I started suffering with cramp like pains about four years ago, I went to my GP but didnt really get anywhere.
In august 2010 I got a really sharp pain in my side, which I thought was a bad stitch, I didnt think anything of it so just tried to ignore it and get on with things. After not being able to sleep through the pain, the next day i went back to my GP where I was sent to A & E with suspected appendicitus. After spending 4 days in hospital I had the op to remove my appendix but when I came round I was told my appendix had not been removed, the reason for my pain was an inflamed bowel. A few weeks later I had a colonoscopy which showed my bowel to be inflamed quite a bit. Then I sort of got lost in the system, but after a few moans I got an appointment with a doctor and was sent for a barium xray. It was when I went for my follow up afterwards that I was diagnosed with Crohns disease. The doctor I saw said she did not think it was necessary at that time for me to go on any medication and that I would be reviewed again in 3 months. A couple of days later I got a call from the IBD nurse at the hospital informing me a collection of other doctors had disagreed I should not be on any medication and I was asked to come in to collect a prescription. I was handed a prescription for azathioprine along with a long list of scary side effects, told the doctor was too busy to see me and sent on my way! I tried to get in contact with the doctor to express my concerns about the medication but i was pretty much ignored. The IBD nurse tried to reassure me about the meds but I really wanted to speak to a doctor. After a few weeks I gave up trying, untill about 3 weeks ago the stitch like pain reappeared its ugly head, so I spent ages trying to get through to someone at the hospital. Eventually I managed to get an appointment, but was told before I went in that they had to overbook to fit me in so I had to be quick! I was seen by a different doctor and after a few minutes was told I was going to be put on Predislone, starting on 40mg, reducing by 5mg per week untill a follow up in a month. Again, I was scared by all the side effects but the pain was so bad I couldnt even think about not taking them! Ive been on them for for a couple of weeks now and at the moment dont seem to have any bad side effects, just struggle to sleep some nights if I take my dose too late in the mornings.
I received a letter today stating what was mentioned at my quick appointment and that I am being refered for an urgent ultrasound scan. The letter says I may have a crohns mass, which im assuming the scan will confirm and that if this is the case surgery is needed. Im really worried about surgery as I feel like if it starts now, im just going to end up needing more and more as the years go on. I really dont know what to think or do, I know i may be a bit premature as I havent even had the scan yet but I cant help but expect the worst! I'd like to talk to the doctor about it in more detail but I feel like when I go back for my follow up after the scan it will all be rushed and I will end up saying yes or no too quickly without talking about alternatives.
Somebody has mentioned going to see a naturalist but im not sure if I believe in that plus its quite expensive! Id also like to know about herbal supplements but cant seem to find whats good to take.
Any help or advice would be much appreciated!
Thanks! x
In august 2010 I got a really sharp pain in my side, which I thought was a bad stitch, I didnt think anything of it so just tried to ignore it and get on with things. After not being able to sleep through the pain, the next day i went back to my GP where I was sent to A & E with suspected appendicitus. After spending 4 days in hospital I had the op to remove my appendix but when I came round I was told my appendix had not been removed, the reason for my pain was an inflamed bowel. A few weeks later I had a colonoscopy which showed my bowel to be inflamed quite a bit. Then I sort of got lost in the system, but after a few moans I got an appointment with a doctor and was sent for a barium xray. It was when I went for my follow up afterwards that I was diagnosed with Crohns disease. The doctor I saw said she did not think it was necessary at that time for me to go on any medication and that I would be reviewed again in 3 months. A couple of days later I got a call from the IBD nurse at the hospital informing me a collection of other doctors had disagreed I should not be on any medication and I was asked to come in to collect a prescription. I was handed a prescription for azathioprine along with a long list of scary side effects, told the doctor was too busy to see me and sent on my way! I tried to get in contact with the doctor to express my concerns about the medication but i was pretty much ignored. The IBD nurse tried to reassure me about the meds but I really wanted to speak to a doctor. After a few weeks I gave up trying, untill about 3 weeks ago the stitch like pain reappeared its ugly head, so I spent ages trying to get through to someone at the hospital. Eventually I managed to get an appointment, but was told before I went in that they had to overbook to fit me in so I had to be quick! I was seen by a different doctor and after a few minutes was told I was going to be put on Predislone, starting on 40mg, reducing by 5mg per week untill a follow up in a month. Again, I was scared by all the side effects but the pain was so bad I couldnt even think about not taking them! Ive been on them for for a couple of weeks now and at the moment dont seem to have any bad side effects, just struggle to sleep some nights if I take my dose too late in the mornings.
I received a letter today stating what was mentioned at my quick appointment and that I am being refered for an urgent ultrasound scan. The letter says I may have a crohns mass, which im assuming the scan will confirm and that if this is the case surgery is needed. Im really worried about surgery as I feel like if it starts now, im just going to end up needing more and more as the years go on. I really dont know what to think or do, I know i may be a bit premature as I havent even had the scan yet but I cant help but expect the worst! I'd like to talk to the doctor about it in more detail but I feel like when I go back for my follow up after the scan it will all be rushed and I will end up saying yes or no too quickly without talking about alternatives.
Somebody has mentioned going to see a naturalist but im not sure if I believe in that plus its quite expensive! Id also like to know about herbal supplements but cant seem to find whats good to take.
Any help or advice would be much appreciated!
Thanks! x