Nothing diagnosed yet

[Razrwolf]

Hello,

I am new to this forum and so far it seems very informative with lots of support... I just have a quick question and I'm not asking for diagnosis but just some opinion/advice might help...

I've been having loose stools constantly for over 2 years now and at the beginning I started with anal fissures and hemorrhoids (caused by going to the bathroom 4-5 times a day). I also find that almost everytime I eat I need to be close to a bathroom due to abdominal pain.

I've had a colonoscopy and a CT scan and the GI specialist took a biopsy of inflammation that was found right where the large intestine meets the small. I recently spoke to my family doctor about it and he said the results from the biopsy and the CT scan are consistent with what is seen with Crohn's disease but he said the GI specialist makes the actual diagnosis (I guess). So they still aren't doing anything yet. I have a follow up appointment with the GI specialist at the end of the month so I'll see what he says then, but I guess I'm just wondering what other people who have been diagnosed think? Can the inflammation just be caused by stress/anxiety?

Thanks for your time

 

[Grumbletum]

Hey there, and a big warm welcome to the forum I'm glad you found us, but sorry it's because you're ill. Given the symptoms you have and the length of time you've had them, I'm afraid it sounds likely that you do have Crohns, probably in the terminal ileum like myself and many others here. Do you find that stress aggravates your symptoms? That's also very common.
Those long waits for tests, results etc can be annoying and nervewracking too :-( I hope it's not Crohn's, but if it is, you may find you feel relieved to get a diagnosis and a treatment plan. It can be managed and folks here are only too willing to help you through it.

 

[Razrwolf]

Thanks for the quick reply. Yeah all this testing and waiting is quite nerve racking. I can't wait until I speak with my GI specialist again to see what he thinks is going on. I do find that stress aggravates the symptoms, especially the abdominal pain and the need to uae the restroom. I asked if stress could cause the inflammation because when I initially had my colonoscopy and the GI specialist took the biopsy he didn't seem to think it was Crohn's, and asked if I am generally an anxious/nervous person, that's why I was asking if stress/anxiety could have caused the inflammation. However like I mentioned, my family doctor saw the results of the biopsy and he says it's pointing towards Crohn's, so I guess I just have to wait and see

 

[David]

Hi there and welcome

While there are a variety of chronic and acute conditions that can cause the symptoms you describe, if the biopsy did indeed come back consistent with Crohn's, that is pretty telling.

We're here for you anytime you need us.

 

[Razrwolf]

Thanks, I guess I just find it odd that my family doctor didn't just come out and say it's Crohn's based on what the biopsy and CT scan said, but I guess I'll have to hear it from the GI specialist