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Awaiting diagnosis..HELP!

I'm a 27yo/Female and am yet to be diagnosed with crohns but have been suffering with symptoms for at least 3 years. This is my second major flare up in a little less than a year and I've been experiencing extreme cramping and diarrhea after eating anything. The pains seem to be an all day long thing though this time around and now I'm entering a bout of constipation...I just feel lousy, sore, exhausted, dehydrated and just feel like complete hell. I'm scared to eat almost anything because I feel there's going to be hell to pay during and afterwards. I've also been encountering rectal bleeding and bloating along with mucous in my stool. Weight loss...loss of appetite nausea and serious intestinal noises...loud ones. It's agony. In the last three years my GP has medicated me and diagnosed me with GERD, IBS etc just to name a couple and tried to medicate me all to no avail. I feel like I'm dying. He's finally now started the testing for crohns (took long enough and a lot of torture on my behalf to do so) I just completed the blood work today and am in process of completing FOBT which should be done and returned to lab tomorrow and awaiting hospital for image testing.... but in the mean time I could really use some input on whether or not I'm experiencing typical symptoms of IBD or whether sounds like something else and also what gives when it comes to what I can eat without misery later and why so hard to stay hydrated..I have to drink so much water lately... thanks in advance.Sam
 
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DJW

Forum Monitor
Hi Sam and welcome. So sorry you're going through this suffering.

Has your gp given you a referral to a GI specialist? Crohns can be difficult to diagnose. Some people are able to get some symptom relief through diet. We do have a diet section you could check out. I'd suggest keeping a food and symptom journal. You could also try cutting out dairy, wheat/gluten to see if you get some relief.

Please keep us posted on the testing. Sending you my support.
 
Once the initial testing is completed I will be following up with my GP and will hopefully be moving on to a Gastroenterologist from there... Also I have been having some burning sensation going from upper abdomen to throat is this common with IBD and does anyone ever get stabbing pain and fullness feelimg sometimes ? I'm oh so frustrated and thank you so much for your reply.
 
My body just aches as well. For some reason I feel as though this might all be stemming from the same source...
 

DJW

Forum Monitor
IBD can come with lots of extra intestinal manifestations that include joint pain. The full feeling could be from inflammation or a narrowing in the intestine. Pain is also very common. The burning in your stomach may be heartburn. You could try elevating the head of your bed 6 inches to see if it helps.

I understand your frustration. I'm glad testing is starting.

BTW: IBS isn'ta diagnosis. The doctor just doesn't know wwhat's causing the issues. Unfortunately a VERY COMMON catch all.
 
Also I'm so sorry to bother... is being lightheaded in any way connected or possibly because maybe I haven't been eating much because of pain and discomfort?
 

DJW

Forum Monitor
Hey, its no bother at all. Knowledge is power.

Lightheadedness can be caused by a number of things. Dehydration from diarrhea, vitamin/mineral deficancy, from poor absorption, or anemia. Lack of calories and poor absobtion could also do it. Full blood workup is a good place to start.
 
After a couple of ER admits for dehydration (and before my Dx) I went to nurse treatment for a bag of fluids. I always felt much better after. Cheaper than an ER visit.
 
Thanks so much for your help. Did my blood work today so hopefully soon I will know something at least.
 
Samq

I know it's going to sound weird but try rice crispies and rice crackers (my personal favorite is the sesame flavoured) - no fibre - no gluten and they worked for me still do when my stomach is really bad.

The rice crispies work of course unless you have an intolerance to dairy at which point I am sorry.
 
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Samq

I know it's going to sound weird but try rice crispies and rice crackers (my personal favorite is the sesame flavoured) - no fibre - no gluten and they worked for me still do when my stomach is really bad.

The rice crispies work of course unless you have an intolerance to dairy at which point I am sorry.
Cant agree with this enough - for the rice crispies i just replace milk with lacto-free milk as the lactose (sugar naturally occuring in milk) is what fuels the pathogens making the symptoms worse!

OP, what you describe sounds very close to how it was for me.

Also OP to talk poop for a second, 70% of it is water and getting dehydrated is understandable, i am terrible and forget to drink often and most days i dont drink enough for a normal person let alone someone going to the loo often! I now try to force myself to have a cup of water every hour on the hour.
 
Ugh... eye bothering me today...sore, blurry and floaters....what the hell is happening to me :-( I'm SO frustrated.
 

DJW

Forum Monitor
Are they red and irritated? My current flare kicked off with anemia and red, irritated eyes. Even regular lighting was painful.
 
Think I may have started putting the beast to sleep with my prednisone I had that was given to me for allergic reaction. Though I'm sure it's temporary as I have none left now lol.
 
Anyone ever had left side stabbing pain in rib chest area... I know it's not cardiac been thru so many heart tests... could it be intestinal? It's usually suddenly and only lasts like 3 seconds but hurts enough to blow your mind sometimes...
 
Well found some answers online... maybe will help someone else as well although I'm finding it quite upsetting but apparently crohns can cause ulcers in your esophagus and these are the symptoms
Esophageal ulcer symptoms can include:

Pain when swallowing or trouble swallowing.Heartburn (pain behind the breastbone)Nausea and vomiting.Chest pain.
 
Here's a read though
Crohn's disease of the esophagus: report of a case.

AuthorsOhta M,et al.Show allJournal

Surg Today. 2000;30(3):262-7.

Affiliation

Abstract

We report herein the case of a 27-year-old man with Crohn's disease of the esophagus. The patient presented with large ulcers in the esophagus for which treatment based on a diagnosis of reflux esophagitis was commenced. Although his symptoms were initially resolved, the ulcers did not improve and he was readmitted to hospital 3 months later for progressive heartburn. An esophagoscopy revealed large ulcers in the esophagus, and a colonoscopy revealed a longitudinal ulcer in the terminal ileum. Histological examination of specimens from the terminal ileum showed severe inflammation without granuloma formation, which led to a diagnosis of Crohn's disease. The oral administration of prednisolone and salazosulfapyridine controlled his symptoms and the esophageal ulcers were observed to be healing 2 weeks after this treatment was initiated. A review of the English literature revealed only 77 cases of this disease. Isolated esophageal lesions were reported in ten patients (13.0%), none of which were able to be diagnosed as Crohn's disease preoperatively. Ileocolic lesions developed after esophageal lesions in only five patients (6.5%) including ours. In the remaining 62 patients (80.5%), ileocolic lesions had existed synchronous with or prior to the esophageal lesions. This suggests that ileocolic lesions may often coexist in Crohn's patients with esophageal lesions, and that examination of the terminal ileum must be performed to confirm a diagnosis of Crohn's disease of the esophagus.
 

DJW

Forum Monitor
I've had the ulcers from my mouth to my stomach. I felt the pain right down the center and was unbearable when I ate or drank anything. Needless to say I lost quite a bit of weight.

BTW: Ialready had my ddiagnosis.
 
Next week. Still not soon enough though, almost unbearable and yesterday I had something burst with pus near my rear and I don't know what that is either ugh has stopped draining for most part though.... hurts though.
 

DJW

Forum Monitor
That sound like an abscess. Keep it as clean as possibly. Watch for continued drainage. Try sitz baths. You can get it from shoppers drug mart. It could be a fistula. If you in a lot of pain give the doctor a call or go to the ER.

I hope you get this sorted out quickly.
 
I'm sorry I probably sound like such a baby whining about these things... they're just still so distressing to me. I am really sorry if I'm a bother as I'm sure some are far much worse off than me. I should be quiet lol.
 
The pain isn't unbearable or anything. Will keep clean and keep an eye out like you said. Thank you for your help.
 

DJW

Forum Monitor
Please don't feel that way. Sorry I'm slow on my replies. I'm exhausted today and keep dozing off.
 
Well guts still killing me and now I'm experiencing the nightmare of barely being able to washroom at all.... I just can't win. ...it's either I can't stay out of the washroom or I never need to go in lol...pain stays the same though. ..sometimes actually worse with the c than the d.
 

DJW

Forum Monitor
Are you able to drink? Is your stomach hard? Are you still getting stomach sounds?

If your having issues like that I'd suggest going to the ER.

Sending you my support.
 

DJW

Forum Monitor
Just making sure you dont have a full obstruction. Sorry, I forgot if you have an upcoming GI appointment?
 
Well I guess I don't have a blockage .... just when I thought I couldn't take anymore of the C .....the big D has came back to haunt me... oh my when will this end!!!!
 

DJW

Forum Monitor
Hopefully soon.

Its alright go go to the ER if you feel really lousy. They will be able to give you some symptom relief st the very least.
 
Was laying on the couch and got that lovely go to the washroom and go now feeling and that the cramps bad and you know it's be to the washroom in 30 seconds warning from the intestines .... you ever had that.... where you gotta pretty much run to the washroom ?
 

DJW

Forum Monitor
I have and its awful. Its no way to live.

As hard as it is, try and hang on. I hope answers come soon.
 
I'm sorry I probably sound like such a baby whining about these things... they're just still so distressing to me. I am really sorry if I'm a bother as I'm sure some are far much worse off than me. I should be quiet lol.
Never be sorry, you don't sound like a baby you sound like someone in distress. This is the place to come to, to vent, to ask the questions and just to talk because there is always someone who will listen, who has been there, or who may know the answer to your question or will point you in the right direction in order to get that answer. I'm sorry that your going through this and wish that things were better for you. :hug:
 
If you want to cure yourself. Go to the treatment forum. I don't have IBD anymore. I cured my intestines completely of the manmade disease. You do those first 3 things of my protocol and you will heal. The more damage you do with drugs or irritating foods, you will continue to suffer. Remove ALL GLUTEN/DAIRY. Make a GREEN DRINK every morning. Those nutrients and vitamins will nurture and heal your colon and other intestinal irritation. Take the SLIPPERY ELM BARK powder before that. You will be free of this disorder. Good luck.

http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=66018
 
Well went to clinic from work as bad episode of pain and the big D is back.... taking immodium for now she said till I see my regular doc hopefully Monday and as for test results she said stool test was negative for blood but blood test showed low b12 and high wbc
 
Says b12 levels are 113 any insight on what this means...says I'm deficient but how much so I don't know...all I know is level is 113 whatever that means.
 
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