docs appointment--frustration

 Good evening to you all,  went to the gi doc today. He was in a big hurry.  Here's the deal, blood work of course, should know by monday the sed rate and crp and blood count. IF I am going into a flare, he wants to put me on endocort instead of pred. Ok by me I guess.  He says the feeling of a lump in my throat absolutely cannot be crohns,  he thinks it is muscular. The muscles are tightening up for some reason. Ok, so I feel like I can't get anything down, lets fix it.  He wants me to take Ativan. He says, will help me sleep, MIGHT help with the fatigue, IF the mucles are involved it SHOULD help.  Then I get home and read the info on it.  The drugist even warned me about this med. I haven't taken any yet, I don't do well at all with this type of med, so I am very afraid of it. It is only .5mg, he says to take 3 a day . 

Anyone know of this drug? I'm not sure it's what I need.

Talked to the gyn doc today,  my estrogen level is barely half of what it should be, my testosterone is even less. She says this will make me feel really bad.  I have no tyroid gland, lost it to cancer about 20 years ago, I take synthroid andso far the blood tests have been ok. Gyn doc says to add a B12 complex vitamin. She hope as we raise my hormone levels the fatigre and nausea will get better.  I still can't swallow, no pain, just feels like a golf ball in the center of my throat.  I may need to have a scan of the throat mayby?????  I'm stumped.  Gi doc was just to busy to listen to me,  he drew blood but didn't bother to check the thyroid level..  Now another stick(this one took two sticks).  Anyway, sorry to vent so long, but I really would appreciate input on the ativan and stuff.   thanks again folks!!!!

First, the "it can't be Crohn's" is a cop-out. It may be true that there is no likelihood that it is Crohn's, but it is not impossible. Moreover, there are several conditions that have an indirect connection to Crohn's that it could be due to. My first guess would be a problem due to GERDs or acid reflux. This can cause scarring and other problems. Your doctor plainly thinks that the cause is anxiety. Ativan is a fairly commonly used med for treating anxiety. If you are too vocal in emergency, you are quite likely to get some thrown at you just to quiet you down. Most people don't have problems from it and if there is a side effect, it usually happens at the start of use.

The lack of any other investigation is a bit shabby. I would want to have an ENT do an endoscopy to look at the problem. There is the possibility that it is due to sinus problems - sinus drainage can cause throat symptoms. It may be true that it is anxiety, but passing it off as that without any other investigation is irresponsible.

I agree with Vitak regarding the Ativan. I take the lowest dose available of Xanax whenever I have anxiety issues. One thing I will tell you about the Ativan, at least for me, it does cause drowsiness. So I don't understand the doctor telling you it will help with the fatigue, cause it causes fatigue, at least for me.

Hugs
Gail*Nanners*

Ativan is very effective in relieving anxiety in the short term, but it is extremely addictive. Use it with caution !

You might want to consider seeing an Endocrinologist given your thyroid is gone rather they relying on a gyn. I'd be inclined to find another gastro. This one doesn't sound any too impressive and lets face it w/Crohn's disease you're going to be needing a good gastro for the rest of your life. Why settle for mediocre or less?