hi, im new here please HELP!

 

     Hi,

          I'm new to this support group. Actually this is the first time I have ever joined a support group for crohn's disease.  I have a whole bunch of symptoms I don't really understand.  And, I was wondering if it was normal what I'm going through. So, if you have any advice, solutions, or if you have felt the same please respond, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

SYMPTOMS:

 

gas pains

sharts - (sh** /fart)

unable to hold bowel movements

weight gain (especially after a flare up)

No defication of fat, just A LOT of BLOOD and mucus

inconsistant bowel movements... including texture/ times per day/ and the blood ( color variations and thickness in clots , but always a large amount of blood loss)

different types of pain from nausea, to sharp stabbing pain

acid reflux

anemic sypmtoms

sensitive to heat

Random hot spots on body

core is always hot

muscle pain

food tastes weird. (for ex: Fruit tastes insanely bitter or sweet)

fatigue

 

* the cycle is pretty much ... sharp pain- bathroom-bloating pain- burning pain- eat- sharp pain again- bathroom.

 

Also, these sympotms are in corollation with allergies that I have but no one can find.

I'm throwing false positives and negatives on tests. But whenever I get a flare up my allergy symptoms are worse. To the point I can't go outside cause my skin hurts so bad. It's scarey cause I went into anapholaxus shock three times and no one knows why. But, its when the bleeding was really bad.

 

I'm on asacol 400mg two tablets three times a day, 10mg of prednisone three times in the morning, 20mg omeprazole once a day, and ferrosquels once a day.

 

I was passing full pills of asacol each bowel movement the doc said its normal but I would like a second opinion.

And, I would love to hear of a good nutritionist. Bewteen these symptoms I don't know what to eat.

For example:Something might be great for my anemia or acid burning feeling but terrible for my bowels. And, vice versa.

I'm a vegetarian and dairy is hard for me to intake after away. I always had a  problem with texture in food.

 

If you know any info that can help. Books, doctors, nutritionist in the bklyn, NY area . PLEASE HELP!

 

I'm so lost I don't even know if there is an underlying illness cause the crohn's. I'm definately interested in a second opinion.

 

Welcome to Healing Well, DD003! I'm glad that decided to join us. Crohn's disease can occur more often in people with some other diseases but there has been no illness identified as the underlying cause of Crohn's. [Caveat: Some of our members believe that Crohn's will be proven to be caused by MAP (Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis), a bacterium.] Many of the symptoms you listed are ones that someone here has experienced. Because the intestinal tract is so long, and the fact that Crohn's can occur anywhere in the intestinal tract - symptoms vary widely among people.

Allergies are a form of autoimmune illness just like Crohn's. Having one antoimmune disease makes a person more prone to developing another AI disease. Do you have an allergist that is working on controlling your allergy problems?

Asacol capsules are structured to release the medication inside at a specific point in the intestinal tract. The capsules often appear intact in the stools when in fact they have released the medications. That said, some people do have rapid transit times that effect some medications.

If you are having trouble with acid reflux in spite of being on omeprazole, you should talk to your GI about trying a different medication for the GERD. Acid reflux can effect the taste buds which might be the reason for the odd taste of food.

Regarding a nutritionist - does your insurance provide coverage for you to consult with one? They should have a list of approved practitioners. I'm sure your family practice doc or GI would also be able to recommend a nutritionist. Not being a vegetarian, I doubt I can help much with your dietary question/concern.

Again, welcome aboard! ~~ Ides

Hey DD003 Welcome!
Sounds like you got alot of YUCK! going on!
I suffer from many allergy's too. Have had them since I was born. My kids reffer to me as "bubble child" I've always wondered if allergies and auto-immune have something in common. I react out in the sun, or go outside if someone mows the lawn. Some of these allergies are due to the med's your on. Not much you can do about it.
Gosh, if your insurance will pay for a nutritionist, Go for it! Don't be surprised if you don't get a good one. It took me 4 different ones to find one that knew anything about Crohns. It is true that many Crohnies have different food that works for them....Keep a journal at first it helps!
I am like "CrohnsPatient" eat lots of chicken, fish, mash potatoes, eggs, rice. Not a big red meat eater, milk or raw vegies and fruit. Absoultley no nuts, seeds or High fiber like bran or whole wheat bread. This is an example of a days food for me as a Crohnie,
Breakfast: 2 eggs, half white bagel Lunch: tuna or egg salad maybe saltine crackers. Soups in winter...homemade. Dinner: chicken breast, rice or potatoe occasionally cooked green beans....beans eventually are awesome way to get protein. Cooked beans...canned soft. Before I was diagnosed with Crohnes I only ate salads, nuts, raw vegies...if it was crunchy I ate it. Boy have things changed! Being a Vegetarian your probably not breaking things down correctly. Not to mention the pain of digesting.
Oh..maybe try a probiotic that might help you too. Look into them. Many Crohnies take it. They put good bacteria that has been stripped away back in to help you be able to break things down.
Anyway, you will get lots of imformation from reading this forum
Good luck to you...hang in there!

Hi I just wanted to tell you I am one who takes Asacol too, and as Ides said it is very common to see the shell in the stool.