Hospitalization (and hi)

A long time since I've posted. Nice to see some familiar names.

I moved to a new city this year and (stupidly) did not immediately connect with a new GI. After a few weeks of D and increasing pain, I went to ER at a major university hospital after simultaneous vomiting and D and two incidents of passing out, In the past, this has indicated partial obstruction for me and/or colitis. After 11 hour wait I was admitted to general medicine floor for four days. Released with Entocort and Bentyl (which I probably won't take) and a GI follow-up in a month for further workup.

CT showed inflammation and thickening consistent with CD but no obstruction or narrowing in small bowel. CRP was normal. Good news. GI team wanted me to have a colonoscopy in-patient, but I could not tolerate the prep orally, and though we tried with NG tube (which was awful), I felt so ill I stopped the prep and said I'd do it outpatient instead.

The hospital Dx was Crohn's Colitis. They couldn't tell if there was advanced disease or not, pending further scoping. All in all it was a miserable week, and I guess I'm just writing to say hi - and to offer the cautionary tale. If you move or relocate, please locate a GI as soon as you arrive!

It's a wake-up call. I've been a little lax of late and am eager to have a new plan with the new GI. (I can hear my old GI, who I dearly loved, saying "i told you so.")

I value this forum and have recommended it to others. Thanks for being here and be well.

Agree with the previous poster. Might need something stronger to get things under control, then a good maintenance med.

You'll need something better than Pentasa or 6mp.

Pentasa isn't effective at treating Crohn's and is falling out of use for Crohn's disease.

6mp is somewhat effective, but not nearly as good as biologics.

So stopping the Pentasa was totally fine and a good idea. Stopping the 6mp? Maybe, maybe not a good idea.

Hi Huckleberry. Yes, those cautionary tales...I totally get it. I am a long term Pentasa only patient and have gone on "medication vacations". When I did, I suffered for it. I have been really good about taking my meds the last 2 years and am still living well on Pentasa only...hoping you can too.
If it helps you any...thanks for the push! I have been avoiding my GI for quite some time and sort of looking for a new one. I live well on current treatment and do not think I need as frequent a scope as he wants to do so I use my GI in case of urgent things - which he does not approve. Going to call and setup an appointment this afternoon for 1st quarter next year (in my work busy season so a day off for scope is impossible for several months).
Take Care