So, I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in August 2010, and had my first surgery in September. Pretty much, as soon as I was out of the hospital, I was started on Imuran, and have been doing well, with only minor irritations. I traveled to Thailand in February, last year, and was a little scared before going, because I had a minor flare up, just before I was supposed to leave. However, once I got there, I felt actually better than I did before I left.
Now, here's where I'm at. No problems ever since, and I'm booked for another vacation, departing next week, on Sunday, for 1 week. About a month ago, I started having faster stools, particularly with creams and stringy vegetables (even well-cooked). I took all dairy out of my diet (switching to soy), and became very strict about what I ate at home. The result: no more fast stools.
Perfect, right? The problem is, 3 days ago, I started getting arthritis pains in my right hip which, have persisted to today and, just starting today, I now have pains in my lower spine (right at the pelvis level) and my abdomen is now sensitive to pressure on the right-hand side. My pains are nagging, but I'm still fully functional; however, this is the worst my symptoms have felt, so far, since the first time I required surgery.
My question, from those more experienced than myself, is: how bad is my situation, right now? Unfortunately, since my symptoms were atypical when I was first diagnosed, I don't really know how I'm doing. Is it dangerous for me to go on this vacation? Or, do I still have a few months before things get really bad? I'd love to ask my doctor but, I can never get an appointment with him on less than 2 weeks notice (welcome to Canada). Advice please?
DISCLAIMER: I do not hold any non-licensed gastroenterology professionals liable, for their input on this subject. I understand that all input is only a statement of personal experience, and everyone's body is different.
Now, here's where I'm at. No problems ever since, and I'm booked for another vacation, departing next week, on Sunday, for 1 week. About a month ago, I started having faster stools, particularly with creams and stringy vegetables (even well-cooked). I took all dairy out of my diet (switching to soy), and became very strict about what I ate at home. The result: no more fast stools.
Perfect, right? The problem is, 3 days ago, I started getting arthritis pains in my right hip which, have persisted to today and, just starting today, I now have pains in my lower spine (right at the pelvis level) and my abdomen is now sensitive to pressure on the right-hand side. My pains are nagging, but I'm still fully functional; however, this is the worst my symptoms have felt, so far, since the first time I required surgery.
My question, from those more experienced than myself, is: how bad is my situation, right now? Unfortunately, since my symptoms were atypical when I was first diagnosed, I don't really know how I'm doing. Is it dangerous for me to go on this vacation? Or, do I still have a few months before things get really bad? I'd love to ask my doctor but, I can never get an appointment with him on less than 2 weeks notice (welcome to Canada). Advice please?
DISCLAIMER: I do not hold any non-licensed gastroenterology professionals liable, for their input on this subject. I understand that all input is only a statement of personal experience, and everyone's body is different.