Annie

[amet64*]

annie

hi i am a 48 year old lady who has had bowel problems since childhood, i was told it was colic and anaemia up until i was around 13, then the diagnosis changed to ovarian pain and then at 18 to gallbladdeer diseasse. i have always had trouble with bowel pain and alternating worm like stoolls or where i will have severe cramping with a bowel rush where ijust completely empty my bowels with a rush, i have times where i have loads of horrible slime. recently i have started with arthritis unknown cause, and extremely elevated leucocytes and neutrophiles i am constantly on iron tablets for anaemia even though i no longer have periods. i know have like little lumps or blisters which become painfuls and burst leaving little ulcers and have ulcers that wont go away in my mouth the only thing that helps with everthing is prednisilone but my gp dooesnt seem to know what is causing all my symptoms this makes me very miserable

 

[Astra]

Hiya Annie
and welcome

Sorry you're going thro this, hopefully we can help.
Has your GP referred you to see a specialist in IBD? If so, have they diagnosed an IBD such as Crohn's? What tests have you had done? Any scopes?
Sorry for all the questions, why did the GP give you Prednisolone?
If the Pred has worked in the past, then there's obvious inflammation going on somewhere.
Mouth ulcers are common with Crohn's, I get them when my immune system runs amok!
Have a read thro our sections on here, familiarise yourself with the symptoms of an IBD.
Hope you get something sorted soon
Lotsa luv
Joan xxx

 

[Ihurt]

I am sorry you are going through all this. I also have been sick for the last 9 years with ALL kinds of issues. I have also had gut issues for a long while now. My gut issues started back in 2004 after I took the antibitoic Augmentin. I could only eat very small amounts and feel stuffed like a pig. I went through a ton of tests and was finally told I had a motility issues on the small bowel. I have just recently started having lower gut issues now. I am still not sure what is going on. I also am slightly anemic ( but have been for years), This does not always indicate IBD, alot of issues can cause this. I also have had elevated sed-rates, and C-reactive protein as well for the last 8 years as well as an elevated ANA at one point. I was told by a rheumy doc that I have a undifferenciated connective tissue disease likely. I have Interstitial cystitis as well. I also get canker sores in my mouth as well at times and cold sores. Just recently I have been having a horrible issue with my intestines where I feel sore , tender and crampiness all throughout. I also get severe muscle pain as well ( I have fibromyalgia and imflammation).

There are SO many things that can cause the symptoms you are having. Have you seen a rheumatologist at all?? Alot of autoimmune diseases can cause all the issues you are having. It is a good idea to see a gastro doc if you already have not since you are having bowel issues. My advice would be to see a rheumatologist and a gastro doc due to the nature of your symptoms. I have been sick for so long with so many things and unfortunately sometimes even the doctors cannot give you an answer.( I was told I even had lyme disease by one doctor). Being chronically ill is no fun and I have learned that you have to be your own advocate in order to get help. Doctors do not seem to know much when it comes to patients who have many chronic health issues. Hang in there, you are not alone. Sometimes you have to go through a few different doctors before you find a good one, or at least one who will try and help you.

hi i am a 48 year old lady who has had bowel problems since childhood, i was told it was colic and anaemia up until i was around 13, then the diagnosis changed to ovarian pain and then at 18 to gallbladdeer diseasse. i have always had trouble with bowel pain and alternating worm like stoolls or where i will have severe cramping with a bowel rush where ijust completely empty my bowels with a rush, i have times where i have loads of horrible slime. recently i have started with arthritis unknown cause, and extremely elevated leucocytes and neutrophiles i am constantly on iron tablets for anaemia even though i no longer have periods. i know have like little lumps or blisters which become painfuls and burst leaving little ulcers and have ulcers that wont go away in my mouth the only thing that helps with everthing is prednisilone but my gp dooesnt seem to know what is causing all my symptoms this makes me very miserable

 

[amet64*]

i have been on pred for the arthritis i have developed but i keep on coming up with blood tests also showing up in fection that the gp cant track down so he also gives me antibiotics as well i thought it was coincidence that my bowels settle down while on pred but saw an article on tv this morning and havent told dr that i have always had bowel probs for forever didnt know that it may be relevant

 

[Angrybird]

Hello Annie and welcome to the forum. I really think that you need to be referred to a GI doc if you have not been already, artritis/joint pain can be linked to an active IBD - would you say the pain with your joints could also be linked into when you bowel problems are especially bad? Your other symptoms point towards this 'area' so please pursue an appt with a GI.

I hope you can get some definative answers soon hun, keep us updated on how you are getting on.

xx

 

[amet64*]

thanx just had a blood test this morning the phlebotomist said the same i have been going to her every month for 18 months yes my bowels are bad now and so are the ulcers in my mouth and my joints so thinking that there could b a link

 

[David]

Hi Annie. Welcome to the forum. I strongly agree with the folks above who said get to a GI and get some testing done. It's time to get to the bottom of this and you certainly have the symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.