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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 8/27/2010 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

I am new to this forum but I am not new to HealingWell. I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis about 10 years ago and after having a colonoscopy today, I have now been diagnosed with Chron's Disease. My doctor said that we will talk about everything in detail when I have my follow up appointment next week. I am a little confused by the whole thing like did I really never have Ulcerative Colitis and it was Chron's disease? Did my colitis turn into Chron's disease? How will the new medications affect my ability to have another child? It's just scary to have to learn about a whole other disease after living with a different one for ten years. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

Posted 8/27/2010 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry about the "upgrade" in diagnosis, although try not to be scared by it. It won't necessarily change things much, especially if your disease is still confined to the colon only (Crohn's colitis). If it's spread to the terminal ileum, that has more implications for future treatment. Probably the most important one is that removing the colon is no longer a surgical cure. If the TI becomes narrowed, a resection (cutting out the narrowed part and rejoining the two ends) may one day be on the cards. However, Crohn's can be mild, moderate or severe, just like UC, and surgery is far from a certainty. Even if you have to have it, it often leads to a remission which lasts for years and most folks don't regret getting it done.

It's not possible for UC to turn into Crohn's or vice versa. However, it is possible for doctors to not be certain whether the patient has UC or Crohn's, or else to think they have UC whereas in reality it was Crohn's all along. It's not really doctors' fault. Even today, with all the endoscopic and visualising tools to hand, Crohn's is still often a hard and elusive disease to diagnose. It can come on very suddenly in some people, but take years to fully manifest in others. It also tends, by nature, to be a progressive disease; that is, over time it will spread. If it starts off in the colon, it can spread to the small bowel.

The medications shouldn't affect your ability to have another child; there isn't much that you can take for Crohn's that you can't also take for UC anyway. 6MP/Imuran used to be contra-indicated for pregnancy, but that isn't the case anymore; think it was basically decided that uncontrolled Crohn's is more risky to the pregnant mother's health than being on 6MP. Though if you are thinking of having a child, you should definitely discuss it with your doctor.

Best of luck... :-/
Posted 8/27/2010 2:05 PM (GMT 0)
and the good news is, your risk of colon cancer just went down by a whole lot. I'm sorry you've been in a flare and I hope it resolves soon.
Posted 8/27/2010 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for the responses! I have been doing some research and am not as terrified by this now.
Posted 8/27/2010 3:17 PM (GMT 0)
Maureen,
Things will get better! Because I do not want any one to give you a hard time about it, it is spelled crohn's, not chron's. Sorry my inner teacher comes out sometimes. I hope you take that in the loving manner it was given. I am somewhat concerned they never bothered to give you a pill camera yet. I think it is a good idea to have a baseline evaluation of your small intestine, to know if your disease is there.
I see you also have thyriod issues, it is very interesting how thyriod and IBD mix?
Good Luck and Take it easy,
Navy
Posted 8/27/2010 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
Haha no, Navy, I am not offended. My husband would tell you that I am exactly the same way. I am always correcting his spelling/grammar/etc. I will update my signature ASAP!
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