I've had stomach issues for many years; nothing too concerning until about 6 months ago. I became constipated; it was like my digestive system just shut down. I felt like I had a cinder block in my belly. Eating became a struggle as I was unable to digest and pass anything for often a week or ten days. After attempting self-care for several months and living with the cramping pain and general toxic feeling I noticed that things were really getting out of control. Finally a few days ago I went to the bathroom and went from constipated to bloody diarrhea during one bathroom visit. The next day I went to the ER. The first doctor was a smug know-it-all who told me I was suffering from irritable bowel syndrome; REALLY? Duh! He tried to tell me to go home, eat more fiber and call my GP and probably get a routine colonoscopy. He didn't even examine me! I lost it, and began crying. I told him I knew all that but nothing was working and I was miserable and in almost constant pain and was there to get some kind of answers. I told him I had lost 10 pounds in the last couple of weeks and was afraid that I had colon cancer or diverticulitis. Then I told him that a routine colonoscopy appointment takes about 3 months. I said, "what if it's cancer and I lose 3 months of treatment because you couldn't be bothered to give me any tests? Needless to say, he ordered a CT scan. Oh, and I asked to see a different doctor too. The other doctor was very nice and thorough, asked questions, examined me and was very attentive. The CT scan revealed that I had inflamed areas of my colon in several areas and near the Ileum (sp?) he told me he couldn't tell for certain but it looked to him like Crohn's as opposed to UC. Gave me some pretty strong antibiotics and a referral to a GI specialist. I felt better that I had some idea what might be going on. Until I see the GI I'm sort of in this limbo and don't even know where to turn for diet advice, information, support. So here I am.
Emergency room meltdown with possible diagnosis
- Thread starter finnegan
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Help Support Crohn's Disease Forum:
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It's great that you are here with us. There is some good advice on food on the threads here. I'm sorry that you had to have a melt down to get heard and listened too - that is never nice - and yet surprisingly common here. I just wanted to say welcome. Eat when you can, sometimes smoothies can be good. How are you with eggs? I made an omlette the other day and that went through easy. Mashed potato - do you like that. The idea will be to try and get some food so you get some energy until you see the GI. How long till you see the GI?
Thanks for responding Aura. I appreciate the support. I haven't made the appointment yet, but I need to do that today - ugh
After reading some of the other posts, I feel very fortunate that so far, my problems appear mild. I can usually function pretty well. Thank you for the food advice, it seems to backwards to what we've been taught about high fiber and lots of veggies and fruit. I guess I should see a nutritionist at some point, huh?
After reading some of the other posts, I feel very fortunate that so far, my problems appear mild. I can usually function pretty well. Thank you for the food advice, it seems to backwards to what we've been taught about high fiber and lots of veggies and fruit. I guess I should see a nutritionist at some point, huh?
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Maybe you could ask the GI when you seem them about nutrition, they may also have someone that they could refer you to that has a sound knowledge base in food and IBD.
Good luck with making the appointment and I hope the wait is not too long for you. In the meantime do what you can, it may be possible that the low residue foods may be easier to eat until you see the GI and get a plan in place.
Good luck with making the appointment and I hope the wait is not too long for you. In the meantime do what you can, it may be possible that the low residue foods may be easier to eat until you see the GI and get a plan in place.
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Well with Crohn's Disease, which is a form of Irriatable Bowel Disease, and with Ulcerative Colitis,
We are put on a low fiber diet because we have problems with absorbing and digesting certain foods.
anything with nuts and seeds we want to stay away from,
the peels and seeds from fruits and veggies we stay away from too, as well as bran, beans, brocoli, cauliflower, brussle sprouts, cabbage, etc...
this will cut down on the residue in the stool from the parts of foods that dont get digested..
The nutritionist there at the hospital can give you a packet of what foods are safe and which you should avoid depending on your own diagnosis...
while Crohn's disease it a form of Irritable Bowel Disease, and mimics UC, it's diagnosis and treatment is specific to that disease..
The first test the GI should do is the Colonoscopy, then based on the results of that test
he would then know which tests to order from there ..
each person is different, so what works for one person might not work for another, this includes Crohn's disease. For example, my chron's disease is in the lower right side. So my treatment is based on my case.
Generally, a low fiber/low residue diet is safe but you should check with the dietician at the hospital and make sure you give her your Patient ID number.. if you are still at the hospital then she can bring you down the info, or point you where to go online to get the info..
We are put on a low fiber diet because we have problems with absorbing and digesting certain foods.
anything with nuts and seeds we want to stay away from,
the peels and seeds from fruits and veggies we stay away from too, as well as bran, beans, brocoli, cauliflower, brussle sprouts, cabbage, etc...
this will cut down on the residue in the stool from the parts of foods that dont get digested..
The nutritionist there at the hospital can give you a packet of what foods are safe and which you should avoid depending on your own diagnosis...
while Crohn's disease it a form of Irritable Bowel Disease, and mimics UC, it's diagnosis and treatment is specific to that disease..
The first test the GI should do is the Colonoscopy, then based on the results of that test
he would then know which tests to order from there ..
each person is different, so what works for one person might not work for another, this includes Crohn's disease. For example, my chron's disease is in the lower right side. So my treatment is based on my case.
Generally, a low fiber/low residue diet is safe but you should check with the dietician at the hospital and make sure you give her your Patient ID number.. if you are still at the hospital then she can bring you down the info, or point you where to go online to get the info..
Last edited:
David
Co-Founder
Hi there and welcome to the forum! I'm really pleased you joined. Good for you standing up for yourself! I hope that crappy doctor got a little education! 
If you have any trouble eating solid foods, you may want to look into enteral nutrition. It could be as simple as drinking some Ensure. However, IF you do utilize it, it could be a double edged sword. I say this because you need a proper diagnosis and EN can actually put you into remission if it is Crohn's Disease so the doctor once you see him might not find anything. Obviously remission is good, but that proper diagnosis is so important. But we also don't want you starving due to fear of eating.
We're here for you anytime you need us!
If you have any trouble eating solid foods, you may want to look into enteral nutrition. It could be as simple as drinking some Ensure. However, IF you do utilize it, it could be a double edged sword. I say this because you need a proper diagnosis and EN can actually put you into remission if it is Crohn's Disease so the doctor once you see him might not find anything. Obviously remission is good, but that proper diagnosis is so important. But we also don't want you starving due to fear of eating.
We're here for you anytime you need us!
This is incorrect. Crohn's and UC are a form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. IBS is something very different.
Thanks all. I have a question about the antibiotics I'm now taking; ciprofloxin 500mg 2x daily and metronidazole, 500mg 3x daily. What will this do to any helpful flora in my gut? I remember having something like that happen when on antibiotics before, it also allowed yeast to go wild in my girl parts. Is this stuff different?
David
Co-Founder
Cipro and Flagyl (metronidazole) are pretty commonly prescribed for people with Crohn's Disease. They can help with some infections and help abscesses and fistulas heal as well as deal with Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth which is quite common with Crohn's Disease. Unfortunately, they may nuke some of the good bacteria as well. Some would suggest taking probiotics but I'm not well educated on them yet so don't want to comment further there. Some researchers also believe they may suppress the immune system somewhat which can help relieve some symptoms.
They can indeed lead to yeast infections. We have a women's only forum if you'd prefer to discuss that in private (guys aren't allowed to access it) but you're of course welcome to discuss it here as well.
They can indeed lead to yeast infections. We have a women's only forum if you'd prefer to discuss that in private (guys aren't allowed to access it) but you're of course welcome to discuss it here as well.
