NormaJean
asks:
In May of 2007, I had a biopsy showing
severe blunting of the villi in my
small intestine. I was diagnosed
with celiac
disease. I had a double-balloon
endoscopy (DBE) done in January for
bleeding due to arteriovenous
malformations (AVM) — seven areas were cauterized.
After
the DBE, I had chronic diarrhea for
30 days. Prednisone was prescribed
- starting with 40 mg for seven days
and reducing the dosage by 5 mg each
day afterwards. I was fine for three
weeks and then the diarrhea returned.
I started taking prednisone again,
this time starting with 20 mg. I
am down to 10 mg now. I am also on
a gluten-free diet.
My GI doctor
said I might have Crohn's
disease instead
of celiac disease. My
blood tests for celiac disease have
always been normal. I am going to
have a Prometheus IBD test done.
What is this? What is the treatment
for Crohn's disease? If I have Crohn's,
can I assume that I do not have celiac disease?
Anil
Rustgi, MD responds:
The PROMETHEUS® IBD
Serology 7 is a blood test that helps
your physician determine if you have
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD),
and if so, which type – ulcerative
colitis or Crohn's disease.
Crohn's disease is treated with
a combination of medications and may
eventually require bowel surgery. Crohn's
disease is not directly related to
celiac disease – it is possible
to have both.
To make an appointment
with a Penn gastroenterologist specializing
in celiac disease and Crohn's disease,
please call 800.789.PENN (7366) or request
an appointment online. |
