Hey everyone

[Julian]

Help - Question

I should have become part of this community a long time ago as I have frequently read your threads/posts.

Anyway, I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in January 2004 - they discovered it while removing my appendix (that wasn't causing the pain after all...suprise!). After a rough recovery (infection, etc) they decided to removed the infected area. They did a resection at the terminal ileum, removing a foot of small and about 3 inch of Colon.

After a rough month+ recovery I was pretty much in remission. I use the term "remission" loosely because I was still using the bathroom more than average and my movements were inconsistent - but no flare-ups or pain or anything of that nature.

So about 8-10 days ago I got this cramp/bloated feeling on my left side - right under my rib cage. It doesn't hurt and it isn't tender to the touch. But it is the most obnoxious thing ever. It won't go away. I feel like I need to stick a needle in there to let a bunch of air out or something! Sometimes the cramp extends down away from the rib cage on the left side - but for the most part it is right there under my rib cage....I suppose by my stomach. It doesn't matter if I eat or don't eat. It doesn't matter if I eat spicy or bland. Passing gas helps for about a second. My movements are sometimes solid and sometimes loose!

I am at loss. Could this be a minor flare-up? I am having no real pain...

Anyone else have something similar? If so, anything work for you? Most annoying cramp ever!!

Thanks in advance all.

 

[MADiMarc]

Julian,
I am sorry to hear of your troubles. Crohn's is so different for everyone but I have had pain in the general area I think you are referring to. Yes, it was a flare. I am not a doctor or anything like that, just giving you my experience. I would say go to the doctor because persistent pain is trying to tell you something.
Good luck,
Michele

 

[Julian]

Thanks

Thanks Michele.

That's what's weird - I have no pain. Just a cramp. I really don't want to go to the doctor but suppose I might.

 

[Crohn's 35]

Hi Julian welcome to the forum. I have had your journey and last year I had cramps and A BIT of blood on mucousy stool, turns out I had a gastro bug, I was in the hospital for 3 days and a sigmoid showed something and at first he said colitis but then the results of a biopsy showed a gastro virus. If you feel it isnt moving drinking hot water or tea no sugar or milk and it really helps. Getting onto a good probiotic may help. I would see a doctor soon... could be anything, might be nothing , always good to check it out, could be a spastic colon,which I also have. Let us know how you make out.

 

[Julian]

Pen

Thanks for the advice - very kind.

Funny you should mention gastro bug - about 5-7 days before this cramp my wife and I had a 48 stomach flu - really bad. It really hurt my intestines! I am glad my wife had it too or I would have freaked out about a flare-up!

Anyway, maybe I am having some residual effects, I don't know.

 

[Crohn's 35]

Julian are you on any meds?

 

[Julian]

No. Since they cut out the Crohn's (6yrs), I have been feeling good. No flare-ups.

I have gained weight, never had blood in my stool....

Actually, I did take Pentasa for a few months and hated it. Later, I saw a GI doc at a Crohn's research insitution (university of chicago) who told me that Pentasa was not a great choice. He wanted to do a colonoscopy but I was too involved in grad school and never made the appointment (again, cause I was feeling fine).

To be honest - I have only heard horror stories re meds. I figure if I feel fine I should just keep on keepin' on. (I realize this is not necessarily the best attitude/approach). I ma just scared of all the side effects.

 

[Crohn's 35]

Hey I dont blame you. Just realized this year marks 20 years for me and been on tons of meds...yeah I have suffered a bit from them but only taking minimal now. Do you have a Doc appt? I would get your bloods checked out to be sure you are not flaring again. :hang:

 

[Julian]

I am going to try and get in tomorrow.

Thanks Pen

 

[ameslouise]

Hey Julian and welcome! Thanks for finally joining us!

Hope you are able to get in to the doc today. Even though you don't classify what you are feeling as "pain" it is still out of the ordinary and could signal something more serious. It could be referred pain, caused by inflammation lower in your system, which pushes everything up and causes discomfort. That happened to me - had major pain in my collarbone, which was caused by inflammation in my colon!

Better safe than sorry - get it checked out!

Are you in Providence, RI?

- Amy

 

[Julian]

Thank Amy. That is the thing that is weird about all of this. I am not having any pain. No Pain. None. Just cramps. I will still get into a doctor.

Yes, I am in Providence - just moved here.

 

[Jer's Girl]

Welcome Julian! I don't really have any advice for you, but I am glad you are going in to see your Dr. Better safe then sorry! Glad to have you in our little club.