Hello new here but with a question..

[yoganut38]

hello new here but with a question..

Hi, I'm 41 and was diagnosed with Crohn's 10 years ago.

I think my symptoms started when I was around 20 but my NHS doctor (I'm from the UK orginally) said it was probably IBS. Through my 20's had symptoms of crampy pain and fever on and off but just put it down to food poisoning, stomach flu etc.

Then when I was 31 I started getting alot of crampy pain, dry heaves, throwing up bile. My stomach was distended and it hurt to suck in my stomach. I felt like I was carrying around a bowling ball in my stomach. I also suffered from severe heart burn which no meds could even touch. One night the stomach pain was so bad, I was doubled up in bed and I've never had kids but this pain must be similar to giving birth, it literally felt like someone was pulling my stomach out through my (to be delicate here) lady-parts. Huge waves of pain making me almost cry out..and I have a high threshold for pain - recently went through a cystoscopy and hardly felt a thing.

Anyway underwent 2 colonoscopys in 3 months apart and CT scan. Diagnosed with Crohn's, told it was 50/50 whether i would need surgery in 10 years. My mother (ever so slighly overbearing) kept telling me there was nothing wrong with me as after the colonoscopy I actually ate quite heartily and my stomach pains seemed to subside - I had started taking asacol.

Eventually moved here to the USA and as my symptoms had settled down, forgot to see a GI. Had mild crampy pain here and there particualarly in my right quandrant where ileum is but I wondered if it was perhaps my ovaries.

Now, last summer I started having to urinate very very frequently. I finally had a CT scan last week and it showed an enlarged uterus (probably due to fibroid they think) making my uterus press down on my bladder. However they also noticed an
'abnormal loop of small bowel' immediately next to my bladder, the walls of the bowel were markedly thickened, the report actually said it was probably inflamed due to Crohns. My GYN is suggesting a hysterectomy for me to relieve the pressure from my uterus on my bladder. But my regular doc received a copy of the CT scan and had his nurse call me out of the blue and they have scheduled me with a GI consult. Now - Im wondering what will happen? I wonder if its possible the loop of bowel is pressing on my bladder causing the frequent urination? Of more concern to me right now - is how bad is a markedly thickened bowel loop? Is that cause for surgery? Or only if I'm in pain?

many thanks for reading and and advice would be appreciated.

 

[MaskdMarvl]

First I dont think I would agree with a GYN doc if I had intestinal issues. Hystorectomy is quite the procedure, and what if your bowl grows more inflamed, what will they take out next ? Personally I think your going to be fine. Just my thoughts. Ive had 2 in my family get histos, but their symptoms were not like mine, yours are...

 

[soupdragon69]

I have intermittent right lower pain which I think is ovarian pain that can be quite noticable at times and like you I have a high threshold.

I havent got round to "sorting" it yet as I have enough going on at the minute but I would think your own thoughts and pondering on the bowel loop impacting on your bladder realistic in an anatomical sense.

Wait and see what the GI and your own doc think once you have ALL the relevant facts and info. You cant make decisions regarding your health based on "Possible" or "maybe's".

Keep us posted and keep asking. We will always try to support you here as we do each other.

Welcome! Hope you get sorted out soon and get some relief.

 

[My Butt Hurts]

Hi and welcome!
I was just reading about alternatives to hysterectomies, and found this paragraph. No idea if it has anything to do with you, but it does mention the small bowel.
"Damage to the pelvic floor by a traumatic delivery may result in genital prolapse shortly thereafter. However, more frequently the damaged ligaments manage to hold the pelvic floor in place for several years. Later, with further weakening of the ligaments through aging and/or lack of estrogen, the patient may finally develop genital prolapse. Stretching or tearing of different portions of the pelvic floor may lead to prolapse of various organs. There may be uterine prolapse, cystocele (prolapse of the bladder and urethra into the anterior vagina), rectocele (prolapse of the rectum into the posterior vagina), and enterocele. The "cul de sac" is a blind pouch located between the back lower uterus and upper vagina and the front of the rectum. This pouch is usually shallow. However, if it extends downward as a hernia sac in the space between the vagina and rectum (frequently containing loops of small bowel), it is called enterocele. Enterocele is usually present in cases of uterine prolapse and must be specifically corrected at the same time as the prolapse. Enterocele causes low back pain especially in the standing position."
It's from this site http://althysterectomy.org/prolapse.htm if you want to check it out more.
Probably whomever reads the CT report could better tell you the exact location of the bowel thickening.
Sorry if I was off on that post. Just trying to help.
Feel better.

 

[yoganut38]

Thanks everyone. I'm not completely sold on the hysterectomy bit either. I just wondered about the abnormal bowel loop..does anyone else round here have one? If so what the docs said about it? many thanks.

 

[yoganut38]

First I dont think I would agree with a GYN doc if I had intestinal issues. Hystorectomy is quite the procedure, and what if your bowl grows more inflamed, what will they take out next ? Personally I think your going to be fine. Just my thoughts. Ive had 2 in my family get histos, but their symptoms were not like mine, yours are...

mine are.... what?

 

[MaskdMarvl]

Sorry for treading in your territory. My bad ! Forgive me please.:voodoo:
I was just trying to relate to make you feel at home. I guess it was a horrible mistake. Again forgive me. Im just stupid male. :ybatty:

 

[MaskdMarvl]

Symptoms

I think my symptoms started when I was around 20 but my NHS doctor (I'm from the UK orginally) said it was probably IBS. Through my 20's had symptoms of crampy pain and fever on and off but just put it down to food poisoning, stomach flu etc.

Then when I was 31 I started getting alot of crampy pain, dry heaves, throwing up bile. My stomach was distended and it hurt to suck in my stomach. I felt like I was carrying around a bowling ball in my stomach. I also suffered from severe heart burn which no meds could even touch. One night the stomach pain was so bad, I was doubled up in bed and I've never had kids but this pain must be similar to giving birth, it literally felt like someone was pulling my stomach out through my (to be delicate here) lady-parts. Huge waves of pain making me almost cry out..and I have a high threshold for pain - recently went through a cystoscopy and hardly felt a thing.

 

[dayng1016]

Welcome!! I had 3 CT's before having a colonoscopy and all 3 showed an abnormal loop in the small bowel, suggestive of crohn's. After my second CT my rheumy referred my to a GI who did a colonoscopy and at that time was diagnosed with Crohn's in the terminal ileum. They never really mentioned anything about the "abnormal loop" once I got the diagnosis. The GI that did my colonoscopy, did a small bowel series and once that came back wanted to do surgery, did not even opt to try any meds. So I changed docs (have not had any surgery so far). I agree with the other's thoughts on letting your GI decide if surgery is necessary, instead of your GYN. I myself, think the problem with the small bowel could cause frequent urination, because I am constantly having to go and get up at least 3 times a night to urinate. No fun because no GOOD sleep! I hope you get some of the answers and treatment that helps. Keep us posted!

 

[yoganut38]

Welcome!! I had 3 CT's before having a colonoscopy and all 3 showed an abnormal loop in the small bowel, suggestive of crohn's. After my second CT my rheumy referred my to a GI who did a colonoscopy and at that time was diagnosed with Crohn's in the terminal ileum. They never really mentioned anything about the "abnormal loop" once I got the diagnosis. The GI that did my colonoscopy, did a small bowel series and once that came back wanted to do surgery, did not even opt to try any meds. So I changed docs (have not had any surgery so far). I agree with the other's thoughts on letting your GI decide if surgery is necessary, instead of your GYN. I myself, think the problem with the small bowel could cause frequent urination, because I am constantly having to go and get up at least 3 times a night to urinate. No fun because no GOOD sleep! I hope you get some of the answers and treatment that helps. Keep us posted!

Thank you dayng1016 for your constructive input. I really appreciate it.

 

[dayng1016]

Your welcome! Just curious, do you still get the "bowling ball" feeling in your stomach? I do all the time. I am always telling my husband that I fell like I have a bowling ball or basketball stuck. I hate it too.

 

[yoganut38]

Your welcome! Just curious, do you still get the "bowling ball" feeling in your stomach? I do all the time. I am always telling my husband that I fell like I have a bowling ball or basketball stuck. I hate it too.

Not so much anymore. ... thank goodness. I remember every time I sat down I would feel an especially severe pain. Interestingly I've noticed if I'm having a flare - even a small one - that if I pull in my stomach I get pain.. anyone else noticed this? I also don't get diarrhea (sp?) - I'm the opposite, chronic constipation.

 

[yoganut38]

Yes I had an abnormal bowel loop, was caught finally after 8 months of tests, teaching GI found it, surgery approx a month later.

Thank you for the info. Guess I'll just have to wait until my appt with GI Nov 5.

 

[dayng1016]

Yeah, I don't get the diarrhea either, just the constipation. The stomach pain I get I is not lower stomach anymore (just the first two flares), now its upper stomach just between the rib cage and constant.

 

[helly25]

loop, crohns

hi yoganut 38
i had a hysterectomy because of the same symptoms. and it was very successeful
no pain, no more periods hey!!!If I was you I'd carry on and have it done .The bowel seems a separate issue and if you lived with it up to now ,it is possible you may not have too much trouble but the doctor will advise you best.My best wishes Helly