- Joined
- Aug 16, 2011
- Messages
- 15
Hello all, a real Cricket nut here. My apologies for this rather long diatribe.
About 15 years ago, after getting abdominal pains for a while, I was diagnosed with IBS by my GP.
About 4 years ago I had blood in my stools and, after a colonoscopy, was diagnosed with Prostitis.
About 2 years ago I started feeling very unwell. Generally lethargic, and regular 'episodes' or 'attacks' where I would feel very nauseous and waves of weakness running through my body (believed to be drops in blood pressure). These attacks would last 2-4 hours, during which I felt frighteningly bad and were often accompanied by an impending sense of doom and hopelessness.
I also suffered from some abdominal pains, constipation, diarrhea and occasional (fresh) blood in my stools. But these were not that big an issue for me and I could cope with them.
After referral to several specialists Crohns was diagnosed, initially from a CT scan and confirmed by a Gastroenterologist via another colonoscopy.
After a course of steroids I was put on Azothiaprine and had another colonoscopy which should the inflamation to be mild and under control - no surgery needed.
However, the attacks continued to occur and I continued to feel very ill - I also had ulcers, occasional hives on my head (but rarely) and occasional mouth ulcers, itching under the skin on my arms (but no rash), joint aches (knees especially but also elbows), and, increasingly, migraines and a slight light headedness which also seems to accentuate my, normally mild, tinnitus.
So I underwent an intensive course of steroids by IV in hopsital for a week. The day I was due to leave I had an attack which worried the House Doctor so much that he immediately wired me up for an ECG (because of the drop in blood pressure) - but that was OK.
I have, since then:
Been put on:
anti-anxiety medication (Venlaxafine)
Pizotifen (to try and prevent the Migraines)
Prochlorperzine (for the nausea) taken as and when.
Had an MRI Scan (lower half)
X-Rays
Brain Scan
Echocardiogram
Yet another colonoscopy
Worn an ECG for 24 hours
48 hour urine test for adrenaline
Tests for Hormone imbalance
All 'A' OK
The specialist tells me they have run out of tests to do - can't find anything but the Crohns which he believes is well under control. He is at a loss to explain the symptoms.
However, due, in part, to being reduced to a very sedantry lifestyle, I had put on a bit too much weight. So I went on a diet/exercise plan to get back to within the ideal BMI range.
Using my own Calorie controlled diet I decided to cut out Bread. Cakes and biscuits had to go as well. Accidentally I had, pretty much, cut out all wheat based products.
And this coincided with me starting to feel better. No attacks or migraines or aches for about 3 months until, having reached my goal, I had some toast. That night I hade a severe migraine. Some bread the following week and I had a real full blown attack. A few weeks later, some breaded scampi and another attack. And, on each occasion I also get this lightheadeness/tinnitus I mentioned previously, that continues for several days.
I asked the Gastroenterologist to test me for Ceoliacs - the blood test came back negative.
My latest attack was yesterday morning, following a meal at my daughter's the previous evening - which I subsequently discovered had a small amount of flour added to the courgettes.
Should just add that I have always eaten a lot of bread and wheat products and I'm 58 years old. It all sems a bit bizarre.
So that's the long and short (mostly long) of it. Has anyone out there had similar symptoms/experiences or has got any thoughts, ideas or recommendations. :sign0085:
For those of you that had the patience to read this far, thanks for listening.
Edit - How could I forget the night sweats - most nights I wake up soaking in sweat - I also sleep very badly and have vivid dreams - could be the mdication though....
About 15 years ago, after getting abdominal pains for a while, I was diagnosed with IBS by my GP.
About 4 years ago I had blood in my stools and, after a colonoscopy, was diagnosed with Prostitis.
About 2 years ago I started feeling very unwell. Generally lethargic, and regular 'episodes' or 'attacks' where I would feel very nauseous and waves of weakness running through my body (believed to be drops in blood pressure). These attacks would last 2-4 hours, during which I felt frighteningly bad and were often accompanied by an impending sense of doom and hopelessness.
I also suffered from some abdominal pains, constipation, diarrhea and occasional (fresh) blood in my stools. But these were not that big an issue for me and I could cope with them.
After referral to several specialists Crohns was diagnosed, initially from a CT scan and confirmed by a Gastroenterologist via another colonoscopy.
After a course of steroids I was put on Azothiaprine and had another colonoscopy which should the inflamation to be mild and under control - no surgery needed.
However, the attacks continued to occur and I continued to feel very ill - I also had ulcers, occasional hives on my head (but rarely) and occasional mouth ulcers, itching under the skin on my arms (but no rash), joint aches (knees especially but also elbows), and, increasingly, migraines and a slight light headedness which also seems to accentuate my, normally mild, tinnitus.
So I underwent an intensive course of steroids by IV in hopsital for a week. The day I was due to leave I had an attack which worried the House Doctor so much that he immediately wired me up for an ECG (because of the drop in blood pressure) - but that was OK.
I have, since then:
Been put on:
anti-anxiety medication (Venlaxafine)
Pizotifen (to try and prevent the Migraines)
Prochlorperzine (for the nausea) taken as and when.
Had an MRI Scan (lower half)
X-Rays
Brain Scan
Echocardiogram
Yet another colonoscopy
Worn an ECG for 24 hours
48 hour urine test for adrenaline
Tests for Hormone imbalance
All 'A' OK
The specialist tells me they have run out of tests to do - can't find anything but the Crohns which he believes is well under control. He is at a loss to explain the symptoms.
However, due, in part, to being reduced to a very sedantry lifestyle, I had put on a bit too much weight. So I went on a diet/exercise plan to get back to within the ideal BMI range.
Using my own Calorie controlled diet I decided to cut out Bread. Cakes and biscuits had to go as well. Accidentally I had, pretty much, cut out all wheat based products.
And this coincided with me starting to feel better. No attacks or migraines or aches for about 3 months until, having reached my goal, I had some toast. That night I hade a severe migraine. Some bread the following week and I had a real full blown attack. A few weeks later, some breaded scampi and another attack. And, on each occasion I also get this lightheadeness/tinnitus I mentioned previously, that continues for several days.
I asked the Gastroenterologist to test me for Ceoliacs - the blood test came back negative.
My latest attack was yesterday morning, following a meal at my daughter's the previous evening - which I subsequently discovered had a small amount of flour added to the courgettes.
Should just add that I have always eaten a lot of bread and wheat products and I'm 58 years old. It all sems a bit bizarre.
So that's the long and short (mostly long) of it. Has anyone out there had similar symptoms/experiences or has got any thoughts, ideas or recommendations. :sign0085:
For those of you that had the patience to read this far, thanks for listening.
Edit - How could I forget the night sweats - most nights I wake up soaking in sweat - I also sleep very badly and have vivid dreams - could be the mdication though....
Last edited:
I'm 51 and used to eat regular amounts of bread, but was a big cake and biscuit fan. When I first started having problems, I noticed that after eating those, I'd get migraines and also a real feeling of lethargy. I'd literally be falling asleep in the chair.
