How long does a flare up last?

[SabrinaP]

Its been two weeks since I started with major stomach problems. Was in the hospital for a couple of days. This is my first flare up and finding out I have Crohns disease. The first week I had stomach cramps and diarhhea pretty bad, second week always feeling like I had to use the restroom but diarhhea stopped and my stomach feels really heavy, like a rock is sitting in my gut from the top of my rib cage to the very bottom. My stomach is still making all kinds of noise and feels gassy (lovely huh?)

Can anyone tell me how long this feeling last? And, after this feeling is gone...do you feel normal again? I would like to start exercising/walking again but I don't want to irritate anything, I'm so scared of going through anything like the first week again. Geez, that was horrible.

I see my GI doctor next week, he didn't explain these things and I didn't think to ask. He told me what Crohns was, what part of the body it can effect and how it got it's name but, not a lot of other details or maybe he did and I was just too out of it to remember.

Thanks for the support! Have a positive day!
Sabrina

 

[vonfunk]

there is no standard answer.

If you're on steroids for it that will cut down how long it takes. I've had some that have lasted a few days and others that lasted months.

 

[Crohns08]

A flareup is usually defined as having symptoms consistently for at least two weeks. Like vonfunk said, there isn't a definite answer. Steroids and biologics help, but they also present higher risks. You should consult with your doctor about the appropriate plan for you and all of your options. You should also be aware of all of the risks that come with any of those options as well because some of the risks might outweigh the potential benefit.