Chrohn's disease?

[Angelhvnly]

Hi everyone, new here. I am a little confused right now about what is going on with me. I have been having digestive problems for years, though I always chalked it up to IBS, because my problems were periodic. When I would get sick, it felt like I was having the worst food poisoning ever, with severe diarrea and sometimes vomiting at the same time. Well, in January, I got really sick, with severe abdominal pain (left side) under my rib cage, severe nausea, and the worst fatigue I have ever experienced. Eating made it worse. Had a cat scan done, which showed inflammation around my pancreas and enlarged lymph nodes. Labs were negative for pancreatitis, and negative mrcp. I then had an endoscopy and colonoscopy. Endoscopy reported mild chronic inflammation in stomach and esophagus. Labs reported high gASCA, mild elevated liver enzymes, and colonoscopy was negative for inflammation. As far as I know, there is nothing indicative of chrohn's disease other than the elevated IBD panel. I have been experiencing joint pain too. I am now scheduled to do a capsule endoscopy, but I am feeling better, and I am wondering if I need to do this test. My question is...is it possible to diagnose chrohn's disease at age 48? And should I take a watch and wait approach? I hate taking medications of any kind, and it sounds like treatment can have a lot of unwanted side effects

[Megadodger]

Hey There,

I have met woman who never had symptoms until later in life and then there's people who suffer from day one. It depends on the disease. Studies are being done to show that this condition is genetic, therefore even if you don't have symptoms you can be a carrier and it could eventually expose itself in the right (or in our opinions, very wrong) moment.

I would do the test. They really aren't that bad, it's better than the actual colonoscopy as well. The thing is, is you can wait it out and deal with it repeatedly, or you could get the answers now. I know I worried about not having a flare and the doctors not actually seeing it, but the thing with inflammation is it causes damage and GOOD doctors can point that out.

UC and Crohn's often get worse without treatment or switching up your lifestyle. I didn't have an actual disgnosis because I had symptoms of IBS (the emotional gut) UC (my colon looked like it was about to explode) and crohns (minor inflammation in my ileum, and rashes on my body). If I had gotten help, the right help sooner I wouldn't be where I am, and I may have been able to say "I live with UC but at least it didn't beat me"..

In the end, it is up to you. I just know I would like answers sooner rather than later beause inflammation can cause so many unwanted side effects like joint pain, mouth sores, bowel problems, cancer, weakened immune system, etc.

Best of luck, and I hope you feel better soon.

[Angelhvnly]

Forgot to add chronic diarrea as well