Hello, worried spouse here

Hi, my name is Kate. My husband has recently had a colonoscopy and been diagnosed with CD. We are a month out from having a specialist appointment to go over everything so I don't have any answers yet to all my questions. I suspect Paul (hubby) has had this for many years and undiagnosed, but just this Christmas he got terribly ill with constant diorreah and pain and he lost nearly 20lbs in a week. He literally shrunk before my eyes.

Although he is symptom free now, he has not regained any of the weight and appears 'frail'. He is only 49. He is certainly not robust anymore. Seems to tire easily and doesn't have much get up and go. I understand you can become malnurished even if you are eating normally (which he has been since he recovered after 3 weeks). I'm really keen to hear if others have this problem even though they are not in the grip of an CD episode.

Thanks
Kate

Hi Kate and welcome! I am sorry to hear about your hubby. Yes, not getting the right nutrition would certainly affect his energy level. Besides a colonoscopy, has Paul had any other tests done? The reason I ask is that if he is having problems absorbing food/nutrients, his Crohns may also be in the small intestine.

I wish you luck and I hope your specialist comes up with a good treatment plan to get Paul feeling 100%! Please keep us posted!

Sounds like he may be suffering from anemia or a B12 deficiency. I agree with Jill that it also maybe in a spot where the colonoscopy can't see. I'd see if you could get some blood work done and a CT to be sure.

Hello
So sorry about you hubby. I work in the medical field and vitamin deficiencies and malnourishment can certainly suck your energy. At your appt, I would ask them to check Vit B12, B6, D, and iron. It might also be a good idea to meet w/ a nutritionist to make sure he gets what he needs.
Crohn's is no fun, especially when it's your spouse and you feel so powerless. Just loving him and supporting him goes a long way.
Hang in there

Hi kate,
Welcome to the forum. I'm glad your husband is doing better and when he gets on the right meds, he will probably start to regain his weight and health. It's too bad you have to wait so long!
Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Hi Kate and welcome!

Good luck with the GI appt coming up. I agree that he prob has some vitamin deficiencies and maybe anemia that are leaving him fatigued. Those are usually easily remedied with supplements and maybe and infusion or two.

Keep coming back, lots of good info here!

- Amy

Sorry to hear about your hubby?

Hang in there, sounds like you are giving him great support.good on you !

Big hugs

Bruscar

I tell my husband he is lucky that I gain and lose weight so quickly and dramatically. It is like he gets to go home with a new girl every other week!

I'm so sorry you guys are dealing with this disease, but at least you have each other. It sure goes a long way for me and my hubbie.

Sorry I don't have any advice, but others have made some good points. Welcome to the forum!

Thanks

Thank you everyone. I was so pleased to have your responses and advice. I have made a Dr's appointment for next Tuesday to request the blood tests for anemia and other deficiencies so I'll let you know the outcome and also after the specialist appointment in May. Just as a bit of further background Paul had a peri anal absyss (in the large bowel) 8 years ago and needed emergency surgery and 5 days in hosp. he's also had (but not for a long time now) severe hives and also one episode of tiny ulcers on his eyeballs (sounds hideous but it wasn't too bad for him). We never knew what any of this was caused from although his Opthamologist at the time was convinced that his ulcers were a symptom of an auto immune disease and he tested him for everything under the sun, but all came back clear. Now the pieces of the puzzle are starting to fall into place as I read on one of the CD medical sites that in rare cases, sufferers can in fact experience skin rashes and eye ulcers!! Anyway I will find out more with the Gastro Dr no doubt. Thanks again for your advice. It's nice to be able to share. Paul is very quiet about all of this - typical man! Kate

Hi Kate, welcome! All those symptoms and the only one who added two and two was an opthamologist!! I'm glad Paul has the right diagnosis now so things can be treated correctly. Good luck!