A-symptomatic for a while; but not anymore!

Crohn's Disease Forum

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Joined
Dec 5, 2010
Messages
43
Let's see, apparently I was originally diagnosed with Crohn's when I was a 10-year-old kid. My mum was a nurse and thought my behaviour was odd and that I would often say 'my tummy hurts'. A few tests that I mostly have forgotten (indium scan, barium, blood work) and I thought they said it was 'suspected crohns' and they put me on Asacol and Iron.

I pretty much denied I had the disease from the time I was 13 until I was ... 29! I felt sick a couple times in University, and got some meds, but never stayed on them. Abdominal pain was normal for me so it only seemed weird when it was severe. I still claimed to be a-symptomatic.

Then I started having weird week-end vomiting attacks. (No - it was not from drinking!!!). It seemed like it was related to being nervous/stressed out. It often happened socially, such as when I was visiting family/friends or when they were visiting me. They tested me for a lot of things over two years - "maybe it's your gall bladder", "maybe it's a parasite", "maybe it's gastritis"(sp?), etc. Finally one ER doc said - "maybe it's appendicitis".

I was at a local ER at the time, and was transferred to the ER in the city. After waiting around for a while (getting painkiller for relief thank god!! and anti-nausea for vomiting), I got a CT scan. Apparently, at their first glance at my images, the radiologist said "Whoa - this girl MUST have a history of IBD". It showed significant narrowing and a small-bowel-obstruction, as well as some other stuff.

They gave me a nasal-gastric tube (which I found traumatizing!) and admitted me. I was in the hospital for a week.

That was last January, and I've been on a low fiber-diet, prednisone, azathioprine, and now humira ever since. I have some budesonide in case I need it. I've been having various tests as well. Luckily, my husband is very tolerant and has taken excellent care of me!! I'm thankful I haven't run out of sick days from work too!!

I hated the physical side effects of prednisone (yes I'm vain); but now my joints are hurting - especially my knees. I'm worried about my normal activites - like snowboarding and just walking around. I'm getting really tired of my practically no-fruit, no-veggie no-whole grains diet. Especially when i'm ordering food. I sound like a picky un-healthy person... "white bread and no veggies" BLAH!

Reading some of the other experiences on here, I'm thinking I don't have much to complain about though!!!
 
Hi, I just joined the forum too. I was diagnosed at 9 myself. Gad, trips to the ER! That sounds awful. I think you do have a lot to complain about! I never had to go to the ER.

Is your low fiber diet due to your narrowing and obstruction? Are they sure that's needed? I would hate to have to give up fruit!

I've had a lot of joint pain, especially my hips, but fortunately not in a while. I'm on budesonide myself, and it works (but makes me irritable and depressed -- even more than usual! :)

Good luck!
Sandy
 
Hi,

Welcome to the forums! I am on that low-residue diet.. have been for oh 12 years. I make jokes about I can't eat healthy food. But, in reality I would kill for a salad that did not cause pain!

Hopefully they can get your symptoms under control!
 
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