Help!! - Possible new flare, unsure of what to do

[lynzi86]

Hi all, ive been going through a phase with my crohns over the past few weeks which is concerning me but not sure what to do or what it is thats causing it.
My stomach has been constantly bloated, most nights i either feel sick or have been sick and im getting odd pains that i have never had before. Also when i do have to go to the toilet its very loose stools and it hurts and im not going that often. Im on Humira which i started almost 2 years ago and everything was going great up until this year. I went to hospital few months ago due to a suspected obstruction but it turned out that i was just having a bad flare, a lot of trapped gas and they mentioned there was further narrowing of my bowels. Anyway im still waiting for a follow up with my specialist but not sure if i should wait that long. I dont want to go to my dr's because they always tell me they dont know much about my illness and i should wait to see my specialist. Ive tried cutting out certain foods but no matter what i eat or do im still having the same symptoms. Im at a loss and dont have anyone else to talk to who understands about crohns. Im sorry for this being so long winded but i just dont know what to do. X

 

[DJW]

Hi. Sorry to hear your feeing bad. I wouldn't wait. I'd be calling the specialist. It could still be a flare or partial blockage. Hope it gets sorted out soon.

 

[CrohnsChicago]

Hello lynzi86,

I'm sorry that you seem to be possibly flaring. We all definitely know your pain very well and I have felt the same discouragement when my symptoms have returned. So you are definitely not alone :hug:

When is the last time you saw your specialist or notified them of your symptoms?

And what other medications are you on besides Humira?

It sounds like you need to make an appointment with your specialist as soon as you can so that they can try and tackle your symptoms before they get worse. Call your specialists office and see if there is anything they can do for you in the meantime or suggest you take until you can get to your appointment. Explain your symptoms over the phone and see if they can't find a way to squeeze you in earlier.

Also see if you can get on their cancellation list so that if anyone else cancels before your appointment they can call you so you can get in there earlier.

If your symptoms persist and become more severe in the meantime please do not hesitate to take yourself to the emergency room to get checked out.

 

[lblair]

lynzi86

I hope you feel better soon

 

[lynzi86]

Thank u all for your helpful replies. I will ring my specialist tomorrow as suggested. Im not on anything else just humira. Also my instestines feel as though they are being squeezed. Will wait to see what happens. Thanks again everyone x

 

[rollinstone]

hi lynzi, I think im having a flare atm aswell, similar pains to what you were describing, hav you thought about doing a course of liquid nutrition to rest your stomach?

 

[lynzi86]

Hi Joshuaa, I have been thinking about it especially as I have lost my appetite completely this weekend. I didn't get a chance to ring my consultant last week either coz of work. How would I go about doing this course of liquid nutrition? My stomach is still really inflamed and I feel nauseous and so tired.

 

[lynzi86]

I guess a part of me feels like perhaps I should just wait for these symptoms to go away and get on with it because im being silly but another part of me feels like something is not quite right.

 

[723crossroads]

I too am going through this. Every week I get what seems like stomach flu for days. I also get headaches along with it. Last night I had pain around the waist area and up. A lot of gas. A lot of BM's that weren't lose till today. Still have stomachache and headache. Want to scream. I need to call my GI and schedule the pillcam. I'm sick of this! Hope you too get some answers and relief hon!:hug:

 

[723crossroads]

I guess a part of me feels like perhaps I should just wait for these symptoms to go away and get on with it because im being silly but another part of me feels like something is not quite right.

I think you should nOT ignore it. I've been doing that too long and it's getting worse. Time to do something and be proactive.

 

[lynzi86]

Hi 723crossroads, you are quite right, I shouldn't ignore it. I am so grateful to have the support and understanding of other Crohn's sufferers such as you. I hope you get better soon and find some relief and answers also! x

 

[CrohnsChicago]

What is it that makes you think these symptoms will go away? Has it happened before and gone away after a while?

The longer you wait to do something about it the more risk you put yourself at for things getting worse and complications to arise. The liquid diet in the meantime could be something to consider to get some nutrients in your system (try juicing or using Ensure products to start with) but given the biologic medication you are on and that you are dealing with some symptoms that resemble a flare or complications of a flare, I strongly suggest you take a moment to ring your doctor or go to the emergency room especially since you are at the point where you are not eating.

Good luck with everything and let us know how it goes.

I guess a part of me feels like perhaps I should just wait for these symptoms to go away and get on with it because im being silly but another part of me feels like something is not quite right.

 

[lynzi86]

I guess it was more wishful thinking that these symptoms would go away. I will contact consultant tomorrow. Thanks again for the advice

 

[lynzi86]

Just come off the phone to the registra at my hospital as my consultant is busy. He suggested that it might be my Humira is working so well and thats why im having these symptoms. Said to wait for my appointment and he will advise my consultant in the mean time.Not really sure what to make of that. I feel worse today then what i did on weekend. I really feel drained. Do i just accept what he says or get a 2nd opinion? For some reason i dont feel like what he said is the reason for my symptoms

 

[lblair]

Confused!!!! Why would you have symptoms if the Humira is working I would think that you would not have symptoms. I'm drained on this med and that I guess is normal from what i have been reading. I way over did it yesterday I was exhausted!! You might want to get a second opinion!!

 

[lynzi86]

Exactly what I thought, I kind of felt I was being fobbed off by him. I don't think he actually listened to what was wrong. I will definitely seek a 2nd opinion. It is not the first time I have been giving wrong diagnosis, last time I ended up in hospital because of a wrong diagnosis. Thanks for making me feel that it's not me going crazy!!