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Could this be Crohn's Disease?
I will be seeing my doctor soon. I had to go to the e.r. for severe colon pain that just isn't going away. Years ago I was diagnosed with IBS, but what I'm experiencing doesn't seem like IBS to me. I am super careful with my diet and have been on the elimination diet permanently because every one of the "forbidden" foods on the list bothers either my IBS or my GERD or both. I have the kind that is prone to constipation. I don't feel constipated. I haven't had a bowel movement for a while, but I've been on a semi-solid diet of homemade soup for quite a while. I must be doing something right, because I'm not being bothered by my GERD very much at all. I don't eat gluten or dairy and I've stayed away from all forms of sugar for a very long time. I am careful to get plenty of dietary fiber. I use flaxseed meal instead of psyllium fiber, because I can't tolerate the psyllium fiber at all. It irritates my GERD and it actually bothers my colon. Flaxseed fiber is easier on my system and I can add it directly to my food and has a pleasant taste.
For a very long time I've had this pain in my descending colon that never completely goes away and would improve at times. Lately, that pain has gotten so bad that I had to go to the e.r. I was prescribed Tramadol. I can't take NSAIDs, and I'm allergic to all opiates. I try to see if I can go without this pain medication, because I don't like the side effects, but the pain always comes back just as bad as always every time I try to go without the pain medication.
I'm concerned that this is more than IBS, because this is acting differently than anything I've ever experienced before. If it were a partial blockage, which I've had with the IBS before, I would've been relieved of the pain by now by using laxatives. That isn't working this time.
Does this sound like Crohn's disease? Does anyone know what else I should be asking my doctor?
For a very long time I've had this pain in my descending colon that never completely goes away and would improve at times. Lately, that pain has gotten so bad that I had to go to the e.r. I was prescribed Tramadol. I can't take NSAIDs, and I'm allergic to all opiates. I try to see if I can go without this pain medication, because I don't like the side effects, but the pain always comes back just as bad as always every time I try to go without the pain medication.
I'm concerned that this is more than IBS, because this is acting differently than anything I've ever experienced before. If it were a partial blockage, which I've had with the IBS before, I would've been relieved of the pain by now by using laxatives. That isn't working this time.
Does this sound like Crohn's disease? Does anyone know what else I should be asking my doctor?
Yes, this definitely helps.
The information I just got from the nephrologist when I asked about Ibuprofen was helpful, too. My instincts told me that I should still avoid Ibuprofen, even though the kidneys are doing better now, because one can end up with renal failure again, so Ibuprofen would be inviting trouble. The nephrologist confirmed this to be so when I asked about using Ibuprofen temporarily. He also said that an entirely different kind of medication is used for colitis that is not an NSAIDs. Something in the back of my mind keeps telling me that NSAIDs aren't really good for the colon either. I had asked about temporarily using the Ibuprofen 'til my appointment with my PCP. Basically, he said it's not a good idea. That's what I thought he was going to say. I asked because it's still a little over a week 'til my appointment with the PCP.
It would be nice if I knew why I'm getting this inflammation in the colon in the first place, since I'm so careful with my diet.
The information I just got from the nephrologist when I asked about Ibuprofen was helpful, too. My instincts told me that I should still avoid Ibuprofen, even though the kidneys are doing better now, because one can end up with renal failure again, so Ibuprofen would be inviting trouble. The nephrologist confirmed this to be so when I asked about using Ibuprofen temporarily. He also said that an entirely different kind of medication is used for colitis that is not an NSAIDs. Something in the back of my mind keeps telling me that NSAIDs aren't really good for the colon either. I had asked about temporarily using the Ibuprofen 'til my appointment with my PCP. Basically, he said it's not a good idea. That's what I thought he was going to say. I asked because it's still a little over a week 'til my appointment with the PCP.
It would be nice if I knew why I'm getting this inflammation in the colon in the first place, since I'm so careful with my diet.
sorry you said you get pain on the lleft side of your abdomen? thats the same as i get with my colitis? hope this helps! xx
"i have the pain same side as wpt u do iswell?"
I'm sorry, but I just don't understand this question.
I'm sorry, but I just don't understand this question.
Hmm...that's interesting that your friend with colitis has the bloody diarhea and you don't. But, you're the one with Crohn's. I guess that means that whether this inflammation is colitis or Crohn's that it really has to be diagnosed by a specialist who knows the difference.
i have colitis and have lots of bloody diarhea all the time ? its always worse when i have a bad flareup then it just poors out of me !!! it sounds like you may you have colitis? i have the pain same side as wpt u do iswell? ask me any other questions hope i can help? xx
I have had Crohn's most of my life but only diagnosed in 2001 and even though I have the diarhea, had a bowel resection and a fistula ......I have never, ever experienced any BLOODY diarhea.........Something I am at least thankful for. I do not have Colitis but I do have a friend with Colitis and she experiences Bloody Diarhea at times.
It feels like the colon. I already have IBS. The pain is in the entire left side of the abdomen.
I saw an unrelated specialist today who has reason to believe that the pain I'm experiencing is Colitis. He thinks this because there is usually bloody diarhea involved with Crohn's disease. With either diagnosis, though, we're still talking about an inflamed bowel that needs to be treated so that it will stop being so inflamed. The inflamation is what is so painful.
I will be seeing the PCP doctor next Friday. I'm sure she will once again send me to see a GI. I know that what ever this is that it's more than IBS or it would have stopped hurting by now, since I am so especially careful with my diet. Needless to say, since I am so especially careful with my diet, this is really frustrating not being able to find the root cause of the pain in order to be able to address the issue causing the pain. In any case, this pain is definitely more than the IBS.
I saw an unrelated specialist today who has reason to believe that the pain I'm experiencing is Colitis. He thinks this because there is usually bloody diarhea involved with Crohn's disease. With either diagnosis, though, we're still talking about an inflamed bowel that needs to be treated so that it will stop being so inflamed. The inflamation is what is so painful.
I will be seeing the PCP doctor next Friday. I'm sure she will once again send me to see a GI. I know that what ever this is that it's more than IBS or it would have stopped hurting by now, since I am so especially careful with my diet. Needless to say, since I am so especially careful with my diet, this is really frustrating not being able to find the root cause of the pain in order to be able to address the issue causing the pain. In any case, this pain is definitely more than the IBS.
You definately need to have it checked out. If it is chrons, the sooner you get on medication the better. If you are having pains it is probably infected and need meds.
A gastro dr is definately who you need to see. Good luck.
A gastro dr is definately who you need to see. Good luck.
how do you know the pain is in your colon...? be more general, where is your pain, your abdomen (right, left, upper, lower), your back?
Crohn's disease is an ongoing disorder causing inflammation in the the digestive tract. from the mouth to the anus. Most commonly it will affect the lower part of the small intestine....the ileum. The swelling can cause pain and diarrhea. Excellent site to check out.
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/crohns/
I have Crohn's disease and most of my side affects from the disease were diarhea with cramping pain when I was first diagnosed. I have since had a bowel resection and a fistula drained.......I have been Crohn's free since but I must stick to proper diet, and my medications or I will have diarhea....I cannot eat high fibre foods at all.
Have you ever been to a specialist .....a Gastriontologist (sp).........he or she would be able to aid in diagnosing this for you......maybe this would be a good step to take.
I hope you can find the answer to what is wrong and a proper diagnosis......please take care of yourself...
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