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Are Chronic Active Colitis Found In Colonoscopy Signs Of IBD?
Question: hi, i previously asked about several possibilities for a diagnosis based on my symptoms and test results...my firsr g.i. dr found "chronic active colitis" during a colonoscopy and thought I had IBD, but my new dr is saying she doesnt think it is IBD and keeps running more and more tests. They have just ruled out lyme disease and lupus, but i started getting sick in 2011 and have been sick since......these are my test results for around that time.....do you have any suggestions on what it could be besides IBD? thank you
Brief Answer:
Investigations suggest a bacterial infection
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
I understand your concern having suffered so much over the years.
Are you any medication for IBD now?
You do not have any evidence of any active lesions in your last colonoscopy. If you are not on medicines, IBD is less likely.
You had EB infection in the past but no active infection.
You do not have coeliac disease , nor do you have any disease with a bleeding tendency.
Your blood and stool investigations point to a bacterial infection and these infections can occur from time to time. At that time you can have abnormal bowel movements and there may be blood in the stools. If a colonoscopy is done at that time, it may show evidence of inflammation or small ulcers. It may give the impression of IBD, but biopsy would only show non specific colitis.
You could have a therapeutic trial for your symptoms. Take Ciprofloxacin and Tinidazole for 5 days. If your symptoms improve, it confirms the diagnosis.
Do get back to me if you have more queries.
Investigations suggest a bacterial infection
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
I understand your concern having suffered so much over the years.
Are you any medication for IBD now?
You do not have any evidence of any active lesions in your last colonoscopy. If you are not on medicines, IBD is less likely.
You had EB infection in the past but no active infection.
You do not have coeliac disease , nor do you have any disease with a bleeding tendency.
Your blood and stool investigations point to a bacterial infection and these infections can occur from time to time. At that time you can have abnormal bowel movements and there may be blood in the stools. If a colonoscopy is done at that time, it may show evidence of inflammation or small ulcers. It may give the impression of IBD, but biopsy would only show non specific colitis.
You could have a therapeutic trial for your symptoms. Take Ciprofloxacin and Tinidazole for 5 days. If your symptoms improve, it confirms the diagnosis.
Do get back to me if you have more queries.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
after they found blood in.my stool they did a colonoscopy in 2015 and found the colitis, i was placed on asacol for several.months and that is when they did the 2nd colonoscopy and found nothing. They tested me for several types of bacteria and i was negative, but is there a specific bacteria you are thinking of....it is possible that i have just had an infection for 4 years?
Brief Answer:
Likely to be recurrent infections
Detailed Answer:
When you travel and eat out, you are likely to take in some bacteria with your food. Usually they are gram negative bacilli. Sometimes there would be anaerobes. Unless one has very florid symptoms, stool culture would grow commensals, the normal bacteria of the colon.
When you take a broad spectrum antibiotic like Ciprofloxacin, the infection is controlled and you feel better till the next infection. The Tinidazole is for treatment of anaerobes.
Likely to be recurrent infections
Detailed Answer:
When you travel and eat out, you are likely to take in some bacteria with your food. Usually they are gram negative bacilli. Sometimes there would be anaerobes. Unless one has very florid symptoms, stool culture would grow commensals, the normal bacteria of the colon.
When you take a broad spectrum antibiotic like Ciprofloxacin, the infection is controlled and you feel better till the next infection. The Tinidazole is for treatment of anaerobes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
i think it is 100% possible, due to that i became ill after returning from haiti, where i ate their food and was exposed to many unhealthy situations....in 2013 i was prescribed cipro for something else and i felt like myself again after two years of being sick.on and off. I have asked my dr several times for a prescription because it helped so much before, but she refuses to give me one because she says all my bacterial tests (including c-diff) are negative. Is this something you recommend i seek a second opinion on to get a prescription, or could you please inform me on what specific tests i should have done so my dr will feel comfortable giving me a prescription? thank you
Brief Answer:
You are welcome
Detailed Answer:
There is sufficient evidence of a bacterial infection in the tests you have uploaded. Your blood WBC( leukocytes) count is high with high Neutrophil count and the stools examination shows higher than normal leukocytes.
These are sufficient for a doctor to give you the medicines at least as a therapeutic trial.
It was nice interacting with you and wish you good health.
You are welcome
Detailed Answer:
There is sufficient evidence of a bacterial infection in the tests you have uploaded. Your blood WBC( leukocytes) count is high with high Neutrophil count and the stools examination shows higher than normal leukocytes.
These are sufficient for a doctor to give you the medicines at least as a therapeutic trial.
It was nice interacting with you and wish you good health.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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