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Is this some sort of reverse flare-up??

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 1/22/2015 4:15 PM (GMT 0)
I was diagnosed with Crohn's and Ulceratice Colitis in October 2010. Leading up to the diagnosis and 1/5 years after, I had constant pain, diarrhea, and bloody stools. I lost a lot of weight. I went into remission around February/March 2012. While in remission I had regular and normal bowel movements. No bloody stools. I would go every morning like clockwork. The past few months I have been experiencing constipation. I have tried everything to relieve it. The only thing that helps is a stimulant laxative. I take Miralax and stool softeners on a daily basis, and they don't seem to help, at all. I drink several glasses of water everyday. I eat many fruits and vegetables every day. The constipation isn't painful, it's just unusual for me. I am very bloated, too. I have gained 10-12 pounds within the last 6 months. It is usually very hard for me to gain weight.

I'm wondering if these symptoms are indicating a reverse flare-up (if there is such a thing) or if this may be a sign of other GI issues?

Any feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Posted 1/22/2015 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
You may be having a stricture somewhere in your intestines which is causing the constipation. When I had my strictures, constipation was my major complaint, not D. I think you should call your GI
Posted 1/22/2015 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
I think you need to provide some more information. First of all, do you mean that you have Crohn's/Colitis?

Also, could you list any and all the meds that got you into remission?

As the previous poster mentioned, you could be getting a stricture somewhere from previous scarring or new inflammation. It could also be just a freak incident of episodic constipation that everyone Crohn's or not could get sometimes.

You really need to get to your GI for an exam, and have him decide if further diagnostic are in order.
Posted 1/22/2015 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
73monte: I was diagnosed with both. Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis. It could also be under the category of Inflammatory Bowl Disease.

I was taking Lialda (2 pills, twice a day) from December 2010 to January/February 2012. I also took 60-80 MG (a day) of prednisone at different times. I took other medications just to help manage symptoms (ex: something to help with the stomach spasms; medications for pain management...etc).

I started a new job in October, and I don't get put on their insurance for a few more weeks. I know I need an exam. But, unless it gets terrible between now and then, I am hoping to get some answers and ways to manage it until then.

Thanks for your responses.
Posted 1/22/2015 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
I think you should try to get in to your GI asap. It's encouraging that you were able to control your symptoms with only lialda. It's likely time that you consider some more aggressive meds. It would also be a good idea to try to avoid Prednisone completely, or at least use it only if necessary.

I think your diagnosis is likely Crohn's/Colitis. I doubt that you would be afflicted with both. If you have Crohn's in your colon, it's referred to as Crohn's/Colitis. I'm no expert on that one, but haven't heard of anyone having both UC and Crohn's.
Posted 1/23/2015 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
Most doctors use the terms UC and Crohn's as if they were interchangable. My GP is forever putting UC on sick notes for work when I need them but have to point out I have Crohn's as UC flare up would be impossible seeing as my colon was removed many years ago. May seem a minor point but confuses hell out of my manager when he knows I've told him I have Crohn's and I'm then signed off with UC and I've lost count of the number of doctors who can't spell CD, think that's why they put UC instead.

Anyway, I agree you should go back to your GI but understand you wanting to wait for your insurance to kick in. (I'm in UK so don't really fully understand how it all works but have general idea.) If I want to see my GI I would have to wait for about 3 months unless was admitted as an emergency to hospital and then once seen would have to wait another couple of months for any scans, even if they were classed as urgent.

You may also want to see gyn as (sorry if it's wrong) presuming from your user name you are female but don't know age, especially if GI says no bowel issues as constipation/bloating and weight gain can be caused by fibroids and other 'women's issues' - sorry didn't know how else to word it and also my spelling can be terrible when it comes to medical terms. I know because I have ovarian cyst which from time to time grows and presses on bowel and slows everything down and feel bloated and look it at times.
Posted 1/23/2015 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
73monte: I don't want to argue with you, but I got that diagnosis from several different doctors (I'm all about second opinions). It's called Inflammatory Bowl Disease which encompasses BOTH Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Feel free to google it or ask your Dr. about it. :-)

I am on the same page as you. I never want to be on steroids again. I've voiced that to my GI and we both agree that steroids are a firm NO. I opted out of biologics. Thank goodness I went into remisison right after that decision. I'm sure there will come a day that I will need them. But, until then, I don't want them.

I will get to my GI as soon as I get on insurance. I left a message for his nurse, so hopefully she will be calling me back today.
Posted 1/23/2015 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
Stripey: Thank you for your response! I have thought about calling the GYN also. I've never had issues besides while I was pregnant. But, something could have easily developed. I am 27.

No, the doctors aren't confusing the two. I honestly have both. :-( It was very severe in the beginning and once we got a handle on it, I slowly went into remission. I really hope this isn't the beginning of a flare. I haven't seen any blood or anything in my stool as of yet. :-\
Posted 1/23/2015 1:57 PM (GMT 0)
TBH KayBurton3, it doesn't matter what dx they gave you whether it was CD or UC they are both IBD. Main difference is UC only effects colon downwards whereas CD moves wherever it wants to. Sometimes it is very difficult to say which is which if it is only in colon and beyond.

Good luck and hope you find some answers.
Posted 1/23/2015 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
I have inflammation in my small intestine and large. There were ulcers and what not in my colon. Several doctors agreed that I have both (UC and CD). I was on the same page as you, but after seeing SEVERAL doctors (in different practices) and after reading/researching about them both online, I believe them. I've had several colonoscopy's, CT scans, and endoscopy's.

I appreciate your responses, though!
Posted 1/24/2015 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
Kay,

I certainly wasn't trying to be argumentative. I apologize if I came across that way.

If that's your diagnosis, then that's your diagnosis. Glad to hear that you prefer to avoid Prednisone. You might want to consider Remicade though.
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