Hello! I've recently been diagnosed after many years of thinking I just had IBS-D. Here's how it all went down.. lol
I went to the ER with upper stomach pain that went right thru to my back. I've never experienced this before. I'm glad my husband insisted I go because while in the ER, they did a CAT scan to check my gallbladder. During this test they found a portal vein thrombosis! Everyone was very shocked because I was 'healthy' in every way. Usually people who have liver disease, cirrhosis of the liver and are very sick get clots in this area.I was admitted immediately to the hospital to be put on heparin and coumadin for the blood clot. I was also put on Prilosec for my stomach pain.
After a few days in the hospital, I was released and a week later I went to a GI dr for the first time. After a brief talk with them, they decided to do an endoscopy and colonoscopy. I did end up having acid reflux and he said that when he did the colonoscopy, my large intestine looked very good but, my small intestine (ilium area) was full of inflamation and ulcers! He told me I had crohn's and did some biopsies to confirm it. Sure enough, it came back as 'severe'. I was very shocked and the dr just can NOT believe that I don't have more symptoms. He put me on Entocort EC right away and now wants me to go to 6MP which I am very nervous about. I just find it so hard to believe that I need such a strong med when I feel so good!? I do have a day once every 6 months or so with doubled-over pain. I always thought that was a 'stomach bug' or something. lol
Well, after meeting with the hematologist about my blood clot yesterday, he said he REALLY wants the GI dr to treat me aggressively because he believes the Crohn's caused the blood clot. He's all for the 6MP.
So.. here I am. I went from feeling pretty good (taking immodium on a fairly regular basis) to being diagnosed with a blood clot, acid reflux and now Crohn's all in 2 weeks! YIKES. Lots to get used to but, I feel VERY fortunate that they found the blood clot before any major problem. I've been told that they usually don't find a clot there until it's too late. I'll have an ultrasound in Dec to see what the clot is up to. Hopefully gone!!! I've been told that it can take months up to a year to dissolve. Scary!
Unfortunately, my sister's husband died of a bleed in his brain in January and left her and two little boys at home. He had terrible Crohn's for many years and was on coumadin because of a past blood clot. His coumadin level was WAY too high and there was nothing they could do to save him. Needless to say, I've learned how precious life is and how important it is to have a wonderful, supportive family!
I'm so happy to have all you here to talk with and learn from. It's hard for others to understand what we go thru sometimes!
I went to the ER with upper stomach pain that went right thru to my back. I've never experienced this before. I'm glad my husband insisted I go because while in the ER, they did a CAT scan to check my gallbladder. During this test they found a portal vein thrombosis! Everyone was very shocked because I was 'healthy' in every way. Usually people who have liver disease, cirrhosis of the liver and are very sick get clots in this area.I was admitted immediately to the hospital to be put on heparin and coumadin for the blood clot. I was also put on Prilosec for my stomach pain.
After a few days in the hospital, I was released and a week later I went to a GI dr for the first time. After a brief talk with them, they decided to do an endoscopy and colonoscopy. I did end up having acid reflux and he said that when he did the colonoscopy, my large intestine looked very good but, my small intestine (ilium area) was full of inflamation and ulcers! He told me I had crohn's and did some biopsies to confirm it. Sure enough, it came back as 'severe'. I was very shocked and the dr just can NOT believe that I don't have more symptoms. He put me on Entocort EC right away and now wants me to go to 6MP which I am very nervous about. I just find it so hard to believe that I need such a strong med when I feel so good!? I do have a day once every 6 months or so with doubled-over pain. I always thought that was a 'stomach bug' or something. lol
Well, after meeting with the hematologist about my blood clot yesterday, he said he REALLY wants the GI dr to treat me aggressively because he believes the Crohn's caused the blood clot. He's all for the 6MP.
So.. here I am. I went from feeling pretty good (taking immodium on a fairly regular basis) to being diagnosed with a blood clot, acid reflux and now Crohn's all in 2 weeks! YIKES. Lots to get used to but, I feel VERY fortunate that they found the blood clot before any major problem. I've been told that they usually don't find a clot there until it's too late. I'll have an ultrasound in Dec to see what the clot is up to. Hopefully gone!!! I've been told that it can take months up to a year to dissolve. Scary!
Unfortunately, my sister's husband died of a bleed in his brain in January and left her and two little boys at home. He had terrible Crohn's for many years and was on coumadin because of a past blood clot. His coumadin level was WAY too high and there was nothing they could do to save him. Needless to say, I've learned how precious life is and how important it is to have a wonderful, supportive family!
I'm so happy to have all you here to talk with and learn from. It's hard for others to understand what we go thru sometimes!
