- Location
- Upstate NY
Hello, I'm feeling very confused. I'm hoping I can get some support/advice from this forum. I'm a 32-year-old woman with no history of health problems, GI or otherwise, until now.
Here's my story:
On Dec. 31, 2013, I awoke at 5:00 am to what I thought was a very bad gas pain in my low abdomen. I went to the bathroom, passed gas, had a normal BM, but the pain was fairly intense, leading me to even lie on the floor for several minutes. I took a Gas-X, went back to bed, and the pain must have let up enough that I fell back asleep. When I woke again, my entire abdomen was sore and achy, but not unbearable. I thought it was muscle pain. Stayed in bed most of the day. The pain let up gradually, and the next day (Happy New Year!) I felt even better. But started running a fever which prompted me to go to the hospital, who ran a CT (inconclusive, possible appendicitis?) and sent me home on Cipro and Flagyl.
Throughout the month I still had a vague ache in my lower right quadrant. Some days were better than others. Mostly the antibiotics made me feel terrible. Doctors take "wait and see" approach. Fast forward to February 7: I had another attack of similar (less intense than the first time) pain. Went to the hospital for 3 nights where they pumped me full of more antibiotics and fluids. A second CT came back the same, inflammation of appendix-region and terminal ileum, but not clearly visualized. The doctors were pretty convinced I had a ruptured appendix at this point, since I've never had stomach troubles or issues with D before.
On my follow-up, the doctor ordered a colonoscopy and endoscopy to rule out Crohn's before doing a revision appendectomy. At the colonoscopy, ulcerations were found in the terminal ileum, and I was diagnosed with Crohn's. The biopsies have not yet come back, and I was told I would discuss those was a PA at my next follow-up in 3 weeks. In the meantime, I've been put on budesonide and pentasa.
The meds have upped my energy considerably and I think I'm starting to finally feel better, although I'm not sure if I'm just getting used to the dull ache on my right side. I've been on a low-residue diet since Feb 7 (doctor's orders), and as a person who craves fresh vegetables when they feel ill, it's been difficult for me.
I'm finding it hard to accept my diagnosis with no prior history, although as my doctor says, "it has to start somewhere." I try not to research the disease too much because I have an over-active imagination which leads to anxiety. Add to this a touch of hypochondria, and it's not a healthy situation for me. On top of this, I LOVE food and variety of food. I've never had any bad reactions to any foods. Thinking I may have to permanently alter the way I eat is devastating.
The only thing that makes sense to me is the Crohn's-Vitamin D connection, I've always had chronically low vitamin D levels and take supplements. I had previously chalked this up to living in cold and dark Upstate NY after being tested for thyroid, Celiac's, etc.
Any advice you can offer would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
tl;dr - Normally healthy 32-yr-old gets diagnosed with Crohn's after two incidents of abdominal pain. No previous GI issues. Freaking out commences.
Here's my story:
On Dec. 31, 2013, I awoke at 5:00 am to what I thought was a very bad gas pain in my low abdomen. I went to the bathroom, passed gas, had a normal BM, but the pain was fairly intense, leading me to even lie on the floor for several minutes. I took a Gas-X, went back to bed, and the pain must have let up enough that I fell back asleep. When I woke again, my entire abdomen was sore and achy, but not unbearable. I thought it was muscle pain. Stayed in bed most of the day. The pain let up gradually, and the next day (Happy New Year!) I felt even better. But started running a fever which prompted me to go to the hospital, who ran a CT (inconclusive, possible appendicitis?) and sent me home on Cipro and Flagyl.
Throughout the month I still had a vague ache in my lower right quadrant. Some days were better than others. Mostly the antibiotics made me feel terrible. Doctors take "wait and see" approach. Fast forward to February 7: I had another attack of similar (less intense than the first time) pain. Went to the hospital for 3 nights where they pumped me full of more antibiotics and fluids. A second CT came back the same, inflammation of appendix-region and terminal ileum, but not clearly visualized. The doctors were pretty convinced I had a ruptured appendix at this point, since I've never had stomach troubles or issues with D before.
On my follow-up, the doctor ordered a colonoscopy and endoscopy to rule out Crohn's before doing a revision appendectomy. At the colonoscopy, ulcerations were found in the terminal ileum, and I was diagnosed with Crohn's. The biopsies have not yet come back, and I was told I would discuss those was a PA at my next follow-up in 3 weeks. In the meantime, I've been put on budesonide and pentasa.
The meds have upped my energy considerably and I think I'm starting to finally feel better, although I'm not sure if I'm just getting used to the dull ache on my right side. I've been on a low-residue diet since Feb 7 (doctor's orders), and as a person who craves fresh vegetables when they feel ill, it's been difficult for me.
I'm finding it hard to accept my diagnosis with no prior history, although as my doctor says, "it has to start somewhere." I try not to research the disease too much because I have an over-active imagination which leads to anxiety. Add to this a touch of hypochondria, and it's not a healthy situation for me. On top of this, I LOVE food and variety of food. I've never had any bad reactions to any foods. Thinking I may have to permanently alter the way I eat is devastating.
The only thing that makes sense to me is the Crohn's-Vitamin D connection, I've always had chronically low vitamin D levels and take supplements. I had previously chalked this up to living in cold and dark Upstate NY after being tested for thyroid, Celiac's, etc.
Any advice you can offer would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
tl;dr - Normally healthy 32-yr-old gets diagnosed with Crohn's after two incidents of abdominal pain. No previous GI issues. Freaking out commences.
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