People who Understand

[amyf]

I'm obviously new but I wanted to post to say hello and thanks for how helpful you all have been to me already. It is such a relief to find other people who understand why I feel bad all the time.

First off I have not been diagnosed with Crohn's and I am not sure if I do have it but my doctor is leaning that way. I first went to the doctor about a year ago for stomach pain (typically after eating) and heartburn. They had me have an endoscopy/colonoscopy and my doctor did biopsy's for celiac disease. I was negative for Celiac but the biopsy came back positive for Barrett's esophagus. Next they had me do a hydrogen breath test for Small bowel bacteria overgrowth which was positive. I was on antibiotics but the pain never went away. Three months ago I had a gastric emptying test and a abdominal CT scan. The CT scan found a hitaus hernia and calcification's on my liver and spleen that my doctor said was probably from histoplasmosis, apparently common in the area I live in. The hernia is obviously contributing to my heartburn but she said it still doesn't explain my pain. Next week I am scheduled for a small bowel capsule endoscopy. The doctor says it may be crohn's but she can't say for sure.

The thing that confuses me is that I never have problems with Diarrhea in fact I am usually constipated. (Too much info I know but poop is a big topic of discussion around my house now.) Also my pain seems to be in a different place than what I have read, it hurts after I eat on my upper left abdomen right beneath my ribs. The doctor has never suggested IBS although my Internist did. I have had problems with fatigue and I have read that it can be related to IBD. I even had a sleep study done in April but no big revelations.

I'm not looking for you all to diagnosis me I just need to vent a little I guess. Nobody I know understands just how miserable this makes me. Thanks for listening.

 

[GoJohnnyGo]

Anytime.

 

[teeny5]

Some people do have constipation instead of diarrhea. I never had diarrhea more than a few times a day, but had lots of pain. Some of my tests have come out normal, others point to Crohn's.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[My Butt Hurts]

Hey Amyf, welcome to the forum!
Wow - that's a lot of tests. I hope y ou get some answers soon.
A few people on here only have constipation. Diarrhea is a symptom for most of us, but everyone's symptoms are different. And don't worry about the poop talk - we know everyone's poop schedules, consistency, bleeding, and everything on here about each other. Talk away.
Welcome again, feel better.

 

[jed]

Vent on I say! let it all out here!

befrore you know it you'll be making fun of yourself over how annoying it all is

welcome to the forums Amy, best wishes for a clear diagnosis.

 

[mikeyarmo]

Welcome amyf!

I also had a problem with constipation and not the big D. There are some others on the forum who are the same.

I hope you can the community for the support you need and hope to see you again soon.

 

[amyf]

Well I sure do appreciate you guys. I guess I have had a lot of tests. I kinda figured that everyone went through that. I don't know if that means my doctor is very thorough or if she is just stumped.:eek2:

Right now I think the worst part is trying to figure out what to eat. I noticed that there is a food forum. I am off to go glean some ideas.

 

[Nancy Lee]

Just a quick welcome to the forum Amy!
Remember we're all in the same boat here..
so just holler if you need help with something..
or just to vent.

Welcoming hugs~Nancy