I'm new - Hello!

[princess_sophie]

Hi everyone,
Just thought I’d introduce myself and say hello.
I feel a bit premature posting on here already, as I am undiagnosed but so fed up with whatever is causing me to feel ill.
I’ve had D non-stop for 5 weeks now day and night (at worse I’ve counted 21 times a day!), stomach cramping all over, sharp pains in my right, very aching joints, particularly my elbow, wrists and ankles and am losing weight. Whatever I eat literally goes right through me. I am so fed up with this and feel terrible for having a moan having read some of your stories of going through this for many years!
I work full time in management and a single mum to 2 young children, and it’s becoming a problem at work as I am having to disappear to the loo mid conversation and during meetings.
I’m due to go back to the doctors today after my stool sample came back clear of bacteria and infection, so wonder what tests they will do next.
I did suspect IBS at first, but the symptoms just seem too severe.
I really want this to be something the doctor can fix overnight with a pill, but I’m not feeling too positive at the moment.
Thank you for reading.

 

[Angrybird]

Hello and :welcome: to the forum, have you been able to find any coalation between what you eat and the symptoms you have been having? I would expect the doc to at least start with doing some bloods now to check for inflammation in the body and perhaps talk about a referral to a gastroenterologist so further testing can get organised. Also do have a wander over to our undiagnosed club as there are others here in the same situation as you are: http://www.crohnsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=75.

Hope you can get some answers soon

AB
xx

 

[David]

Hi Sophie and welcome to the forum. First off, there's no need to compare you to others. What you're going through is terrible and no doubt frustrating and in many ways debilitating. Believe me, we feel for you.

Second, I agree with Angrybird above. Have you been referred to a gastroenterologist? If not, you may want to request as much.

We're here for you. Please keep us updated and let us know if there's anything we can do for you.

 

[princess_sophie]

Thank you for your replies.
I have now had blood tests which were done Friday and I'm being referred to a Gastroenterologist, so feeling good that something is being done.

 

[Bld]

Getting referred is a good step. When I was first referred following blood tests, I had a sigmoidoscopy followed by a colonoscopy which suggested Crohns. How long have you got to wait for your GI appointment?

 

[princess_sophie]

I'm due to see my GP again tomorrow and he will discuss with me then how long I'll have to wait for my appointment. Hopefully not too long, although saying that I'm feeling OK today for the first time in ages, although I said that on Saturday morning when I first got up but then spent the rest of the day on the toilet!

 

[Angrybird]

Really pleased to hear you are getting referred. When you see the doc tomorrow ask if your blood results have come through and if so what do they say.

 

[princess_sophie]

Two of the blood results are back:
FBC - No action required
ESR - No action required
Back to the doctors tomorrow as they are going to refer me to a GI, as they said the blood results do not always detect IBD, has anyone any experience of this?
Thought I was having a good day, but since mid-morning my whole day has been centered around the toilet :-(

 

[princess_sophie]

OK, update...
LFT results came back "alarmingly high" according to my GP so very confused here. All other blood tests were normal. I've been referred for an ultrasound on my liver and also to a GI but the referral for both could take up to 6 weeks.
Still having frequent D, feeling unwell and very worried now about what they will find. :-(
Thanks for reading Xx

 

[David]

I can understand your worry and I'm glad you're finally getting to a GI. It's absolutely absurd that an ultrasound of all things is going to take 6 weeks though. But it's not uncommon for LFTs to be elevated in IBD. I realize you don't have an IBD diagnosis, but if that's what you end up with, that's probably what's causing the LFT. I don't know if that puts your mind at ease or not but hopefully it does a little.

 

[princess_sophie]

Thank you for your reply David.

I now have an appointment with the GI next Wednesday. Fortunately my ex-husband allowed me to use his private healthcare which I am still registered on, so I have been able to get a private appointment which has made me relax a little.

Let's see what Wednesday brings!

 

[David]

Great! Please keep us updated.