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Headed to the doctor soon...have a few questions...

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 8/21/2008 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
I have been trying to figure out what is really going on.  I know I have inflamation and "stuff" in my colon.  My mom who has had CD for longer than i've been alive says It doesnt' seem like crohn's.  I lack the major symptom that every crohn's sufferer she has ever met.  The diareha.  This week i have pooped only a few times. 

She said it could be swelling that is causing the "constipation".  I don't know.  I am currently thinking that maybe it has something to do with my endometriosis.  I have 5 kids and have had only 2 surgeries  which is impressive.  I ahve been able to keep it at bay by getting pregnant.  I had my last child almost 3yrs ago and this is the longest gap.  SO, I wonder if my endo is coming back and immitating the crohn's pain.

The pain I have is similar to early labor, mostly in the back (those of you that have had kids are probably familiar with that pain and back labor).  I am going to ask about it today.  I do know it probably is the crohn's.  I guess I hope it is the endo, as another laporoscopy can solve that temporarily.  BC pills seem to irritate the gut, so I can't do that.  The pill I took ealier this year was the "last ditch effort" to control it.  BUT then I thought it was the crohn's too.  I don't know!

I hate not being in control and not knowing what it is.  If I knew, maybe it would be easier to accept.  Have any of you ladies had Endo?

I wish my Gyn and gastro could/would work together.  SIGH!

Posted 8/21/2008 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there. Sorry you have to figure this out.

I hope it isn't Crohn's, but not having D doesn't mean it is not Crohn's. I've never had that as a symptom. My disease shows itself in strictures (scarring from inflammation in the colon) and blockages. There are also several people here who are constipated instead, and people who swing back and forth between both. I hope your docs can work together to get you feeling better.
Posted 8/21/2008 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks  inflamed.    I found an interesting article....but I do have the crohn's spots in the colon.

http://www.medindia.net/news/Intestinal-Endometriosis-Mimic-Crohns-Disease-33410-1.htm  The pain mentioned here seems similar in location.

I guess it is good to know not all crohn's patients don't have D.  I guess, lol!   We all have it different since our bodies are different. 

I guess I am thiking outloud since I found this board yesterday.  I don't have anyone else to talk to about it, besides my mom and she has different symptoms.

Thanks again!

shelley

Posted 8/21/2008 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
I don't have Endo so I don't have experience there. But I do know I get bad low back pain when I am flaring too. When first diagnosed it was always D for me, but since my resections for some weird reason now I have more problems with C. Possibly its caused from my low residue diet.

My question to you is, do you feel any cramps in the front too? Or is it only in the back? And when you say it is like labor, is it a crampy pain that comes in waves like labor pains? Or is it more of a constant pain? The reason I ask is if its like labor pains that can also be obstruction type pain. But you would have the pain around the belly button too. Hope the doc helps you figure out whats going on, we Crohnies always tend to blame the Crohns, when sometimes it can be other things. Good Luck!
Posted 8/21/2008 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Nanners...

It starts in the back and radiates to the front.  Just opposite of the back.  The most pain I have had is in the ovary area (where most of the inflamation and bleeding was on the scope).  I even went to have my ovary checked for cysts thinking it was that.  The scope showed bleeding and inflamation in that area of the colon.  SO I think it is the crohn's but think endo would be an easier solution.  Who wants the pain?  LOL!

Oh it comes in waves, like something is passing the area and causing pain.  It is like contractions as they come and go.  Similar in early labor pain wise.  Some are much more intense though.  Then of course everyone feels pain in different intensities.  I delievered a 9lb 5 oz baby (my first) and did fine (no pain meds), but this pain is worse to me.  I guess nothing to look forward to? 

I have to run to the Doc now.  Hopefully he will have info for me.

Thanks again!  You guys are great!

 

Posted 8/21/2008 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
Well, he thinks it is not typical of crohn's and told me I should check with my Gyn.  He did call in a script for prednisone.  He thinks it is something else though and said to wait a day or two.  He first told me to take it and if i didn't start to improve to wean off.  After talking more he thinks it is the endo.

I have an appointment next week with the gyn.  The pain will probbaly be gone by then. rolleyes    Oh wait, that is good, right?  The gastro said that flares don't go away on their own.  He also said the pain is not consistent with crohn's.  He said it should get worse not better (by itself).

I still don't know.  I wish I could be seen by the gyn immediately.  He has been out of the office this week and didn't have openings till next friday.

So the wait is on.

Posted 8/22/2008 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Shelley Glad you joined us. The pred. should help soon if it is CD I would think .I don't know much about endo other then the fact it can cause pain and lots of bloating I knew someone who had that problem .Hopefully your Gyno can help you find out what is up. Hang in there it sometimes takes time to get things done .lol gail
Posted 8/22/2008 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
The doctors thought I had Endo before the DX with CD. I had laps, scans, you name it! finally after years of pain killers (all NSAIDS), a mirena coil, 2 laps, 8 scans and countless internal examinations a barber told me I had CD!!!! yes, I was diagnosed by a barber in under 5 mins. i told her my symptons, she told me my disease. amazing isn't it!

It is VERY common for doc's to confuse the two with each other!!! spread the word.

Post Edited By Moderator (ivy6) : 8/22/2008 5:53:21 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/23/2008 12:30 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think you would have endo IN your colon unless it has perforated your intestinal wall and you would know that. Endo can be on the outside of the bowels, including the rectum and cause a lot of pain but if it was seen on the scope on the inside, I would think that would be CD. I know that endo can be really bad and found in very unusual places, like the lung, but I do think that is unusual. I also have/had endo and 10 years ago I had a major pain problem. It felt just like menstrual cramps (someone on this forum once said their CD pain felt like menstrual cramps) but without the nausea. After a few days (dumb) it was much better and I checked in with my gyn. By the way, I have had a hysterectomy so why I thought I would have menstrual cramps with no uterus I have no idea. Anyway, my gyn examined me and told me it was probably crohn's disease. I laughed outloud because my gut was perfect (then) This gyn died not long after that so can't even tell him he was right. I went to my first gi and told him what the gyn said and it was the gi's turn to laugh out loud.

I don't agree that CD doesn't get better, just worse. I did get better after this major pain problem 10 years ago and then flared again 5 years later. Every one is different. Funny about the barber diagnosing the disease.

You can also have endo AND CD I'm assuming that's my case but with my last lap (for the pain problem) there was very little endo present, but then I'm in my 50's. It does dry up with age.
Posted 8/23/2008 1:16 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys for the comments.  The pain is still here.  I was able to can 21 pints of apricot jam yesterday and crashed in pain...I'm sure it was a mix of being on my feet all day pitting pesky 1 inch apricots.  LOL!  I got it done though.

Rootsmith, I dont' think it is in my colon, but next to it causing the pain there.  I am fairly new to crohn's and am not an expert on the pains and such yet.  I hope to never be. turn    I just know it hurts, lol!

I laughed when they told me I ahd crohn's the second time.  I actually said "I don't, either".  I was adamant for a few weeks and people I talked to I told them I didn't  I just knew I didn't have it.  I didn't care waht the doctors said, then I got sick again.   I said :"It's my crohn's", my friends said "I thought you didn't have it".  I had them so confused.

I hope this is "jsut" my endo acting up.  My mom said I should tough it out and talk to the doc next week.  She is worried the pred will help OR it will get better on it's own, then I'll still have no answers.  I hate it when she is right.  LOL! nono

Posted 8/23/2008 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Shelley,

I am having a minor flare and have been experiencing constipation and bleeding. I have had flares on the other end of the spectrum too.

I hope you find the answer real soon! Are you taking the pred.? When I have used for really bad flares I usually feel better in 3 or 4 days.

Keep us posted!
Sally
Posted 8/24/2008 5:34 AM (GMT 0)
So, I have heard that if you have one autoimmune disease such as Crohn's it ups your chances of having more autoimmune diseases. I have three different autoimmune diseases. I have PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Cyndrome) which is also an autoimmune disease and I have a hard time separating the pain of that from the Crohn's pain. Since a lot of your pain is where your ovary is maybe you should be checked out for PCOS. When it was at it's worse I was having sharp pain in my ovary as well as a lot of back pain. My periods became irregular and I was having a lot of heavy bleeding. If I were you I'd see both the Gyno and the Gastro for exams. I was prescribed Metformin which is a drug that usually only diabetics take and it caused me to drop five dress sizes. It's an awsome drug. My evening carb cravings also vanished and I had a lot more energy. The only down fall is that if you have bad cramps with your period the Metformin makes them even worse. They told me I'd have to take the Metformin for life, but I quite taking it after two years and my symptoms have not returned....at least not yet. I just wanted a little break from my cramps. I hope all of this helps.:)
Posted 8/24/2008 3:12 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you momikins.

I have an appointment with my gyn on Friday.  It isn't coming soon enough!  The pain won't go away.  I may call my family doc in the morning and see what he can do for me.  I got a scope sooner than waiting onthe gastro to see me.  We'll see.  My gyn and family practice doc work in the same clinic....so maybe!

The only way to find out for sure if this is endo is to do a laproscope.  I'm ready and willing!  BTDT.

My periods have really changed this year too....heavy.  My cycles run funny too....some 21days and others normal 28-29days.  I think it is the endo or maybe my age.  My mom started meonpause at 40 (I'm 34). 

I jsut wish I could figure out the difference between the two.  I'm leaning toward Endo.  I'm hoping endo.

Oh BTW, some silly doctor told my mom she can only have ONE autoimmune disease.  She too as a few rolleyes .  I don't know if endo is or not. 

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