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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 12/3/2007 4:57 PM (GMT 0)
I have been officially diagnosed with CD since June 05, with no hospitalizations or surgery yet.  However, over the past couple of weeks I have been feeling worst.  My remicade treatment was delayed about 3-4 weeks due to resources at the hospital and I received my treatment almost 2 weeks ago. Prior to the treatment i was in a flare and it has continued to get worst over the past couple of weeks.  My doctor has increased the Prednisone to 30mg but as of today no appetitie, severe nauseau - some vomiting (nothing to vomit) abdominal pain, fever and just feeling ill.  The doctor suggested that if I was not feeling better to go to the ER, so not sure if it is time?  I can take a very high level of pain and discomfort, so just not sure.
Posted 12/3/2007 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
There are a few questions I consider when deciding to go to the ER. Are you having bowel sounds? How high a fever? Are you afraid of dehydration? Is the pain tolerable or not? Do you think you need to be admitted to the hospital? I also have a pretty high tolerance for pain and have periodic blockages that I ride out at home. I base my decision on the above questions. If things go on too long and I think I need medical support I go, if things are clearing I try to wait it out. But, I've been at this for a lot longer. A good rule of thumb, if you are wondering if you should go, then you probably should go.

Its better to go and be sent home than to risk something bad happening because you didn't go soon enough. Take care and let us know how you are.
Posted 12/3/2007 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you!

I should be safe than sorry. But yes I am having bowel sounds and dehydration is possible (since i have only been able to tolerate a little sprite and ginger ale).
Posted 12/3/2007 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
Please tell me, is it positive to have bowel sounds or is it negative?
I often have obstructions, and the first things that happens is the bowel sounds. Then comes the cramps and colics. After I've started to vomit, the bowel sounds are gone. I often continue to vomit from let's say 11:00 pm untill 7:00 am. During those hours I have severe cramps and pain, I vomit even there's nothing to vomit. And the whole abdominal area id impossible to touch. It's extreme tender and hard. I wish someone could tell me what to do. This frightens me. I also have fever and shivers and feels like I am freezing.
Someone?
With all the best from Ingrid
Posted 12/3/2007 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
If you have no bowel sounds your bowels are not moving, blockage. Thats bad! If there are sounds then things are moving. It could still be a partial blockage, but things are getting through. If you are vomiting, usually it is because things can't go through the other way, and eventually if it doesn't clear, you will start to vomit feces. Not a pleasant thing by any means.

If you are having these episodes frequently you are not in remission, something is going on and you should be talking to your doctor about this. I can not stress this enough - anything that is unusual should be brought to your doctors attention or you should proceed to the emergency room immediately. Many of us have been dealing with these issues for years and know what the warning signs are, we have spoken at length with our doctors about what to do and how to proceed, but newly diagnosed patients should not take things lightly. Complications can be serious.
Posted 12/3/2007 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
Actually the first sign of a bowel obstruction are greatly increased bowel sounds. As the obstruction progresses, the bowel sounds will become absent. If excessive vomiting or dehydration is combined with a fever, keep that in mind...don't wait too long to "tough it out" if it gets really bad!
Posted 12/4/2007 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
Zanne and Sarita, thanx a lot. Yes, it's now three months since the last obstruction or partial obstruction. But before that it could be 2-3-4 weeks between every time. I have earlier asked my GI. I think I am his only Crohns pasient, he told me that I probably know more about the disease than him. I live in a small place with a small hospital. He looks like he just left the university, so you see I don't get so much informations that I really need. I live in a little island, that means, that if I get so sick I need to go to ER, I have to be transported in a helicopter.
So I think I also need to inform my local doctor so he knows what this is about.

Your information helped me a lot, thanks again :-) From Ingrid
Posted 12/4/2007 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
Skjura, I know what you're feeling. I had the same symptoms that you described, In August, October and most recently 2 weeks ago (for which I was hospitalized for 4 days). The only reason why I didn't go to the ER in October was because I didn't end up vomiting. But yeah...I know what you're feeling. It seems like every other month I have the same symptoms.
Posted 12/12/2007 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all again for your advice because it was time....  I ended up in the ER and having a 4-day hospital stay.  In addition to my flare I had a severe case of Gastritis and bacteria infection.  So it is better to be safe than sorry.
Posted 12/12/2007 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, glad you went to the ER, things could have been ugly. Do you know if the Gastritis and infection are related at all to the CD?

Hope you're feeling better now.
Posted 12/12/2007 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, I am feeling better but still not fully recovered - I was really sick. In the hospital the doctor indicated that it was not related to the CD, but I get the results from the biopsy tomorrow from my GI, so we will see.
Posted 12/12/2007 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad you are home and that you are on the way to feeling better. When in doubt, follow your instincts, they usually are right. It is always better to be sent home, then to wait too long and get really sick!
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