How did your Crohn's start?

[imus865]

I've recently had some concerning GI symptoms (which I'll describe more below) that have motivated me to scour the Internet for possible explanations. The symptoms and typical age of onset (I'm a 23 y/o male) associated with Crohn's got my attention when reading about it, so I've been researching the disease a bit. I've been frustrated at the lack of information on two fairly basic topics:

1) What are the typical INITIAL symptoms for those who later end up diagnosed with Crohn's? Do severe/frequent symptoms typically come on very suddenly, or do they progressively worsen/increase in frequency over time?
2) What's the typical frequency of symptoms for Crohn's patients in general? Every article I read talks about periods of "flare-ups" and "remission," but never describes how long each phase lasts or their relative frequency to each other. Just a ballpark estimate would be helpful -- are we talking about one- to two-day "flare-ups" followed by a month of remission, or weeks-long "flare-ups" with only short periods of remission?

Basically, I've had *occasional* stomach/abdominal pain and cramping for several months now, sometimes accompanied by diarrhea and a mild fever. The symptoms always appear at night, and in most cases are all but gone by noon the next day (other than lack of appetite). This first occurred one night this past spring, and then it was three months before it happened again. Since that second occurrence back in August, I've had 4-5 nights with these symptoms, so it seems like their frequency is gradually increasing. For those diagnosed with Crohn's, does this sound anything like your early experience with the disorder? Or was the onset more sudden/pronounced?

Needless to say, I will be seeing a doctor soon about my symptoms. However, seeing as it may well be weeks before I can see a specialist (if that's necessary), I'm just curious to find out as much as I can in the meantime.

Thanks in advance for any information.

[Jen112488]

Hi,
I am no expert, but I have had serious GI problems since being a child and know a little about this topic.  I am also looking (again) to see if I have Crohn's Disease.  Your symptoms do seem to follow Crohn's Disease, though it seems a but odd that it took three months for the symptoms to reappear.  From my experience, I have had times almost symptom free and I have had times exactly as you are explaining.  I also experience most of the problems at night (right now for example..) Do you have any joint pain?
The best way to find out would be to see a GI specialist.  Make them do blood work and schedule a Barium Test and possibly a colonoscopy and endoscopy if they believe it is necessary.
Good luck!! Let me know how it goes!

[coughting]

That is the strange thing about chrons, symptoms are different for most people.  There is no set length of time for flare-ups and time between.
However, since you are having fever you are having a flare-up.  
Looking back I can say my first symptoms were probably just lots of stomach rumbling.  Then there was a time that I had what I thought was the flu.  High fever and chills for a day then wiped out completely the next day, sleeping most of the time.  This happened probably 3 times in a year to year and 1/2.
Finally having severe pain and some fever.  Was dx and went on meds, had several flare-ups, lose of appetite etc.  Then started Remicade which was really making me feel better.  I then had fistulas and had to have surgery.  I am on maintance meds to prevent flare-up and so far doing great.  With chrons, you never know when you may stay in remission or have a flare-up.  Best of luck

[woodsprincess]

Mine started 20 years ago I had weight loss and pain, so I didnt want to eat much. Then after my small bowel test I started pain in my neck ,throwing up, headache ,so bad I went to emergency.they ask me if I was being test for any health problems.I said yes and they sent me home with meds. I was told later I had crohns. now I have flares all the time.