Can Someone Help me?

[uagrad2008]

Hey everyone. I ran across this forum after I had gotten home from the dr. this evening and I am wondering if I may have Crohn's. I have been experiencing pains on the left side of my stomach for about a year. They will come on, and then I won't have them for a while. I never went to the dr. because they would just come and go. I thought they were probably just gas pains. Well, for the past 2 weeks, they have been coming on everyday. So, I went to the dr. tonight and they told me that I was constipated. My bowel movements are always regular. She said that it didn't matter. So, she ordered me to take magnesium siltrate and a few other things. So I am going to try this. But, when I ran across the forum, alot of the symptoms, it seems that I have. I stay tired all the time. also, this is embarrassing-but the area around my anus stays soar and almost swollen -looking alot. It also itches badly sometimes.  I wanted to know what were all of your symptoms and if you all had side pains like mine? Thanks alot!

[happyname]

When I read your post I noticed that you mentioned that you have left sided pain.  I was diagnosed with crohn's about 14 years ago after going through two primary physicians and finally third one referred me to his wife...a gastro physician.  After years of suffering she told me that many people who's pain presents on the left side are often misdiagnosed or treated as if they are constipated or have irritable bowel syndrome.  She ordered a ton of lab work and did a colonoscopy.  The labs showed anemia and also a low B12 level.  That was the source of my fatigue.  My colonoscopy showed an area of inflammation.  I am lucky because I have been on Asacol to keep it all in check and Librax for the cramping during the attacks.  This seems to keep my disease in check.  Now that I have probably given too much info I will tell you what I tell everyone I know which is....always keep searching if you don't feel that you have good answers.  Good luck.

[Hank0303]

Just a warning:  magnesium citrate will give you explosive diarrhea!  Make sure you are very close to the bathroom and don't have anywhere to be for hours.  What do you consider regular bowel movements?  Are they formed?  Loose?  In pieces?  Did she ask you these questions?  Did she say anything about the possibility of a blockage?  That can cause a lot of pain.  Having these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have Crohn's.  Let's hope you don't.  The description of your anus sounds like one of two things:  hemorrhoids or abcess.  Neither one is fun, but hemorrhoids are much easier to deal with.  If you have a lot of hard stools, this is a possibility.  You may want to consider taking a fiber supplement to keep things moving a little easier.  Are you a graduate of the University of Alabama?