New from Nebraska

Hello,

My name is Jake. I am currently undiagnosed, but it is suspected that I have IBD. This is currently pending a colonoscopy and endoscopy. I can't imagine this will be fun. I do see good humored jokes about it in posts so I hope it isn't as bad as I am imagining. I also have a family history of Celiac Disease and my sister has IBD.

My symptoms started three months ago. I started with all the symptoms of a pregnant women with morning sickness. I vomit in the morning (like clock-work) and my stomach was larger than normal (quite hard). I dismissed these symptoms, as I have anxiety disorder and blame everything on the condition. However, my BMs started to increase to an excess of ten times a day. Concern set in once this began. My stools are loose, black, and look like tar. They also float and it looks like someone spilt oil in the toilet. I have mucus present.

I have always had burning after I eat in my stomach. A terrible burn that I can't handle. This condition has been present since the age of twelve. My mother is a doctor, but never seemed to take the issue seriously. Well, the burning pain has now increased (I didn't think it could get worse). New issues developed, once the vomitting and BM change occured, I had a stabbing pain next to my belly button. This stabbing pain persists all day. It is dull most of the day, but comes full force periodically. I have cramping on my right-side and now acid reflux.

Still, I blamed the anxiety. I then vomitted black blood a few days in a row. This caused concern and a visit to the ER. I went through the normal list of diagnosis: Gall Bladder, Pancreas, and Appendix. A CT scan was done and they saw a colitis (singular) - I don't know what that means. Also, a stomach ulcer is suspected. I am just so confused. Doctor's confuse me with their explanations. I have elevated liver enzymes and asked if I drank alot - negative.

I have blood on my TP when I wipe. This has persisted since I was twelve, also. I just think I am wiping too hard. Anyone else think this but were wrong?

The pain is dull throughout the day with some intense episodes. When I eat, all hell breaks loose. I cramp on my right side, stabbing pain by my belly button, I can feel my intestines moving, and of course the burning (but I am mostly use to it). I have even graduated to crapping myself. This has happened twice now.

Last week, I was good for a few days and had a solid BM. I almost cancelled with the GI because I was doing excellent. Then it came back again. I was reading the "you know you have Crohn's if..." thread and I can relate to alot of them.

Thanks for reading my novel. I am glad I found this forum.

Jake

Well hello and welcome to the forum. I had blood in the toliet and on the TP for a while before diagnosis too but whenever I told somebody it was passed off as having something "sharp" in my stool and pushing too hard.

Sorry for your troubles but hopefully after your last tests you'll get some answers and start on some treatment.

Hope for the best for you and again welcome.

My sister has Crohn's as well. My parents are both carriers of the disease neither has it though. Black stool generally means there's blood present. Mucus generally means there's inflammation in the bowel. I'm glad you didn't cancel with your GI. Its hard getting an appointment with a specialist for one and two those symptoms should not be ignored even if a month or more has passed of feeling normal. Constant pain and blood in stool is never normal. I hope you get a concrete diagnosis that you understand soon so you can be treated properly no matter what you may have even though it sounds like IBD just based off of your symptoms. Glad you found us! Welcome to the forum!

As far as the colonoscopy goes...the worse part was the prep...the best part was the drugs and going to SLEEP!!!

That was the best few hours of sleep of my life. Look at the positive!

Hello Jake!

I have dealt with all of your symptoms, including the blood. Don’t worry too much about it for now. You are getting tested, and that is a great first step! I’m sorry you are having to learn to deal with any of this of course. You will find that having a sense of humor and keeping your spirits up can be a life saver if you find you have Crohns! Life is what you make it after all!

A colonoscopy and endoscopy are not bad at all, and pain free as you will be asleep, but the prep can be a little miserable. Good luck and I’m sorry you have to go through that too.

Welcome to the forum! I’m glad you found us!

Hi Jake and welcome

I hope you get a quick diagnosis and treatment plan once you've had the endoscopy and colonoscopy. In the meantime take it easy Let us know how you get on

Paula
x

HI Jake and welcome!

Sounds like you've been dealing with some serious stuff for quite some time now! Black tarry stools are never a good sign and can indicated blood further up the system than the blood you see on the paper. I hope the scopes give you some firm answers and you can get a dx and a treatment plan so you can start feeling better soon!

- Amy

Thank you all for the welcome and information. I am a pretty positive person, so I hope this just blows over. I just sprained my ankle. Suprisingly, it is taking the focus off of my stomach pain :ybiggrin:.