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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 3/5/2010 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
I was recently diagnosed with Crohn's and my doctor has started me on Pentasa and I will also be taking Entocort once my insurance approves it. My stomach pain first arrived one night after I went to sleep without eating a large dinner. After going to the doctor and having a colonoscopy done, he found that I had some ulceration and congestion in the Terminal Ileum. Throughout this entire process I have not had any increase in the frequency that I use the bathroom (I usually go 2 times a day) and have not experience any diarrhea what so ever. My question is, throughout your experience and knowledge how likely is it for someone like me to actually have Crohn's? Does anyone know anybody that doesn't experience any symptoms like me? Should I seek a second opinion?
Posted 3/5/2010 3:21 AM (GMT 0)
Laz, welcome to the club. :-/ When I was 18, I lost a ton of weight; mainly because I had stomach pain when I would try to eat. I let it go and didn't tell anybody for 2-3 months (I was a kid and scared of the Doctor haha). The ONLY symptom I had was the pain and weight-loss. After going through tons and tons of tests, they found it was Crohns. (Mine was hard to diagnose for some reason). Sure, I have had plenty of bouts with other symptoms, but those were the only two I had originally when I went to the doctor. (Maybe a small bit of blood in the stool as well as I was constipated)
Posted 3/5/2010 3:29 AM (GMT 0)
You'll find as time goes on that every case of Crohn's is different. Some people have diarrhea, whereas others have constipation more. Each of us has foods we can and can't tolerate, and it varies a bit from person to person.

Did your doctor do biopsies during the colonoscopy? They would have been sent to the lab and analyzed for crohn's activity.

Until my crohn's was really bad (before being diagnosed) the only symptom I had was pain. I didn't have constant diarrhea like some people do. I alternate from constipation to diarrhea depending on what I eat.
Posted 3/5/2010 3:49 AM (GMT 0)
A biopsy was done and I am currently awaiting the results. I've been able to eat the same foods as before and I do not experience any pain what so ever. The only time I had pain was when I did not eat dinner and woke up with cramps. When I eat normal I don't experience any pain it's only when I eat light or forget to eat at all. I figure that it could be the ulcers that I have that is causing the pain. That's why I am a little hesitant to believe my doctor's diagnose.

Can the biopsy tell if it is Crohn's 100%? I was under the impression that Crohn's can not be diagnosed 100%.
Posted 3/5/2010 4:13 AM (GMT 0)
I don't think a biopsy can be 100%, but it's probably one of the closest things to a definitive diagnosis.

I'd wait and see what the results of that say, and if you want to, then go see another GI for a second opinion. That way you have all the information for another dr to look at.
Posted 3/5/2010 9:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hello there,
You symptoms sound quite similar to my son's. He used to wake with pain in the night (I thought maybe he had a peptic ulcer) although he also got pain on eating too. He also never got diarrhea but constipation. His colonoscopy showed ulceration, inflammation and a large pseude polyp and he ws told it was Crohns, biopsies were taken and confirmed the diagnosis. I think it looks probable that you do have Crohns. I think that you have been reasonably, dare I use the word 'lucky' in that it appears you have received a fairly early diagnosis -most sufferers take years of suffering/untold damage before a diagnosis. With a diagnosis and medication so soon there is less damage to 'undo'.
Posted 3/5/2010 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
You may just have a milder case of Crohns or your disease process is just starting. But do get on the Pentasa and stay on it. It will help you avoid some future problems down the road. Good luck!
Posted 3/6/2010 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
I can totally relate.  Mine started just with gas last summer.  A colonoscopy showed a large part of the large intestine with inflammation and cobblestoning.  Yet, the ONLY symptom I have is gas if something doesn't agree with me.  I don't have an increase in stools (still tend more towards constipation), and rarely have any pain.  I too wondered if it was in fact Crohn's, but there is enough now that I know it's something, and likely that.  I have to watch what I eat very carefully, and currently am following the Specific Carb Diet, which basically is an eliminating diet for me.  If you are interested in anything other than meds, please do some research or read my blog.  I hope all goes well!
Posted 3/10/2010 9:25 PM (GMT 0)
I got my biopsy results this afternoon and according to the nurse, it seems I have Chronic Ileitis. I am aware that Ileitis is closely linked to CD but when I ask if anything on CD was mentioned in the biopsy she told me "no". I asked her if it were in fact CD would it be mentioned in the biopsy and she told me "yes". I know it's very likely that I have CD but this has given me a little hope that maybe I might have something else besides CD. Going Friday to see my GI and I have scheduled another GI for a second opinion. Wish me luck.
Posted 3/10/2010 9:35 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck and do let us know what your GI says Friday! Hugs~
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