Asymptomatic with active disease?

I know the vast, vast majority of folks here suffer horrible symptoms. Looking back I think I've had Crohns for more than 10 years and just didn't know it. 12 years ago my doc sent me to a rheumatologist because my CRP was off the chart. 7 years ago my optometrist actually asked me if I had IBD because he found significant inflammation in my eyes. I've had arthritis-type joint pain in my lower back. But I always generally felt fine. Thought I just had a sensitive stomach sometimes. I wasn't diagnosed with Crohns until two years ago when I ended up in the hospital with a raging abdominal abscess...followed by sepsis....followed by a resection...followed immediately by a fistula and another abdominal abscess. I felt blindsided, but looking back there were signs. To this day I worry that I may "feel" fine but actually am actually oblivious and headed towards another doozy. A recent colonoscopy shows inflammation and lesions at the site of the resection -- less than 2 years from surgery, and 9 months of that was spent pregnant so I feel like the recurrence was incredibly fast/aggressive. My GI says I'm on a steep trajectory. Is anyone else in a similar situation? How are you and your GI monitoring things? Trust me I count my lucky stars I've been relatively pain free thus far and my heart goes out to everyone struggling with this awful disease.

Thanks Beave. I asked him about biologics because I wanted an alternative to the imuran. As you saw in my last post, I have this horrible sinking feeling I'm going to be one of the unlucky few who gets lymphoma... But anyhow...he's suggesting that while I'm in clinical remission we start with the imuran. He said based on my progression, though, I'm very likely to need a biologic down the road, coupled with the imuran. He said the med community is about five years out from some new treatment options; hopefully they're hot on the trail of something great. Right now the meds seem awful, but admittedly this is coming from someone who hasn't yet (knock on wood) felt desperate for relief.

Hopefully I tolerate the imuran...and that it kicks in before a flare. I just hope I recognize a flare before it's a "you have a massive infection in your abdomen" situation.

Do you mind if I ask...do both of your parents have IBD? Curious since you mention your brother has UC. Also, did the imuran make you unbearably sick to your stomach, or were you one of the unlucky to have liver or other major issues?

I was dx over 10 years ago. I don't suffer from diarrhea or C or really any abdominal cramping. I had an abscess/fistula when I first got sick and since I didn't have other symptoms they didn't think I had Crohn's. Did a bunch of tests and nothing. Finally the colonoscopy showed Crohn's. Took some pred, had allergic reaction to Remicade and stopped meds. Felt fine for 7 years no meds, then a flare hit me last year. Still not in remission. My latest colonoscopy showed active disease all over the place, but the one symptom I have is bad rectal pain (no abscess). Now I am having reactions to the meds they are front me on and I'm stuck on steroids in the meantime.

Thanks foster, yup this disease is a strange one :-/