Question regarding symptoms: Possible Flare Up?

[AlisonR]

I have been in remission for over a year now and have started having some symptoms that I am not sure are related to my Crohn's and a possible flare up, or something else I am dealing with. Hoping you all can help me.

I have been experiencing intermittent cramping pain in my mid/lower abdomen, generally a dull ache that will move to sharp, stabbing pain for a few minutes and then. It seems to get worse after I eat, but isn't always related to eating. My stools have become looser, more frequent, and more urgent than they were previously. And lately I seem to feel hungry, like there is a pit in my stomach, constantly, even if I ate a huge meal. I am also experiencing severe heartburn again and my usual trick of apple cider vinegar after eating doesn't seem to be doing the trick to get rid of that. Lastly, I have been feeling light headed and dizzy for a few years now; like I am going to faint.

My doctor ran series of blood tests last month and everything came back clean, showing now signs of Crohn's. I am currently on 1,000mg of Pentasa twice per day. And still sticking to my diet, no caffeine, alcohol, or dairy, and generally staying away from fatty and spicy foods (though I've been slipping their more recently).

Does anyone have any thoughts on these symptoms? Does this sound like the beginning of a flare to anyone?

Any thoughts or advice would be amazing.

Thanks,
Alison

 

[CrohnsChicago]

You don't mention what blood tests your doctor gave you to figure out if you were flaring or not. When is the last time you had a colonoscopy or other scan to check on your crohn's?

Have you two discussed the possibility of having both crohn's and IBS?

It might be best to keep a journal of your symptoms to see if they are progressing or if something in your environment is triggering discomfort within you. If you are in fact in the start of a flare, it is better to attack it early on than to wait until it gets worse. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

 

[AlisonR]

Thank you for your reply.

My last colonoscopy was September of 2011. I had a few ulcers in the healing stages in my terminal ileum at that time. In March and again in October of this year my Dr. tested the following:
Iron and Total Iron Binding Capacity
Ferritin Levels
Erythrozyte Sedimentation Rate
C-Reactive Protein
CBC w/o differential
White Blood Cell differential

All came back in normal levels.

I have been keeping a spotty journal and haven't noticed any environmental patterns so far. But, I will try to keep a more detailed journal and see if something sticks out at me.

My Dr. and I have discussed the possibility of IBD, but she never set and official diagnosis or treatment plan. I will explore this with her further.

I am also wondering if my hunger symptoms sound like symptoms Crohn's patients have had, or if that is probably something else?

Thanks for your reply and advice.

 

[Essieluv]

You might want to get a fecal calprotectin and lactoferrin test ordered. Those are both pretty good at showing inflammation, often times better than blood work. A c. diff stool test might be helpful too, to rule out that. They are super easy and you don't need to drink anything nasty or have a camera shoved up your bum, so that's a plus too lol!

 

[AlisonR]

Thanks for your response. I will talk with my doctor about those tests today.