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Symptoms: from my CD or something else?

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Posted 5/3/2011 4:05 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,   One of the challenges I find from being newly diagnosed with CD is that when I experience different symptoms, I do not know if these are related to my CD or to something else. Let me explain. I was diagnosed about 2 months ago and have been on the following medications/supplements: Prednisone - 20mg/day for a month then tapering by 5mg/day per week. I am now half way through the last week (5mg/day). Antibiotics (Flagyl and Cipro) - for 14 days. I finished these about a week ago. Asacol - 800mg/day (actually been on this for about 5 months now as my GP prescribed it whilst waiting to see a GI) VSL3 - based on what I had read on here, I thought I would give this a try so started a week ago after finishing on my antibiotics. My CD symptoms haven't been too bad relative to many poor folks that I read about on here. On the above regime I was down to about 3 BM/day, no cramping although I don't think I was in remission because I did still have a lot of abdominal tenderness. I did find when I started the antibiotics that I developed diarrhea although that has got better (although not totally gone) after completing the course. Then, yesterday morning I woke up with a severe headache, feeling really groggy and had to rush to the bathroom. As the day went on the symptoms got worse; felt extremely cold no matter how many layers I put on (rare for me as I don't feel the cold), cough, extreme fatigue, plus I ended up rushing to the bathroom 12 times in a 24 hour period, the most ever. The same symptoms are persisting today to the point that I even took some Imodium. In may ways, the symptoms feel like I have picked up a nasty flu bug but I don't why there are all the BMs. I guess there are several possibilities: Nasty flu bug that just happens to be causing me to rush to the bathroom In some way connected with tapering off the prednisone In some way connected with finishing the antibiotics A result of starting to use the VSL3 My CD is just getting worse after finishing various medications Anyone have any thoughts or experienced anything like this? Thanks, Graham Post Edited (Canuck Guy) : 5/3/2011 10:46:51 AM (GMT-6)
Posted 5/3/2011 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
VSL3 is a potent probiotic, and some people feel worse before they notice any improvement because it is cleaning out all the bad bacteria. That could be an explanation for the increased bowel movements.

I would definitely call your doctor though if this continues because things can go down hill real quick and the best thing to do is be preventative and on top of things.

With prednisone it doesn't do anything for healing the inflammation, it is basically a mask of our symptoms so we can get some quality of life back. So as you taper offer those symptoms will return if you aren't on any other medication for keeping the inflammation under control.

Best of luck
Posted 5/3/2011 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Graham,

At this point to me it sounds like you got a bug. I would try to rest and drink lots of fluids. I know when my healthy husband gets a bug he is better in no time, but for me it takes me much longer.

If you are real concerned, then I suggest you run it by your doc.

Hugs
Gail*Nanners*
Posted 5/3/2011 4:51 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks Endeavor8. I actually started the VSL3 straight after finishing the course of two antibiotics because I thought they would have killed the bad bacteria (as well as the good).

Conicidentally, I actually have a previously arranged GP visit tomorrow (assuming I can leave the bathroom long enough to go there) so I will see what he says, although he isn't a GI and not really that up on CD. At least he might be able to advise on whether he thinks this is connceted to my CD or is something else.

Posted 5/3/2011 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Gail,

Will do. I am the same, have always been very resilient to colds/flu but I guess with my system shot through a combination of the CD and all the chemicals I have been putting in it over the past month perhaps I can't fight it off as well.

Graham
Posted 5/3/2011 4:54 PM (GMT 0)
Its a possibility that it could be the VSL3, but I don't think you would get the headache or chills with that. I still lean towards a bug, and there are some nasty ones going around. Hugs!
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