A
Ang999
Guest
Hi Everyone, I'm 41 years old and not quite diagnosed. I've just stumbled on this forum and am happy see lots of useful tips and information. Like many others who are new to this, I had hoped to find a magic pill or foods to avoid or some combination to make me feel better - I now understand that every situation is unique and you have to determine what works best for you.
So a little about me and why I'm not quite diagnosed....in March 2008, I suddenly developed pain in my upper ride side (almost under my ribs) and very frequent D. This went on for about a month before I went to the doctor (assumed it was a virus or something). Symptoms continued (D or very loose, nausea, right side pain and all over stomach pain, and load embarrassing stomach sounds).
After a series of doctor's visits, I was referred to a specialist. I saw him in July 2008 and he ordered a colonoscopy (Sept) and after the colonoscopy a small bowel follow through. I saw the specialist for the results in early October.
The specialist told me that I do not have crohn's disease, because there was inflammation and an ulcer, but there were no granulomas. He diagnosed me with inflammatory bowel disease and prescribed a 3 month course of Pentasa. I think because of my age (I think most people are diagnosed much earlier), the fact that I had only a few episodes previously (but nothing lasting this long) that he thought this might be a one time problem.
I've completed the course of Pentasa and while it started to help relieve the symptoms, I'm not better yet! I go see the specialist for a follow up next week.
So, I have two questions
1) I've read differing opinions on granulomas - does anyone know if there are always granulomas with Crohn’s.
2) What questions should I be asking the specialist or what tests should I ask him to run to confirm the diagnosis?
So a little about me and why I'm not quite diagnosed....in March 2008, I suddenly developed pain in my upper ride side (almost under my ribs) and very frequent D. This went on for about a month before I went to the doctor (assumed it was a virus or something). Symptoms continued (D or very loose, nausea, right side pain and all over stomach pain, and load embarrassing stomach sounds).
After a series of doctor's visits, I was referred to a specialist. I saw him in July 2008 and he ordered a colonoscopy (Sept) and after the colonoscopy a small bowel follow through. I saw the specialist for the results in early October.
The specialist told me that I do not have crohn's disease, because there was inflammation and an ulcer, but there were no granulomas. He diagnosed me with inflammatory bowel disease and prescribed a 3 month course of Pentasa. I think because of my age (I think most people are diagnosed much earlier), the fact that I had only a few episodes previously (but nothing lasting this long) that he thought this might be a one time problem.
I've completed the course of Pentasa and while it started to help relieve the symptoms, I'm not better yet! I go see the specialist for a follow up next week.
So, I have two questions
1) I've read differing opinions on granulomas - does anyone know if there are always granulomas with Crohn’s.
2) What questions should I be asking the specialist or what tests should I ask him to run to confirm the diagnosis?
