Is it really Crohns...

[Geenie1222]

I have had gastrointestinal issues for years...For many years I had experienced constipation and extreme bloating. Never thought anything on it because I was in college and my diet was pretty much college food. For years it was pretty much either diarrhea or constipation never the in between and I was so bloated that I looked pregnant at times. The past two years, I started to have gastric issues. I would eat very little and become nauseas and sooner or later throw up. But when I threw up, I would not be able to stop until I went to the ER and was given meds. To add to all this it was painful since day one. I always associated a bowel movement with a lot of pain. Well in 2007, I was very sick I could not eat, I was going to the doctor constantly and dismissed saying I had GERDS, then IBS. My upper GI series X-ray was normal therefore dismissed as having IBS and was given miralax. Soon after I become very sick where I could not eat ANYTHING. I threw up everything and was nauseas with diarrhea that alternated with constipation. I lost 10 lbs in a week. I finally went for a second opinion. There was no blood in my stool, I had a endoscopy which showed gastritis, my colonoscopy showed patches of ulcers in the intestines. My GI doctor then followed up with a serology that tested positive for the antigen associated with Crohns. I was then diagnosed with Crohns. However, I changed gastrointerologist because the second opinion was a doctor near my college not at home. So the doctor at home was not completely convinced. I also after seeing my new GI doctor I realized that my non healing ulcers in my mouth might be associated with the diagnoses. I also had knee and lower back pain and stiffness with weird rashes on my hands. I told this to my new doctor and I still had small flare ups with extreme gas and chronic constipation. My symptoms got better since given asacol when diagnosed with Crohns, but still had small flare ups. My doctor then conducted a second colonoscopy and it was normal. He is not yet convinced I have Crohns because the sereolgy is not conclusive and my colonoscopy biopsy described non descriptive colitis. But my doctor thinks I need to see a rheumatologist.

After reading this hefty post, what do you guys things. And what should someone suggest I do next?


R.R.

[Lalasoto]

Wow sounds so much like what I went through. I have crohns and there is a special blood test that can be given specifically for crohns disease. Keep bugging your dr.s
Much better if you start treating it early. Good luck

[pmperez]

Ive had everything in the book done to me, bloodwork, ultrasounds, etc.... and also that special blood test which my doctor said was not 100% accurate, and mine came back negative for Crohns, but I was diagnosed with Crohns, its very aggravating I have the bloating too and Im now pregnant so instead of looking 3 months I look 6 months, and instead of diarrhea, major constipaion..I was only passing a little blood to begin with,  the next flare up was I couldnt swallow...I hope nothing else happens.

[SMS_IRL]

Get your notes for te crohn's diagnosis and make sure they are passed on to your current doctor