rash and crohns

[xbpm6j611]

Last year I had a rash for about a month and ended up in the hospital with pancreatitis goul bladder disease and crohns. I was put on steriods and eventually started getting better. a couple of weeks ago i got mouth sores and a rash that was on my chest and back that comes and goes. I was just wondering if anybody knows if this indicates a flare up and if i should be careful because i have the rash and fatigue but no real chrons symtoms other then dull abdominal pain and back aches. Does anybody know if this is unrelated to crohns


This discussion is related to Any idea what could be causing this??.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Since you have backaches and rashes, yes it can be Crohn’s. The rash and arthritis appears long before actual abdominal symptoms start. Crohn’s disease is a difficult entity to diagnose. An elevated ESR does confirm inflammation in the body. Low protein, minerals and iron in blood are the other findings in Crohn’s which may or may not be present. These findings if present could be the cause of lack of energy apart from chronic inflammation being the cause. An upper GI series using barium dye is done to see the condition of small intestines. The degree of involvement of the large and small intestine may vary from person to person.  A biopsy is the most confirmatory. A recent advancement in Crohn’s diagnosis is video capsule endoscopy. Apart from Crohn’s it can be any other inflammatory bowel condition such as IBS, Celiac, or ulcerative colitis and the aches and pains can be due to nutritional deficiencies and myalgia or muscle pain. You would need to consult a gastroenterologist regarding this. Other less likely diagnosis is that IBS and aches and pain are not related.
Well, joint pains with rash can also be seen in SLE, psoriatic arthritis, fibromyalgia, polymayalgia rheumatica and chronic fatigue syndrome. Gout, though typically affects the great toe, can cause multiple joint pain with rash. Hashimotos Thyroiditis is another possibility. Hayfever and rheumatoid arthritis too should also be ruled out.
Since I cannot examine you and know other related conditions you may be having, nor is a detailed history possible on net, I have listed the various possibilities that should be looked into. Please consult your PCP for primary examination followed by proper referral.Take care!

[lovechell69]

hello, I am a 41 yr old female. My mother has crohn's and I was recently diagnosed with it as well. I am not a dr but everything I've read and a lifetime of experience with my mom she never had that nor do I. I think you should visit the dr to be on the safe side. Also, Always take a notebook with you and document everything. Believe me it will come in handy. I hoped I helped a little. Merry christmas