New to Forum...Am I in a flare?

jeriruth

New Member

Joined : Jun 2017

Posts : 1

Posted 6/28/2017 12:46 AM (GMT 0)

Hello! For over two years, I have stumbled upon this forum and have read (many times over) your dilemmas and responses in hopes of coming to terms with my Crohn's diagnosis.

I am 50 (diagnosed at 48) with mild-to-moderate Crohn's (the consto kind) and still have so many wonderings about what and how I am feeling. My gastro dr is amazing, and he is so easy to talk with. But I have found myself seeking your "companionship

" over the past few years to understand more of what is going on with my body.

I am a VERY "type-A" personality, and this diagnosis has kicked my butt more than I realized. I think I really had major flares for a while (just pushing through my hard-headed life) until I finally ended up in the emergency room two Christmases ago.

My first question is: How do you know when you are having an authentic flare? Mine seem to be high-abdominal pain, constipation, extreme lethargy, severe mood swings, and basic "I don't give a hoot mentality." My gastro dr has me on Entocort and my colonoscopy shows no signs of scarring as of last test. Barium test confirmed Crohn's, but MRI with contrast was "normal." I'm just confused.

Second question: For an episode two weeks ago, my gastro dr called in prednisone for inflammation (I have follow-up appointment in 4 weeks). Took my last dose this morning. Had to go to dentist for a cleaning, and my BP was through-the-roof. I have always had characteristically low pressure; so, I was shocked. The dentist offered to call an ambulance. Is the prednisone possibly what caused that? It's 9:00 at night now, and I still feel weird. My husband took my BP and it was 180/100. This is not me!!!!

I'm just looking for folks to share ideas with. In these two years, I have grown to respect people with chronic health issues so much as I have (from the outside) read, learned, and grown from your strength.

Looking forward to chatting.
J

73monte

Veteran Member

Joined : Mar 2007

Posts : 2519

Posted 6/28/2017 9:40 AM (GMT 0)

Once you get more familiar with your own symptoms of this disease, you'll be able to tell readily if you're in a flare up. Since your still getting used to your symptoms, the best thing to do would get some diagnostics done. You'll need the results to form a baseline for the disease progression as well.

You should have a colonoscopy and an MRE, along with a full blood screening.

Once you get the results, it will be much easier to cater a treatment plan. The good news for you is, you're being diagnosed later in life. It's so much tougher getting this disease as a child. The meds will be all new to you, but you should respond well to the array of meds we have today.

A short course of Prednisone isn't a bad thing, but it's not a med you want to rely on. You'll need to consider a maintenance drug. An Immunosuppressant of anti-TNF may be of choice for you, but you'll need some tests done first.

As far as your BP. You did say you were going to the Dentist, which raises most of our BP's considerably. It's difficult to say you're experiencing high BP after one test. You need to monitor your BP over several days, and several times a day. Also, the home units can give inaccurate results. Still best to let your Dr. know, and have it checked out.

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