Hi all. My name is Nate. I am 34 years old and have not officially been diagnosed with Crohn's yet, but I wanted to share my story.
During the week between Christmas and New Year's, I started experiencing intense excruciating pain in my abdomen right behind my naval. Initially, I thought that I was coming down with a stomach virus or food poisoning. I had been feeling uneasy all day, but the intense pain started soon after I left work (around 7pm) and by 11pm I was doubled over in my bed and unable to move because it had gotten so bad. My wife thought I should go to the hospital, but still thinking that I was "just coming down with something," I refused. I told her that I will try to make it through the night and if there is no change, then I would go to the hospital. She agreed and we shook on it.
Well, I endured a miserable night of barely sleeping and, when morning came, I agreed to go the emergency room. I had no vomiting, no bowel movements, just pain. A lot of pain. We thought I was experiencing an appendicitis.
We got to the ER and the doctor ordered a CT scan. Of course, I had to wait until they'd be able to "fit me in." They gave me some strong pain medication in the meantime (which helped take the edge off) and, in about 6 hours, they finally rolled me into radiology.
They injected me with dye and took pictures of my gut. Then they rolled me back to my exam room. This time, I didn't wait too long. The ER physician came back within 30 minutes and told me that I had severe inflammation of the terminal ileum, which, he told me, is usually associated with Crohn's Disease. They gave me a prescription for Flagyl and Cipro and some pain meds. Then they sent me home and urged me to follow up with a gastroenterologist.
I got the earliest appointment that I could, which was a week ago today (last Friday). Atlanta was about to have an impending snow storm (which ultimately didn't occur and we all scrambled like idiots for nothing), so, in an effort to allow the entire staff to leave by 4PM, they were trying to move through the appointments extra swiftly. As a result, I felt that my consultation with the doctor was a bit clipped.
Nonetheless, I went over my symptoms with her. I explained that I've had a lot of general GI issues over the past few months -- constipation, loose stools when I'm able produce a bowel movement, and anal discomfort (which might be hemorrhoids or general inflammation/swelling, I have no idea). When she asked me if I've had joint pain, I realized that I've had a lot of knee pain for the past few months, which I had previously chalked up to "getting older."
Ultimately she said that I might indeed have Crohn's disease but she needs to do a colonoscopy. I scheduled the earliest appointment available and I am set to go in on February 3rd.
Since I had the initial bout with pain when I went to the ER, I've had a dull enduring pain right above my belly button. I've felt pangs of pain in my lower right abdomen and lower left. And I've barely eaten. Mostly I've been drinking homemade chicken broth and eating small amounts of soft bread. Occasionally, I've tried some more adventurous items, like a potato. All in all, I've lost 18 pounds, down from 245 to 227.
I'm not sure what to think. I keep worrying that all of this is in my head. But the pain is there and my appetite is non-existent, so maybe there is something wrong with me? Hopefully I'll get some definitive answers from the doctor when I go back for my colonoscopy.
Thanks for listening. And good luck to all those who need it.
During the week between Christmas and New Year's, I started experiencing intense excruciating pain in my abdomen right behind my naval. Initially, I thought that I was coming down with a stomach virus or food poisoning. I had been feeling uneasy all day, but the intense pain started soon after I left work (around 7pm) and by 11pm I was doubled over in my bed and unable to move because it had gotten so bad. My wife thought I should go to the hospital, but still thinking that I was "just coming down with something," I refused. I told her that I will try to make it through the night and if there is no change, then I would go to the hospital. She agreed and we shook on it.
Well, I endured a miserable night of barely sleeping and, when morning came, I agreed to go the emergency room. I had no vomiting, no bowel movements, just pain. A lot of pain. We thought I was experiencing an appendicitis.
We got to the ER and the doctor ordered a CT scan. Of course, I had to wait until they'd be able to "fit me in." They gave me some strong pain medication in the meantime (which helped take the edge off) and, in about 6 hours, they finally rolled me into radiology.
They injected me with dye and took pictures of my gut. Then they rolled me back to my exam room. This time, I didn't wait too long. The ER physician came back within 30 minutes and told me that I had severe inflammation of the terminal ileum, which, he told me, is usually associated with Crohn's Disease. They gave me a prescription for Flagyl and Cipro and some pain meds. Then they sent me home and urged me to follow up with a gastroenterologist.
I got the earliest appointment that I could, which was a week ago today (last Friday). Atlanta was about to have an impending snow storm (which ultimately didn't occur and we all scrambled like idiots for nothing), so, in an effort to allow the entire staff to leave by 4PM, they were trying to move through the appointments extra swiftly. As a result, I felt that my consultation with the doctor was a bit clipped.
Nonetheless, I went over my symptoms with her. I explained that I've had a lot of general GI issues over the past few months -- constipation, loose stools when I'm able produce a bowel movement, and anal discomfort (which might be hemorrhoids or general inflammation/swelling, I have no idea). When she asked me if I've had joint pain, I realized that I've had a lot of knee pain for the past few months, which I had previously chalked up to "getting older."
Ultimately she said that I might indeed have Crohn's disease but she needs to do a colonoscopy. I scheduled the earliest appointment available and I am set to go in on February 3rd.
Since I had the initial bout with pain when I went to the ER, I've had a dull enduring pain right above my belly button. I've felt pangs of pain in my lower right abdomen and lower left. And I've barely eaten. Mostly I've been drinking homemade chicken broth and eating small amounts of soft bread. Occasionally, I've tried some more adventurous items, like a potato. All in all, I've lost 18 pounds, down from 245 to 227.
I'm not sure what to think. I keep worrying that all of this is in my head. But the pain is there and my appetite is non-existent, so maybe there is something wrong with me? Hopefully I'll get some definitive answers from the doctor when I go back for my colonoscopy.
Thanks for listening. And good luck to all those who need it.
