- Joined
- Jan 3, 2010
- Messages
- 28
Hi Everyone...
I am new here and my story is long...so hope nobody falls asleep. I'm 32 years old and up until Nov. of 08' my only major medical problem had been endometriosis. Actually maybe it was earlier than Nov 08' when I started having severe fatigue, frequent fevers, night sweats, mouth sores and/or blood blisters in my mouth, severe muscle and joint pain, heel pain, hair loss,etc. I've been seeing a Rheumy and have been thru all the testing for lupus, RA,etc. I've been on Plaquenil, Minocycline...neither of which helped at all. I've been resorting to Vicodin for my severe joint pain....it's really the only way I can continue to work full time and care for my 2 year old little guy.
Anyways....many, many years ago....I always had diarrhea. It seemed like almost everytime I ate.. For the past couple of years....the diarrhea turned to constipation...which has worsened lately but I just related it to my Vicodin use. The end of October/early Nov of last year....I started having episodes where my stool would be covered in blood and/or pink or blood tinged thick, icky mucous. A couple times...the bleeding was a lot and kind of scared me. I again...thought it was irritation from constipation or maybe hemorrhoids...(although I don't feel like I have hemorrhoids). Ever since those episodes...I've had very occasional episodes of bleeding or blood tinged mucous. I also have had right lower quad. pain as long as I can remember but I have endometriosis so always related it to that because I do have pain and horrible periods r/t the endo.
In late November I had a physical with my GP but didn't mention the bleeding/stool problems. He ordered some lab work which included a Vit B12 because I was getting severe cracks in the corners of my mouth and a sore tongue. Sure enough..my B12 came back low so now I'm on oral B12. A ferritin was checked r/t some muscle twitching I have....ferritin also came back low.
My rheumy learned of theses labs and was "weirded out" by them. She asked me about any GI problems so I then told her about the bleeding, mucous and constipation. She became very concerned so ordered a celiac panel...which came back fine. She then said her next concern was crohn's because it could cause all the sx. i'm having and the lab deficiencies...d/t absorption issues.
So....I saw a general surgeon (I work with him..he's great) and I will be having a colonoscopy on Monday. I'm really nervous about it...I'm nervous that they will find something...but also nervous they won't find anything....if that makes sense? At least with a dx......I wouldn't have to feel like a hypochondriac anymore. The joint pain and fevers have definitely been the worst. Some days I can hardly get out of bed....I am really ready for an answer.
Anyone have any thoughts on my story? Has anyone developed the arthritis,etc before having a worsening or onset of their GI issues?
Ok...sorry for the book....hope everyone is well and I will definitely get back to everyone after the dreaded scope.
Olivia
I am new here and my story is long...so hope nobody falls asleep. I'm 32 years old and up until Nov. of 08' my only major medical problem had been endometriosis. Actually maybe it was earlier than Nov 08' when I started having severe fatigue, frequent fevers, night sweats, mouth sores and/or blood blisters in my mouth, severe muscle and joint pain, heel pain, hair loss,etc. I've been seeing a Rheumy and have been thru all the testing for lupus, RA,etc. I've been on Plaquenil, Minocycline...neither of which helped at all. I've been resorting to Vicodin for my severe joint pain....it's really the only way I can continue to work full time and care for my 2 year old little guy.
Anyways....many, many years ago....I always had diarrhea. It seemed like almost everytime I ate.. For the past couple of years....the diarrhea turned to constipation...which has worsened lately but I just related it to my Vicodin use. The end of October/early Nov of last year....I started having episodes where my stool would be covered in blood and/or pink or blood tinged thick, icky mucous. A couple times...the bleeding was a lot and kind of scared me. I again...thought it was irritation from constipation or maybe hemorrhoids...(although I don't feel like I have hemorrhoids). Ever since those episodes...I've had very occasional episodes of bleeding or blood tinged mucous. I also have had right lower quad. pain as long as I can remember but I have endometriosis so always related it to that because I do have pain and horrible periods r/t the endo.
In late November I had a physical with my GP but didn't mention the bleeding/stool problems. He ordered some lab work which included a Vit B12 because I was getting severe cracks in the corners of my mouth and a sore tongue. Sure enough..my B12 came back low so now I'm on oral B12. A ferritin was checked r/t some muscle twitching I have....ferritin also came back low.
My rheumy learned of theses labs and was "weirded out" by them. She asked me about any GI problems so I then told her about the bleeding, mucous and constipation. She became very concerned so ordered a celiac panel...which came back fine. She then said her next concern was crohn's because it could cause all the sx. i'm having and the lab deficiencies...d/t absorption issues.
So....I saw a general surgeon (I work with him..he's great) and I will be having a colonoscopy on Monday. I'm really nervous about it...I'm nervous that they will find something...but also nervous they won't find anything....if that makes sense? At least with a dx......I wouldn't have to feel like a hypochondriac anymore. The joint pain and fevers have definitely been the worst. Some days I can hardly get out of bed....I am really ready for an answer.
Anyone have any thoughts on my story? Has anyone developed the arthritis,etc before having a worsening or onset of their GI issues?
Ok...sorry for the book....hope everyone is well and I will definitely get back to everyone after the dreaded scope.
Olivia
