Could this be Crohn's related?

[April2]

I had a mass removal in my small intestines almost 6 years ago and the they said it looked like Crohns but it was contained to that area and since they got it all they said I may never have another outbreak. . Since then I've done pretty well with just some mild problems with diarhea and some digestive upset, but livable so I assumed I was in remission and possibly might not have to deal with another outbreak.

I've had a couple of issues that I was wondering about and wondering if they could be related to Crohns? One is constant small burping all througout the day, from the moment I get up (before I eat or drink), throughout the day. It's somewhat annoying but not that bad, I guess. That's been going on for a few years so I assume it's par for the course.

The other more recent issue is I guess you could call flare ups with some pain and discomfort (almost a burning) around the area of the rectum. It will be pretty tender and uncomfortable for a few days to up to a week and then go away. I'm careful with hygeine and take showers every day and try to stay dry and clean as much as possible. During these outbreaks I've tried using Tucks pads and other products for relief but it seems to just be something that takes a few days or more to go away. I don't think there's any tearing or anything. Don't think it's hemorrhoids or at least not outside ones. I wouldn't know how to tell if I have any internal ones.  I'm just wondering if this could be a sign of inflammation going on inside and possibly a flare up of the Crohns?

Is it worth a visit to the GI doctor and possibly getting another colonoscopy or is it just something I have to live with? The last colonoscopy I had was almost 3 years ago. Of course, I don't relish getting another one if it's not needed. Just wondering what's going on.
Also, any other relief ideas I can try?

Thanks so much!

[April2]

Thanks Jayne. I never did present with normal Crohns symptoms. Never had bleeding, weight loss, etc. When I had that obstruction in my small intestines, they weren't sure what it was and so sent the mass off to pathology and everyone was surprised when it came back that they said they were 98-99% sure it was Crohns because of the granulomas, etc. They actually sent it off to a second pathologist to get a second opinion and they said the same thing. But they felt like since it was contained in that one mass and they didn't see it anywhere else that it could put me into remission and possibly never come back.
Since the surgery I've had a few colonoscopies just to see how things are going and I always have inflammation, some small ulceration, but with meds usually clears things up.
Certain food upset me more and I have diarhea more now but not sure if that's IBD or just because they cut out about 5 inches from my small intestines near the terminal ileum.
Anyway, I do try to watch things and get a colonoscopy every couple of years or so. I'm very fortunate in that I've done pretty well since that surgery in '07 and I'm grateful for that.


Dr. Kaul, thank you for responding as well! I will consider your suggestions. Thanks so much!

[coughting]

April2,
I would go back to your gastro dr.  The burping could be from gas and with Crohns you produce a lot of gas.  Actually, thinking back, I think my first sysmptom was my stomach rumbling.  So I would definitely go back to the GI dr.  He may do a colonoscopy and upper scope also.

Best of luck and keep us informed.

Jayne

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Though both the burps and the rectal discomfort could both be related to crohns, with the description provided and in the absence of other symptoms it does seem an unlikely possibility; where other causes of inflammation and other unrelated causes such as infections, growths/ masses, GI motility issues, hormonal/ endocrine causes etc. would need to be considered. I would suggest getting this evaluated by a primary care physician initially and depending on the cause diagnosed/ suspected, it can be managed accordingly or a gastroenterology consult may be sought.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!

[April2]

I forgot to mention I also have nausea a lot, pretty much every day, all day. Some days are worse than others and mornings are worst than the rest of the day usually.