All I want for Christmas is IBD.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
IBD could be my ticket to treatment. My leg problem, eye inflammation, anemia, etc. could all be 
managed if there is an identified cause. I could enter 2010 with a diagnosis and some direction on where to go from here. I’m ready. I’ve got books on Crohn’s and Colitis in my Amazon.com shopping list and I’m prepared to make a donation to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. I want to make a genuine connection with what is causing my body unrest so that I may move forward and put the shame and frustration behind me.
I know Dr. PCP is banking on IBD. My husband is, too. And while I am counting on it to some degree, I am also realistic. After all, I am the medical puzzle. Even the Gastroenterologist said, “It sounds like you need Dr. House.”
And while it’s somewhat funny or intersting that the medical community thinks I need a fictious diagnostician, the guy is still fictitious and there’s no chance of me ending up in his care.
This is not my first experience in exploring IBD as an answer. In the past, it has only led to more questions. But I can hope that after 10+ years without seeing a Gastroenterologist, this time will be different.
You see the word “Believe” frequently this time of year. While I don’t believe the EGD and colonoscopy will bring the answers I am seeking, I continue to wish for peace of mind. Whether in the form of a diagnosis or treatment. I wish for peace and relief.
What are you wishing for this year? Do you believe?
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I don’t understand how IBD, which I was diagnosed with oh so many years ago, could explain things like your muscle atrophy, your eye problems and stuff like that.
Don’t get me wrong — I am totally hoping that this path leads you to an answer and a treatment plan that leaves you feeling full of energy and without any pain or other problems!!
The anemia makes more sense to me as a possible result of IBS. But the others? I dunno …
So when are you having the endoscopy and colonoscopy? A friend of mine says she had both at the same time and doesn’t remember anything (except the nasty prep) except a vague awareness when they flipped her over after doing one end to do the other.
I hope your experience with them is as painless as hers was, and that it brings you helpful results, whether it confirms a diagnosis or rules some out.
*hugs*
Yes, Aviva, I’m doubtful, too. But one thing I found interesting is that some people with Crohn’s first show symptoms of inflammation in the eye. My EGD was yesterday and my colonoscopy Monday. Thanks for the hugs, I need them!
I think you can safely say that you are the only one wishing for that for Christmas! …but I guess in your situation it may be better than the alternative.
I can’t believe that if this is the sole correct diagnosis it wouldn’t have been found out already. It would be a very odd case of IBD. And it’s not like IBD is that obscure or hard to diagnose disease. Heck, even ol’ slow Doctor D has diagnosed folks with that one!
“I want to make a genuine connection with what is causing my body unrest so that I may move forward and put the shame and frustration behind me.”
You have nothing to be ashamed of. Also you already have everything that is in your body in your body already. You don’t need a name to connect to what is going on in you. You already own it, but don’t let it own you!
Good luck and keep us posted!
Dear Doctor D,
You have had a really strong and really positive impact on my life. The way I look at my medical problems, the way I look at my relationships with doctors, and the way I look at myself.
Thank you.
I’m not sure if IBD is the same thing as IBS, but if so… in my opinion, that’s not a diagnosis, it’s a “catch all” when they can’t find the exact cause and don’t want to look any further. They would be like telling someone who loses much of the strength in one arm that they have “an arm issue” and leaving it at that.
In the human body, there is ALWAYS a cause and effect… it’s just not always apparent and sometimes never known. I grew up with the diagnosis of IBS and never changed my eating habits, but just kept living the same lifestyle and eating the same crap that all of us Americans eat. A few years back, I started getting acid reflux really bad and during that same time frame started to realize that I had packed on about 50 extra pounds. I took a good hard look in the mirror and completely changed my eating habits. My IBS absolutely disappeared… as well as my acid reflux. However, now that I have another illness going on, my IBS is back and, as of the last week or so, so too is some minor acid reflux. These are symptoms of what’s going on inside me, not causes.
***Full disclosure: I’ve been craving more sweets lately and have let myself have more than usual, because I still watch my calories like a hawk (Do hawks watch their calories?) and haven’t gained any weight. But I’m sure that eating more sugar and processed foods again is absolutely contributing to the return of my reflux.***