Frustrated & Confused!

[RNmom]

Hello, 44 yo F. I have been suffering for about 3+ years with these bowel issues! Recently I was diagnosed with RA and currently I am undergoing an extensive work up for my thyroid. TSH always normal (for years) however they just found a heterogenic, solid nodule mid right lobe of thyroid. Had FNA biopsy, apparently pathology had to go out for further testing and my appt for endocrinologist is not for another month! I have been seeing gastro for 3 yrs, he keeps saying its IBS? nothing is working and this last flare was severe! lasting approx 1 month! presented with watery diarrhea, BM frequency 6-8 x day, urgency, mucus stool, fecal leakage, feeling of not completely empty, abdominal pain around navel and radiating to both sides(sometimes unforgiving) and gets worse after BM, vomitting bile, extreme bloating (cant button my pants), pale colored stool on occasion (dont have gall bladder). I have deformed fingers symmetric b/l r/t RA. I am ALWAYS hot! excessive sweating (11 yrs s/p hysterectomy, total), weight gain of 30 lbs and have no appetite and am nauseous after I eat anything. I noticed that during and around the flares I get orbital swelling, tiny pus filled bumps that itch, itchy feet, hands, fingers?? In addition my belly button gets itchy, red, hot and oozes pus and my fingers get extremely itchy at the tips, i scratch them they form bubbles and break and pus??? I am a nurse and consider myself a good diagnostician and suspected possible crohns? I have a family Hx on moms side both UC and crohns. I have no rectal bleeding. I asked my gastro about the possibility of crohns..... BIG MISTAKE! he reprimanded me and said he would order the CT but ONLY bc he is satisfying me! Said he does not think it is crohns bc it does not present like that? All the research contradicts his response? I am seeking further medical attention at NYU, but am perplexed at his dismisive appraoch. I believe that all my issues are auto immune related! Im tired of feeling sick! What are your thoughts!!

 

[Ttoz]

I first think you have more than one issue. It doesn't sound like things I would associate with just CD from what I've had. Those are a lot of things going on at the same time and I would have your Doc send you to see specialists in different areas. Sounds like some small part of it could be menopause? My wife had a hysterectomy at a younger age too and notices changes as she was getting older (41 now). Seek as many doctors as you can and try to tackle one thing at a time. Don't forget that Doctors are just like chefs, mechanics, and fast food employees! Just regular people and some are more talented than others; some work harder than others; some genuinely care and invest their time, while some not so much. One step at a time and don't give up. I would look into the BM, mucus, and abdomen pain with another doctor would be the first thing for me!

 

[David]

Welcome to the community. I'd suggest the following:

1. Get a new GI.
2. Request a colonoscopy.

I wish you well.

 

[my little penguin]

Good luck with the second opinion
Might want to ask about spondyloarthritis .
Basically arthritis with gut inflammation that can be sub clinical ( not enough to be ibd ) but inflammation all the same or it can happen with crohns .
Ds has the juvenile version in his hands as well as other joints that runs independent of hi flares .

 

[my little penguin]

http://www.spondylitis.org/Learn-About-Spondyloarthritis/Enteropathic-Arthritis

Link to ibd specific arthritis ( spondyloarthritis )
There is also ankylosing spondyloarthritis