Comments on: Do I Have Crohn’s Disease?

By: kay

kay — Fri, 07 May 2010 23:23:05 +0000

HI, I’m Kay & 22 years old female.
I have similar symtoms, but instead of blood in my stools, I have constipation mainly with mucus.
I’ve had the constipation problem with urges to go but can’t since December of 2009 (along with nausea and vomitting -not pregnant!!).

Some history: I noticed pain around my navel and pains in my chest (the pains in my chest are worst while laying down) for years before that since I was around 18 or 19 years old. I will also add that I’ve been Anemic since I was 19. Once I was so dehydrated and low red blood cells that I was having fainting spells. One time I fainted and had to go to the ER and be treated with IVs in my arm to gain back some strength.
I had stomach issues since my junior year of high school too where I would get diahrrea and a low-grade fevers from time to time (like the stomach flu a lot).. I never took things seriously untill NOW b/c of the nausea and vomitting making me more fatigued! I’m worried if the fainting will come back on me again..

I was okay with constipation after February of 2010 from Dec 2009, but now I have Constipation more than anything AGAIN, & this week it got worst to where I went a whole week without a BM and even stained on that, saw more mucus!!
The pain around my navel travels to the right area of my abdomen and sometimes my left, but mainly near my navel on the right. They’re very sharp pains sometimes like today… Today I got an attack of pains near my right navel area and had to lay on the couch where I was for 30 mins or so. It was bad. this feeling of something being very wrong came over me, and now I see that this is a gastro-matter.

Mainly because I can’t keep food on my stomach more now. I get pains in my chest more now, even when I eat certain things like saucy and greasy foods. I def can’t do breakfast sausage! Those foods are harder on my digestive system. I get nausea daily, especially when I wake up (remind y’all I’m not prego). The nausea and pain is the most fustrating.
I have concluded that my main symtoms over the years are Constipation, Nausea & Vomitting, and Pain (chest, navel, and intestine area).

I went to a gyn and my primary doctor that thought it could be Acid Reflux, but I ultimately don’t think Acid Reflux causes all the mucus in stool or bowel probs like that which I have been going through for yrs. They haven’t done complete tests so far. I was put on a anti-acid (prevacid) which worked for a while, but Now it don’t after months. I stopped taking my iron pills after last month.

Now I throw up more…almost like the meds are an irritant. I’m starting to wonder if it’s an IMD or IBS problem now. Signs are there. I just have to make my way to a doc again because I didn’t really go into detail about my symtoms, then I can get a referral…. I’ll have to expain my symtoms more in detail. It’s a lot to deal with for yrs and I’m just tired of the going back and forth to the doctors & the ER.

By: anne

anne — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:10:27 +0000

I have crohn’s and your symptoms are very similar to mine in the beginning. Constipation is quite common in crohn’s because inflammation in the rectum can make it difficult to pass stool. People with Crohn’s in the colon, particularly the left side don’t typically have weight loss as a symptom. By the time the stool gets to that point the nutrients have already been absorbed.

I too put off dx because of the dreaded colonoscopy, but although the prep for it can be tough the actual procedure was a breeze. I wish had gotten help sooner because the earlier you catch it the easier it is to treat. Don’t delay!

By: common sense

common sense — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 11:31:59 +0000

hi red, I am a female crohn’s pt. for 28 yrs. dxed at the age of 12.
You need to see a gastroenterologist in order to be diagnosed correctly. The scopes they do now are way better than over 10 yrs. ago b/c the pts. are sedated and don’t remember a thing.

Anyway, for more accurate information, go to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s website. They have tons of information ranging from testing for CD, how it’s diagnosed, surgery, newer treatments, women’s issues, coping, as well as a live chat & hotline that is run by healthcare experts during the week. There is also an open forum where folks can post questions to others with IBD.

Symptoms will vary in each person. Some folks gain weight due to the meds they are on, others may lose due to not feeling well or being in pain when eating.

Depending on your health insurance, if it’s an HMO, you will most likely need a referral from a primary care MD before you can see a gastro. Don’t put it off. See the MD so you can be put on a treatment to get your symptoms under control. Good luck to you.
References :
http://www.ccfa.org; 1-888-my-gut-pain; crohn’s pt. 28 yrs.; local CCFA chapter volunteer

By: David S

David S — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 10:57:59 +0000

Crohns does have a genetic part to it. Studies have shown that you are more likely to get it if your brother/sister has it than you are to have it and pass it along to your child.

I would first seek out a gastro doctor for a coloniscopy. Sure, they are not fun but you need an answer. Depending on the result, I would seek a 2nd opinion. If it is Crohns, I would contact the CCFA…Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America. They have tons of resources to help people dealing with Crohns. It stinks but it isn’t a death sentence.

I would then make sure my doctor was very experienced in treating people with Crohns disease. A doctor in Nashville TN nearly killed me before I found Dr. David Schwartz at Vanderbilt Univ. Dr. Schwartz was able to treat me and I am now in remission. Many GI doctors in Nashville are now sending him their tough Crohns patients because they don’t know what else to do.

Depending on your insurance, you might need a referal from a primary care doctor. See if your old DR would write the referal.

I would consider not telling the doctor about your brother. My sister had stomach issues and they told her she had CD. All it ended up being was food poisoning but they scared her very bad. Sometimes, doctors see a family history and jump to conclusions without doing a good job.
References :
Living w/ Crohns +8 years

By: Joni

Joni — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 10:21:59 +0000

You do display the symptoms of Crohn’s, and it can be hereditary so I would say that you could have it. But I can’t diagnose you. First you need to see your GP and he will refer you to a gastroenterologist and your condition will be diagnosed with two procedures which will be a colonoscopy and endoscopy (cameras to see the bowel through the anus, and a camera to see your esophagus and stomach via the mouth.) The second procedure will probably be a barium meal/ and or barium enema which is drinking a substance made up of barium that will show up on X-Ray that will be tracked as it travels through the digestive system, or having the barium put into the bowel via the anus. But don’t fear crohn’s, and it may not be that, only your GP can find out what is wrong, but don’t leave it too long and find you local surgery and get a GP… err A.S.A.P!
References :

By: midnight_angel84

midnight_angel84 — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 10:05:59 +0000

Your symptoms sound just like what I experienced for 2 years before I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. I know that diarrhea and weightloss are common symptoms but everyone's case in unique. Although chronic diarrhea is one of the most common signs of CD I should let you know that I never once experienced a bout of it while I was ill. Sorry if this is TMI but you shouldn't rule out CD just because you don't have it. MY GI doc told me that he diagnoses only about 1 case of CD without diarrhea every 2 years, so its very rare but it still happens. Also, Weightloss does not have to occur right away. I was sick for 3 years without being diagnosed but I didn't lose any weight until the last 6 months before being properly diagnosed. I know from experience the pain is terrible and hard to bear. Is it effecting your day to day life? You should see a specialist ASAP! Do not allow them to diagnose you without doing proper testing. My docs tried to tell me it was just IBS but I demanded to have testing done. People with IBS DO NOT have bloody stool and they are not known to lose more than 5 pounds. CD is often misdiagnosed as IBS. That's what the doctors told me for 3 years. I knew it was more than IBS
The colonoscopy was not bad at all. They put you to sleep and when you wake up you cant even tell you've had it done. Your bum does not hurt… I promise!
I think you owe it to yourself to find out what's happening in your body. If it's not CD it could be a variety of other treatable disorders. It could be colitis or celiac disease. You only get one body in this life so you should take care of it. CD is not so bad. I often tell people that it's the best thing that ever happened to me. I exercise and eat better than I ever have. I've never felt sooo good! Your at the worst part now. I'm confident that if you get tested and you do have it they will prescribe you something to make you feel better very soon!
If you have any other questions…. feel free to contact me
Please feel better soon
References :

By: Alan

Alan — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 09:31:59 +0000

You want to get this under MD care. I had long term problems with the lower tract that turned into diverticulitis with complications. My complication was adhesion to bladder. A friend had adhesion to the ovaries; she was one sick puppy.
References :

By: Nature Babe

*Nature Babe* — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 08:59:59 +0000

I would bet my money on that you have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Look it up, it matches all your symptoms.

IBS is a long term problem but you can do so many things to help it, including taking medicine and managing your diet and routines.

The doctor will probably ask for a stool sample, not do a colonoscopy.

But I would bet that this is what you have.

Good luck and please go see a doctor so you won’t be in pain anymore.

<3
References :

By: dbwriter

dbwriter — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 08:11:59 +0000

Doesn't sound like Crohn's. It sounds like IBS, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome. It is due mostly to diet, and stress too. I have had the same thing as you for years, and it is only alleviated when I stick to a plant-based diet (no meat, no dairy, no fried foods, no wheat). Also if I eat every couple of hours, it helps too. Start laying off all these items and you should feel much better. You can substitute spelt for wheat, it is hard because everything has wheat in it, but if you have an all-natural market , you should have no problem finding substitutions for everything you like. Try to do a juice fast for 3 days, nothing but green, leafy veggies, and see how you feel. Your skin disorder will probably clear up too if you stick to a plant-based diet.
References :

By: amber s

amber s — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 07:52:59 +0000

yes it sounds like you might have crohns disease. You have the symptoms. Crohns is genetic. You should go see a gastroenterologist.
References :
My husband has crohns disease.