Where to look for a Diagnosis

[Shimi]

I am a 23 year old who has an over 5 year history of abdominal pain and diarrhea. Unfortunately every time I've seen someone it was a new hospital or a new doctor who never had my history to go on. Luckly the last few ER visits all the doctors came to roughly the same conclussion. Colitis/Crohns/Diverticultis/IBS.

I have daily pain mild to moderate and 5-10 movements a day. Usually around 10 unless I'm not eating to avoid the pain and nausea. (However pain is still present without food) I have flare ups about every 4-6 months that land me in the ER unable to breathe from the contraction type pain. The last ER visit my CT scan showed a 12mm section of the small bowel wall thickened and infected. That visit and every other lab I've gotten over the last 5 years shows high EOS and ESR, and low RBC, HGB, and HCT.

I have no allergies at all, and no specific foods make it any worse but alcohol in moderation seems to make it feel better as odd as that sounds.

I am getting ready for a deployment and I have been having enough problems as is, I am very concerned about my ability to perform in combat without treatment.  My question is where do I look and what should I ask? I'm not used to doctors and hospitals (despite this one recurring issue) and I'm not sure how to help myself and the multitude of new doctors I'm sure to see between now and my deployment.  



*Note* Stool samples came back neg for any bacteria etc.

[Ratnakar Kini]

Hi Shimi,
Small bowel wall thickening is commonly seen in Crohn's disease.

You need to consult a gastroenterologist who may do a few tests to find out if you have Crohn's disease.
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The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.

- Ratnakar Kini M.D.

[VCASILLAS]

I forgot to mention that my stool samples always came back negative for infection also and when my ct scan showed the thickining of my small intestine they ignored it. But after a month of vomiting, pain, and all the other fun stuff they knew that it could be serious so thats when I was sent to a GI. And I'll warn you now they will probably want to do a colonoscopy to make sure thats what it is. Please get your self some help!

[VCASILLAS]

Hey,
Sounds like Crohns! Everything you are describing is what i was going threw. You need to see a GI Doctor and get on medication. I was haiving flares every 4-6 months and now its like every other month, lasting up t two weeks. I agree with alcohol in moderation helping the pain some but I know in the long run it could need up causing more pain. The best thing to do is go to the doctor. I know a lot of people have great results after having the surgery. They just cut out the diseased section of your small intestine. Being that I am 21 I am considering the surgery, it has hurt my social life and my career. Plus if you leave it untreated it can spread and then you wont have a choice but to have the sugery and there will be a lot more complications.