What's Remission?

[nowitzkiwebb]

I had a right hemicolectomy 8 weeks ago and have been on Purinethol for 4 weeks. My CD symptoms are nowhere near as bad as before the surgery however I still have fever, fatigue, abdominal cramps etc.

How do I know if I'm in remission? Will i have no symptoms whatsoever and feel 110%? Or do CD sufferers always have some sort of symptoms and will i always feel mediocre?

 

[RiaCake]

Hey, I don't know about anyone else but I am 12 weeks post op and they told me they got the lot so I am, apart from the big D and feeling tired, symptoms free. It sounds to me like you still have something active going on, what did your Doc's say? Have you seen your GI yet? As far as I understand remission should be clear of symptoms but I'm new to this and I'm only going on what I am going through. Might you have a little infection? fever means your fighting something off, it might not be CD?? It might be something simple that can be fixed with some antibiotics? Just a suggestion tho, please don't worry I'm sure it'll get better for you x

 

[misterquin]

Wow I've been meaning to start a thread about this. Remission is hard to define as it's probably different from everybody.

After my first two flare ups, I had a period of about 6 or 7 months where I was symptom free. I ate whatever I wanted and only felt a little tired sometimes but never like a flare. This is what I consider remission. Right now I'm in a flare, but I guess a mild one as I have a day of D and then days of constipation. So it's hard to define remission and a flare. But when you're in remission, you'll probably know.

As for feeling 100% I don't think that's really possible with a disease like crohn's, but who knows. Anythings possible and don't give up fighting. We all have those days where we feel like giving up, but all that does is make the symptoms worse. Keep positive and believe that a long remission is just around the corner.

 

[Astra]

My gastro told me that remission is no inflammation.
other manifestations like D, gas and bloat can be controlled with diet, fatigue with rest, and so on.
these manifestations don't concern him at all!
but inflammation does, these are precursors to strictures being formed, which in turn cause narrowing, then he shows concern!!
I haven't got inflammation right now, so am I in remission??

 

[rottengut91]

I would be concerned that you are developing an abscess. I did after my appendectomy, which led to my first resection and ileostomy. Don't ignore these symptoms, like Riacake said, a fever is the body's reaction to an infectious agent.
I think you should call and inform your doctor of this.

 

[tiloah]

My gastro told me that remission is no inflammation.
other manifestations like D, gas and bloat can be controlled with diet, fatigue with rest, and so on.
these manifestations don't concern him at all!
but inflammation does, these are precursors to strictures being formed, which in turn cause narrowing, then he shows concern!!
I haven't got inflammation right now, so am I in remission??

My friend's GI defines it the same way. She had surgery and has been inflammation free since (hooray! fingers crossed, knock on wood), but has always demonstrated those familiar symptoms.