Anyone Have This?

I've noticed that my intestinal symptoms worsen dramatically when the pollen counts are high, and also when it rains. When the pollen counts are high and I go outside, even for short periods of time, I develop tremendous amounts of gas throughout my intestines. I also become slightly nauseous and develop worsening diarrhea. It is pretty much the same when it rains. The strange thing is that the problems with pollen and rain are pretty much limited to my intestines. I don't have any "normal" allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, congestion, or itchy eyes.

It is a miserable existence, because I feel like a prisoner in my own home. I'd love to go outside and help my fiancée with yard work or play basketball with our son, but it just isn't worth feeling so sick afterwards. It is a constant struggle every day to get the gas out. The only thing that really works is forcing it out with large amounts of fluids. Gas pills aren't really effective for me.

I'm still waiting on biopsy results before I start treatment. Right now it is uncertain whether I have Crohn's or UC. The doctor wasn't able to view or biopsy my Terminal Ileum because I was in so much pain during the procedure. He did, however, find some rectal inflammation, which he says was the source of the pain during the colonoscopy.

I'd be curious to hear if anyone else has problems with pollen or rain. Thanks in advance!

Brian

Hi Brian,

I see you're in Raleigh. I am, too. If you don't already have a good GI, I suggest Dr. Chris Schwarz with Raleigh Medical Group across the street from Rex Hospital. Good luck!

Every February for the past 3 years I've had a Crohn's flare. I'm hoping that maybe the Vitamin D I'm taking will prevent the next flare when Spring comes. It will be neat to find out. I know of a lot of Crohnies that flare when season changes, for whatever reason.

That's what I take, Zyrtec. Benedryl works great for me, but it completely knocks me out. This had actually made me think that I should talk to my doctor about trying out something else. Maybe it'll help switching to something new after all these years on Zyrtec.