Just Diagnosed with Crohn's...

Hello out there :)  Had a colonoscopy last Tuesday, and was diagnosed with severe, deep ulcerations throughout the lower intestines.  Pic's were unbelievable to look at.  (can't believe that's inside of ME) 

I am relieved to have a diagnosis after YEARS of inflammation and what I thought were just "strange" symtoms.  It all started in 2005 with a serious case of uveitis.  Both eyes were bright red, almost lost vision, steriod injections in eye, followed by elevated eye pressure and borderline glaucoma.  BUT....had no other symptoms. 

Then, had a few cases of joint pain/swelling in knees and ankles that lasted for a few weeks.....but, no other symptoms.

Then, in 2008, I had what I call my first "flare-up".  Chronic Diarrhea, erythema nodosom on lower legs, terrible joint pain and swelling lasted for about 4-5 weeks.  It was miserable.  (had a colonoscopy - no sign of anything??)

Fast forward to June 2010, I felt that same "flare-up" was here again.  Same symptoms as before, diarrhea, leg sores, but this time....the worst mouth ulcers EVER!!  I had over 20 ulcers in the back of my throat.  I couldn't even drink water.  Lasted about 4 weeks this time.  Sed rate was high, and finally colonoscopy proved that something was going on!

So now I wait for my insurance authorization to see GI doctor.  Meanwhile, The GI who did my colonoscopy put me on Lialda, and wrote on my report," See Gastroenterologist for possible Prednisone and Remicaide. 

Any advice or thoughts from you "crohn's veterans" would be appreciated!! 

Navy, thanks for the warm welcome :)

My mouth ulcers have all healed since my last flare-up. Although I did have an upper endoscopy, there were no signs of the ulcers, but the biopsies may show otherwise. It's funny, I didn't think my mouth ulcers were related to the Crohn's....they had to explain that it can affect anywhere from "mouth to anus".

Ouch! You have had a horrible time!

I'm glad to hear that they're thinking of starting you on Remicade asap. It sounds to me as if you have a very severe case, have had severe illness, and need to get start healing as quickly as possible.

You're very welcome here.

Ivy.

Hi Teacher!  I'm sorry that you haven't felt well for so long - hope you get in to see a GI on the sooner side - school is starting soon!  This web site and reading voraciously has helped my kinda "get" this disease process.  The remaining knowledge I've recently decided that I don't really want to know.  This was one of my favorite books:  IBD:  self management:  the AGA guide to Crohn's disese and UC (S. Kane) on amazon.com.  Be well!  barb

Hello and Welcome, but so sorry you have to be here. You will find lots of information here and on the web. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions you have, we pretty much discuss anything. As you can imagine, because of the nature of the disease, no subject is off limits. There are a lot of active posters here, some new comers like yourself, and others who have had the disease for years. Please always remember while you are reading that the majority of Crohn's patients are out living their lives barely thinking about their disease. It is only a small minority of patients who are hit the hardest and looking for support to get them through the toughest times. Some of the things you will read here may be discouraging to you. But please remember that with Crohn's everything you read about is a possibility, but most things are not a probability.

Once you find the right course of treatment and get things settled down you will most likely get into remission and be able to carry on with out giving your disease too much thought except for taking your daily medication. Hopefully you will get into a long stable remission and be able to almost forget Crohn's disease.