Hello Everyone!
I am pending diagnosis right now. In fact, it's not the first time I have been in this position.
I developed a fistula about 6 years ago, It took almost 2 years before somebody could tell me what it was (one doctor told me to not wear tight pants... umm... okay).
4 years ago, a doctor said oh hey look, a fistula, lets test for Crohn's, just in case. I went through some tests, (not very through mind you), I was never seen by a GI, they told me I didn't have Crohn's, told me I didn't have to have the fistula operated on, and away I went. At this point I didn't have any other symptoms.
I developed a second, much more complex fistula. Saw a GI who did a flex scope but not a full colonoscopy, told me I didn't have Crohn's, but said I needed to see a General Surgeon to have the fistulas removed. I started having other symptoms, some time after fistula number 2. I went from being chronically constipated (since I was a small child) to having frequent and urgent BMs, I've had sharp shooting pains in my abdomen that caused my husband to bring me to emergency, only to have them do blood work and send me home with Flagyl and not connect one to the other, etc. These other events are becoming more frequent occurrences.
I studied Nutrition in University and it has been my saving grace to be able to control such "occurrences" with diet.
By the time I got into a General Surgeon, 4 years had elapsed. I finally had surgery, but they came back, with a third friend. I was then referred to a colo-rectal surgeon who did surgery again (which occured in February of this year), who placed setons in the fistulas. I still have them.
When I had my follow up with the CR surgeon, after reading my post op report his response was "oh boy", he said "I really think you have Crohn's", I have since been referred to the local IBD clinic. I saw the GI doc last friday, who also thinks I have Crohn's, but I tests are to follow to confirm. My colonoscopy is on Friday (as a side note, why the hell would they give Crohn's patients or potential Crohn's patients laxatives to take before having such a procedure (I was given dulcolate to take 3 days and 2 days before and then pico salex the day before and morning of), do they not realize that I don't need any help pooping?)
I'm crossing my fingers that I don't have Crohn's and I just have a fistulas problem. I'm in the Army, and like somebody else that posted recently, I'm worried about what will happen to my career. To be going through this process again 4 years later is extremely stressful.
I am pending diagnosis right now. In fact, it's not the first time I have been in this position.
I developed a fistula about 6 years ago, It took almost 2 years before somebody could tell me what it was (one doctor told me to not wear tight pants... umm... okay).
4 years ago, a doctor said oh hey look, a fistula, lets test for Crohn's, just in case. I went through some tests, (not very through mind you), I was never seen by a GI, they told me I didn't have Crohn's, told me I didn't have to have the fistula operated on, and away I went. At this point I didn't have any other symptoms.
I developed a second, much more complex fistula. Saw a GI who did a flex scope but not a full colonoscopy, told me I didn't have Crohn's, but said I needed to see a General Surgeon to have the fistulas removed. I started having other symptoms, some time after fistula number 2. I went from being chronically constipated (since I was a small child) to having frequent and urgent BMs, I've had sharp shooting pains in my abdomen that caused my husband to bring me to emergency, only to have them do blood work and send me home with Flagyl and not connect one to the other, etc. These other events are becoming more frequent occurrences.
I studied Nutrition in University and it has been my saving grace to be able to control such "occurrences" with diet.
By the time I got into a General Surgeon, 4 years had elapsed. I finally had surgery, but they came back, with a third friend. I was then referred to a colo-rectal surgeon who did surgery again (which occured in February of this year), who placed setons in the fistulas. I still have them.
When I had my follow up with the CR surgeon, after reading my post op report his response was "oh boy", he said "I really think you have Crohn's", I have since been referred to the local IBD clinic. I saw the GI doc last friday, who also thinks I have Crohn's, but I tests are to follow to confirm. My colonoscopy is on Friday (as a side note, why the hell would they give Crohn's patients or potential Crohn's patients laxatives to take before having such a procedure (I was given dulcolate to take 3 days and 2 days before and then pico salex the day before and morning of), do they not realize that I don't need any help pooping?)
I'm crossing my fingers that I don't have Crohn's and I just have a fistulas problem. I'm in the Army, and like somebody else that posted recently, I'm worried about what will happen to my career. To be going through this process again 4 years later is extremely stressful.
Fingers crossed that this time round you have a good doc and you will be able to get a definitive diagnosis. I agree that with the colonoscopy that the prep is worse than the actual procedure which can actually be quite interesting if you are awake enough to watch the screen. I would just advise to make sure you have a barrier cream on hand like Sudocrem if you dont already, this will help believe me.
