Fatigue and flu-like achiness, Crohn’s flare?

I think I have officially gone crazy. I just don't understand. My body is killing me. Every muscle in my body hurts, my back is killing me, my legs are so sore and weak. My joints ache terribly. Plus, fatigue and flu-like achiness.

My GI ordered a bunch of blood work. CBC, sed rate, and ANA normal.

As much as I am glad that my blood work is normal, then what the heck is going on??!! I've never felt this bad before. Even more confusing, my bowels are the best they've been in a long time. about 2 weeks ago, I cut out all sugar and white from my diet, and am doing great bowel-wise.

My GI said it could be a Crohn's flare affecting my body. Or, am I just losing my mind? I am so frustrated right now...... I've been out of work for a week because I feel so awful.

Thanks for letting me vent. I just don't know what else to do....... I'm so frustrated and sad.

I think a lot of people suffer through this with Crohn's disease... I have the same problem, most effecting my joints...

Do you take prednisone? Prednisone could be causing the achiness...

Also, there's always the possibility you have fibromyalgia...

Yes I would have to agree I think it is the crohns flare with extra-intestinal effects...

Just wandering if it could have something to do with your pred. taper. Hope you find something out soon. lol gail

Vicky, thank you so much for the reply. Sometimes just knowing you're not alone makes you feel better.

Gail, I've only tapered 2mg's in two months. (1mg/month.) My GI said it might be making things slightly worse, so I have to go back to 12mg's tomorrow. Thank you for the excellent suggestion. I just didn't feel like 2mg's in 2 months would cause this, but as we all know, anything goes with CD!
Blessings, Julie

MMMNAVY, no I never have. I wonder if that would be helpful? I guess it surely couldn't hurt. Thank you for the suggestion! Blessings, Julie

GOD BLESS MY RHEMY and Warm moist heat! I know I'm not suppose to type in all caps but I could not make it through a single day without him. I also have fibromyalgia! Taking a warm bath and stretching helps and you may want to consider taking some glucosamine supplements for the joints. Takes about a month to kick in. As always check with your doctor first! ((Hugs))

It is possible to have your crohn's manifest itself through other parts of your body, even though you may not be showing active disease intestinally. When I stopped remicade in March, I gradually started having joint pain and muscle ache that has become severe at times. I also started having bowel problems, but every scope, scan, and test showed no active disease or very little inflammation. My hands and joints began to swell and even my sciatica nerve became impinged due to arthritis and spinal stenosis. My G.I. and Primary Care both have come to the conclusion that I was on such a high dose of Remicade and other medications for so long, that all of this inflammation of the joints was being suppressed and is now starting to manifest itself. You mentioned that you are trying to go on a diet only strategy. While following a diet is a smart thing to do with this disease, I honestly feel that it takes a combination of diet, medication, and exercise to get this disease under control. It seems like a lot people on this board are able to obtain success for while with diet alone, but it eventually comes back and they either end up in surgery, the hospital, or worse shape than they were before. This is definitely not a knock on those trying this approach, but more of a call to maybe take a second look at this tactic. Diet alone is obviously not working for you, so why not try a different approach and see if adding a medication WITH your diet approach might help things.
One of the things that has helped me as a temporary solution was going on pregnisone for a while. I hate this medication and the side effects that come with it, but I found that the joint pain was able to subside some and it helped show my doctors that this was being caused by the disease. Later today, I am now set up to try cimzia. I have tried and failed just about every medication out there. Remicade was an incredible medication for me, but I developed antibodies. I tried the diet approach and it did show me some benefits in which I intend to use in addition to cimzia, but I have come to the conclusion that one bullet is not going to take this beast down.
Don't give up and keep a good attitude. Do you have health insurance? If you do not but are a student, most universities offer medical services or benefits as part of your tuition.

Thanks to all of you who have replied. I appreciate it so much!

tsitodawg, I have been on many meds, and still take them. I only added a different diet approach to see if it helps. The list of meds I am on is in my signature line. My Remicade dose was also decreased 6 weeks ago because my GI thought I might be developing Remicade antibodies, which I haven't. Maybe the decrease in Remi also is reaking havoc??

survivor49, I had the ANA test which came back negative. Thank you for the suggestion, though!

I never thought of Fibromyalgia......

Blessings, Julie

Yes, maybe it's also the decrease in the Remicade. It's always a puzzle, isn't it??!!