Newly Diagnosed but Asymptomatic

hey guys. I'm a 23 year old male and was just recently diagnosed with Crohn's. I am almost entirely asymptomatic (no diahhrea, blood in stool, stomach pains, etc)) but my Prometheus blood panel came back positive, and on my colonoscopy it showed that I had one or two areas of stricture already. From what the GI doctor said - is that most often Crohn's patients don't see stricture at this early of an age, and that since I already am stricturing I should look to be treated with more powerful drugs such as Remicade and Humira.

From my research it had seemed that most people were put on much weaker drugs at early stages in the disease, and that Remicade and Humira were mainly for patients who had much more severe symptoms and as one Crohn's patient told me (it's the last line of defense). I'll be going to get a second opinion from Mayo Clinic in the coming months but I was really looking for some input on other people who may have had the same situation. I know that Remicade and Humira are very successful at stopping any further inflammation but I have heard a lot of horror stories about side effects, as well as long term use. I was also told that my body will create antibodies to these meds so I won't be able to stay on them for the rest of my life.

I was just about to get much more serious in my carreer and was on the brink of starting a family. I hope that this isn't a death sentence to those aspirations. Any input and information is appreciated.

-Vince

Thank you for the reply! And by "asymptomatic" I personally feel great! I eat my normal diet, haven't had diarrhea for as long as I can remember, and have NEVER had blood in my stool. No stomach pain, bloating, cramps, etc. Very active 23yr old. I had an intestinal blockage after eating a TON of very fibrous food throughout the day, which triggered all of the testing for Crohn's "fortunately".

And people talk about Remicade putting you "into remission" but even my GI doctor couldn't really tell if I was in remission or not? Everyone else typically HAS symptoms before going on meds, and if the symptoms subside - they are considered in remission. Me on the other hand - don't have any symptoms but there was an area of stricture in my ileum. So it's just very confusing for me.

Also - what am I going to do after my body builds up an immunity to Remicade?

The definition of remission these days is not based on symptoms, it is the absence of microscopic disease from the biopsies. I was maintained on Pentasa for many years with my usual IBS symptoms, but nothing worse, but my stricture was gradually getting worse and I ended out with a bowel obstruction and needing re-section surgery. So I never went on biologics, but I'm also an old lady (57). The thinking is that the younger you are, the more time you have to live with the disease which slowly can cause damage. I think in your case, I would go for the biologics....it may help prevent advancement of the disease and possibly help you to avoid surgery or multiple surgeries.

Vince,
I was diagnosed at the age of 29, I'm now 54. I was mostly symptom free for all those years without meds. I'm having a small section of my intestine removed tomorrow because of a stricture. Everyone is different, personally I chose to eliminate sugar, gluten, and processed foods from my diet and will only take biologics as a last resort. I wish you luck, listen to your gut and good doctors you trust!

Hi Vgravdoni,

I know it's been 2 years now, but since your situation sounds very similar to what I'm going through now, I was wondering if you're still monitoring this forum...and how has your health been in the recent years?

I'm asymptomatic as well, and recently diagnosed with some scar tissue and inflammation in terminal ileum seen on MRI...also struggling with deciding on treatment options.