Scared...Think I Might Have Crohn's

I just joined this forum, and I'm so glad to have found it.  For the past 4 months I've been suffering (off and on) from stomach cramping, nausea, feeling weak (sort of), and even a couple of episodes (once in April, once in June) of dry heaving.  The last time I had the dry heaving it was accompanied by awful stomach cramps.  It's almost as though I've had the flu off and on for the past few months.  That's how lousy I feel at times.  Some days I feel great, other days I feel lousy.  Is that the pattern of Crohn's? I For the past year my bowels have been loose (but not watery).  I've lost about 10 pounds in the past few months.  I'm a 52 year old woman.  My dad was my age when he was diagnosed with CD.  I remember him telling me about the bloody stools, stomach cramps, and weight loss.  (I don't have the bloody D like he did), but I do have the loose stools.  Anywho, he had surgery, and did pretty well after that.  Thinking back, I do remember being about 30 when I started noticing occasional problems with my stomach/bowels.  Those episodes were few and far between until I got into my 40's.  That's when I had my first bout of Iritis.  The eye specialist asked me if I ever had trouble with my bowels.  I thought that was an odd question.  Now I understand why he asked me that.  I had no idea (until recently) that eye inflammation was related to CD.  At that time my bowel 'issues' weren't bad, so I told him "no."  Anyway, I have a doctors appointment Monday, and I hope and pray everything will be okay.  It's so scary for me because I already suffer with depression and anxiety, so you can imagine how nervous I am about what may be wrong with me.  I have a feeling it's Crohn's though.  Another thing that makes me nervous is I never know when I'm going to have a flare-up.  Recently I was out with my husband enjoying the day (it was hot and a little muggy), when suddenly I felt woozy and a little queasy.  Can CD do this?  I notice when I do get the stomach cramps it's usually at night.  I'd appreciate any feedback.  I've never had surgery and I'm trying not to worry needlessly.

 

Thanks for reading this.  Sorry it was so long.

Amen to the stress management. I have CD and since my surgey I've tried hard to avoid stress. It seemd to calm things down.
Try not to worry about it. Get a good GI Dr and they take care of you. I have had CD since I was 14. I turned 35 yesterday and I feel great minus a Hernia. Diet, exercise and stress management is the key.

Take care and be happy!!

Jay

Sounds like CD, in my opinion, I'm sure your doctor will say the same. Before I was diagnosed, I was having symptom similar to yours; occasional pain, loose stools, and feeling just plain crappy (no pun intended). Stress is definitely bad for Crohn's, in my experience. I will echo what Laslow said, diet, exercise and stress management are usually quite helpful in fending off symptoms.

Best of luck at the doctor's.

Phenergan (promethazine) is a godsend for nausea.  You should be able to get a prescription for that right away.

 

Have you ever tried a heating pad for the pain? 

 

I'd also stay away from NSAIDs (Advil and the like) as they are a big no-no for people with bowel problems and will make your symptoms worse.

 

I have anxiety and depression too.  I let things bother me too much, so I feel your pain (literally).

 

Good luck!

The standard sedation for colonoscopy puts you into a "who cares" mode and you will likely remember none of it. There should be no nausea or aftereffects -- mostly you will fart some and be hungry from fasting the day before. Most scopes take about 20 minutes. As for the prep, there are several methods -- talk to the GI about what he/she uses, and there may be some lower volume options if you note that you have trouble drinking a lot of fluid. The prep is not painful, just annoying, but then we go get these tests to learn why we have chronic D, so a little more chronic D for a few hours is worth the outcome. Don;t be put off by the horror stories -- for the vast majority of people, a scope is a minor two-day inconvenience, rating far less in discomfort than getting a tooth filled.

I've had 5 colonoscopies and even the prep has improved. The actual procedure itself is no big deal. A good excuse to take a good nap. The prep is the worse, I can't disagree with that but it's gotten better over the years. This last prep had me drinking the equivalent of Bene-Fiber, lots of it. I think it's just that our bodies get weak and we feel yucky because we're on the verge of being dehydrated and our metabolites go wacko due to the constant release of bowel. I wish you luck and hope it all goes well and most of all, I hope they'll find what it is that is making you so sick so you can get treated for it.

greeneyez, you should be tested for Celiac Disease. It can cause most of your symptoms. Maybe you will get lucky, like me and only have to be on a GF diet instead of all the medications.