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complexion- white as a ghost

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 1/10/2009 3:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hey all.  My daughter is the one who  is 15 adn newly dx.

She is home from the hospital and takign her oral steriods until we see the doc.  She seems to be feeling pretty well, but this morning I noticed her complexion is as white as a sheet of paper.

What causes that?  Is it a lack of nutrients?  Which ones?  Lack of iron, low hemoglobin?

Thanks,

Jennifer

 

Posted 1/10/2009 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
It could be the prednisone doing it, but... I dunno....

Prednisone usually makes me look all rosy-cheeked.... And poofy-cheeked, too...
Posted 1/10/2009 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
Paleness can be just a person's normal skin tone OR it can be a sign of other things. The first that pops into my mind is anemia. If she is losing blood somewhere then she might become pale. When was the last time they did a CBC on her to check her hemoglobin and hematocrit? Also, some people become pale when they have a chronic illnness such as Crohn's because they aren't absorbing nutrients.

Whatever might be causing her paleness [also known as pallor], because of the sudden nature of the change in skin tone. I would let her doctor know right away. At the very least they need to check and make sure she isn't severely anemic.
Posted 1/10/2009 5:55 AM (GMT 0)
My husband comments on my paleness all the time.  I think it is due to not enough time outside, because I don't think I am anemic. 

Normal for everyone will be different.  Just keep an eye on your daughter so you can notice any changes.

Heidi

Posted 1/10/2009 9:48 AM (GMT 0)
i was white as a ghost in October it turned out that i had no iron in my body, i had enough blood but no iron..
Posted 1/10/2009 10:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi I would get her blood checked for B-12 as alot of us have low B-12. As mentioned I usually get rosy checked too but now I am not on pred. I get pale when my B-12 is low. Also wanted to mention is she taking calcium and vitamin D for her bones ,I take a good multily vitamin. Those intestines don't always absorb nutrients as they should.How is she feeling any changes?lol gail
Posted 1/10/2009 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
I think she should get some bloods run. Sounds like anemia to me too.
Posted 1/10/2009 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
She has always had a pale color, but seemed to worsen in October when she was losing lots of blood with her stools. she started prednisone orally on December 23rd. Didn't seem to take. She doesn't note any blood loss at present. She was hospitalized on 1/1/09 as her symptoms didn't improve on the oral steroids.. IV prednisone/ TPNdid give her color in her face that I haven't seen in years. I was so happy. Left hospital on 1/5/09 and returned to taking oral prednisone. Weight gain is continuing. Yesterday the palor returned, though and she is EXHAUSTED. Eats like a pig and weight is stable at 84 for 3 days straight!!!!!
Will go to town adn get her some iron, calcium, b-12, spinach, and red meat!! See if that helps. Monday will call the doctor. She sees him on Thursday which is good. We will discuss her future treatment plans at that time.
Thanks for all who replied. It has been very helpful.
Jennifer
Posted 1/10/2009 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
She must be anemic. Just because she doesn't notice any blood doesn't mean there is no blood loss. She should have her hemoglobin and ferratin checked.
Posted 1/10/2009 5:53 PM (GMT 0)

Jennifer,

If it is anemia, which as others have suggested, you can't just use some drug store iron pills. Talk to the Dr. about that. Also, even when taking the proper iron supplement, it likely may not be absorbed until the inflammation is under control. It can take several months to get her iron stores back up as well. My daughter is anemic, and is always on an iron supplement. 

Posted 1/10/2009 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
YES, WE WILL DISCUSS THIS WITH THE DOCTOR. I BELIEVE THEY ARE DOING A FULL BLOOD SCREEN AT THAT TIME, SED RATE, C-REACTIVE PROTEIN TOO.

JENNIFER
Posted 1/10/2009 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
Talk to your doc before you give her iron. Iron is very hard on your stomach, most forms can cause C and some forms can cause D.
Posted 1/11/2009 2:59 AM (GMT 0)
My daughter was the same way. In the months before her diagnosis she had dark bags under her eyes and just did not look well. I thought for sure she was anemic, but her test came back normal. She is still very pale but starting to look "less sick"
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