My story do far

[Shaun Chadwick]

4 weeks ago I had appendictomy, while I was in surgery the surgen found 2 small bowel fistulas. I had no idea what they was talking about when the doctors did the rounds in the morning!
They asked me about any family history of chron's, by this time I was worried, I did not know. All I knew is I was in agony cramps, fever, vomiting.
I remember about 11 years ago I was about 17 and always had bowel problems I went to see the doctor, who told me it was ibs! And have suffered with agonising pain even passing undigested food I have eaten in a matter of hours to mins after eating.
Now 11 years on I have been told I could have had chrons all this time I am due to have a colonoscopy and some other tests to see if I need a bowel resection. Any advice would be appreciated :thumright:

 

[Angrybird]

Hello Shaun and welcome to the forum Unfortunately it seems to be quite common for some docs to write symptoms off as IBS and you get left having to suffer

I take it they have mentioned mentiioned a resection because there is a narrowing? When is the scopw booked for? The colonoscopy will be able to show whether it is down to scarring (which then would usually require an op) or inflammation which can usually be sorted by meds. To get further info about different treatment options do check out our treatment forum: http://www.crohnsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=16.

Another thing it may be worth looking into is diet, some find it helpful to keep a food diary to problem foods can be avoided in the future. In other cases a diet like enteral nutrition is found very benificial as this can really help with calming the bowel down.

The key with this disease is to get as educated about it as you can so you can make sure you are happy with the treatment you are being given. Do have a good nosy around here and don't hesitate to ask about anything your not sure on, we are here for you hun!

AB
xx

 

[Shaun Chadwick]

Aw thanks, yeah they said I have 2 fistulas one is wrapped around my small bowel and the other has attached to my large bowel, just frustrating me now, I know that this news is relatively new but my symptoms are long suffering.
I have been keeping a diary of the foods that most upset me- but that seems to be most things especially products obtain raining wheat, dairy,rice pork etc
But even when I eat at the mo I seem to vomit or get the big D with food in it
But it amazes me that it's still got the colour and appearance of what went in a short while before. I am having a lot of home made smoothies with added vitimans, they don't seem to effect me to much. But I have lost weight around 2 stone in the past few months. But on the positive side I should know soon enough and get full diagnosis and hopefully mess xx

 

[Grumbletum]

Hi Shaun. Just also wanted to say a big warm welcome Sorry to hear about your troubles. The Crohn's diagnosis must have come as a big blow :-( Did they actually take your appendix out in the end?
Further to what AB is saying above, they will probably be looking to see if your fistulas can be healed with medication or not. Pop over to our subforum. We've got some information on fistulas there that might help you get your head round what they are etc.
Hoping they get you sorted soon.

 

[Shaun Chadwick]

Yes they took out my appendix, they said it was something to do with the fistulas to why my appendix got infected. It's all very confusing at the moment, thanks for the welcome and advise I'll look up about fistulas now thanks Helen

Shaun x

 

[David]

Hi Shaun and welcome

While there are other potential causes for fistulae, Crohn's disease is indeed one of the common ones. I'm glad they're doing a colonoscopy.

If you've found that wheat affects you, I'd strongly suggest going on a gluten free diet. There is statistical overlap between Crohn's disease and gluten intolerance/sensitivity so it's worth trying for sure. Two diets that some people here have had success with that are gluten free are the paleo diet and specific carbohydrate diet.

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