Finally being treated - Any suggestions?

[SawyerAshton]

My GP has agreed to treat for Crohn's while we are shopping for a new GI. He referred me to one last week and I got the call today that they will not take me as a patient because I had already seen a GI. (Doesn't make any sense I know) He is now referring me to yet another GI. I have not been diagnosed yet.

Here is what I'm taking now:

500mg Flagyl 3 times a day
500mg Cipro 2 times a day
Lomotil - 2 pills whenever I need
60mg Dexilant - 1 time a day
Lialda DR 1.2GM - 4 tablets 1 time a day
4g Cholestyramine twice a day

How's this mix? Is my GP on the right track? Last scopes had inflammation in my esophagus (Barret's Esophagus), stomach, duodenum, and terminal illium.

My GP wants to see me every 2 weeks until we can get me into a new GI's office.

 

[Crohn's 35]

You are on a strong enough medication regimen. Strange the you got rejected...maybe some don't want a struggle with another Gi's opinion. Whe knows, it dont makes sense as you say. What are your pains and symptoms like now? Your Gp seems to know what you need, but in the meantime you need a diagnosis. Thumbs up to him not just sticking you on Prednisone...most docs think that is the cure all, and it ain't. :hang: keep us posted.

 

[SawyerAshton]

As of now, my symptoms are Diarrhea/loose bowels 8-10 times a day. The urgency is quite bad as in from the time of feeling it, I have about 2 minutes at most to get to the bathroom. Sometimes just about 30 seconds. I have some pains in my abdomen, nothing severe. I can no longer eat any fruits/veggies except bananas. I stupidly ate an apple last week and bled (not a ton) for a whole day.

We have discussed Prednisone, he hasn't tried to put me on it, but gave me an option of including it and I refused it. I will only go to it as a last resort. I am a 31 y/o male and @245lbs. I don't need the fluid retention I typically get from steroids.

I have lost about 20 lbs the past month or so and had my gallbladder removed 2 weeks ago. My other symptoms kicked into overdrive at the end of May of this year.

 

[Crohn's 35]

Aha, now I know why your Diahreah is pretty bad. When I had my gall bladder out the bile acid was so bad it cause so much diareah, and burn baby burn :lol:. I would ask the doctor for Questran it helps the bile acid and the diahreah! Try to avoid imodium...not natural. Applesauce helps to slow the D down too, and rice. Flagyl also contributes to Diahreah as well. Btw no alcohol whilst being on this drug, it will make you deathly ill and vomit.

 

[Crohn's 35]

Crap I just saw in a flash you are taking Cholestyramine..my bad. Maybe you need to up it. I started at one and then two... never needed more than that.

 

[SawyerAshton]

The gallbladder issues came up only about 6 weeks ago and there has been no real difference in consistency pre anyd post op on the gallbladder. I really believe that there is some other cause to the D besides the gallbladder issues.

Glad to hear about the alcohol. I don't drink much at all, but sometimes one drink every few months. Which medicine exactly are you saying that alcohol reacts with?

 

[Crohn's 35]

Flagyl...did that once like 20 years ago in my early diagnosis....HUGE mistake! It says no alcohol and didnt pay attention...it is put on the bottles for a reason. :yfaint:

 

[SawyerAshton]

Thanks for that tip. I must have missed that when I read the info. Supposed to try to go out with friends next week and I would have likely had a beer.


Any ideas on times of day that these should be taken? I teach so don't want to be nauseous or drowsy at work if I don't have to be.

 

[Crohn's 35]

I have another med I take so I dont take it with them because is makes me more nauseated. I eat a full breakfast (Large flaked oatmeal) so I take it with that, I always take my meds with food, and even a bit with Cipro, just makes my stomach feel like crap or burns. I have a hiatus hernia too so I also take Nexium when it acts up. Antibiotics and pred are a culprit to heart burn and acid reflux problems. I have a ginger product I use when the nausea gets bad but it is only in Canada. I do know in the states you can get antinauseants with no drowsy feeling but the name of it escapes me sorry.

Anyone on a non drowsy anti nauseant that can help Sawyer??

 

[SawyerAshton]

I must say though that nausea has not been a problem for me so far. I had been taking the Flagyl, Cipro, Dexilant and Lomotil in the morning with no food and had no real issues from it.

The Lialda and Cholestyramine is new. I was a little apprehensive about taking them also in the morning. I thought I'd start out taking them in the afternoon and before bed and adjust them if I feel I can. I've only been on the Lialda and Cholestyramine for one day and so far, so good.

Food is not my friend right now so I only eat one meal a day and that's usually around 4pm.

ALSO, do you think being on these meds will hinder a diagnosis when I get the new GI?