Newbie...help, please.

Hello, everyone!

I'm a 19 year old male from South Carolina. I've been experiencing Chron's symptoms for about 6 months now.

It started with arthritis pain back in December. The pain started in the arches of my feet and gradually moved up...I thought nothing of it at first, but soon the pain got worse. I went to the doctor, and they tested me for RA and other types of arthritis...the test came back positive for inflammatory arthritis.

A few months later, I started having intestinal difficulties. Periods of constipation and bloating would occur, then diarrhea, then back to constipation. It's a real pain. (I'm sure you all know...) Also, I started taking Celebrex for my arthritis pain, which caused complications concerning my stomach and nausea. I would get sick to my stomach often...followed by acid reflux. Now, I'm getting sick almost every morning.

I'm really down about this right now, because I'm still going through tests to make sure it is Chron's, however, I'm adopted and my maternal grandfather had Chron's...so, I'm assuming that it is. :yfrown:

I'm an avid singer (of opera) and this has taken a toll on my vocal health. I'm also on summer break and will be going for my sophomore year of college next year...

My family is kind of having a hard time dealing with me right now. I fear they think that I'm feigning it...but I'm honestly not. I go to the doctor again in a week. Any advice on how to handle it with them? The morning sickness is KILLER and my mother attributes it to my being somewhat of a night owl, and "my diet", which as of late---hasn't been much of anything. I'm also expected to carry out activities in the hot SC sun...which I really can't do. How do explain my pain to them?

Please help me...I've browsed the forums...you all seem to be so nice and supportive. Any advice?


Thanks a ton.

Hello, October and welcome to the forum. I glad you found this site. There are many terrific people here, who are very caring and supportive. Please feel free to ask questions, join in the posts, and read about the many symptoms and issues that Crohnies encounter.

Hey there welcome to the forums. As hard as it may be at any time do try to eat when you can. Try to stay with eating some bland foods and slowly introduce new things as usually bland stuff is easier on the stomach and atleast you'll be able to get something in you.

Make sure you ask your doctor all your concerns and questions and don't be embarassed as I assure you they've heard it all before.

Best of luck and welcome to the forums.

Greetings and welcome

My first suggestion would be to get a referral to a GI doctor. If you're having this much trouble, get in to see a specialist.

I wish you all the best!

Welcome. Hopefully you get some answers. See if you can get referred to a GI. Make sure you are hydrated (stay with water as much as possible) and watch your diet. You can search the diet and fitness section for a low fiber diet which may help, but until you get a diagnoses, its up in the air. Joint pain is a common symptom of Crohns as well as fatigue and weight loss. Try and keep a record of your symptoms as well as food and days you feel better. Best of luck. And the heat thing, try to stay cool and, as before, hydrated.

Sorry to hear you are ill, but glad you found your way here. Re: your family, I think it's hard for people to comprehend the implications of the disease. I know I knew very little about it til getting diagnosed.
Could you ask a member of the family to go with you to the doc? You could say that it's in case you forget something the doc says to you. Or perhaps they could take a look around the forum? There are lots of stories of how it can take a long time to get a proper diagnosis, common and uncommon symptoms and how people cope with them.