Hello fine folks,
I am 32 and recently diagnosis with Crohn's. Actually, doc has used both Crohn's and UC to describe it, but it seems that there's enough overlap for experienced CD cases to be helpful. Here's my story and question... strap in:
I got a case of diarrhea at the beginning of October that lasted about 10 days before I got myself into a Dr.'s office. It was watery, and on one occasion, there was a tinge of blood. No nausea, no abdominal pain, only going to the bathroom, 3-4 times a day. He gave me a scrip for Xifaxan and my symptoms immediately got worse, routinely bloody stools, more diarrhea, and some abdominal pain, especially at night/in bed. My wife said my stomach was really loud while I was asleep. I went in for a colonoscopy 10 days later, and I actually scrapped the Xifaxan after 5-6 days (maybe a bad move, but I was/am new to this.)
Colonoscopy revealed inflammation and moderate active Crohn's. Immediately went on Lialda and symptoms went away within 36 hours. No more sound of grinding machinery coming from inside my body, no more diarrhea, just 2-3 BMs in the morning and I was fine.
Eight days ago (after almost exactly a month of 'remission'), I was at a bar waiting to meet a friend and noticed my stomach/colon(?) making those same loud, occasional wince-inducing, industrial machine noises. I tried to brush it off as nothing, but then the next day, the diarrhea came back. Within 24 hours there was blood in my stool, mild abdominal pain, and the urge to go constantly.
My Dr. put me on Xifaxan again (this time I'm seeing it out to the end) to go with the Lialda, in case it was a bug in my system. That was 6 days ago. Since then--yesterday, in fact--I have been in to see my Dr., and he laid out some rather unsettling options. I was/am having a flare, and it was likely an indication that the Lialda wasn't enough. If my body didn't respond to the Xifaxan, I would need to go on a steroid for a finite period, as a 'bridge' to an immune suppressant. He laid out the possible side effects, and even before he did, I was/am very reticent to lower my immune system.
In the last 48 hours the Xifaxan has started to help. I feel better, and I'm not on the toilet as often. However, I've still noticed blood in my stool (darker today, but in the past bright red) and slight abdominal pain and diarrhea.
If anti-inflammatories and antibiotics don't work, do I have any choice in the matter? Or is immunosuppressant the only option? Does anybody out there have a similar story? This whole thing has been rather troubling, and as someone who generally has a really positive outlook, this last week has been nothing but a continuous kick in the face.
-Brad
I am 32 and recently diagnosis with Crohn's. Actually, doc has used both Crohn's and UC to describe it, but it seems that there's enough overlap for experienced CD cases to be helpful. Here's my story and question... strap in:
I got a case of diarrhea at the beginning of October that lasted about 10 days before I got myself into a Dr.'s office. It was watery, and on one occasion, there was a tinge of blood. No nausea, no abdominal pain, only going to the bathroom, 3-4 times a day. He gave me a scrip for Xifaxan and my symptoms immediately got worse, routinely bloody stools, more diarrhea, and some abdominal pain, especially at night/in bed. My wife said my stomach was really loud while I was asleep. I went in for a colonoscopy 10 days later, and I actually scrapped the Xifaxan after 5-6 days (maybe a bad move, but I was/am new to this.)
Colonoscopy revealed inflammation and moderate active Crohn's. Immediately went on Lialda and symptoms went away within 36 hours. No more sound of grinding machinery coming from inside my body, no more diarrhea, just 2-3 BMs in the morning and I was fine.
Eight days ago (after almost exactly a month of 'remission'), I was at a bar waiting to meet a friend and noticed my stomach/colon(?) making those same loud, occasional wince-inducing, industrial machine noises. I tried to brush it off as nothing, but then the next day, the diarrhea came back. Within 24 hours there was blood in my stool, mild abdominal pain, and the urge to go constantly.
My Dr. put me on Xifaxan again (this time I'm seeing it out to the end) to go with the Lialda, in case it was a bug in my system. That was 6 days ago. Since then--yesterday, in fact--I have been in to see my Dr., and he laid out some rather unsettling options. I was/am having a flare, and it was likely an indication that the Lialda wasn't enough. If my body didn't respond to the Xifaxan, I would need to go on a steroid for a finite period, as a 'bridge' to an immune suppressant. He laid out the possible side effects, and even before he did, I was/am very reticent to lower my immune system.
In the last 48 hours the Xifaxan has started to help. I feel better, and I'm not on the toilet as often. However, I've still noticed blood in my stool (darker today, but in the past bright red) and slight abdominal pain and diarrhea.
If anti-inflammatories and antibiotics don't work, do I have any choice in the matter? Or is immunosuppressant the only option? Does anybody out there have a similar story? This whole thing has been rather troubling, and as someone who generally has a really positive outlook, this last week has been nothing but a continuous kick in the face.
-Brad