I have been meaning to post an update for a while, but I've just haven't had the energy. So, here it is. I wasn't sure if I should start a new thread or add on to my original post with my story.
The GI doc finally said that I do indeed have crohn's. I'm bummed about it because of everything I've read about the disease, but it is NICE to finally have a diagnosis. I guess I caught it pretty early since the typical obvious signs and bloodwork are not present. It is just the chronic inflammation and some ulcers right now. Nothing that screams "CROHN'S!"
I talked to the doc about the side effects I'm having on Pentasa. He said that they shouldn't be from the meds because Pentasa doesn't have side effects, but we'll check it out anyway. I also mentioned my concern about it affecting my pancreas, and I had to tell him that I read about a connection between the two doing my own research online. He agreed to check my pancreas but didn't expect anything to show up because it wasn't giving me a lot of trouble at the time. It's mostly tender and I think is the cause of my upset stomachs and back pains.
So, the plan is to stay on Pentasa for now. Start Budesonide. Then, if that is helping, go off Pentasa for a while to see if the symptoms go away. Then, go back on it to see if the symptoms return. It's a long process, but at least I get to check it out. I had also asked him for nutrition testing because I was concerned I might not be absorbing nutrients from my food. I eat, get an upset stomach, then two hours later I'm starving. Even more so if I have a big BM. He never ordered the tests, so I am going to find a different doctor when I go back in three months for my follow-up. I just don't feel like we click.
Thanks for letting me share. I don't really have anyone to talk to about this stuff except my mother. She researches like I do, so she understands what's going on. Nobody else really gets it. Most don't want to hear about it, period. So, thank you.
The GI doc finally said that I do indeed have crohn's. I'm bummed about it because of everything I've read about the disease, but it is NICE to finally have a diagnosis. I guess I caught it pretty early since the typical obvious signs and bloodwork are not present. It is just the chronic inflammation and some ulcers right now. Nothing that screams "CROHN'S!"
I talked to the doc about the side effects I'm having on Pentasa. He said that they shouldn't be from the meds because Pentasa doesn't have side effects, but we'll check it out anyway. I also mentioned my concern about it affecting my pancreas, and I had to tell him that I read about a connection between the two doing my own research online. He agreed to check my pancreas but didn't expect anything to show up because it wasn't giving me a lot of trouble at the time. It's mostly tender and I think is the cause of my upset stomachs and back pains.
So, the plan is to stay on Pentasa for now. Start Budesonide. Then, if that is helping, go off Pentasa for a while to see if the symptoms go away. Then, go back on it to see if the symptoms return. It's a long process, but at least I get to check it out. I had also asked him for nutrition testing because I was concerned I might not be absorbing nutrients from my food. I eat, get an upset stomach, then two hours later I'm starving. Even more so if I have a big BM. He never ordered the tests, so I am going to find a different doctor when I go back in three months for my follow-up. I just don't feel like we click.
Thanks for letting me share. I don't really have anyone to talk to about this stuff except my mother. She researches like I do, so she understands what's going on. Nobody else really gets it. Most don't want to hear about it, period. So, thank you.