I developed gut issues in my late 20's. They were annoying, but manageable, and I was told (and believed) that I had IBS. A decade later I saw a gastro in Australia due to worsening of symptoms and was told that he thought I probably had Crohns. He was unable to give me a definitive diagnosis and before we could explore it further, I relocated to England for my husband's work. I oscillated between feeling lousy and feeling great - one bad year - one good year - back to another bad year. The good years almost made the bad years worthwhile.
In my early 40's we relocated to the US - again for my husband's work - and have now been here for 12 years. My gut has been somewhat unreliable on and off during this period, and past colonoscopies have revealed ulcers in my terminal ileum...which had gone by the time a follow up colonoscopy was performed, swelling in my small intestine...which had gone by a follow up appointment, and so on. Two other gastros told me that they thought I had low level Crohns.
About 6 months ago my bowel habits began to change - constipation followed by diarrhea then back to constipation - with periods of normal bowel movements in between. I managed it all ok, but knew something was changing. Then two months ago I had what I can only describe as a profound diarrhea episode with cramping so bad that it was unbearable. I shook, sweated bullets, thought I'd pass out...till it passed after about an hour leaving me exhausted. I was scheduled for a colonoscopy - then was diagnosed with pneumonia the day before, so it was cancelled. Three weeks later - same thing. And then - once more - we relocated - this time to Boston. Three days in my new home and same thing again. I've found a PCP here and her feeling is that I've had Crohn's for years and that it's finally escalating. I have a colonoscopy scheduled again and am hoping for some definitive answers.
I guess my main question is - during a flare up, does anyone else have pain as bad as this during diarrhea? I have the normal nausea, fatigue and joint pain, and I've read people talk about pain with Crohns, but the pain during these intense bouts of diarrhea, which last for about an hour, is unlike anything I've ever experienced. Until my bowel is completely empty, the pain from the cramping is so severe that I am unable to talk or stand. I feel as though I'm about to pass out and do, in fact, sort of waft in and out.
I think I'm looking for someone to tell me "Oh hell, yeah! That happens with Crohns!" For some reason, I think I'd find this comforting.
Thanks for your support and I hope I can make a positive contribution here.
Whitby.
In my early 40's we relocated to the US - again for my husband's work - and have now been here for 12 years. My gut has been somewhat unreliable on and off during this period, and past colonoscopies have revealed ulcers in my terminal ileum...which had gone by the time a follow up colonoscopy was performed, swelling in my small intestine...which had gone by a follow up appointment, and so on. Two other gastros told me that they thought I had low level Crohns.
About 6 months ago my bowel habits began to change - constipation followed by diarrhea then back to constipation - with periods of normal bowel movements in between. I managed it all ok, but knew something was changing. Then two months ago I had what I can only describe as a profound diarrhea episode with cramping so bad that it was unbearable. I shook, sweated bullets, thought I'd pass out...till it passed after about an hour leaving me exhausted. I was scheduled for a colonoscopy - then was diagnosed with pneumonia the day before, so it was cancelled. Three weeks later - same thing. And then - once more - we relocated - this time to Boston. Three days in my new home and same thing again. I've found a PCP here and her feeling is that I've had Crohn's for years and that it's finally escalating. I have a colonoscopy scheduled again and am hoping for some definitive answers.
I guess my main question is - during a flare up, does anyone else have pain as bad as this during diarrhea? I have the normal nausea, fatigue and joint pain, and I've read people talk about pain with Crohns, but the pain during these intense bouts of diarrhea, which last for about an hour, is unlike anything I've ever experienced. Until my bowel is completely empty, the pain from the cramping is so severe that I am unable to talk or stand. I feel as though I'm about to pass out and do, in fact, sort of waft in and out.
I think I'm looking for someone to tell me "Oh hell, yeah! That happens with Crohns!" For some reason, I think I'd find this comforting.
Thanks for your support and I hope I can make a positive contribution here.
Whitby.