Fairly inexperienced here...

[brghtii]

I was diagnosed with crohns twice. The first time the diagnosis was removed and I was treated for IBS after having had been on prednisone , asacol and another drug for 4+mo. I was pregnant (#4) at the time and had a scope afterwards. Every time I would wean down on the pred the bleeding would return. That was 8yrs ago. I was in remission for several years.

Symptoms returned a year after my 5th child. I was scoped and they discovered crohns in my colon, primarily in my descending colon but in other areas too. It is a moderate case. I started a mild flare with my 6th pregnancy but I caught it early and was fine.

So here I am two years later with another flare. It is kinda a pattern. I have been prescribed pentasa (8 pretty blue capsules a day). I am one of THOSE people who hate to take meds. I would stop taking them and still be fine. Ya ya..no need to lecture. I plan to stick with them.

What I want to know is, am I totally alone in these type of symptoms. I know I can't be. My mom has had severe crohns that led to a resection. Her symptoms are not like mine.

I primarily get major pain...mostly lower left side (where the crohns is predominate), and mild diarrhea. This flare has led to lots of back pain which I have read is very common. I get pain behind the belly button to and overall gassiness etc. Oh and the migrating acheiness which I like to say is like lactic acid after a run. I wish it was for that reason...I'd be thinner.

I have been on prednisone for 3 days (30mg)...back pain is subsiding. YAY! I have been on flagyl (for no apparent reason via stool tests) for 11 of 14days, and pentasa. My blood tests show I am as healthy as a horse (a lame one) but my stools show active crohns. I am not passing blood this time (YAY!).

Is there anyone out there like me? I realize this disease is different for everyone but sometimes I feel like I am a hypochondriac. I am a mom of 6 (almost 14 down to 2) and this flare has really left me feeling helpless. I do get "small" flares here and there but they are over in a day or two.

I told my BIL that I am having a affair with my heating pad. He said that just sounded wrong. ROFL! My first child was 9lbs 5 oz (no meds) and I used to think I was good with pain. Well.....not so much anymore.

 

[David]

Hi there. I'm so sorry that you didn't get a response until now! Once in awhile people fall through the cracks

You are DEFINITELY not alone in your symptoms. There are a ton of stories here with pretty much the exact same symptoms. And you are certainly not a hypochondriac!

Are you by chance on any vitamin supplements such as vitamin D? Have you had your vitamin D levels checked?

I wish you all the best

 

[brghtii]

Thanks, I was surprised when an email came through. I clicked on a link and it was the wrong one. I didn't mean to send you an email saying to answer.

I really wondered if there were others in a flare that didn't have massive diareaha. I get a day of constipation and a few days of the runs. My mom, having less of her small intestines is constantly running to the bathroom. I knew since we were so different that had to be someone out there similar. I was surprised there were so many views and no responses.

I have not had my vitamin D levels checked. I had been pretty regular taking Vit D (6 kids in the winter pass EVERYTHING) prior to the flare.

Thank you for responding.

 

[moogie]

This plague of ours is different in every one of us. We all suffer diffrently but we do suffer.

You are certainly not alone.

Hang in there

 

[Trysha]

Hi Brghtii
Welcome to the forum.
My symptoms are very similar to yousr, and I get the left side pain very frequently, wakes me at night.
Maybe its because the crohn's is in the left colon that symptoms differ from others.
Never know what will happen next with this mysterious illness.
Hugs and best wishes
Trysha

 

[CrohnsNYC]

Hi Brghtii - As all the others have said, you are not alone or a hypochondriac. I don't have exact symptoms but I flared while I was pregnant and diagnosed right after. I have to say, you are VERY brave and strong to have six children and battle this disease. Seems like you are on the right path with the meds. Don't do what I did, which was stop when I started feeling better. It made the next flare that much worse! Good luck. You are in the right place!!!

Beth

 

[brghtii]

Thanks guys. I figured my symptoms were so different because mine was in my colon while hers was not.

I dropped to 20mg of pred today and I am in so much pain this afternoon. Not sure how I will make it through the long day ahead tomorrow. I won't....be doing all I "need" to do.