Recently diagnosed ..

by Shelly
(UK)

I have recently been diagnosed with crohns disease, after years of being told I had irritable bowel syndrome. I sm on medication (mesalazine/pentasa sachets) but I am struggling to determine which foods are aggrevating my condition, as it's different from day to day! plus I suppose I don't know if I eat something I shouldn't, will it affect me straight away or will it be the day after, etc? The tiredness is the worst thing and my hair is falling out which I'm getting very stressed about. Any advice from anyone would be great. Thanks

Husband just diagnosed

by Donna
(Texas)

Good Morning. My husband has just been diagnosed with Crohn's. How frustrating this has been. We feel totally lost because we can't seem to get this under control. Anti-inflammatories don't seem to work. Everything he eats does not set well. He is loosing weight fast. We have had all the tests and have seen 2 different doctors to try to get some direction. Any ideas that anyone may have would be greatly appreciated.

Beginning to live with a diagnosis

Hi there -i have just been diagnosed with crohns after having all the symptoms and no name. Find it difficult to believe that after having access to the best medical traetment available in India-it has taken so long for my treatment to begin..
I am hopeful and also angry ...guess only time will heal those feelings
Also my mother there - had almost similar issues but almost 50 yrs ago i guess not much was known about IBD.And she died very young 54 I am now 58 Have daughter 35 who has been having almost similar issues of pain , diarhoea, But colonoscopy has said she is not having crohns. I also have had several colonoscopies but it took so many years -almost 15 to arrive at a diagnosis Am worried for my daughter?? Am i right in stressing ...

NO SYMPTOMS BUT A DIAGNOSIS....

by Tammy
(Jefferson City, MO USA)

i have been going to the dr for several months now and they have been treating me for anemia...in that process they started checking me...finally at my visit today...they tell me i have Chron's disease. HOWEVER, after reading much info on the net about it...I do not have ANY symptoms except for the fatigue...i do not have bathroom issues nor do i have any stomach pain or anything like that...so...my question is...is it normal that i do not have any symptoms per se??? but yet its still chron's?

just be diagnosed does it mean i will get colon cancer

by jen
(england)

really worried just been diagnosed with crohns colitus does it mean it will go on to cancer i cant sleep or do anything

Confused. Different diagnosis suggestions. Help?!

by anonymous
(-)

Bright red blood in loose stools (the stools can occasionally be normal yet still with blood), nausea, constantly tired (sometimes sleep up until 17 hours straight), stomach spasms/pain, often dehydrated, night sweats, loss of appetite and the smell or sight of food makes me feel off, found lymph nodes after having appendix out and now they're testing for chrohn's disease. Before all these, I'd often vomit blood but it's calmed down now yet my other symptoms have worsened. I've been tested for gall stones, kidney stones, ovaries (which follicles were found) and appendicitis in which I had my appendix removed. I'm scared and confused. I've been told by some that cancer of some sort (lymphoma or coroctonal cancer whatever it's called is a possibility). These symptoms have been reoccuring over the past 4 months and I've been hospitalized at least 3-4 times within those 4 months and had several tests done including ultrasounds, urine tests, ct scans and blood tests that continue to come back positive apart from the lymph nodes. I'm meant to do a stool sample but have been struggling to go for number two's in the time I've been given to collect the sample... I've hardly been for a number two but needed a number one more frequently than ever before.

Just diagnosed 2 weeks ago...

by Renee
(Illinois)

Hello everyone. My name is Renee and I'm 23. I'm very new to this stuff as I have just been diagnosed. They caught it pretty early, I had been having symptoms for about 3 and a half weeks. In this time I went to an "Immediate Care" clinic thinking that maybe I had food poisoning. Sure enough, the doctor thinks the same thing and put me on antibiotics thinking that I had E.Coli poisoning. I should mention that I HATE going to the doctor, almost phobic. Plus, I have a 6 month old daughter, and it's hard to find someone to watch her while I go to the doctor since my husband works during the day and all of our family members also hold daily jobs. So needless to say, I put it off, and put it off, but eventually had to go to the ER. Sure enough, my white blood cell count was super high so they admitted me. After finding out that I have Crohn's on both sides of my family, they immediately started running tests to see if that was the issue. After a colonoscopy confirmed their suspiscions, I was put on Pentasa. Is anyone else taking this? Anyways, my biggest concern is that I keep losing weight. I was only 112 to start with, and am down to about 90. I feel crappy pretty much everyday as I have no energy from not being able to keep food in. I've tried drinking Ensure for extra fat and calories, but that is worse than food for me. Does anyone have any advice on something that I can try to put weight back on. I'm still in the middle of a flare up, but don't go see a GI doctor for another week and a half. I'm really desperate for answers, I've read books and stuff, but most of that is written by people who have never experienced the disease first hand. So if anyone has any advice I would love to hear it! Thanks for listening to my long rant.

crohns diagnosis

my 10 year old has just been diagnosed with crohns i just want to no if he will end up having to have a bag on really worried

Newly Diagnosed and Confused

by Carla
(Canada)

Hi everyone,

I was just diagnosed with Mild Chrons Disease 3 months ago. Last summer I had diarrhea for 2 whole months and my doctor tried to tell me it was from stress. I finally got a colonoscopy, even though I didn't want to because the diarrhea had gone away and I was feeling fine...thats when I found out I had Chrons. My doctor has prescribed me Pentasa. Ever since I have started taking this medication I feel like everything has gotten worst, NOT better. I have diarrhea everyday, and its not even normal diarrhea- I feel constipated but when I finally get it out its just little bits of nothing. I've started experiencing tingling and numbness in my feet after a bowel movement and even randomly during the day. I am so tired and exhausted I dont even want to get out of bed and I just keep losing weight. Everything I eat isnt being absorbed and I know that I have malnutrition. I hardly get bad stomach cramps so Its hard to tell what I can eat and what I cant. I've been eating a pretty healthy lifestyle my entire life and this disease just came right out of the blue....everyday seems like a flare-up especially since I started Pentasa. It just doesnt make sense to me because I thought Pentasa is suppose to help?? Not make things worst?? Should I be on a different medication?? Can I have children in the future? Well things eventually get better??

Not only has this disease affected me physical but its also has me mentally. I feel very down on myself and wonder why I had to get this. Not to mention I feel very self conscious about the way I look due to me losing weight. Every day seems like a struggle lately. It makes me more mad because before I started my meds I could go to the bathroom normally!! Im just SOOO confused and sad. :(

My 10 year-old son was just diagnosed

by Josie
(Belleview,FL)

I have so many questions. Thickening of the lower bowel and intestinal wall....how common is that in a 10 year old? What meds do they use to treat? I have Lupus so steroids and Imuran are common when I read about them.

If you can help I am littlejobeth AT aol(dot)com. I have so many questions...

crohns just diagnosed and having hard time understanding disease

I was diagnosed w/crohns a few months back I am very fortunate I do not have the diarea and vomiting just abdominal pain lots of it and fatigue. This took a long time to diagnose but was confirmed my small intestines are all ulcerated. I am trying to figure out what to eat and not to eat and drink ect. and would appreciate any help from anyone who is there. sherry

Just diagnosed at 18

Hey guys. I've been diagnosed with Crohn's 2 days ago after feeling horrible for a couple of months. I had a few questions.
1.When it "flares up", how long does that usually last?
2.Will I constantly be on medications? or just during flare ups?
3.What are some of your guys's symptoms, either from the disease or certain meds, because I haven't been able to find a list of the most common symptoms.
Thanks

Newly diagnosed and worried

Hi I am a 47 year old female newly diagnosed with crohn's disease by capsule endoscopy.
I have multiple apthous ulcers in the jejunum (small intestine). My question is, is this the beginning of crohn's disease? How bad will it get? Do others experience incredibly painful spasms? Is this incredible fatigue I am feeling part of the disease?
I am scared about what the future holds and would appreciate any advice.
Liz

diagnosed at 18 years old

by emily hovarter
(oak creek wisconsin)

hi my name is emily and i'm 18 years old. i was diagnosed with crohns disease october 2008. it's been the longest journey i've ever taken. i was sick for a long time before i went to the doctor but finally went. it took a long time and two different doctors to figure out what was wrong with me.
i have had two colonoscopies and many many trips to the ER. i have never felt so sick in my whole life. i've never really been depressed until now. i always feel bad becuase my mom has to take care of me, sometimes i have to call into work, and sometimes i just feel like laying in bed and doing nothing. everything about me feels different. i'm always in a little bit of pain and somewhat uncomfortable.
i am currently doing remicade treatments every 6 weeks. i tried to make it 8 weeks but soon discovered my body wasn't having it. it's a couple hour iv that you get in the hospital. so far its been working really good for me. my stomach isn't as painful as it was before and i've had fewer trips to the er with my mom. of course i'm still in pain but at this point i'm starting to think i will always be.
i can't give much advice because i'm still learning myself. i feel guilty for wanting to stay home and lay in bed, not wanting to clean, and not doing something useful. i've really been slacking around the house and helping my mom. she has done so much for me she's my rock and the reason why i'm still here! i love you mom!
i hope every who has crohns or any other disease finds a cure someday. everyone hang in there! life will get better.

Age 49 and just diagnosed!

by Leo
(Sydney)

I just had a routine colonoscopy and have been told I have Terminal Ileitis? I'm otherwise healthy except for a brief episode of bleeding recently. What can I expect? What do I do next?

My 9yr old daughter recently diagnosed with crohns

by Nat
(Australia)

Hi, my 9yr old daughter was dignoised with chrons disease just before christmas. for the last two years she been complaining of stomach pain, vomiting, diarehea and constipation etc i took her to doctor after doctor they just told me she was a fussy eater etc thats why the pain and weight loss she will grow out of it. frustration hit boiling point when she lost so much weight her bones now stick out of everywhere and looked anerexic, she hadnt grown in over a year and was constantly crying in pain, emergency rooms told me just to keep feeding her nurphen, finaly I found a doctor to take me serious besides thinking over anxious mum. he did a lot of bloods and was concerned at her being anemic and raised esr, we then went on to a specialist who mentioned the suspicion of chrons disease. i was concerned as her blood test were showing up what mine always had, (anemia and raised esr) i two have had pain and diarehea from time to time, but just put it down to stress or upset tummy, I had had a doctor in my 20s who was chasing me for chrons disease, but the few test he did were inconclusive he wanted to do more but i was frustrated at that point as felt like a pin cusion and had two young babies to look after,and my symptoms seem to settle down after the birth of my son. so i didnt finish the testing. The guilt now is overwhelming as i may of been able to help my daughter sooner by knowing the results. the specialist put my daughter in for a colonospy which showed with out a doubt chrons and a quiet a nasty flare up of it. They now have her on a liquid diet of modulen for the next 10wks possiably longer, and just started taking imune supressents, she has to go back for another colonoscopy in 10wks to see how its working, Im feeling very overwhelmed at this point and trying to work out whats a head for my baby. finding suport groups and conistant information is proving tricker then i thought, if anyone has good web site to share I would be very greatful. my daughter doc has recomended that I go back and finish testing after we get her under control.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

by Janis
(Canada)

My husband turned 65 last December and up to that point, he was the picture of health. He has had severe stomach pain on an ongoing daily basis since then, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss (20 pounds and he is not a large man), loud growling noises in his abdomen (usually after eating but can be anytime), lethargy and depression. He has NOT had any blood in his stools. Blood tests show nothing abnormal. An ultra-sound showed nothing abnormal. X-rays showed nothing abnormal. He has four relatives with Crohn's, one developed it when she was 65, and three (deceased) relatives who reported similar symptoms. He has had at least 3 flare-ups since December with severe vomiting and diarrhea and has gone to emergency each time. Does this sound like Crohn's and how do we get our doctor to take this seriously and make a referral? Who do we need to see to get a diagnosis so we know what we are dealing with? We have been married for 46 years and this is the first major illness my husband has had.

Misdiagnoses leading up to Crohn's disease

by Kel
(Orem, UT)

I have suffered through the same kinds of symptoms since I was about 5, and as a child, they thought it was nothing but a diet that obviously didn't have enough fiber. When I was 18, I was diagnosed with IBS, and a few years later the medications I was taking failed. Then I developed a lump in my throat that kept me from swallowing, especially after eating maybe 5 bites of food at most for about 3 weeks, at which time I underwent a barium swallow and was diagnosed with GERD. The medication works and it doesn't, and then I developed small bouts of what looks like psoriasis that won't go away even with bag balm among other things and arthritis that is currently hitting my hands and arms first. Could GERD be another misdiagnosis, and could all of these things be caused by Crohn's disease?

FRUSTRATED - My Husband Just Diagnosed June2010

by Denise Kolp
(New Jersey)

I am frustrated because I am having a hard time learning about this disease. My husband is 6'1" and used to weight 160lbs - he now weighs 150lbs. He is taking Apriso, which has alleviated all abdominal pain what so ever. He seems depressed, has no appetite, and is exhusted. He works outside, does the heat effect the Crohn's? Does fish oils help? Is there a reccommended diet? Specific foods most definately to stay away from??
Anyone out there on Apriso? Are there side effects?? Is there support groups? I need some lessons to educate my husband - I am sad that he is so ill!! Any Help would be appreciated!!
Thank you,

Denise
dz72568 @ comcast.net

Newly diagnosed - Sister diagnosed over 20 years ago

by Melissa
(Indianapolis, IN)

I am a 30 year old woman and I was just diagnosed last week with Crohns diease. My sister (35 yrs old) had been diagnosed for over 20 years. I feel blessed in the fact that my case is mild. My sister has been to the Crohn's Clinic twice and has been told that she has one of the worse cases ever recorded.

My family was in shock but I think we have gotten over the shock and we are ready to face this head-on. It is not easy and I don't feel well at all but I have not got to start my meds either. I am a difficult case because I also take Blood-Thinners. They have to make sure that the two are not going to have negative interactions.

I am glad there is a place that I can come on here and let my feeling and fears out. It is not always easy to do at home.

I was diagnosed a year ago.

by Julie
(canada)

I am a 41 year old single mom.wher do I start...iam so confused.Iam in between jobs so money is scarce.the last three jobs I have had I lost due to being sick alot and appointment's tests ect..I have stopped my meds because it made me feel worse.I catch everything that goes around.when iam sick iam like death sick.when my cramps start I can;t work it gets so bad that Iget nausea I vomit strong yellow stuff while trying to have a bowel movement which can take up to 45 min or longer and I still feel like I did not emty,I get feverish and so tired,I sleep till it passes.Is that a flare up.when do I go to the hospital?Iam so used to pain I wait it out.I belive I have had corhns for a few years,I thought it was all in my head.but now i know why i have lost jobs.I have good days and lots of bad days but my doctor says no you r not having a flareup.my family doctor just sends me to my GI to answer my questions and he gets mad because he says he is just there to fix me.and diet,I cant have dairy most fruits and veggies,eating an apple sent me staight to a gi doctor.so what can I eat???I also have colitis.when iam not on the tolite all the time,I get constipated so bad I look pregnant.there is no inbetween.and stress well Iam on pills for depression.but there is no help because Iam not disabled enough. I burp like a man pee alot.I can't even bend down without feeling pain.I am just so frusterated.any Iam new at this so sorry for the book.any advise please.....

Crohns diagnosed 5 months after a hysterectomy

by Heidi
(MN)

Story: Has anyone else had surgeries, pelvic or abdominal, only to later be diagnosed with Crohn's? That was my fate. I had a hyst and my right ovary removed in October of 2007 at age 41 for abdominal pain and started bleeding rectally by March of 2008. A colonoscopy and series of biopsies showed Crohns. It makes me wonder which came first, the chicken or the egg. My surgery was complicated by a nicked vein and went three hours long due to hemorrhage. I will always wonder if my bowel was traumatized during surgery such that my immune system responded in this way. That or, perhaps it has been Crohns disease causing the abdominal and pelvic pain all along. To be honest, I will likely never know. The good news in this is that I am in remission. My health is not great, though......far too much to go into here. I have a great internal medicine doctor, a not so great GI doctor, and am relatively tired of being a patient as I am a nurse. Nurses are lousy patients.

Humira question: Good to find this website. I am restarting Humira. Took a break due to finances and denial......please tell me a story if you have stopped and restarted this medicine. I had an anaphylactic reaction when I did that with Remicade so I am so very scared. Thanks. H

just diagnosed :(

me and my rock

hi i have been poorly for 2 years now and only just been told i have chrons , at least i have an answer now i guess ?? but i have to start on budesonide steriods ???i have lost 3 stone since been poorly im soooo scared im gonna get bloated i dont want anything more to get me down has anyone any advice .thank u so very much..jo xxxxxx

Just diagnosed

by Heather
(Appleton, WI)

Do not know where to start, just found out I had Crohns Disease. I don't see my doctor til the 16th to get on medication. Does anyone have suggestions of what works the best? And, I suffer with fistula's because of this, they hurt so bad, what works for them?

H

Son is 8yrs. newly diagnosed

My son is 8 years old and was diagnosed in June (08) with Crohn's. He has been symptomatic for only one year. (last Oct.) I have a few questions, and am really thankful that there is "somewhere" to go to ask them.

Jack has been on sulfasalazine for about 3 months now...and everything has been okay. However, last week he broke out in hives from head to toe. After seeing an ER Dr. (this was on a weekend, and his GI Dr. is 90 miles away)He (ER DR) thought it was a reaction to the sulfasalizine. So I didn't give it to him until we could know for sure. (one week later he is having a MAJOR flare, and I immediately started giving it to him again( we are scheduled this coming week to see GI dr.) He is not having any allergic reaction to it, but this particular flare is so awful. He began to have severe cramping/diarrhea Wed, night, and Thursday morning I began giving him the sulfasalizine. I have given him 500mg every 8 hours, but it doesn't seem to be helping much. (???) My questions are these...

1. Is it normal during a flare to have more pain and diarrhea at night (during 11:00 - 6:00) than in the daytime?

2.Can a rash/hives be a symptom of Crohn's? (My son has never had a rash before)

I would so appreciate any feedback...

Sorry this was so long...

Thanks,
Erin

just diagnosed

After many tests(Laproscopic surgery, colonoscopy and Ct scans that came back negative, only showing inflamation) I was diagnosed on my symptoms and the inflamation as having mild colitis & crohn's.
My symptoms: weight loss, blood in my stools, fevers, diahrea, stomach pain( comes in waves really bad). The doctors want me to start a diet to see if we can calm down my flare up.
Has anyone else been diagnosed like this?

Recently diagnosed, not getting any better (aged 15)

by Brandon
(Hillingdon)

On the 10th august i got diagnosed with crohnes bowel desease. it didnt really sink in my mind until about a week after. i got put on a ibd modulen diet for 6 weeks, where i wasnt aloud to eat or drink anything and i had to drink protien shakes instead. after alot of trips to the hospital for being sick and ill, i got told that the modulen diet did not work. i then got put on prednisolone, just a short course, 10weeksm but on a high dosage, after about a week.. i started to feel the side effects. i felt anxious, weak, depressed, and not the same person. i keep crying, and just feeling hopeless alot of the time. i find it difficult to keep it all in sometimes, as i try to stay strong, as i feel it effects my mum when im upset. although all of my freinds understand what im going though, i was going out with a girl for 6 months, and she ended it. i feel this is because i might have been a different person, and that she doesnt understand what im going through, this is very frustrating. i wake up sad before school, and come home sad. past 2 weeks, ive been in the worst pain ever, and feeling depressed. last friday i went to the hospital, and they have said it is unusual as the steriods or the modulen diet has helped my desease. therefore im rather having surgery, or something else.
i am really nervous, and dont know how to feel better in myself anymore.
B.williams Aged 15

New here

by Heather
(Massachusetts)

Just wanted to say hi - rather than troll around.

Dx with CD for 15 years. Active, active, active for the last 6 months. Starting testing to move to a stronger medication.

Sooo tired.all.the.time.

Wellness wishes for all.

New at this Crohns thing

by tracy
(owingsville,Ky)

Any help would be appreciated. I feel rather lost. Aug, 10th I thought I had the flu, I just had the most awful diarrhea and let it go for about 2 weeks and finally went to the Dr. who gave me lomotil. While this did help for awhile. I never really got over it and it, in the following week after got pretty bad, the diarrhea didn't really hurt, but my hemorrhoids were unbelievable and felt like I had a baseball at the site of my anus( those of you with hemorrhoids know the feeling), the hemorrhoids were finally going away and the diarrhea slowed down a little and next thing I knew I woke up doubled over from upper abd. pain at 3 am. I went and laid on the couch by my husband and tried to ride it out, fell back asleep and at 6 am, woke him to take me to the E.R. Got there, told them I thought it was gallbladder and my back felt like a kidney stone as well(I occ. get these)morphine every 30 min. seemed to do the trick, they admitted me did cat scan, only thing it showed was some unusual looping of the uppper bowel (not sure if this was from my gastric bypass 2 yrs. ago?) Anyways, gallbladder ultrsound looked o.k., upper G.I looked o.k. This was Sept. 1st. I am 5'7-1/2" and was 130 and dropped this last month to 118# as everytime I ate ANYTHING this last month, I felt sick- I could only eat a few bites and I'd feel sick. I never vomited, but never have been one to. I am drinking ensure several times a day.Oct. 4th I had an endoscopy and colonoscopy done and it showed esophagitis and gastritis. I think when he did this I was already on the mend. They have me on zeggarid for the erosions(which don't bother me at all. a few days ago I was able to start eating without getting sick and it feels like whatever this episode is, seems to be passing. I am not sure if Crohns does this? When I looked up Crohns I noticed all different things I have in common that I didn't know had anything to do with Crohns. I have the inflamed eyes, , get freq. sores in my mouth(I thought everyone did) and just reading peoples things about the anal fissures, hemmeroids, etc. made me realize, yep that must be it. I have never seen any blood in my stool- when they did a culture of my stool during the colonoscopy, they said it had WBC's in it but did not see infection. I'm sure there is more I could say-but don't want to make a book out of this. Anyone willing to talk to me and help me understand this a little better, sure would be appreciated. I want to make th most out of my situation and do what I need to do to be symptom free. Thanks for the time. Tracy
lennyandtracy@windstream.net

New chrons?

Hi i am a 33 year old male that just got diganosed with chrons, have many ? need to chat with other chrons people. my email is bruni31 -at- hotmail.com thank you

Newly Diagnosed with Crohn's disease

by La
(Ireland)

I am 35 years old and have been recently diagnosed with Crohn's disease. However the doctors suggest that I have probably had it for multiple years and no one ever picked up on it. I am going on Friday to be put on medication and for the doctors to help me with any questions I have.
About 6 years ago, I had extreme weight loss, and I was bleeding very badly when I went to the bathroom. I had tests and they never found anything, so I just let it pass. But within the last 4 years, I've had extreme weight gain, I am now over-weight and the bleeding has returned. I'm often constipated, but when I do go to the bathroom, I go very frequently. The doctors did a barium x-ray last friday and instead of the normal few hours that it takes for the barium to pass through your system, it passed within 20 minutes. I have been told I have a large fistula, and I am very inflamed.
Everything I have read about Crohn's speaks of weight loss, but why am I experiencing weight gain. I've gained so much weight I'm so ashamed of my body. Then I read that the medications that are used to treat Crohn's cause weight gain. This has depressed me beyond belief. Can someone talk to me, tell me what I'm supposed to do. I don't want to gain any more weight, I hate my body as it is. Are there other alternatives for medication? Can someone please be a friend and talk with me.

Newly diagnosed with crohns

by Shannon
(Michigan)

I have just been diagnosed with crohns ten days ago. I am very confused about this desease also after being sick for so long , relieved to finally know why i was so miserable. Im 37yrs old and feel i probably had crohns flares since my childhood. This last year was the worst of all with so much pain i felt very inadiqate as a wife and mother of three children i wondered if i would ever feel good again.. My crohns is in my mouth, stomach, and acending colon.. My doctor put me on 1 gram of pentasa to take four times a day.. I would like some input on how well this drug has worked for others with their desease in the same area as mine is.. Thank you for reading and any input would be great(:

New Chron's patient wants feedback, PLEASE!

by Sue
(Georgia)

I have just been diagnosed with Chron's. I have gone two years being sick and no one could find anything wrong. I have had stomach issues my whole life and I thought it was just normal for me. I have had anxiety in the past so I blamed everything on that. So did every Dr. I saw. I recently had my galbladder removed because it was only functioning at 5%, no stones, just not working. I thought this was the end to all my problems. But I guess not. I went to a new Dr. for a yearly checkup because my regular Dr. had to take a leave of absence due to her illness with Chron's disease, (how ironic). My new Dr. ran a series of blood test because I told him of some symptoms that I was having (nausa, upset stomach, sometimes chills, and dizziness.) I had heard that right after your galbladdeer is removed that some foods will still go straight through you until your body adjust. So, I didn't think much about it. He said he was just going to check a few things out that could cause those symptoms. The main test he wanted to run was for Celiac disease, because my mother has it. I was negative for Celiac but he told me that Chron's showed positive. I am now trying to find out information about Chron's and treatment. The Dr. gave me Asacol to take daily. I am worried about taking an antiinflamitory over a long period of time. Are there natural options? Is nausa common with Chron's? And does it come on with no warning? I feel like I have a stomach bug all the time. I recently went to Las Vegas with my husband and landed up in the ER for 10 hours and sick in the bed the next three days. Not a good trip. We were only there for 5 days and I was sick three of them. I feel like I can't go anywhere because I might get sick. Any suggestions on how to deal with nausa when it strikes? I get depressed because I feel like I put a damper on everything. I used to love to go places and do things but not anymore. Some days I feel great and others I am so tired that I just want to go to bed and feel like I can't function. I know that I am rambling but it is nice to get this off my chest. Please, if anyone has any adivce plase write back.

New Crohn's

by Mellissa
(PEI,Canada)

Hello,
I am 23 years old and have recently been diagnosed with Crohns. I have had a rough winter and in the end they are telling me that its Crohn.s
I suffered a miscarriage back in January and ever since then things just wern't right. I went to see my doctor and first off he assumed that it was Acid Refux and sent me home with some meds to take care of that. When it did nothing for me I stopped the meds and ended up waiting longer and then I had dropped 15 pounds in 2 weeks and I was only 115 to begin with so it was a big loss for me. by this time it was Easter and I was having dinner with my family and they were all really worried about me because of the amount of pain that I was in and the way I looked. My skin was pale and my hair just wouldn't come clean. I looked like a mess. I was very lucky to have anamazing husband by my side and who would calm me down when I got worked up and depresssed over the pain and the way I was looking. At Easter dinner I had told my father about a bump that developed on my leg and he in turn told my mother who made me go into the Emergency room. upon my arrival there they took my stats and admitted me right away. gave me some Morphine for the pain and hooked me up to an IV as I was very badly dehydrated and malnourised as everything I ate would go right threw me within minutes.
They kept me in the hospital for a week and ran test and test on me and gave me a Colonospy.
They had me on Prenasone and have tryed to ween me off of it but the substitue they had for me wasn't enough which then sent me back into another flare up and back to square one back in the hospital. They put me back on the steroids and sent me home to wait for the specalist.
Now my specalist has advised that I start at Methrotrex injections once a week. The side effects sounds terrifying and im not looking forward to this.
I am wondering from some of you who have had this Disease for sometime now that if I will ever be able to without medications and what is a good sort of diet to attempt?
I am very lost with where to go with this and the doctors are not good at all with guidance.
Any help that anyone can suggest would be great.

NEW to Crohn's

by Christine
(Newcastle, NSW, Australia)

Hi all, I’d like to share my story and I hope maybe someone can help me understand.

I’ve been suffering with diarrhea since what seems like forever I’m 37 now and I remember going to see a doctor in 1999 it was my local GP I complained then of constant diarrhea, bloating and cramping she suggested it might settle when I returned the following week and again complained she suggested I try a wheat and gluten free diet to see if it helped, it did for a few days then it was back but I pressed on with the diet and soon I was cutting out other things and replacing others, I’d have good weeks and bad weeks. Some days I’m in so much pain I cry at the thought of going to the bathroom or eating something. It didn’t seem right but the doctor didn’t seem to have an answer.
Then when I met my now husband it was so embarrassing at first but he soon became very supportive trying to help me find things to eat that didn’t upset me, but after we fell pregnant twice and lost both babies we wanted some answers one test showed that I had Lupus anti- coagulant and that I should be taking aspirin daily but this didn’t really help my diarrhoea and cramping but I guess it seemed to take a back seat now as we were so wrapped up in getting pregnant and keeping the baby alive.
We did a few cycles of IVF after it was found that I also have endometriosis which could cause cramping horrible period pain, leg cramps and bloating it could also spread to the bowel causing diarrhoea and bleeding that I was now experiencing. So I began to treat my diarrhoea as part of my life I didn’t bother whinging about it anymore the doctors would just look at me as if to say it can’t be that bad and I started to feel like maybe it was normal or normal for me. But last Oct I had surgery to remove some of the endometriosis again and hopefully get some relieve, I was told it was everywhere “but on the bowel” and that hopefully it would settle with the endo gone from everywhere else.
But no not this time as the weeks have passed my symptoms became worse than ever even the littlest piece of food will burn straight away and be out the other end within 20mins or so some nights I’ll bloat so much it’ feels like a huge lump is forming in my stomach making it so uncomfortable to lay down stand or sit even when I’m not that bloated my belly is just sore to touch. so I made an appointment to see my now new GP in 10 days was best they could do, unfortunately I went to work one night feeling tired and run down as usual but later the pain in my stomach and belly felt like it was rising and burning like never before and into my lower ribs, the next day the stabbing pains and vomiting saw me go to the hospital a nasal tube was put down my throat to help stop the vomiting and drain the faeces 2 days later a laparoscope was done full thickness ulcers were found then another 2days a colonoscopy was done large bowel was fine professor believes I have Crohn’s of the small bowel and now wants to operate again to remove a section of small bowel as she believes I have a blockage or narrowing of the bowel as I’m looking around 6months pregnant I was on 50mg prednisolone now taking 37.5mg think I’m starting to feel a bit better but then I start to bloat again wake up skinny go to bed fat.
My symptoms not sure if all are related but I can go from constipated to diarrhoea in minutes although it’s not something regular but it seems to happen a least once every 2 months or so. I get really blurry vision some days and I’m fine others, had a huge sore on my tongue for months now just the odd one in mouth knees and feet ache
My belching could put Homer Simpson to shame. I have always suffered with migrans
I get sharp pain in odd spots chest area back and front, blood and protein in urine bright fresh blood after number twos and butt seems to ache at times, what used to be just lower abdo cramps is now also higher up and the last 2 days my sides are hurting maybe cause I’m so bloated.
This weeks bloods show there is still inflamation and x-ray showed possible narrowing now to have small bowel series scan 12/3/08

very new at this!!

by Jenna
(Canada)

I am 20 years old and just found out 3 months ago that i have crohn's ..i am just really confused about this whole disease i feel like it is taking over my life, I have my good days and my bad days which is causeing me to take medical leave from work which we all know does not pay you very much. The doctor has me on immuran and i am not sure if it is working.Im just wondering if im causing it not to go in remission or if there is anyother medication i can take that really works for other people.The other question i wanted to ask was...what are the symtoms of mini flare ups and how bad do they have to get befor going to emergencey or contacting your doctor. It would be really nice to talk to somebody with crohns thats knows what i am talking about and knows what i am going through.

New to Crohn's Disease

by eric strauchler
(apex nc )

My wife is losing weight,and her my body always getting her sick. She always cold, she eat like a bird. She spend many times on can with bloody stools. Eileeen was dianosed in UNC hospital and her Gi intern drop this disease on her ,told her nothing about.Except go check internet. She has no will. She also had a stomach virus and bronchiss. No one wants to help me. She was in 2 emergency rooms and give 1v's. I know she's I get dehydrated.
Yet no one, does any tests to check anything else. I'm afraid. I her husband is a wounded warrior and in Ft Bragg,NC and can only visit on weekends. Need a support group somebodies who can talk her verbally.
My home is 919 772 3417. If you get tape say crohn's support.

New to Crohn's Disease

by Maranda
(Kansas)

I'm 28 years old have always been healthy and now am dealing with Crohn's. Its the hardest thing i've ever had to control, just when i think i'm getting better, it gets worse. my biggest question right now is how do i get rid of the CONSTANT nausea? Is there no medication or anything i can do other than what i'm aleady doing with my diet?

Newly Diagnosed With Crohns

by Debbie
(Calgary,AB,Canada)

I was just newly diagnosed with the disease but the doctors feel I have had it for 10-15 years due to my symptoms. I have 20 cm of thickening with a part of the intestine that is very thickened that when I had my colonoscopy they could not pass through this area. Can anyone tell me how long I can go without needing surgery when I am at this point in the disease.

Debbie

New to crohns - pls help with advice...

by Zoe
(New Zealand)

Hi there, im desperate for some answers or advice from people who suffer or know ppl who suffer with crohns as im newly diagnosed. I dont know anyone personally who has it, and feel like the doctors arent completely answering my questions.
My story briefly is that i was diagnosed last year while on my "OE" in scotland( I am 22 years old). I Have since come back home to n.z to sort out my health. I have today finally just come of the steroid I have been on the last 6 months and the test now is to see if the drug azathiprine is enough to keep me well(aswell as taking pentasa)
I am always tired and have to go to bed about 830 every night as Im exhausted, i continuisly have at least 3 mouth ouclers at a time, suffer with headaces abit and somedays feel a lil sick until it will just pass then im fine....
What i want to know is, will i just always be tired like this now? is that part of crohns and will i have to just put up with the mouth ouclers? and are they common to have with crohns like i have them-constantly!?? and if this drug doesnt work is it possible to stay well on natural medications ( as ive done some research on what they reccommend) or is it a good idea to get on top of it with medical drugs first then think natural down the track??
I feel so alone and lost like im sure so many others feel....
Thanks for any feedback!!

New & Unsure About Crohns

Hi.
I Am Currently Unsure Whether I Might Have Crohns.
My Mum & Sister Both Have Crohns.
I Have Some Of The Symptoms:
Lack Of Appetite
Constipation Sometimes, As Theres Days I Wont Go To Toilet Then Others Im Fine.
Fatigue Which Gets Intense & Seems Fairly Constant,
Abdominal Pain - Varies Can Be Really Intense That I Want Too Curl Up In Bed Then Its Just Uncomfortable Then Nothing.
Rectal Itchness & Discomfort Sometimes,
Possible Anemia
Have Had Depression Recently & Low Mood,
Struggle To Put On Weight & Sometimes Loose Alittle,
Sometimes Bleed Alittle When Go Too Toilet
Have Sore Knees & Have Currently Sore Ankle
Sometimes Have Really Bad Sweats In Night & Wake Up Sweaty But Sometimes Nothing.

I Have Heard Theres A Link Bewteen Genetics, If Family Members Have Crohns My Chances Are Increased.
I Dont Have These Signs All The Time & Last Few Weeks Have Been Ok, So Not Sure If I need To Get Checked Out?

Very New to this

Hi, I am a 27 year old female who has had what I call "bathroom" problems for years. Finally my stomache started swelling and people started asking when when I was due. I would look 7-8 months pregnant, however, my husband and I have not been able to conceive for the last 7 years. I started having awful sharp pain in the left side of my stomache. It hurt sooo much, I would cry and scream, however, I don't have insurance and would not go to the doctor. Finally, while visiting my family my parents got me to go to the emeregency room. I was diagnosed with Diverticulits (not sure if that is spelled right). That was scarey! That was in Feb. We recently moved and I started seeing another doctor. He says I have diver...but also have Crohn's Disease. I am bleeding, can't stay out of the bathroom, etc. He has put me on a strick diet, medicine that makes me sleep all of the time, limited activity, it is so hard. He has told me that I can't have rough food, no raw food, no acid foods or citrus, nothing spicy, no nuts, no corn, no seeds, etc. I have being seeing this doctor about a month and have been doing pretty good, however, the last two days have been really bad. I hurt so much constantly. It's sharp pain and burning. It burns constantly and I go to the bathroom constantly. My husband is very supportative and I try my best not to let me him see me hurt but it is so hard.

Does anyone have any ideas how to keep flare ups from happening? How to stop the pain? What can I do? Thank you.

Still new and adjusting to Crohn's...

by Chelsea
(St. Louis, Missouri)

My name is Chelsea, and I was diagnosed with Crohn's on my 20th birthday, about 5 months ago. I've had stomach pains and off and on constipation since I was 15, but never went to the doctor. When I finally went to the emergency room and had some tests done, the doctors told me I had Crohn's, which I was already familiar with.
My grandmother died when I was ten, after having surgery for Crohn's, to remove part of her small intestine. My other grandmother has Crohn's as well, and has been dealing with it for about forty years. My doctor didn't give me much information and basically told me to "suck it up", because from now on, I am my disease. I went into a severe depression and felt very alone.
Here it is about 5 months later, and I'm just getting used to the idea of dealing with my disease. It took me a long time to gather up the courage to even research, because I was afraid of what I would find. My GI put me on steroids, which made me gain 20 pounds. I'm off the steroids now, but still trying to loose the weight while trying to stay healthy. I don't want anything to stop me from living out my life and being happy.
I'm thinking about trying yoga to relax, I have bad anxiety and occasional depression. I am a college student, so I'm always on the run. I also have a very crappy job at McDonalds, which doesn't help with stress. I would really appreciate any advice or even encouragement anyone has to give.
Contact me at StrangerThings88 @ yahoo.com

What to Expect with Crohns Disease

I have had Crohns of the ilum now for almost 10 years. My checkup are basically the gi doctor who I love will push on my abdomen, listen to my bowel sound and do blood work. I have been on humaria now for almost 3 years. I missed two doses back to back due to a bad sinus infection. The crohns has spread to my rectum. Has anyone else had this to happen. I know I now have to have both an upper and lower scope and small bowel followthrough to make sure not elsewhere. What are my checkup going to be like now? I have a colonscopy about every 3 years will that increase? My biggest fear is this puts me closer to surgery, does it?