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Newbie here

Hi am new here, have had a rumbling gut for years, havent got an "official" diagnosis yet, saw my GI specialist last Friday (20 April 2012). Last two tests - colonoscopy and CT Enterogram bioth reported that I have "strictures in the Ileum" and that they appear consistent with Crohns disease. The specialist has given me another request for more blood tests.

Gra
 

Trysha

Moderator
Staff member
Hello Gra
Welcome to the forum.
It looks as though you starting out on the diagnosis route.
Your colonoscopy and CT pictures seem to be pointing to Crohn's.
It will be interesting to see what the blood picture has to say.
When will you see the specialist again?
Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on.
Hugs and best wishes
Trysha
 

Angrybird

Moderator
Location
Hertfordshire
Hello Gra and welcome to the forum :bigwave: Has your doc given you any meds to help with your symptoms? How are you feeling at the moment? Do have a nosy around as there is plenty of info and support here for you regarding crohns and if you are not sure on anything please do not hesitate to ask - that's what we are here for :)

Wishing you all the best

AB
xx
 

Astra

Moderator
Hiya Gra
and welcome

I've got that too!
Let us know how you get on with the tests and results and what meds they recommend.
We're all here to help with any questions, good luck and
lotsa luv
Joan xxx
 
Crohns update - latest test results

I went to see my gastroenterologist last week hoping to hear some good news, as I have been feeling so much better since starting on Prednisalone and now that I am getting a handle on what I can eat and what I cant. However my GE told me that my latest blood test results show I still have considerable inflammation and I also have low blood counts.

He is putting me on Imuran in addition to prednisolone, he hopes it will help to dampen my "overactive" immune system. He says I still have a high risk of infection, and while Imuran can potentially have some very nasty side-effects, I will be having blood tests every week so that he can monitor what's happening in the rest of my body to make sure there is no damage being done. Wow this is a fun drug!

I also told him that I sometimes have difficulty in pain swallowing my food. (I read that this can also be associated with Crohn's disease). So he's booked me for an endoscopy to have a look at my throat on the 18th of this month.

I spend a lot of time online reading about the side-effects of Imuran and freaked out at first but after asking the opinion of people on these forums I found that a lot of them have been on Imuran for many years with little or no problems. (But I also found a few stories from people who have had serious problems with it) So I decided I need to give it a go. The alternatives seem to be worse. I'll still be taking the Prednisalone for the time being (1/2 of a 25mg tab per day), then I believe he will start to phase it out.

I attach a copy of my latest test results for anyone who can read these things (I need to learn to read them myself!).

Gra
 

Attachments

David

Co-Founder
Location
Naples, Florida
Gra,

I just took a look at your lab report. Do they have you on any sort of iron supplements? Did they talk to you about increasing your protein intake at all? Maybe trying some supplemental high protein enteral nutrition?
 
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