Does damaging inflammation always come with pain and symptoms?

[dammlm]

I was dx with Crohn's around this time last year. My main symptoms were rectal bleeding, cramps and fever. At first the problem was thought to be hemorrhoids, but when the bleeding continued, I went for a colonoscopy. It showed inflammation in my ileum, and what my Dr described as looking like "cigarette burns". I was immediately started on prednisone. I felt much better, tapered off the pred, and have been doing pretty well since.

I still have cramping off and on. While my bowel habits are not normal, they are definitely not very bad compared to most Crohn's sufferers. I actually tend toward constipation for a few days followed by somewhat loose stool for a day or so.

I haven't had any testing done aside from the colonoscopy. I am currently not on any medications.

My question is whether or not inflammation always comes with pain and symptoms? I am feeling pretty good, but am worried that there is damage being done anyway. Should I just wait and be thankful I feel good, or I don't know, have a scan done? I don't know. I feel weird not doing anything, if that makes sense. I also don't want there to me inflammation causing problems. So, would I know, if there was something major going on?

 

[Clash]

No you don't have to have symptoms from the inflammation. Inflammation can be low level and simmering and cause serious damage. It is important to have check-ups with blood work(if your inflammation shows up in your blood work), also fecal calprotectin stool tests is a good check up tool as it measures inflammation in your GI tract only.

An example, after dx the doc was still trying to tweak the meds to find the best treatment for my son, he wasn't experienced severe symptoms(he tends toward constipation) and was having no pain or cramping, no blood but he did have a two ulcers in his mouth which usually meant flare but there are normal numerous ulcers. His blood work came back normal but his fecal calprotectin level was 1700 normal range is below 50. So, even though he really wasn't having symptoms he was in a flare and inflammation was active.

 

[nogutsnoglory]

Clash is right you can have very severe inflammation without even knowing that is what's going on. I went for an annual colonoscopy expecting everything to be fine at one point and found out that I needed to be rushed for surgery because my inflammation was so bad. I was shocked because I was feeling better than I ever had before.

 

[VeganOstomy]

Our gut doesn't have nerves to send pain signals. If you're in pain because of ibd, it's because the illness has gone deep through your gut lining and/or the pressure from swollen organs are pushing against other stuff.

 

[dammlm]

Thank you your responses! This is kind of what I thought. I feel ok physically but just have a feeling something is not quite right. I made an appointment with my Dr. today. Thanks again.

 

[Mary:)]

Yep me too...I went for a scope last February and was feeling fine and my Dr told me I had inflammation and he may need to add another med.