Worsening Crohn's Symptoms With A Cold

Hi everyone,

I hope that someone has experienced the same and can give me some advice. I've had Crohns disease for 14 years, and after briefly going back in aziothioprine last year, I have been prescribed thalidomide. It has helped my joint problems and vasculitis immensely, and my stomach problems didn't seem too bad.

But with each drug, every time I get a cold or virus (which is every 3 weeks or so), my stomach problems get out of control. For the last week, I constantly rushing to the toilet. Every 20 minutes or so, even through the night. I am exhausted. Fever also. My glands are swollen and my throat is a little sore. I was a little constipated beforehand which was unusual.

What can I do to get this under control. Everytime I get a cold I get this, but the nature of our treatment makes us more vulnerable. I have a holiday booked for next week and just feel so sp upset.

Any advice on how to stop the spasms would be greatly appreciated. Mebeverine and Buscopan not working.

All the Best and thankful for any advice.

Stephanie

I've had this exact experience and I'm not taking any immunosuppressant. I think the viral illness triggers a big immune response, and since IBD is essentially an overreacting immune system, the immune response to the virus also becomes a flare of your IBD.

The good news is that once the virus is gone, so is the flare, at least that's been true for me.

I'm sorry you are struggling!