"Chronic colitis"

Chronic colitis just means chronic inflammation of the colon. So, almost certainly IBD, but it could be still be UC *or* CD. My GI also told me my biopsies (which showed chronic colitis) "proved" I had UC, but that's not true (she later admitted she was "90% sure" it was UC). There is no way to definitely "prove" UC is not Crohn's (though I believe analysis of the colon after proctocolectomy can come pretty close in determining that because they can look at all layers of the bowel wall).

Yes, you most likely have ulcerative colitis. It's always a series of tests and not just a single biopsy that determine your diagnosis. Usually you have a stool test for infectious causes that's negative, the visual colonoscopy, and the biopsies in order to make a diagnosis. There's a small chance of misdiagnosis but it's only slight.

Chronic means permanent cell architecture changes were seen. A one time infection wouldn't permanently change things. However IBD does due to repeat cycles of healing and inflammation. I'll start with the most comon example of architecture change. Normally the large intestine has an orderly and predictable pattern of small blood vessels (capillaries). With IBD, the pattern of capillaries is random and unpredictable due to repeat occurrances of inflammation.

Canaveral said...
Could a chronic infectious process not cause 'chronic colitis?' It does the same thing: repeated inflammation and healing cycles.

I am curious about this, too.

The other question I had was could a parasitic or bacterial infection cause changes to architecture? I may create a new question to ask....

I see, thanks IPoop.

Along these lines I suppose since my current flare has produced symptoms for 18 months now, my entertaining the remote possibility of this being a bacterial, viral or parasitic infection is probably moot, too, isn't it?

Because if it were one of those, the condition would surely have degraded and become much worse by now? I ask because I have never submitted a stool sample before. Earlier I was thinking about asking my doc to issue one ;-)

Sorry for hijacking OP !

iPoop said...
If there's any doubt then ask for a stool test to check for infectious, pathogenic causes. I'd say it's wishful-thinking to say you don't have uc and unlikely, but you could have c diff and UC or something.

Wishful thinking? me? ha! you've got my number alright, iPoop.....I am going to request one anyway though, as I see strange things in my morning 'deposits' sometimes and I've wondered about it. Thanks again!

Canaveral said...
Keep in mind I'm in 'remission' from UC, but none of my symptoms have improved at all. I'm almost positive my issue is bacterial. I improve to compete normalcy on Vancomycin immediately. There's no other explanation.

So......you are saying that you still have symptoms yet are in remission? how can both of these things be true?

If it isn't too much to ask, what ARE your symptoms? for instance, I have muscus constantly and with not treatment it includes blood. Based on the statement above, I could also be considered in remission?

WOW......I am really sorry, Canaveral. I agree with you, there has to be some other source that is causing your symptoms if it isn't UC related. Have you also been diagnosed with IBS or any secondary issue?

I have only had those cluster of symptoms a few times and I sure know what you mean. I have never figured out what the source was. For me there was never a back to back situation. That sort of thing has been sporadic.

The fact that this goes away with the vancomycin is very intriguing to me.....I am going to do some looking into it myself.

Have you had an upper endoscopy or pill cam? If you have small bowel disease (Crohn's) that could be the cause of your symptoms.

Does upper endoscopy actually go into the small intestine?
q

It will look at your stomach, duodenum, and possibly the first part of your jejunum. A pill cam would be better, but it may still find something.