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Should I ask for tests for Crohn's?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 9/22/2009 5:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there

At the age of 17 I was diagnosed with IBS. At the time I had frequent diahorrea. I have been suffering from diahorrea (at least 3 times a day, sometimes more) for about 6 or so years. I wipe until I cannot wipe anymore sometimes and this makes my butt-hole (sorry) very sore and tender, now over the last 2 years little lumps have grown around my butt-hole making it even harder to 'clean'.

Anyway, on top of this discomfort (and sometimes I have to really RUN to get to the bathroom and I have had a few accidents over the years! :-( ) I get on occasions such a sharp pain in my left side that lasts for days, it feels at first like gas pain (which i get a lot of, gas that is) but passing gas doesnt help and sometimes it hurts so much to even lift my leg up to get into the car or into bed. I hunch over like an old woman *i am 34* . I often dont want to go out with friends as I like to stay close to the bathroom. I have little to no appetite but i have not lost weight. I am not over or underweight. I feel constantly exhausted and weepy. I used to have lots of energy but I feel very tired all the time now. I do excercise and am fairly active, but it is a struggle sometimes.

I also get very violent grumbly belly at night and often feel extreme pain straight after eating and a strong deisre to go go to the bathroom. I barely drink alcohol as I know this upsets my tummy, I drink lactose free milk and try to eat healthily.

Does anyone else have these symptoms? Is it worth just mentioning them all to the Drs and seeing what he says or should I say, Look I think this is .....??
Thanks (i've never used a public post before, so please be gentle with me)
Skip
Posted 9/22/2009 5:28 AM (GMT 0)
IBS sounds like what you are talking about. You could have food allergies (the pain right after eating) or possibly Addison's disease (adrenal insufficiency). The doctors don't seem to believe in food allergies - or at least they don't seem to do any useful tests for them. You can check for them yourself by eliminating the common allergens from your diet for a trial period (a few days would be best). The most common problem foods are milk, wheat, corn, soy, nightshades (potato, green pepper, egg plant, tomato), and a host of other possibilities. You might be better off to try something like the SCD (Specific Carbohydrate Diet) because it starts from a fairly safe list of foods and adds a few at a time. This allows you to observe any reactions to foods as they are introduced.
Posted 9/22/2009 5:39 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your prompt reply. So it doesnt sound like Crohn's? More of an allergy? I will certainly look into what I am eating - I do eat a lot of veggies and such, so I think I'll do some research into the SCD you suggest. Thanks so much again, Skip
Posted 9/22/2009 10:08 AM (GMT 0)
My crohn's symptoms are very similar. It may help to ask for a colonoscopy to check around in there.
Posted 9/22/2009 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with chrisnseph1022. I think it might be a good idea to get some tests run to rule out anyother problems. It could just be IBS but it could be something else. Good luck!
Posted 9/22/2009 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
I would suggest seeing a GI doc for your symptoms.  A lot of them sound like my daughter's complaints and she was diagnosed with Crohn's last year after endoscopy/colonoscopy.  Do you ever get unexplained fevers/chills?  When my daughter started to have these, along with being fatigued and looking sooooo pale, I knew I was dealing with more than just belly aches/pains/diarrhea (which we thought was an ongoing stomach virus...) She had no energy, didn't want to play with her friends, didn't want to eat much, etc.

What you're experiencing may be Crohn's, but no one here can really tell you that.  I hope you see a doc and that you are feeling better soon!

Oh...and here's a test I just read about for Crohn's:  PROMETHEUS® IBD Serology 7 is a test to help your physician determine if you have Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), and if so, which type: ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. Test results may provide your physician with prognostic and other useful information, and help determine the best course of treatment.

 

Posted 9/22/2009 7:07 PM (GMT 0)
The name of the test you need to ask for is the Prometheus Test. Make sure your insurance covers it its really expensive.
Posted 9/22/2009 7:38 PM (GMT 0)
If you have not had a colonoscopy, you should definitely have one, with biopsies. If you are under the care of a primary care doctor, you should ask for a referral to a gastroenterologist, preferably one who treats a lot of Crohns and ulcerative colitis cases. Right now you are really not treating these ongoing symptoms or seeking a better diagnosis, and every day that passes could be resulting in  further internal damage from the inflammatory process. I would say that you are 50-50 either Crohns or IBS, but the anal bumps sound a bit like skin tags, which would tilt the diagnosis more to Crohns. The bottom line is to stop just enduring in frustration and find out for sure what it is and what can be done about it.

Posted 9/22/2009 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much guys. I have an appt in NOvember to see my GP for a pap smear and I think I will mention all of your suggestions. Its nice to be in an environment where people CARE! :-)
Posted 9/23/2009 8:05 AM (GMT 0)
I have some of the same symptoms you've described, minus the anal/rectal thing. For me it comes and goes. So far I've seen 2 GIs and have had almost every test except the pill cam. Both believe IBS but one thought mild crohn's could be possible. This Nov. I'm scheduled to see a new GI who specializes in IBS and IBD in the hopes of having the pill cam and getting to the bottom of this once and forall. I strongly advise finding a GI and let them run a few tests. If it is crohn's they may have meds they can give you to help control it. If it's IBS you'll at least have the peace of mind that it's not crohn's.
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