, this could be either UC or Crohn's. Or it could be a bowel mobility problem or any number of other serious things. She might consider seeing a gastroenterologist to sort it out.
Posted 5/12/2014 5:43 AM (GMT -7)
She should see a real doctor, a GI. In my opinion Naturopath's are useless. They usually tell you what you want to hear so it always sounds good to their patients. It's not surprising that this one is stumped. They only know one thing and if it doesn't work they can't believe it, or they are "stumped". Maybe they just don't realize that people can have real diseases that require real medical treatment.
Posted 5/12/2014 5:57 AM (GMT -7)
Is she on any medications? Might sound silly but my dad is on a lot of meds and it makes him severely constipated, massive bloated belly and lots of pain.

They have no idea what it is but, might be some of the pain meds he takes.
Posted 5/12/2014 6:38 AM (GMT -7)
Sounds like its time for a colonoscopy!
Good idea to get a look in there and see whats going on. Especially with such a close relative with IBD.
Posted 5/12/2014 7:22 AM (GMT -7)
It's great you're doing well!

I also suggest she get referred to have a c-scope. At least for a start to rule out anything in her colon.

If all is good, they there are other testing she'd need to determine what's going on.

q
Posted 5/12/2014 9:39 AM (GMT -7)
It sounds like it could be IBS, but it could be many things...she should see a GI and get scoped.
Posted 5/12/2014 10:56 AM (GMT -7)
My sister is an adult but she has learning disabilities so my mom helps with a lot of the appointments. I have been telling my mom for months now to push for a GI referral. I've said she really needs to get a colonoscopy at this point. She's had x-rays and ultrasounds and they don't show anything. She's given stool samples. I mean we went through all this with me when I was a child and I had all the classic symptoms!!! My mom should know better.

She is on no medications.
I don't accept IBS as an answer.

Judy, can anything be done for a bowel mobility problem? Healthy eating, exercise, fibre, elimination diet, etc has done nothing.

Thank you for all the replies. You've all reinforced my own thoughts that she NEEDS to see a GI and get a colonoscopy.

Post Edited (Asia) : 5/12/2014 12:01:04 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/12/2014 11:00 AM (GMT -7)
Learning disabilities tend to correlate well to gut dysbiosis and bacterial imbalances in the colon. Has she checked for bacteria overgrowth via stool analyses?

What disability does she have exactly if you don't mind me asking?
Posted 5/12/2014 11:13 AM (GMT -7)
@ Guardian7 - Thats really interesting, I havent heard of a correlation between LDs and dysbiosis. Do you happen to know of any studies/reviews on the topic?

Also, on topic, I too agree that a colonoscopy should be performed. It cant hurt and it should hopefully give you a better idea of what is going on!
Posted 5/12/2014 11:17 AM (GMT -7)
Do you have to request that they check for a bacteria overgrowth or do they automatically check it? She gave a sample several months ago and nothing was off. She is supposed to give another one but she can't go right now.

I'll Google dybosis..I don't know anything about it!

I do not remember exactly what her disability is called (I can find out?) but if you looked at her you would think she was "normal". She has a slight speech impediment and has difficulty processing instructions, emotions, etc. For example, if I ask her to go get me a towel, she won't know what to do unless I specify in the bathroom, in the closet, on the shelf, etc. She isn't capable of working and is on disability.
Posted 5/12/2014 11:19 AM (GMT -7)
Look up Dr.Natasha Campbell McBride's work on gut and psychology syndrome. She's the author of the GAPS diet and was able to reverse her son's autism early onwards with it. I didn't do so well on the diet because, IMO, it's a starvation diet, but everything she says about gut flora altering brain function is on point and supported by the upcoming research. I'd like to think of it more as a short term therapeutic diet.

As far as studies - they are scattered but here's a comprehensive article detailing the impact of our gut bacteria on just about every condition, including diabetes. MRI scans show better cognitive function in those with normalized gut bacteria.

Post Edited (Guardian7) : 5/12/2014 12:23:32 PM (GMT-6)

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