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Confused

For the last couple of years I have had higher levels of inflammation in my body then normal. They did a number of tests on me and couldn't find anything. This year they saw that I was anemic. Because I always have had issues with constipation they gave me the option of a colonoscopy. I agreed.

The colonoscopy showed i had a polyp and several small shallow ulcers in my large intestine. They took a biopsy and told me I have crohns.

This is weird because I have never had bloody diarrhea, just constipation. However a couple of weeks before my colonoscopy i had symptoms where my stomach would hurt and i would feel better after pooping. No bloody diarrhea. This continued after my colonoscopy as I was awaiting results. Mind you this symptom was off and on almost everyday but not often enough to worry me.

They started me on mesalamine and I have been on it for about a week. Well my stomach cramp symptoms have worsened. My stomach hurts everytime after I eat and in between and I feel better after I poop or pass gas. The smell is foul and its now turned into diarrhea (no blood). So I definitely don't have a constipation issue now but I am miserable!!

Should I get a second opinion? I tried to call my doctor but only got through to the nurse who told me that this was a common side effect. Is it really?

I'm newly diagnosed, I'm scared, and I'm frustrated. What should i do??
 
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For the last couple of years I have had higher levels of inflammation in my body then normal. They did a number of tests on me and couldn't find anything. This year they saw that I was anemic. Because I always have had issues with constipation they have me the option ood a colonoscopy. I agreed.

The colonoscopy showed i had a polyp and several small shallow ulcers in my large intestine. They took a biopsy and told me I have crohns.

This is weird because I have never had bloody diarrhea, just constipation. However a couple of weeks before my colonoscopy i had symptoms where my stomach would hurt and i would feel better after pooping. No bloody diarrhea. This continued after my colonoscopy as I was awaiting results. Mind you this symptom was off and on almost everyday but not often enough to worry me.

They started me on mesalamine and I have been on it for about a week. Well my stomach cramp symptoms have worsened. My stomach hurts everyone after I eat and in between and I feel better after I poop or pass gas. The smell is foul and its now turned into diarrhea (no blood). So I definitely don't have a constipation issue now but I am miserable!!

Should I get a second opinion? I tried to call my doctor but only got through to het nurse who told me that this was a common side effect. Is it really?

I'm newly diagnosed, I'm scared, and I'm frustrated. What should i do??
I have severe Crohn's. I never had bloody stools, it was always like water. Even before my surgery it never changed. I also took the same medication. I never improved. I would definitely get a second opinion. I battled for almost 3 years being told everything was normal and just side effects. When I had to have emergency surgery that GI specialist said always always get a second opinion if you have any doubts. I'm praying for you!
 
For the last couple of years I have had higher levels of inflammation in my body then normal. They did a number of tests on me and couldn't find anything. This year they saw that I was anemic. Because I always have had issues with constipation they have me the option ood a colonoscopy. I agreed.

The colonoscopy showed i had a polyp and several small shallow ulcers in my large intestine. They took a biopsy and told me I have crohns.

This is weird because I have never had bloody diarrhea, just constipation. However a couple of weeks before my colonoscopy i had symptoms where my stomach would hurt and i would feel better after pooping. No bloody diarrhea. This continued after my colonoscopy as I was awaiting results. Mind you this symptom was off and on almost everyday but not often enough to worry me.

They started me on mesalamine and I have been on it for about a week. Well my stomach cramp symptoms have worsened. My stomach hurts everyone after I eat and in between and I feel better after I poop or pass gas. The smell is foul and its now turned into diarrhea (no blood). So I definitely don't have a constipation issue now but I am miserable!!

Should I get a second opinion? I tried to call my doctor but only got through to het nurse who told me that this was a common side effect. Is it really?

I'm newly diagnosed, I'm scared, and I'm frustrated. What should i do??
Hi mijo mesalamine is not the strongest medication to treat crohn's but it makes sense you start with it and see how it goes. Usually medication take few weeks to work, but keep your doctor informed, he may decide to switch therapy eventually.
Be sure to be followed by a good gi or ibd team.
 
this is late but thanks for replying guys. I'm doing better now. The stomach cramping and loose stools are gone. Now I'm back to constipation (although I'm improving a little bit thanks to increasing fiber in my diet).

I got a second opinion and yup still crohns. My dosage of mesalamine was increased too. Still feeling okay. No pain. Just weirded out. Is there anyone like me with constipation only and diagnosed with crohns?
 
I have severe Crohn's. I never had bloody stools, it was always like water. Even before my surgery it never changed. I also took the same medication. I never improved. I would definitely get a second opinion. I battled for almost 3 years being told everything was normal and just side effects. When I had to have emergency surgery that GI specialist said always always get a second opinion if you have any doubts. I'm praying for you!
Thank you I appreciate your prayers!
 
Hi mijo mesalamine is not the strongest medication to treat crohn's but it makes sense you start with it and see how it goes. Usually medication take few weeks to work, but keep your doctor informed, he may decide to switch therapy eventually.
Be sure to be followed by a good gi or ibd team.
Got a second opinion. Still crohns but feeling better.
 
I’ve never had diarrhea and I have crohn’s. It’s located in the small intestine, though. It is more common to have constipation with crohn’s in the small intestine. Has your entire intestine been imaged? You could have inflammation in your small intestine in addition to your colon. My first flare resulted in severe anemia and when my GI did an upper endoscopy he found ulcers and a stricture in my duodenum. At that point I had no pain either. I would definitely try to get your small intestine checked out. It’s moved around on me and there is definitely more pain when my jejunum and ileum are inflamed. Glad the mesalamine is helping.
 
thanks for replying! Sometimes I feel like the only one with atypical symptoms. I'm only a month in learning about this diagnosis. I've had the constipation and other symptoms like inflammation and iritis before being diagnosed too.

I'm going to ask about the endoscopy at my follow up. I'm going in for another colonoscopy in February to see if the mesalamine is healing my ulcers. I'm nervous but hopeful.
 
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