K
KathyK
Guest
Hi All,
Here's my really long story!!!!
My story starts back about 4 years ago. My son was born at 10 lb 11 oz and should have been a C-Section. Right after he was born I started to have very watery bm's which I could not control. After many doctor visits they discovered that during the delivery my sphincter muscle was very damaged and they suggested I take Imodium everyday to slow down my system so I wouldn't have the watery bm's. One doctor told me to pursue legal action against my OB/GYN - unfortunately, 4 months after my son was born my doctor lost his medical license and I was unable to proceed with my case. For almost 4 years I was taking 2-4 Imodiums a day and thing were just fine.
Then in September 2006 I thought I hurt my feet running on my treadmill. I went to the foot doctor and they determined that I pulled the tendon in my arch, putting in a walking cast and put my on Naproxen. 2 weeks later I was out of the cast and back on the treadmill. At the same time I had these 3 welts on the side of my shin that looked like mosquito bites - but they weren't itchy. I went for a physical in October and my GP thought it might be Lymes - test was negative. I also mentioned to my GP about my gastro problems and he suggested I go to a Gastro. In November I my first Gastro appointment. He felt that the doctors were only treating my symptoms and never discovered why I was having the watery bm - he felt that I might have what's called Microscopic Ulcerative Colitis and he would need to to a colonoscopy. I reluctantly scheduled the test for November 11. Cleaning out my system the nigh of the 10th was a horrible experience - up all night and real sick. I woke up the next morning with a terrible rash on my face - thought it might me a reaction to the phospho soda. After the colonoscopy the Gastro doctor spoke to me about what he discovered. He was very surprised to see so much inflammation and ulcers in the beginning of my small intestines. He thinks that I was masking all my symptoms with Imodium for the past 4 years. He took many biopsy samples and I made an appointment to see him in a week.
On Sunday, the day after the colonoscopy my feet started to hurt again. I called first think Monday morning to the foot doctor for an appointment - they couldn't see me until Tuesday afternoon. Monday night I started to develop the welts on my ankles and shins again and I still have the nasty rash on my face. I knew something was not right. First thing Tuesday morning I get into to see my GP - he had already gotten a note from the Gastro doctor with the possibility of Crohn's. He diagnosed me with erythema nodosum and put me on different anti inflammatory and sent me to a dermatologist for my face. I was lucky to get an appointment for the dermatologist that afternoon due to a cancelation. They took a biopsy of one of the bumps from the rash on my arm and gave me oral and topical antibiotics for my rash. By Friday I was unable to walk or move my elbows - I had welts all over my feet, legs, arms, and wrists. I called my GP and he put me on Prednisone - what a miracle drug! He started me off at 40mg/day and dropped it down by 10 mg/day every days.
The dermatologist called the following Monday and told me I have Sweet's Syndrome which can be brought on by Crohn's. The Wed before Thanksgiving I went back to the Gastro and he put me back on the 40 mg/day of prednisone since the welts were coming back and I was having problems walking again. He also put me on Asacol - 4 capsule 3 times a day - made me real sick - in the bathroom about 20 times a day and real sick to my stomach - he has taken me off the Asacol and I'm now only on Prednisone until I see him on Wendesday.
The Gastro has also taken me off Imodium which has been my security for the last 4 years - I think I'll be the first person in detox from Imodium. I am very upset and concerned regarding the diagnosis of Crohn's. I guess I still need more information about the disease and about myself. I am a very proactive person and just want to know what is wrong and what I have to do to move on with my life. It seems like this is going to be a process that I just have to be patient.
Thanks for listening!
Kathy
Here's my really long story!!!!
My story starts back about 4 years ago. My son was born at 10 lb 11 oz and should have been a C-Section. Right after he was born I started to have very watery bm's which I could not control. After many doctor visits they discovered that during the delivery my sphincter muscle was very damaged and they suggested I take Imodium everyday to slow down my system so I wouldn't have the watery bm's. One doctor told me to pursue legal action against my OB/GYN - unfortunately, 4 months after my son was born my doctor lost his medical license and I was unable to proceed with my case. For almost 4 years I was taking 2-4 Imodiums a day and thing were just fine.
Then in September 2006 I thought I hurt my feet running on my treadmill. I went to the foot doctor and they determined that I pulled the tendon in my arch, putting in a walking cast and put my on Naproxen. 2 weeks later I was out of the cast and back on the treadmill. At the same time I had these 3 welts on the side of my shin that looked like mosquito bites - but they weren't itchy. I went for a physical in October and my GP thought it might be Lymes - test was negative. I also mentioned to my GP about my gastro problems and he suggested I go to a Gastro. In November I my first Gastro appointment. He felt that the doctors were only treating my symptoms and never discovered why I was having the watery bm - he felt that I might have what's called Microscopic Ulcerative Colitis and he would need to to a colonoscopy. I reluctantly scheduled the test for November 11. Cleaning out my system the nigh of the 10th was a horrible experience - up all night and real sick. I woke up the next morning with a terrible rash on my face - thought it might me a reaction to the phospho soda. After the colonoscopy the Gastro doctor spoke to me about what he discovered. He was very surprised to see so much inflammation and ulcers in the beginning of my small intestines. He thinks that I was masking all my symptoms with Imodium for the past 4 years. He took many biopsy samples and I made an appointment to see him in a week.
On Sunday, the day after the colonoscopy my feet started to hurt again. I called first think Monday morning to the foot doctor for an appointment - they couldn't see me until Tuesday afternoon. Monday night I started to develop the welts on my ankles and shins again and I still have the nasty rash on my face. I knew something was not right. First thing Tuesday morning I get into to see my GP - he had already gotten a note from the Gastro doctor with the possibility of Crohn's. He diagnosed me with erythema nodosum and put me on different anti inflammatory and sent me to a dermatologist for my face. I was lucky to get an appointment for the dermatologist that afternoon due to a cancelation. They took a biopsy of one of the bumps from the rash on my arm and gave me oral and topical antibiotics for my rash. By Friday I was unable to walk or move my elbows - I had welts all over my feet, legs, arms, and wrists. I called my GP and he put me on Prednisone - what a miracle drug! He started me off at 40mg/day and dropped it down by 10 mg/day every days.
The dermatologist called the following Monday and told me I have Sweet's Syndrome which can be brought on by Crohn's. The Wed before Thanksgiving I went back to the Gastro and he put me back on the 40 mg/day of prednisone since the welts were coming back and I was having problems walking again. He also put me on Asacol - 4 capsule 3 times a day - made me real sick - in the bathroom about 20 times a day and real sick to my stomach - he has taken me off the Asacol and I'm now only on Prednisone until I see him on Wendesday.
The Gastro has also taken me off Imodium which has been my security for the last 4 years - I think I'll be the first person in detox from Imodium. I am very upset and concerned regarding the diagnosis of Crohn's. I guess I still need more information about the disease and about myself. I am a very proactive person and just want to know what is wrong and what I have to do to move on with my life. It seems like this is going to be a process that I just have to be patient.
Thanks for listening!
Kathy
