Blood Test

Hi, I'm a 24 year old male who has been battling frequent nausea (sometimes vomiting), abdominal cramps, and constipation for the last two years. After seeing numerous specialists (neurologist, ENT specialist, allergist, gastroenterologist) and undergoing many tests the only thing they came up with as I have achalasia (although I have no trouble swallowing) and SIBO (to which I've been on antibiotics for with minimal improvements). Also, when they did the first endoscopy on me a year and a half ago they found two peptic ulcers which healed after being put on Prilosec.

I just got a call from my stomach doctor yesterday saying that my blood test showed anemia and a predisposition to IBD (specifically Crohn's). I'm calling back Monday to set up a colonoscopy and a capsule endoscopy. My question is could I possibly have Crohn's disease without the symptoms of diarrhea, fever, decreased appetite, or weight loss? My only symptoms are nausea, abdominal cramps, and constipation. I'm very confused and I'd appreciate any feedback as this whole thing has been a long, frustrating, and emotionally exhausting process.

Short answer- yes you can. Long answer- Diarrhoea occurs more with large bowel or ileum (end of small intestine) disease, since the large bowel is responsible for absorbing water from the stool. Inflamed large bowel = less water absorbed = runny stool (and large amounts of it!). Nausea, cramps and constipation (and the ulcers, and SIBO) sound like small bowel disease, possibly even narrowing or stricture. Bearing that in mind, the capsule endoscopy is a good test because it can check all of your small intestines. But I would ask for a dummy pill or small bowel follow through first, as if you do have narrowing the capsule could get stuck.

Just for the record, I have small intestinal disease, my primary symptom is abdominal pain, and also nausea. I only have diarrhoea when I have eaten something that disagrees with me!

Thanks for your response. It seems I obviously have a lot to learn. Just a couple quick questions because you mentioned the possibility of the capsule getting stuck during the capsule endoscopy. How big is this capsule? Is it different then a normal sized capsule? I've never had any problems with a pill getting stuck before.

http://www.crohnsforum.com/wiki/Capsule-endoscopy

Picture of the pillcam, and some more information. Normal pills, you swallow and then they get dissolved in your stomach. This one is designed to go all the way through your system and pass out the other end. But you could have a narrow part, or a pocket formed somewhere in your intestines that the pillcam could get caught in. If that happens, the usual way of getting it out is to operate.

You might want to check out some of the other wiki pages too, we have lots of useful information in there!

Hi sarcasm
and welcome

Rebecca's answered just like I was going to! I have it in the terminal ileum too. I don't have a lot of diarrhea neither, unless I've eaten something I shouldn't have! It's this misnomer that Crohn's is just about diarrhea that Crohnies like us get frustrated about! Crohn's is inflammation. Vomiting is a sure sign that something's wrong too. I had a high fever a year ago, but I was blocked with an infection.
Good luck with your scope, hopefully you'll get an answer. I got my dx after a scope.
lotsa luv
Joan xxx

I am the same as Astra and Rebecca. I have my Crohn's on the terminal ileum and I also had narrowing and strictures. Prior to diagnosis (which came after a colonoscopy), my symptoms were intense abdominal pain, bloating, and nausea followed by fevers, chills, and loss of appetite right before I went into the hospital for an abscess I didn't know about.

Thanks for all your replies and clearing some of the confusion up that I had about Crohns. It would be nice just to get a diagnosis so I know what I'm dealing with.

You are the tipical crohnie Sarcasm.
Welcome.

I think those before me answered our main questions...
so just let me say...WELCOME to the Forum!! :ysmile: