Hi everyone, so glad to find a place like this to get some first-hand information! Here's my story:
I am 36 yr old and was just diagnosed this week with Crohn’s. I started feeling poorly about a year ago. I first attributed it to stress (4 young kids including twins that are now 3 plus a full-time job and husband who was working nights for awhile!). My symptoms were mostly occasional stomach pain and constant tenderness, sometimes with low-grade fever, feeling very run-down. I went to the family dr and the only thing that was found was iron-deficiency-anemia, so was referred to a hematologist (CT scan was clear - I think it was done on a ‘good‘ day). Since I had been anemic during the twin pregnancy in 2006 to the point of having a blood transfusion, we assumed that my anemia was because I was still not fully recovered after the birth, many months of breastfeeding twins, and years of a vegetarian diet. In Dec. 2008, I had an iron infusion since I was not handling the oral iron very well. Felt decent for many months, but then started to have bouts of stomach pain that would only go away after vomiting and almost always occurred with a low-grade fever. Usually Tylenol would knock it, I would be ‘ok‘ the next day, except for the fatigue and very poor appetite and just unwell feeling (took a lot of Tylenol and slept as much as I could!). I did lose about 15+ lb over the year’s time and got down to a size 2 from size 6. My family (mostly mom) started accusing me of being anorexic, which was very frustrating!
About two weeks ago, I came down with a fever of about 104. Went to my GP and when she realized that I was still having stomach pain, she sent me for another CT scan. This time it did show a thickening at the terminal iliem. Was sent to a GI specialist, who ordered pelvic & gall bladder ultrasounds and scheduled me for a colonoscopy. The ultrasounds were both clear but I had not had the scope done yet when, a week ago last Thursday, I was feeling unwell again. My stomach started cramping but this time it did not get better after I threw up. The vomiting started at 6pm and occurred about every ½ hour until I finally went to the local ER around 1:30am because the cramping was so bad. Was given nubane for pain and zofran for nausea and finally got some relief. Another CT scan to check appendix only showed the same swelling that was seen the week before. I was transferred via ambulance to a larger hospital and scheduled for a colonoscopy. The 1st attempt at prep failed because I could keep nothing down. After 2 days of IV steroids and antibiotics, I was able to do the prep. The colonoscopy did show inflammation at the same place (terminal ileum). The next day I had an EGD and barium x-rays, which were all clear. Sent home on prednisone, flagyl & Prilosec with a follow-up appt with the GI specialist in 2 weeks.
Physically I feel pretty good, except some insomnia (usually I can sleep 10 hr straight no problem!) I came home from the hospital just happy to have an answer and that it wasn't life-threatening. I was under the assumption that this disease was very manageable so my troubles were coming to an end. However, after talking to people who ‘knows someone with crohns’ and reading these forums, I am feeling less confident about what is to come after I am done with the current round of meds. I was only given a basic description of what Crohns is while @ the hospital. I did not see the GI specialist except for very brief moments before/after procedures, and I was groggy. I feel very ill-informed!! From what I have read, my symptoms do not seem all that typical. For example, I very rarely ever have diarrhea, which I believe to be one of the main symptoms?? Also have never had any blood show up in stool. I am hoping and praying that I have a ‘mild’ case (is there such a thing?). I’ll say a prayer for all of you who have had it much worse than I have!! God Bless you!
:confused2: :confused2:
I am 36 yr old and was just diagnosed this week with Crohn’s. I started feeling poorly about a year ago. I first attributed it to stress (4 young kids including twins that are now 3 plus a full-time job and husband who was working nights for awhile!). My symptoms were mostly occasional stomach pain and constant tenderness, sometimes with low-grade fever, feeling very run-down. I went to the family dr and the only thing that was found was iron-deficiency-anemia, so was referred to a hematologist (CT scan was clear - I think it was done on a ‘good‘ day). Since I had been anemic during the twin pregnancy in 2006 to the point of having a blood transfusion, we assumed that my anemia was because I was still not fully recovered after the birth, many months of breastfeeding twins, and years of a vegetarian diet. In Dec. 2008, I had an iron infusion since I was not handling the oral iron very well. Felt decent for many months, but then started to have bouts of stomach pain that would only go away after vomiting and almost always occurred with a low-grade fever. Usually Tylenol would knock it, I would be ‘ok‘ the next day, except for the fatigue and very poor appetite and just unwell feeling (took a lot of Tylenol and slept as much as I could!). I did lose about 15+ lb over the year’s time and got down to a size 2 from size 6. My family (mostly mom) started accusing me of being anorexic, which was very frustrating!
About two weeks ago, I came down with a fever of about 104. Went to my GP and when she realized that I was still having stomach pain, she sent me for another CT scan. This time it did show a thickening at the terminal iliem. Was sent to a GI specialist, who ordered pelvic & gall bladder ultrasounds and scheduled me for a colonoscopy. The ultrasounds were both clear but I had not had the scope done yet when, a week ago last Thursday, I was feeling unwell again. My stomach started cramping but this time it did not get better after I threw up. The vomiting started at 6pm and occurred about every ½ hour until I finally went to the local ER around 1:30am because the cramping was so bad. Was given nubane for pain and zofran for nausea and finally got some relief. Another CT scan to check appendix only showed the same swelling that was seen the week before. I was transferred via ambulance to a larger hospital and scheduled for a colonoscopy. The 1st attempt at prep failed because I could keep nothing down. After 2 days of IV steroids and antibiotics, I was able to do the prep. The colonoscopy did show inflammation at the same place (terminal ileum). The next day I had an EGD and barium x-rays, which were all clear. Sent home on prednisone, flagyl & Prilosec with a follow-up appt with the GI specialist in 2 weeks.
Physically I feel pretty good, except some insomnia (usually I can sleep 10 hr straight no problem!) I came home from the hospital just happy to have an answer and that it wasn't life-threatening. I was under the assumption that this disease was very manageable so my troubles were coming to an end. However, after talking to people who ‘knows someone with crohns’ and reading these forums, I am feeling less confident about what is to come after I am done with the current round of meds. I was only given a basic description of what Crohns is while @ the hospital. I did not see the GI specialist except for very brief moments before/after procedures, and I was groggy. I feel very ill-informed!! From what I have read, my symptoms do not seem all that typical. For example, I very rarely ever have diarrhea, which I believe to be one of the main symptoms?? Also have never had any blood show up in stool. I am hoping and praying that I have a ‘mild’ case (is there such a thing?). I’ll say a prayer for all of you who have had it much worse than I have!! God Bless you!
:confused2: :confused2: