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Can CD be missed when looking for UC

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/26/2021 2:24 AM (GMT -8)
My flare symptoms this time are much different than before. I have been Dxed with UC for over 10 years now but largely in remission. I have currently a lot more upper GI issues....bloated stomach (but no gas), reflux, upper left sided pain. I do not really have D nor urgency but do have loose stools. I had a colonoscopy some months back and my colon and TI looked in excellent shape according to the biopsies. Yet I was still having those issues back then as well as flitting non-swelling joint problems.

Has anyone had CD missed on scope because they were primarily looking for UC and did not bother to to upper GI exams? Can CD even present higher up than the TI?
Posted 12/26/2021 5:48 AM (GMT -8)
Charlie789,

I am sorry you are going thru this.

I was diagnosed with UC by 2 different doctors within a timeframe of 6 months and after separate scopes. In the 7th month I had fistulas appear. It was then I received a diagnoses of Severe fistulizing Crohn's and UC. So you can have both or be misdiagnosed.

I had to go thru 4 doctor's before I found one that I felt comfortable with. He explained that it's very difficult to tell the difference on some patients.

I hope you get some answers and relief.

Clo
Posted 12/26/2021 6:34 AM (GMT -8)
Have you been tested for SIBO? That could be the upper GI changes.
Posted 12/26/2021 7:21 AM (GMT -8)
Thanks clo?

I've thought of SIBO but how would SIBO cause joint pain?
Posted 12/26/2021 7:46 AM (GMT -8)

Charlie789 said...
Thanks clo?

I've thought of SIBO but how would SIBO cause joint pain?

You could have SIBO with UC and the UC is causing the joint pain (or something else) - the human body is complex. I’d just stick with the UC diagnosis (not that it really matters) until they find something that actually changes it. If it looked like UC during a c-scope then it probably is.

The SIBO test is just blowing into a bag for a while. It is much easier than an upper GI series
Posted 12/26/2021 10:08 AM (GMT -8)
You mentioned GERD & your symptoms sure go with that. Not sure if you have tried anything OTC for it. Same with joint pain, both diseases can cause it. Keith gave you some good tips too. Talk to your dr.

Take care.
Posted 12/26/2021 6:17 PM (GMT -8)
Medicine is seldom 100%. What I can tell you with certainty though is that since my UC diagnosis 10 mos. ago, my joints have aged me 10 years. My left wrist the doc looked at the X-ray and said,”What a mess.”

Whether this is UC or Humira related, I do not know. I’m on a 3 month protocol of steroid injections just to keep me sane. (And they help tremendously. Just be sure to have an ORTHOPEDIC DOCTOR who knows what he’s doing inject them.)

Edit: Can’t shut up without throwing out an opinion….I believe these doctors, who’s been doing this for an entire career, pretty much know what they’re looking at as soon as they see it on the scope. But that’s certainly one man’s conjecture)

Post Edited (island time) : 12/26/2021 7:21:06 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/27/2021 4:04 AM (GMT -8)
CD can present anywhere along the digestive tract.
One of my sisters was repeatedly told she had IBS after 3 clean scopes missed her CD. Eventually a specialist found inflammation in her ileum. It showed on both ultrasound and capsule endoscopy. She also had ulcers in her terminal ileum which the previous scopes somehow missed.
An ultrasound might be a quick way to check if there is anything going on outside the colon.
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