Not yet diagnosed

[stargirl]

not yet diagnosed

Hi all -i'm entirely new to all this and am just looking for a little guidance. About a month ago I had a fever for a week. The fever got worse and worse and by the end of the week I broke down and went to a doctor. Initially we thought it was a mild flu and i was sent home. the next few days my symptoms changed and I began to have periodic intense abdominal cramping. Back to the doc with no diagnosis but put on antibotics. That evening I felt explosions in my abdomin...back to the doc and sent for CT scan. They found inflamation of my bowel and micro perferations so i was sent right to the hospital where i spent the next week on iv's and a very restricted diet. Since being sent home from the hospital i have had continual diharrea...which i'm not sure what is causing it the antibiotics really throw me for a loop so I am blaming them for the nausea and diaherra. Upon going back to the GI doc as my fever continued I was put on antibiotics again and sent for a second CT scan...this one showing that I had multiple absesses in my abdomen.

For now my abdominal pain is gone...diharea and nausea have persisted tho.

The GI doc that i was with in the hospital was debating between chrons and a GI infection. I am desperatly hoping that this is a GI infection...but after reading the posts am thinking that my hope may be in vain.

I suppose I'm just wondering if anyone has any advice on what I should ask my doctor and how to best embark on my journey if this is Chron's.

Also how often do flare ups occur? and how long to they last...a few days or is it typically months?


I've been a vegetarian for 17 years and until now have been completly healthy...aside from my pregnancies I hadn't seen a doc in 10 years. Its a scary thought that all this might be changing? I'm on maternity leave now--will I ever be able to go back to work? My 3 year old asks me each night when I tuck her in if I will be better in the am... my heart breaks.

Any advice or comments would be appreciated. this is scary and I'd love some guidance from someone who has dealt with this.

 

[ameslouise]

Hi Stargirl and welcome! One thing you will read in the many posts on this forum is that this disease (if Crohn's is indeed your final diagnosis) is SO different for everyone. Flare ups, food, symptoms - everything varies from person to person.

So I would say read a lot and get a lot of information, but don't get too scared by the different experiences you read on this forum. There are a lot of success stories here too and happy endings, as well as people really suffering from bad flares - it runs the gamut.

I hope you get a Dx soon and can get a treatment plan that helps you feel better very soon!

Please stop back and let us know how you are doing - Amy

 

[Astra]

Hi stargirl
and welcome

Yes I agree with Amy, it's best to arm yourself with lots of ammo and get genned up on the disease, but not to compare, cos everyone is different, we are all unique!
We are here to offer you support, you are no longer alone, if there's anything you need to know, just ask
lotsa luv
Joan xxx

 

[Dustin]

Hi stargirl, and welcome. Amy summed things up nicely. Many people are able to go years without problems once they find the treatment that works for them. Some do it with drugs, others with diet, or alternative therapies, others combinations. The best thing you can do is try not to stress too much worrying about things, as Crohn's symptoms tend to be exacerbated by stress, and educate yourself about what you may be facing. Read up about the different treatment options available, and sit down with your doctor and determine a course of action that works for you. There are lots of people on here who have wonderful advice, and have experienced just about everything - including things you probably have never even thought about. Any time you have questions, or just want to vent, you are welcome to do so here in the forum.

Good health, and best of luck - hopefully you get a diagnosis soon and start feeling better.

 

[stargirl]

Thank you to all...still no definitive diagnosis....chrons is still what they suspect but can't be sure until im well enough for a colonoscopy. Thank you again and good luck to all of you!

 

[Sarah87]

Hi stargirl.
I feel your pain! I too have no diagnosis and have been suffering with varying but consistent symptoms since 2005 and been getting fobbed off with the old IBS excuse. After eventually changing GP and getting referred to specialist etc etc I am FINALLY hoping to get my dx on monday coming!

I hope you get some kind of definite answer soon as I can definitely relate with the not knowing being one of the hardest parts. A crohn's diagnosis is no doubt devastating but it better than becoming so desperate that you start to think you're going a bit mad (maybe that's just me. lol)

Sending all the best to you

xxx

 

[Hedgehog]

Welcome Stargirl,
I can only echo what the others have said. I think the only way you'll know is by having the biopsies. Even if it turns out to be Crohn's it's not the end of the world. Most people are able to live productive and normal lives with the right treatment plan.
Hope you get answers soon. Let us know how you get on,
Gail
xx

 

[stargirl]

Thanks again - still waiting on the diagnosis...getting yet another CT scan and waiting bloodwork results. I feel great though...normal aside from running to the bathroom often. I've even been able to eat!

Are beans ok to eat with chrons? I was told soft mushy and easily digestible...but I'm craving some of my old standby foods.