I was diagnosed with Crohn's in January 2011 and have taken a variety of medications. I am currently on Cimzia which is helping. However, I am having severe abdominal pain. And no one can find any answers. My CT from Friday showed thickening of the colon, anyone have any idea if thats normal or not? Any suggestions? I am about to just throw my hands up and deal with the pain.
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- Thread starter cindybt
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mikeyarmo
Co-Founder
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Hi cindybt,
Thickening/inflammation of the colon is something that is fairly typical for people suffering from Crohn's Disease. Unfortunately, the amount of thickening can vary greatly between people. Some people may be able to function almost totally normally while some people may be in great pain and not able to eat anything without causing significant pain.
It is probably best to try consuming only food that is very very soft (i.e. banana, vegetables that are boiled and mashed like carrots) and making sure you chew and eat slowly. If you can not even tolerate this (or can not even drink water without significant pain) you might have want to try fasting for most of a day and seeing if that gives you any relief. I know in the past that some days by fasting (no food and practically no drink) for part of a day or a day would allow my body to rest and be able to digest soft food afterwards.
If these things are of no help, it is likely time to try going to a doctor or even hospital emergency room. If the thickening is so bad that you can not eat then there likely needs to be a change in how you are being treated. This could be through introducing a new way for your body to get nutrients/vitamins without eating (Total Parenteral Nutrition), a change in medication or even surgery.
The above are things I have gone through in the past to deal with my small intestine thickening so they may not directly relate to your case or be the best options for you.
Thickening/inflammation of the colon is something that is fairly typical for people suffering from Crohn's Disease. Unfortunately, the amount of thickening can vary greatly between people. Some people may be able to function almost totally normally while some people may be in great pain and not able to eat anything without causing significant pain.
It is probably best to try consuming only food that is very very soft (i.e. banana, vegetables that are boiled and mashed like carrots) and making sure you chew and eat slowly. If you can not even tolerate this (or can not even drink water without significant pain) you might have want to try fasting for most of a day and seeing if that gives you any relief. I know in the past that some days by fasting (no food and practically no drink) for part of a day or a day would allow my body to rest and be able to digest soft food afterwards.
If these things are of no help, it is likely time to try going to a doctor or even hospital emergency room. If the thickening is so bad that you can not eat then there likely needs to be a change in how you are being treated. This could be through introducing a new way for your body to get nutrients/vitamins without eating (Total Parenteral Nutrition), a change in medication or even surgery.
The above are things I have gone through in the past to deal with my small intestine thickening so they may not directly relate to your case or be the best options for you.
David
Co-Founder
Hi Cindy,
I'm so sorry to hear that you're still in pain
Mike covered everything great above and I don't have anything to add in that perspective, I just wanted to welcome you and let you know we're here for you any time you need us.
*hugs*
I'm so sorry to hear that you're still in pain
Mike covered everything great above and I don't have anything to add in that perspective, I just wanted to welcome you and let you know we're here for you any time you need us.*hugs*
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- Aug 14, 2010
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Hi Cindy
I was told i had thickening and narrowing around the tail end of my colin and if it got any worse id need all my colon removed, but i was put on 12 weeks of preds and foam and ive been great ever since. I seem to struggle to pass hard stools but i take a couple of movicol (mild laxitives) a week and it makes it easy to move.
Im prob going to the toilet once a day and free of any discomfort.
You will be fine!
I was told i had thickening and narrowing around the tail end of my colin and if it got any worse id need all my colon removed, but i was put on 12 weeks of preds and foam and ive been great ever since. I seem to struggle to pass hard stools but i take a couple of movicol (mild laxitives) a week and it makes it easy to move.
Im prob going to the toilet once a day and free of any discomfort.
You will be fine!
