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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 7/4/2014 2:28 PM (GMT 0)
I suspect that my 21 yr old daughter is going to end out with a Crohn's diagnosis one day. She has ongoing abdominal pain and bloating at times, and then other times she is ok. She had a normal colonoscopy in high school although they didn't do any other tests, which was really irritating, but for now she just as an IBS diagnosis.

She is currently in Costa Rica with her brother. They are on a remote peninsula on the Pacific Ocean at a National park, and she is having severe abdominal pain. She is not having D and had a normal poop yesterday. But she was up all night with pain throughout her abdomen and bloating. She says it does not hurt on the right side only, but is more diffuse throughout her abdomen. They were supposed to go hiking all day....I guess that's out. I asked her if they should go back to San Jose, which is the main city in Costa Rica so she can be near a hospital if needed. At this point she is waiting it out for a few hours. I feel so bad for both of them! But I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions? I said maybe colace, but I was afraid to recommend a laxative because I don't want to send her in the other direction. My guess is if it was food poisoning, wouldn't she be throwing up with D?? I'm Skyping with her again in a couple of hours. Any ideas are welcome!!
Posted 7/4/2014 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
I honestly would get closer to a hospital. I lived in the Caribbean for 18 months (Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Barbados) before I had CD. PR was ok for medical (I fell down the stairs and hurt my foot) but it was like an 8 hour wait to get in to a doctor. The DR was scary (I got parasites and had to get an IV with fluids and antibiotics). There were people begging outside the "rich people's hospital" that I went to, and it had people laying in the hallways instead of rooms. Barbados was far worst. I never personally needed a doctor, but a friend of ours had a sick grandpa and she had to call for an ambulance (no one has cars there hardly) and he died waiting for it because it showed up about five hours after she called.

I don't want to scare you, but I am a bit worried for your daughter. Even if it's not CD, it could be something like appendicitis or something. I would want to have it checked out. I am sorry if this just terrified you. I didn't mean for it to. I just wanted to realistically share what it was like for me on the islands, especially since all of those were not in the city (except the DR, where I was in the capital).

I will be praying for your daughter.
Posted 7/4/2014 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks,
I think the medical care in San Jose is ok. But that is many hours away from where they are. If she's not better when I talk to her next, I will encourage them to head back. I feel so bad. She was in Costa Rica for the past 7 weeks for a college program, and this week was supposed to be a special time for her and her 25 yr old brother. Staying there is stupid though if they aren't going to have any fun. Do you think it could be appendicitis without right sided pain and a fever? She is describing a hard bloated abdomen with pain all over.
Posted 7/4/2014 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
It sounds like constipation to me. That's certainly how I get when I really backed up. And as I learned in the hospital two weeks ago, you can be going to the bathroom regularly and still be very constipated.

If it was food poisoning, she would almost definitely be purging the bad stuff, by vomiting or D.

I would suggest a stool softener or trying to find some foods that will help like prunes. Of course, if the pain is really bad, it's always best to act with caution, especially in a foreign country.

I hope this is just a short blip for her gumby.
Posted 7/4/2014 5:08 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks....she just tried Phillips Milk of Magnesia. They are both big soccer fans so they are just hanging out watching the Germany game. I feel so bad though. This was the day they planned to hike the national park. She comes home on Sunday. Oh well, as long as she doesn't get into an emergency situation, then they we'll just move on. I do worry about her. She has crazy allergies, get swollen eyelids and lips and had GI issues....takes after her 'ol mom....I hope not too much!!!
Posted 7/4/2014 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know personally about the water situation in Costa Rica, but it can be an issue in some of those areas. I know in some places you can't get the tap in your mouth--period. That or food contamination would be my first concern.

My daughter's biology colleagues would go there every year and I think it was one of the safer places to travel.

Post Edited (JaSanne) : 7/5/2014 7:09:34 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/4/2014 7:19 PM (GMT 0)

vitaka said...
It sounds like constipation to me. That's certainly how I get when I really backed up. And as I learned in the hospital two weeks ago, you can be going to the bathroom regularly and still be very constipated.

yup me too. i suggest she stay away from fresh fruits and veggies for a while. especially stuff like celery, lettuce, and peppers/onions. she might also want to avoid milk and cheese.

those foods typically have the sort of gassy impact on my guts that can lead to pain.
Posted 7/4/2014 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks you guys. She doesn't seem to be getting worse, so I think they are staying with their plan of not going back to San Jose until tomorrow. I feel bad for both of them!
Posted 7/4/2014 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
Maybe she's just got some ovulation pain. Who knows?
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