Nausea, gas and bloating - Crohns or is something else going on?

[April2]

Well, I tried two or three times to post on the Gastro forum and no one responded. Just to tell you a little bit of my history real quick:
I had a mass in my small bowel removed about a 1 1/2 years ago where they diagnosed me with Crohns at the time. The mass was in the terminal illeum. Since that was the only ulceration or outbreak of Crohns they said I was now in remission. I've been doing pretty well with the occasional diarrhea and some digestive issues, depending on what I've eaten. I was told I things wouldn't be the same since I had that part of my colon cut out. But all in all, I've done pretty well and felt pretty well.

Almost a month ago I had a stomach bug but it passed in a day or two. It seems since then I've not been doing well. I've been nauseas every day, especially when I try to eat. I never know what I can eat and what will make things worse. I'm starting to suspect milk products though. I also don't do well with salads even though I love them! I'm also gassy and bloated feeling, even when I barely eat anything. I've been taking GasX every day but the last day or so it doesn't seem to be working. I'm tired of feeling sick and bloated. I don't know if this is bad enough to go back to the doctor or if I can do something at home to feel better but it's not going away!
Could the Crohns be back? Or is it something else? Could this be left over from that stomach bug? But it's been almost a month. Is this just something I have to live with having had that part of my colon cut out? The doctor said that part of the colon has an important job. It helps break down bile (after the liver). So, is it that I just can't eat normally any more? Then what CAN I eat? I'm so tired of this I'm thinking of going on a liquid diet for awhile just to see if that will help calm things down. I'm tired of not being able to eat what I want and never knowing what will trigger things and what I'll be ok with! I'm tired of feeling sick every day. :(
I'm wondering if I should go back to my Gastroenterologist or should I see a Nutritionist or what? Any suggestions?

[April2]

Yeah, maybe I'll just try and see that dietician or something and see if a lot of it is food related. Thanks, tjoan, let me know how your appointment with the dietician goes!
Take care & God bless!

[tjoan910canadian]

Even with having Crohn's Disease my specialist usually only sees a patient when they have had the diarhea over approx. 10 days just in case it is just a tummy bug.........I just got over a short bout of it.......and seeing that a lot of my neighbors & family were experiencing the same....I held off and it is now clearing up.....Tis the Season! ......I would wait it out a bit April......unless you do see blood in the stool and/or your stomach pains are really severe enough.......then get it checked out ASAP...if in doubt always see your doctor..

[April2]

I guess I can add on loud rumbling, gurgling going on inside on top of the nausea, etc. Again, I'm not sure if it's a stomach bug I should just wait out of the Crohns or what.

[April2]

Yes, please do! I'd love to hear what the dietician says for you.

[tjoan910canadian]

I am going to a dietician in February and I will try to remember to post what I am told........

[April2]

Thanks Trudie! That actually helps a lot! I'll look in to that. Just hope I can afford it! :)

[TrudieC]

April, a nutritionist and a dietitian can be the same depending on where you live and the licensing requirements.  Their job is to advise you on what to eat for your specific diagnosis.  Crohn's diets can also be found on the internet and likely through your Crohn's and Colitis Foundation.  A Naturopath looks at your whole body and all symptoms you might be having, whereas many doctors will treat an individual symptom.  They can identify allergies and sensitivies, advise on diet, and provide some complimentary (always ensure both a Natuopath and your doctor know what each other is advising) solutions to your problems.

[April2]

You do sound similar to me.
You mentioned all the foods I love! :( I guess I really should see a dietician or nutritionist or somebody. I'm not sure which is best.
I guess I'm fortunate. I know there's different degrees of Crohns and I think I have a mild case of it, at least so far. I never had bleeding either. And I guess I only had that one flare up which was taken care of. I was told I'm in remission. I hope I still am. I too, never know for sure when a flare up would happen. I didn't even know I had that blockage until I was doubled over in pain! When I had my colonoscopy last Winter I was told I had some ulcers but I never knew it! I don't know if I've just gotten good at ignoring my body's signals or what.
Thanks for writing!
And thanks everyone else! I think I'm doing a little better the last day or two so maybe it really was a bug, I hope!

[tjoan910canadian]

Wow....this all sounds like me..........You need to be very careful what you eat with Crohn"s disease always.....whether you are well or not.....salads are definately a no...no.....seeds must always be removed from Tomatos....lettuce is really bad....some can tolerate "Boston Lettuce" only.....cucumbers a definate no....no along with onions.....all skins need to be removed from every fruit and vegetable that you eat...all seeds must be removed from anything that you can tolerate......Popcorn or corn is like poison to your body.............watch your fat content......do not eat fatty foods or suffer the consequences of getting diarhea....some foods are not as dangerous but can cause gas and bloating......like broccoli, turnips, cauliflower, etc.....about all that we should eat are green & yellow beans, potatoes, asperagus, beets, carrots, & squash......and very well cooked ....the same with fruits.....apples, bananas, pears, & peaches and cherries seem to be fin......keep away from strawberries, raspberries, any fruit with multitudes of seeds on the....NUTS (any kind) are really bad........as specified by a dietician to me.....I am seeing another dietician in February to update me......because I have further medical problems also involving diet.

I am also partially lactose intolerant.....I say partially because some things can really bother me at certain times and then another time I can eat them in moderation.

Lately I am thinking that I may also be having problems with Gluten (Celiac Disease)....I do not think that I have Celiac Disease but think that I have problems with Gluten.....it is really hard trying to figure out what to eat.........????  I definately agree with that.

I too had Pylori and it was treated by antibiotics......and afterwards I ended up with 3 weeks of watery diarhea.......and then I returned to having more normal bowel movements than I had in years.........but recently had a "bug"......lasting 5 days.....it is difficult to differentiate between "bugs" and a "crohn's flare up"....however I was told now that a lot of my small bowel has been removed.......there is no sign of Crohn's in either my upper or lower bowel......I have regular Colonoscopies.......I am really hoping that what my surgeon.....who discovered is right.....When he said "Pylori" could have been one of the major causes of the diarhea.....I had been having since surgery.

I get more pain from "bug" types of diarhea than I do from the "Crohn's Diarhea"......therefore I am lucky that way........only I lack the "warning" signs sometimes that I wish I had with the "Crohn's diarhea"..............I have never had any form of "bleeding" from Crohn's nor have I ever had a "blockage".....because I try to be careful on what I eat.......

Since menopause I have been having a terrible time with cravings of sweets......and that is now being controlled with my "will power"....but some days I lapse a little.....because of that my "triglicerides" have peaked.......I hope that some of what I wrote helps someone out.

[April2]

I have had H.Pylori before, shortly before my surgery. I was treated with antibiotics. Now they say I will always show positive for it since I've had it once. Then how would I know if I had it again? That always confused me.

Trudie, what's the difference between a Naturopath, Nutritionist and Dietician? Which one would be best to see? I know if I did that I'd have to spend my own money.I tried to get my insurance to cover a Dietician before and they wouldn't do it. Instead they sent me to a Gastroenterologist specialist. Go figure. That probably cost more but that's insurance companies for you. At least he explained the Crohns better to me than anyone else had.

[TrudieC]

April, I'm a UC survivor, not Crohn's, but I believe if it were the Crohn's acting up that it would be more pain and diarrhea.  Do get it checked out.  You may want to try a Naturopath and either a low residue or an elimination diet.  

Do you take a lot of NSAID's?  They can cause stomach problems.  I take a drug to counter them and keep the nausea away as a result.  And, if they can't identify anything in the intestinal area, do look into a transvaginal ultrasound as you may have an ovarian cyst.  There are quite a few people diagnosed with IBS who have cysts which can cause back pain, bloating, gas, bowel changes, and urinary urgency.  It is a simple one to rule out.

Take care,  Trudie

[Cherie762]

April if you have the " bug' thats been going around it may last awhile my oldest has had it 6 weeks and antibiotics of corse dont help as it is viral.  If you do have this its likely hitting you harder due to your condition....the only other thought that popps into my thoughts is have you been tested for H-Phylori..the bloating makes me think of that....I think your first step should  be the gastro and then take it from there.  You need to eliminate what you dont have,,,,then see about a bit of nutritional advice ..have you ever tried ensure drinks while ill? they have all the nutrients ( well most of ) that you need and actually dont taste bad..I prefer the sugar free kind the regular is too sweet for me...Hope this helped a bit...when you ask yourself questions like should I go to the doctor ask yourself what would you do if it was your child?  youd be taking them...your kids need you to take good care of you  !!!! all the best Cherie