Crohn's in upper GI tract...symptoms?

[Cookie]

Has anyone been diagnosed with Crohn's in the upper part of their digestive system? If so, what are your symptoms?

I have been experiencing some symptoms that are totally new to me (my diagnosis was determined to be Crohn's in the colon and rectum via colonoscopy). I have strange pains in the middle of my chest just under my rib cage. Almost feels like bad heartburn, but kind of feels like some food is caught in there or something. I also have been coughing up a lot of mucous, especially after I eat. I have very scant and difficult BMs, but the stools are soft. I often feel nauseous after eating. I also have at least 3 ulcers in my mouth, but that is not a new symptom for me. None of these symptoms is so severe that I feel the need to call the doctor, they are just new and I would like to know what's going on. Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[Jennifer]

I'd make an appontment with your GI or GP. Could be Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

"Symptoms

More common symptoms are:

* Feeling that food may be left trapped behind the breastbone
* Heartburn or a burning pain in the chest (under the breastbone)
o Increased by bending, stooping, lying down, or eating
o More likely or worse at night
o Relieved by antacids
* Nausea after eating

Less common symptoms are:

* Cough or wheezing
* Difficulty swallowing
* Hiccups
* Hoarseness or change in voice
* Regurgitation of food
* Sore throat"
https://health.google.com/health/ref/Gastroesophageal+reflux+disease

In that link are things for heartburn prevention, medication you could take, and also serious symptoms to look out for and seek immediate medical help as GERD can cause complications.

If you think this might be Crohn's related, then its best to see your GI and have an endoscopy done to see what's going on in there. Even if someone else has Crohn's in that section, everyone is different and experiences different symptoms. There's no harm in getting it checked out. Would hate for more ulcers to form or even cancer.

 

[crazycanuck]

Ive only been told of troubles up to and including my small intestine but also during y last flare developed mouth ulcers (dentist had never seen crohns in the mouth so he took pictures for his office refrence haha) and some I couldnt see but do believe the same thing in the throat and besides intense burning when eating certain foods no real symptoms because of those.

Now that I write all this your probably meaning esophogus or stomache but there were my 2 cents haha

 

[outlier]

I started with the same bad pain under my ribs. It was heartburn. Even thought it feels like a sharp pain, in my case. I also have intense and sometimes nasusa about 20 min after I eat.

It's unclear how much this has to do with crohn's. It did lead to my diagnoses. when going to GI the feeling stuck seemed to be a differentiating symptom.
After a endoscopy they saw inflammation in my stomach (which drives me crazy, that docs are confused or unclear about my inflammation still).

I also get awful canker sores (much worse then normal mouth sores), as well as sores in my esophagus. I defiantly think the sores are much more painful during flare then normally.

Good luck!!

 

[HeatherMN]

I have it in my large and small bowels--I was going through a lot of those same symptoms earlier this year. I had another colonoscopy and MRI enterography done to see what was going on. I have several narrowed areas in my small bowel which cause me lots of issues with pain and gas after eating. I got a anti-spasmodic prescription (hyomax?) which didn't do a whole lot for it. My GI also said that I have IBS in addition to Crohn's.
I also have stabbing pains in my ribs and sternum--I was told it is costochondritis, an inflammation of the muscles/fascia surrounding your ribs. It hurts like hell, thought I was having a heart attack the first time I felt it.

 

[Tacykakes]

So I know a little of what you are going through most of my crohns flares end up in my upper areas as well. I did something called a stomach emptying study of which showed the Crohns in my small intestine (found through bloodwork since nobody can see that part of you well) had in fact caused my stomach to not work properly. Turns out in a few hours what a normal person would digest I only digest 20%of that so this means I need to eat less and often...might help with your nausea.

When I am extra stressed out I actually get those sores in my mouth too even my throat gets sores...yuck! All I can recommend is to stay away from anything sour, salty, or high in acid and lots of Orajel. Talk to your doc about some intense reflux medicine...might help!

Thinking of you!

 

[Billie Selene]

An upper GI scope showed the lower half of my esophagus and part of my stomach have areas of "friable" tissue (Granular surfaces) similar to the malforamtion of my transverse colon and several small tears. Doogie Howser says it is part of the CD and I am 80 mg of Nexium a day to try and get control of it along with my Pred and Imuran.