Do I have Crohn's Disease?

[xsimplicity]

I had a colonoscopy done a few weeks ago and my doctor said the problem was that he found ulcers at the end of the small intestines and I need to do a endoscopy. After the colonoscopy, my stool was normal again but then changed back on Friday night. I've been having diarrhea since July 2008 and it affected my school work dramatically especially since this is my first year in college.  

When I was talking to the doctor for a follow-up of the colonoscopy report he had a sad grin on his face. The report said terminal ileum - mild active chronic ileitis w/ granulomatous inflammation. He believes I might have Crohn's disease but is hoping I don't. I asked him if he had any cases like this and said rarely. I don't know if its because of my age since I'm 18 and he hasn't had patients like this or something who knows.

Has anyone had similar symptoms and was diagnosed with Crohns? How can you balance your life with this disease?

[April2]

I had a mass removed from my small intestine almost 2 years ago that they tested and said because of the granulomas it was probably something like 98% probability that it was Crohns. They said you don't usually see the granulomas unless it's Crohns. Also, the fact that it was located in the Terminal Ileum was further proof.
It sounds like you do have Crohns. The good thing is Crohns can go into remission and may not even ever come back. Some people just get one or two outbreaks in their whole life. Some people have it much worse. It's different in everybody.

Your doctor will probably want to start you on a steroid to calm down any inflamation. You may have to change your diet a bit and get colonoscopies more often to keep an eye on things but will still be able to live a pretty normal life. I hope this helps! God bless.
April

[jdrtwin1]

i have mild colitis but it isn't and wasn't the end of the world, there are medications to manage this disease and lifestyle changes that can help as well