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Questioning my Crohns Disease dianosis

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 7/30/2015 6:54 AM (GMT 0)
A brief history of me... In 2006 I had a perianal abscess which was drained. Fast forward to May 2014 I was experiencing similar pain from 2006. Went to doctor and they figured out that I has fistula in ano X 2. So I was treated and had setons installed. This all happened in San Diego,CA. I moved to Honolulu HI in July 2014 and was told to follow up with a doctor when I was settled in Hawaii. So in March 2015 I went to have my setons looked at and to have a permanent solution for the fistulas. The doctor wanted to do a colonoscopy because she was suspicious of Crohns Disease. Everything was normal except I have what the doctor has said as severe inflammation of my terminal ileum. So she referred me to a GI specialist who did a second colonoscopy and an endoscopy. Everything turned out normal expect the inflammation of the terminal ileum. The only symptom that I feel like I have is being fatigued. I would sometimes have loose stool but after changing my diet to healthier products my stool is completely normal. My stomach will growl sometimes but it never seems to be abnormal. I went to a doctors appointment on July 28th 2015 and that is when I was officially diagnosed with Crohns Disease. The GI doctor wanted me to start Humira right away but I declined because I feel like I want a second opinion. I have had no issues when it comes to living a normal life. Like working or playing with my child or hanging out with friends. I just wanted to see what other people think about my symptoms. I have been in the Navy as a submariner for the last 10 years and I was planning on retiring but now I have been hit by this train. I have been told that I am submarine disqualified and that crohns disease is service disqualifying. There is still a glimmer of hope that I could stay in but it will be a long shot. Please give me your advice and if you have had a similar situation. Thanks Luke
Posted 7/30/2015 9:51 AM (GMT 0)
I'd be amazed from all that if you didn't have Crohn's, tbh. Were biopsies taken from your terminal ileum? If the biopsies showed Crohn's, then you have Crohn's. Symptoms (or lack of them) are not a reliable guide. When I was first diagnosed, I had incredibly mild symptoms and it remained that way for 4 or 5 years. Basically, like you I wondered if I even had Crohn's disease and if the docs had got it wrong. They hadn't. One day the sh!t hit the fan, and I was incredibly ill. You can see from my sig where it eventually ended up.

I would go on Humira. Don't waste time on the mild meds, such as Pentasa - they don't work for Crohn's (especially severe Crohn's) and it's to your doctor's credit he didn't offer you it. I'm sorry about being being disqualified as a submariner, but if you were planning on retiring anyway, is it that crucial to remain in it?
Posted 7/30/2015 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
Your symptoms don't sound very severe to me...

You wrote "The only symptom that I feel like I have is being fatigued. I would sometimes have loose stool but after changing my diet to healthier products my stool is completely normal."

So I'm surprised the doctor suggested Humira to you with having fairly mild symptoms unless you're having a lot of urgency and frequency? Which you didn't mention so I assume you don't?
Posted 7/31/2015 4:10 AM (GMT 0)
My story is somewhat like yours. For three or four years I kept complaining to Doctors that I had extreme fatigue that would last for a few weeks then suddenly dissappear. They did several test and found nothing. Then I started loosing weight (25 lbs in six weeks) and that got there attention. Finally had a colonoscopy and was told I had Chron's in the terminal ileum but they wanted to do an endoscopy just to make sure. This was followed by an MRI and I was told that it just confirmed what they already knew. I had Chron's. I do have mild stomach and joint pain and occasionally the fatigue comes back but for most of the time I feel fine. I know how you feel about being "disqualified" I was on flying status in the Air Force but was lucky in that I was not diagnosed until after I retired.
Good luck!
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