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[alex910]

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Hi everyone<

My name is Alex. I have been dealing with stomach issues, ranging in intensity and symptomology for many years. Just recently i was tentatively diagnosed with Crohns following a month long bout of the "typical" sxs of Crohns. I was put on prednisone for a few months and then given a colonoscopy. this test was normal but my GI commented that it was probably normal b/c i was on the prednisone. Just wondering if anyone here has had normal test results and a crohns dx. since coming off the pred, i have had a couple few day bouts of stomach issues, but nothing like it was. i have also had other sxs like the mouth sores, joint pain, and skin rash. i am confused b/c my sxs seem to fit but all my tests are normal?? thanks

 

[AndiGirl]

Hi Alex and welcome to the forum. Crohn's Disease was suspected many years before I was actually diagnosed. Like you, I had the mouth sores, joint pains, and skin rashes. I have a heavy family history of CD, and a blood test was positive. Later on, they discovered that I had thickening in my bowel and inflammation in my illeum. It was then that they made the diagnosis.

 

[Crohn's 35]

Hi Alex! :bigwave: glad you found your way here. Yes! It took many times to find out my diagnosis and it was year later..even though I have had Crohns over 20 years, many times they couldnt see anything because of the Prednisone. I am a believer that it masks the problem. Many people here have the symptoms but no inflammation markers. It is a tricky disease to say the least. Canker sores and sores on my tongue, have had rashes, unexplainable ones, joint pain, all inclusive with this disease and some suffer more or severe. Did you have a biopsy with the scope? Sometimes the docs cant get past the appendix area because of the loop, my Gi it took like 3 scopes, and found "cobblestone" type ulcers. Nice disease eh? What country are you from,alot of people from you area could help you. Welcome aboard!

 

[ameslouise]

Hi Alex and welcome!

As you take a look around the forum, you'll find that there are a lot people who are either undiagnosed or took a long time to get diagnosed. Many people have "normal" test results and scopes for years before a dx!

So hang in there, keep doing research, and make sure you tell your doc about everything you are experiencing and how it relates to Crohn's.

Good luck, I hope you get a dx and some meds to deal with it soon!

- Amy

 

[AndiGirl]

Please do not give up hope. You will find an answer. It may take changing doctors. I agree with Pen's comment about the Prednisone. I have asthma in addition to CD. When I was younger, there were times when the asthma was so bad that I had to be on Prednisone. My digestive problems settled down, and when the pain started in, they weren't able to find anything, for a while. Normal digestion should not hurt. Don't give up on finding the answer.

 

[Jennjenn]

Hi

Welcome

I would just keep telling your doctor that you are not feeling well. Sometimes the tests as others have mentioned do come back normal when you still have symptoms. What did the biopsy show. Sometimes the blood work can show normal levels but the biopsy can say otherwise.

 

[dreamintwilight]

Welcome, Alex!

I agree with what others have already said.

Unfortunately, the more you look around the forum and read people
s threads you will find it is not uncommon for people to suffer from obvious symptoms of IBD and all of their diagnostic tests come back normal.

Keep on your doctors about all the symptoms you experience, whether you think they are related or not. Keep a journal, maybe even take pictures of rashes and skin conditions you experience. Sometimes it's difficult to get in to see a doc and the skin stuff resolves before the doc has a chance to see it.

And yes...if need be, definitely get a second (or third) opinion from a different doc if you don't feel like your doc is doing everything they can to help you and/or aren't listening to you.

Good luck!

 

[Ian]

Hi Alex,

Sorry to hear you're struggling to get a diagnois, unfortunately it seems ot be a pretty common problem! Just keep pushing for answers, I'm sure you'll get their eventually. As others have said, if you're doctor isn't doing enough for you, find another one! Good luck and hope you enjoy the forum