First GI appointment

[Nikki7223]

So to update everyone right now I am not diagnosed but I have a strong family history of crohns. I have been having symptoms since April. Tomorrow is my first GI appointment. I have kept my head up for almost two months about this appointment. I said its better to know then not. Tomorrow I will travel two hours by myself to this appointment. I guess right now I am scared. I am trying not to worry to much because when I do I will get sick. I guess I know the challenges I will have if I am diagnosed. I am currently a smoker and know I have to quit. Knowing that I know the risk of having more children is not an option. I have two healthy kids and I am ok with that. It's I guess one thing to say I am done and my body telling me no. Just saying all of this out loud is a weight of my chest. I have tried not to talk about all the risk with crohns with my husband or my fears with it. I guess it's like I want to be diagnosed first. Having a Uncle that has passed away from having both crohns and colitis, then anothe Uncle that has a lot of issues with his, it's just a lot I don't want to throw at him.
Thank you for this forum because it helps me just out it down in writing what I fear and am scared about that I can't express to a lot of people.

 

[Jennifer]

Hi Nikki7223! I checked your first post, are you getting the colonoscopy at this appointment or are you just meeting the GI for the first time to talk about symptoms and tests etc? If you are doing the scope then you'd have to have another driver. They don't usually scope you on the first date though.

You may have to have multiple tests to get a concrete diagnosis unless you're one of the lucky few to get a diagnosis with just a scope. Are they doing an endoscopy as well or just the lower region?

Dieing from Crohn's is possible but is really more rare these days due to more modern treatment (including testing and medication). Plus treatment keeps improving with time and there may even be a cure one day.

For now I hope you can stay positive knowing that it is a treatable illness (IF you have it) and go into your appointment with a pen a paper so you can write down questions/concerns or if they mention any sort of treatment or tests. Plus bring in a list of your questions and symptoms (even if its back or joint pain because Crohn's can affect other parts of the body, even your eyes and skin). A good GI will go over everything you want to tell them or ask them about.

Good luck! Keep us posted on how it goes!

 

[Nikki7223]

That you for your post. I am not really worried about the things that happened with my Uncle but going threw that as being the first death to deal with at age 6 its the one that has stuck with me.
As far as I know it's just meeting the Dr and going from there. My regular Dr didn't want to do a ct scan because I had one bal in 2010 for what I thought was an appendicitis and it wasn't. She doesn't want me to have another one because of the studies of how much radiation you do get.
I think when I say I am scared because since April I have been going threw hell. It started when my daughter got the croup mulitple times. It was like the firs time she had the croup cough I would check on her get her under control and my next step was the bathroom. I have been on my couch for a couple to six hours because of pain.
I will update when I get back home from my appointment.
Thanks again for your post it does make me feel better for someone to just listen.

 

[Z_Ghost]

look at it this way, if they do find out what is wrong and get you on the right meds you will be a lot better off then you are now.
My granddad died from crohns and colitis so I know how that can make you worry about it.
Good luck and I hope you get a good doctor that will be able to help you.

 

[Nikki7223]

So I went to the Dr And now bring on the test. I have blood and stool test tomorrow. Then August 30 I have my colonoscopy. Somewhere in there I have to do a ct scan. Starting to feel better. I notice too my weight dropped some more. I am happy about it but I wish it was from me actually doing something. So I hope I fin out some answers soon!!!!
Thanks again for the support.