- Joined
- Feb 4, 2017
- Messages
- 7
I have been reading on this forum for about a year now. The information has been invaluable and I figured it was time to create a profile and contribute in some way. I am female in my late 40's. I have had minor issues, maybe two or three times a year, since about 1995 but always chalked it up to something I ate or a stomach bug. Fast forward to December 2015, I was prescribed an antibiotic for a lung infection and started with diarrhea after about 3 days. The doctor changed my medication but the diarrhea never went away. Mornings were the worst and there were days I had to stop 3 or 4 times on my 45 minute drive to work. I lost 25 pounds in about 4 months (150 down to 125). It was a stressful time as my grandfather was ill and I was running him to doctor's appointments and he was in and out of the hospital. I made an appointment with a gastroenterologist who said I had hemorrhoids, fissures and occult blood. A colonoscopy followed in June which identified proctitis, colitis from the rectum to mid transverse colon (left sided), diverticulosis in entire colon, internal hemorroids, perirectal abscess and granulomas present. I started Canasa - there was no improvement. I saw the doctor again in October and was switched to Lialda. I was also given Cholestryamine during this time. No improvement was seen with either. An MREnterography confirmed the terminal ileum appeared normal. I then had a sigmoidoscopy and an upper endoscopy in December which indicated esophagitis, mild duodenitis, duodenal nodule and gastritis. I was given Flagyl to treat the abscess which seems to have cleared up. All blood work and the prometheus testing were normal. At this time the doctor and pathologist do not agree on a diagnosis. The doctor is leaning towards Crohn's while the pathologist is thinking ulcerative colitis. I don't even care at this point - I just want to feel healthy. I started 40 mg of Prednisone two weeks ago and feel quite a bit better. It's not perfect, but the frequency and urgency of bowel movements has dramatically decreased to the point where there are some days I don't go at all. I am scheduled to begin Remicade infusions this coming Friday and am cautiously optimistic since the insomnia and sometimes manic feeling from the Prednisone are difficult to deal with even while the gastro improvement is wonderful. I have been very careful with my diet, pretty much low residue for the past year. Chicken, white rice, potatoes, eggs, protein shakes, pretzels and peanut butter are the basis of my meals. No alcohol or caffeine. So that's me. It is kind of cathartic to write it all down. I don't really have any questions at this time. It seems like anything I have needed to know has been asked by someone else and answered by many. I will continue to lurk and read and want to thank everyone who has shared so much personal information. It has been so helpful during the past year as I research and attempt to figure out what is wrong with me and what I should be doing moving forward.
r your doc.should be able to help with something to aid your sleep in the short term.
