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D

Doglover

Hello, all!

I am new to the forum. I was diagnosed with mild Crohn's in May 2009 and had my gallbladder removed soon after. I was diagnosed with IBS years earlier, but my current GI believes that was a misdiagnosis. I would say that the most bothersome symptom I have (besides the obvious) is that I have recurrent swelling of the left side of my face which seems to coincide with increased fatigue. Mostly, I feel fortunate that my Crohn's is mild, at least for now. I haven't had any surgeries as result, except for the gallbladder. I'm curious to know if others have experienced one-sided facial swelling.

Thanks!
Doglover
 
seaofdreams

seaofdreams

Welcome to the forum :D
That's a very interesting symptom, I've never heard of it myself. What medications are you on? Some medications have swelling as a side effect.
 
D Bergy

D Bergy

Welcome to the forum.

My wife had her Gallbladder removed years ago. She has done well without it.

The swelling is not a typical Crohn's symptom, and there could be many reasons for it. One I do know of is it is one symptom of Sjogren's Syndrome. Fatigue is common to both diseases. Check out the symptoms and see if it applies.

Like Crohn's, it can be difficult to diagnose. As I said there could be any number of other reasons also. I just happen to remember this symptom from someone who has the disease. Since it is also categorized as an autoimmune disease, it should be mentioned to a health care professional for consideration.

http://www.orthop.washington.edu/uw...76/ItemID__55/PageID__4/Articles/Default.aspx

Enjoy the forum and keep us updated.

Dan
 
Zalanicht

Zalanicht

Hey and welcome! I would have to go with seaofdreams saying the swelling might be a side effect of a medication that you might be on.
 
D

Doglover

Thanks for the replies. I am currently taking 625mg of Welchol, 3x/day. According to my doctor, Welchol was intended to be used as a cholesterol medication. Unfortunately, it had the side effect of constipation, which isn't so unattractive to some people;-) My Crohn's was diagnosed via colonoscopy (the pediatric scope wouldn't fit through my ICV), but I will look into Sjogren's Syndrome. The swelling is probably only noticeable to people who are close to me, like my husband, but it's definitely swollen. I originally thought it could be medication related, but it has persevered through more than one med.

Thanks again,
Tina
 
DustyKat

DustyKat

Super Moderator
Hi Tina and :welcome:

Good to see you here. I can't answer your question about the swelling but you have certainly found the right place for support and information so I hope you stick around. Welcome aboard!

Take care, :)
Dusty
 
Dexky

Dexky

To save time...Ask Dusty!
Location
Kentucky
Welcome Tina!! Is there any numbness associated with the swelling? Sorry I can't help!!
I guess it's like Dan says, there could be any number of possibilities. Good luck!!
 
reidyjo81

reidyjo81

Hey and Welcome.

Doesn't sound nice for you ! I am afraid I have never suffered with this or heard of it. I am sure someone on here will know.

Wishing you well xx
 
Astra

Astra

Moderator
Hi Tina
and welcome

Sorry, I've not heard of this syndrome or the symptoms associated with it.
hope you find answers soon and stick with us for support
lotsa luv
Joan xxx
 
girlygirl

girlygirl

Hello

Hello Tina,:bigwave:
And welcome! I'm a newbie.. but i had an abscessed tooth a few months back, which preceeded my Crohns diagnosis, and resulted in facial swelling. Have you had any problems with your teeth possibly? I know it's probably a long shot off.. but I had an abscessed tooth which had a previous root canal, and it apparently affected the tooth in front of it. Mind u i was in severe pain once my face swole large on the side..
Anyways, i hope u find some answers! And glad to see u here! This place is wonderful! :)

on another note, when I first met with my colo-rectal specialist/surgeon.. he let me know that i had an enlarged right thyroid. I had never noticed it until he said something.

Keep us posted! And Best Wishes! :smile:
 
D

Doglover

You may be on to something with the abscessed tooth! I was told a few months back that a tooth that I had a previous root canal for needed to be done again because the infection was not completely cleared out. I didn't think the swelling was from that because there is no pain involved. However, I'm rethinking that. I think I'll schedule that root canal. Probably not a good idea to have a lengthy infection with an autoimmune disease, huh?

Thanks for the insight!
 
D

Doglover

Thanks to everyone for the posts! I feel very welcome. I definitely feel it's important to have a connection with others who understand what you are going through. My husband has been great, but sometimes I feel like I probably sound like I'm whining to him when I'm not feeling well.
Regards,
Tina
 
girlygirl

girlygirl

Hi Tina,
Yes I would for sure see your dentist pronto. Even if he doesn't need to do the canal just yet he can take current xrays a see if there is more inflamation present. He'll prob need to get you on antibiotics if the infection is spreading. I am not saying this to scare you. I've just been there before and its not pleasant. They will see you soon I'm sure because if the infection spreads it can be very serious.
You know I couldn't believe that I had the one tooth done years back with a crown with just a small abscess under it, as my dentist showed me. The tooth in front was sensitive. They went in to do a partial canal on that one and that's when the ifection spread worse. I do not wish that on anyone! When it was in my jaw bone there were no pain killers that would aleviate the pain.
I am only finding out recently that teeth problems could be related to crohns. Wow! I just broke a tooth in half last wk I think. I'm sure that crohns does have an effect on my teeth at least. I just never knew I had CD before last month.
I wish u the best of luck and hope u receive good news!
Sincerely,
 
D

Doglover

girlygirl said:
Hi Tina,
Yes I would for sure see your dentist pronto. Even if he doesn't need to do the canal just yet he can take current xrays a see if there is more inflamation present. He'll prob need to get you on antibiotics if the infection is spreading. I am not saying this to scare you. I've just been there before and its not pleasant. They will see you soon I'm sure because if the infection spreads it can be very serious.
You know I couldn't believe that I had the one tooth done years back with a crown with just a small abscess under it, as my dentist showed me. The tooth in front was sensitive. They went in to do a partial canal on that one and that's when the ifection spread worse. I do not wish that on anyone! When it was in my jaw bone there were no pain killers that would aleviate the pain.
I am only finding out recently that teeth problems could be related to crohns. Wow! I just broke a tooth in half last wk I think. I'm sure that crohns does have an effect on my teeth at least. I just never knew I had CD before last month.
I wish u the best of luck and hope u receive good news!
Sincerely,
Click to expand...
Interesting. My teeth have been cracking left and right. Thanks for getting me to spring to action!
Doglover
 
D

Doglover

Dexky said:
Welcome Tina!! Is there any numbness associated with the swelling? Sorry I can't help!!
I guess it's like Dan says, there could be any number of possibilities. Good luck!!
Click to expand...
There is no numbness, no pain, just swelling. If you're familiar with the term "moonface" (which I don't happen to like), it looks like I have 1/2 of a moonface. Either way, it's not a good look for me;-)

Thanks!
Doglover
 
AshleyElaine87

AshleyElaine87

I was wondering about your gallbladder surgery...I went to the hospital last night with sever pain, and they think it's my gallbladder. I guess my question is; did the surgery help?
 
Lucy

Lucy

Welcome Tina,
I haven't had any swelling of the face, but I do have swelling of the hands and they can be very painful at times. I hope you find out soon. Hope to see you around the forum for a long time.
 
D

Doglover

AshleyElaine87 said:
I was wondering about your gallbladder surgery...I went to the hospital last night with sever pain, and they think it's my gallbladder. I guess my question is; did the surgery help?
Click to expand...
Yes! The surgery did help. I was experiencing moderate pain in my right upper quadrant and along the inside edge of my right shoulder blade after eating. That pain has not returned. However, my body did not compensate as it should have within 3 months after the surgery, so when I eat fatty foods I usually get diarrhea. It's not necessarily preceded by the Crohn's pain, it's more that my body hasn't figured out how to regulate the bile. My GI doc strongly recommended that I have it removed because he said that a severe attack can be especially dangerous for someone with Crohn's.

I hope that helps!
Doglover:goodluck:
 
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