I think I might have Crohns

Over the past 3 weeks I have had a sudden case of GERD which I have had before but hasn't happened for 2 year. This led into stomach cramping and burning when I eat. I had a catscan and they reported colitis in my ascending colon. My father had Crohn's and I'm at the same age he was when it started for him over the last year I have also had strange rashes and bouts of weakness I can't explain. I would be working in the backyard or something and all of a sudden feel very week have to sit down. My hands would shake some not that I couldn’t lift a 50lbs or something but doing small tasks like lifting a cub of water to drink took small movements this seemed to happen more when I didn't get enough sleep so I always thought more than once I knew I had enough sleep. I had a rash on my legs last year I was doing some plumbing work which I had to work sitting. Where ever my pants or shorts rubbed on my butt or legs I would breakout in Hugh rash. This has never happened to me before ever I have worked on cars and my home scraped my skin many times. The dermatologist said it was immune system response he said because of dry skin some of the spots on my lets were dry but my butt wasn't dry at all. I had a colonoscopy in 2003 for a bout of diarrhea that lasted 6 months the GI found inflammation in my ileum   he said it looked like Crohn's after the biopsy’s came back he said it wasn't maybe a infection. The radiologist noted fat deposits in my ileum and said that was from past inflammation. Yesterday the burning has gone down maybe because of the protonix and I was also given cipro for possible infection. I have an appointment with my gi Tuesday haven't seen him in 3 years. I'm sure he will want to do a colonoscopy which I hate that golite he likes to use. I'm just wondering if this is the start of Crohn's with the strange rash and weakness/shaking issue. My fathers crohns never had biopsy’s test positive for Crohns. Is it common to run in a family? What was your first symptoms? Thanks Kelly

I did a google search on Crohn's rash and I found this is probably best described it it is exactly what the rash looked like.

Necrotizing small vessel vasculitis. Vasculitis is an inflammation of blood vessels which leads to bleeding underneath the skin. It can appear as small red spots or larger bruises, usually on the legs or arms.

My hope is it is mild today I was able to have a BM seemed normal looking although I still had cramps after eating not as bad I'm still able to eat.

Post Edited (kell490) : 4/12/2009 4:05:59 PM (GMT-6)

Sorry to hear about the digestion issues Kell, that stinks. I've had Crohn's for fourteen years now (good god) and it's been a yo-yo for me. SOme of it is my docs fault, some my own. I'm on the up swing, though it's still pretty low right now. Let us know how Cipro work.

Had my Colonoscopy and EGD today they found nothing unusual he still suspects Corhn's so I guess the pill camera is next. He is going to order a blood test called IBD Serology 7. After I left the center we went and ate and now I feel pain again so what ever it is has to be in the small intestine.