Could I have Crohn's?

[jag7932]

I know it's always best to speak to a doctor first, but I don't want to see a GI doctor unless how I'm feeling really might be related to Crohn's. I was hoping to get some insight from people who are dealing with the disease and see if I can compare my symptoms to some of yours. Here's what I've been feeling for the past few months (since November 2012):

Upper left abdominal pain (seems to be where liver is located)
General sick feeling
Bad GERD (Acid Reflux-burning in my throat feeling)
Fatigue
Constipation (often no bowel movement for 3 days at a time-I also feel like I've never had a normal bowel schedule my entire life. I feel like most people go at least once a day, even when taking fiber I was never able to)
Angular Chelitis (looked up and saw it is related to vitamin B deficiency, started taking vitamin B-12 and it disappeared)
Lower back pain (seems to be getting worse and worse-dull, achey pain)
Swollen glands under jaw

Along with these symptoms, looking back I've also had these symptoms on and off for the past few years:

Lower abdominal pain (happened frequently while running or lying down)
Bloating
Feeling as though bowel movements were not completed
Acid Reflux

I know symptoms are often very different from person to person, but I just wanted to get some insight and also ask who I should go see? I'm away from home at school and can't see my regular doctor, so should I find a doctor here, or go straight to a GI? Also, I have seen a GI once before a number of years ago for reflux and had a scope done. Would that have shown Crohn's if I had had it then?

Oh, and I'm a 23 year old white male.

Thanks so much, I appreciate anyone's feedback!

 

[Karen]

I am praying that you find your answers that your looking for and there are a lot of nice people here that can help out !!

 

[SarahBear]

Hi, Jag. Welcome to the forum!

Your symptoms could indicate Crohn's, but there are also many other possibilities. Whatever the cause is, there is definitely some kind of gastrointestinal issue, so you definitely need to see a doctor to find out exactly what is going on.

Where are you located? If you're in the US and have medical insurance you will need to see a GP and be referred to a GI. Specialists generally only take patients by referral. It's probably in your best interest to establish care with a GP near your school just in case you need to see them in the future, anyway. I would start there if I were you.

A scope done years ago would not necessarily have shown Crohn's if you do have it. A few reasons: Crohn's can affect any part of the digestive tract. In order to see the entire tract, you would have to have a colonoscopy, endoscopy, and a capsule endoscopy done. Even then, things can be missed in the small intestine (seen via the capsule endoscopy). Crohn's can be present without manifesting itself visibly (usually this would be termed remission), although it's not common to have many symptoms when that happens. Also, having it now wouldn't necessarily mean you had it then (although I understand you're not asking this).

I hope that helps answer your questions!

 

[David]

Hi there and welcome to the community.

As Sarah mentioned, you definitely need to be evaluated. Do I think it's Crohn's? I would suspect Celiac disease before I suspected Crohn's but you need to be seen by a doctor to figure out what's going on.

Please keep us updated as to how you're doing and what's going on.