Hi, my name is Emma. I just turned 30 and live in Australia.
I have been sick on and off for about 7 years. It was always one thing after the other, surgeries, strong meds, constant pain and being able to do nothing.
One thing that has always been the same is my stomach pain, not matter what problem the doctors found.
I had an "episode" of what the doctor said was IBS when I was about 16 and have been told off and on that that is what my pain was.
I have had problems on and off since then but it has gradually gotten worse over the years, particularly the last 6 months.
I had heard of Crohn's and what it was but for some reason yesterday I came across something about it online and certain symptoms I didnt know were associated with it. Symptoms that I have begun having in the last few months.
The symptoms I have had for years are;
-Severe contraction like stomach cramps.
-Bloating, stomach gets very big and very hard.
-Severe lower back pain, mostly in the tail bone, sometimes radiates down . legs.
-Very frequent bowel movements, constipation and diarrhea.
**I had a hysterectomy 2 years ago so I know its defiantly not uterine cramps.(that's another story lol)
About a year ago I started developing these crater like sores that take forever to heal and are quite painful, They have gotten a lot worse in the last few months.
**I saw photos of people with Crohn's having these exact same sores.
I began having bad pain in my right hip, was checked for arthritis but was told tests were normal.
-The last few months I have stared getting severe pain in my hands, wrists, ankles and feet. I am sometimes unable to use my hands and walking is difficult and painful.
**I've now read that arthritis can be a symptom/another problem when you have Crohn's.
The right hip pain has gotten worse, my thighs ache terribly and it feels like the pain is sometimes in my actual legs bones.
Sharp stabbing pain in my lower right adbo has also become more frequent.
I occasional get acute flank pain where it takes my breath away.
I had acute tonsilitis that landed me in hospital a few months ago. I got it twice more in the following months and also have a severe sinus infection that has hung around for about 6 months. (low immune system?)
I bruise extreamly easily and my legs are constantly black and blue.
If I cut myself shaving for example, I bleed like ive cut a vein and it takes ages to stop.
Also a fever on and off for the last few months. Sometimes it takes ages to go down, even with pain relief.
I am always tired even after doing nothing. I slept for 22 hours the other day and still felt fatigued.
I have had CT scan, x-rays etc in the past but doctors where never looking for this, it has never been mentioned before.
I will be seeing a doctor next week and asking for tests and a referral to a gastroenterolist.
It may seem silly, but after all the years I have been sick, all the surgeries and in and out of hospitals, seeing doctor after doctor and getting no definite answer for my ONGOING pain, it would be nice to have one answer so I can just deal with it and go from there.
Any insights, help and advice would be appreciated.
Thank you
I have been sick on and off for about 7 years. It was always one thing after the other, surgeries, strong meds, constant pain and being able to do nothing.
One thing that has always been the same is my stomach pain, not matter what problem the doctors found.
I had an "episode" of what the doctor said was IBS when I was about 16 and have been told off and on that that is what my pain was.
I have had problems on and off since then but it has gradually gotten worse over the years, particularly the last 6 months.
I had heard of Crohn's and what it was but for some reason yesterday I came across something about it online and certain symptoms I didnt know were associated with it. Symptoms that I have begun having in the last few months.
The symptoms I have had for years are;
-Severe contraction like stomach cramps.
-Bloating, stomach gets very big and very hard.
-Severe lower back pain, mostly in the tail bone, sometimes radiates down . legs.
-Very frequent bowel movements, constipation and diarrhea.
**I had a hysterectomy 2 years ago so I know its defiantly not uterine cramps.(that's another story lol)
About a year ago I started developing these crater like sores that take forever to heal and are quite painful, They have gotten a lot worse in the last few months.
**I saw photos of people with Crohn's having these exact same sores.
I began having bad pain in my right hip, was checked for arthritis but was told tests were normal.
-The last few months I have stared getting severe pain in my hands, wrists, ankles and feet. I am sometimes unable to use my hands and walking is difficult and painful.
**I've now read that arthritis can be a symptom/another problem when you have Crohn's.
The right hip pain has gotten worse, my thighs ache terribly and it feels like the pain is sometimes in my actual legs bones.
Sharp stabbing pain in my lower right adbo has also become more frequent.
I occasional get acute flank pain where it takes my breath away.
I had acute tonsilitis that landed me in hospital a few months ago. I got it twice more in the following months and also have a severe sinus infection that has hung around for about 6 months. (low immune system?)
I bruise extreamly easily and my legs are constantly black and blue.
If I cut myself shaving for example, I bleed like ive cut a vein and it takes ages to stop.
Also a fever on and off for the last few months. Sometimes it takes ages to go down, even with pain relief.
I am always tired even after doing nothing. I slept for 22 hours the other day and still felt fatigued.
I have had CT scan, x-rays etc in the past but doctors where never looking for this, it has never been mentioned before.
I will be seeing a doctor next week and asking for tests and a referral to a gastroenterolist.
It may seem silly, but after all the years I have been sick, all the surgeries and in and out of hospitals, seeing doctor after doctor and getting no definite answer for my ONGOING pain, it would be nice to have one answer so I can just deal with it and go from there.
Any insights, help and advice would be appreciated.
Thank you
