Can you have both crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis?
My husband was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis 8 years ago. He has been in a flare up for almost a year now and now doctors are discussing Crohn's disease. We are wondering can you be diagnosed with both?
Cola,
Your husband wouldn't be diagnosed with both UC and Crohn's. In my case I was diagnosed with UC ten years ago. A few months ago when I was in a flare some of my symptoms made my doctor think I was trending more in the Crohn's direction. I could have a colonoscopy done to verify her theory, but for me, the treatments that I use for the UC helped the flare calm down and all is back to normal.
But no, he wouldn't have both. It's one or the other. They can be tricky to diagnose and sometimes it's not until symtpoms get worse or new symptoms arise that a definitive diagnosis can be made for one or the other.
A colonoscopy and a look at his small bowel will be the most likely tests they do to figure this out.
Good luck,
Elizabeth
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TabithaG
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Elizabeth Roberts
Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 03:11 PM
Hi,
You're right, there is a diagnosis now called Crohn's Colitis. More than a year ago when I answered that question I was unaware that this diagnosis existed. But, over the past 6 months I've heard more and more GI's (gastroenterologists) discuss this new diagnosis within the IBD family.
So, you are correct.
Elizabeth
Sorry, but I find it interesting that you can't be diagnosed with both UC & Crohn's Disease. My brother was diagnosed with BOTH 6 years ago. I myself have been dealing with issues and was explaining my family history to my PCP and he told me the same thing -- you can't be diagnosed with both, yet he HAS been diagnosed with both.
How is it possible for one doctor to make an official diagnosis of both, yet others say it's impossible?