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Trying to diagnose

I am 32 and in the process of being diagnosed; I have two friends who have recently been diagnosed with UC and Chron’s which is what has lead me to research this disease. I have been experiencing abdominal pain for 5 months now. The pain briefly subsided in December; but quickly came back. I had a barium CT scan which found absolutely nothing. My doctor has referred me to a GI doctor who has scheduled an endoscopy procedure on Wednesday and a colonoscopy in two weeks. I am not experiencing any bleeding or diarrhea; just abdominal pain that seems to occur in different places. The pain is bearable most of the time, but I am worried about living with it long term.

Plain and simple, I’m scared. I’m scared to find out it may be Chron’s disease and I’m scared that it might be something worse. I’ve tried to ignore it hoping my body will heal, but it has not.
 

GoJohnnyGo

One Badass Dude
Hello

I'd like to help you out here with some answers. Being scared is perfectly normal.

Here's hoping you find some answers soon. In the meantime, you've got yourself folks in your corner.
 
Hi welcome to the forum. Being scared is normal, getting the tests done is the right start. Hopefully you will have some answers soon. Good luck and hang in there.
 

fenway1971

Sports Crohnie
Normal to be scared. The tests are simple ones. I wish you well. Even if it turns out to be colitis, it's not the end of the world. You have us. . .
 
Hello,

There is any number of possibilities with your symptoms. I would not worry too much at this point. You are doing the right thing by seeing a specialist. Hopefully it will be something that can be resolved easily.

Good Luck, and keep us posted.

Dan
 
It can be difficult to go through the process of being diagnosed... I had digestive troubles for years, and clinic doctors dropped prescriptions for the symptoms... I can look back as far as 2002 when symptoms such as abdominal pain, D/C, fissures, and loss of appetite first appeared. It wasn't until I lost 80 lbs (from 290-lbs down to 210 in less than a year), and ended up in the Emergency Room in Spring 2007 that doctors finally took notice and started all those scopes and tests and fun things. I had never really heard of Crohn's and never thought it was something I would encounter. At least you are informing and educating yourself; knowledge is a powerful thing... and keep learning as you go... I sure am.
 
+1 on it being alright to be scared. But I suggest taking it one day at a time. Take it easy for a while and rest when you can. Lets see what the test show and go from there.

Take care and good luck!

Dan
 
I had an endoscopy procedure last week. The doctor said that my esophgus is swollen. She took a biopsy and I am waiting for the results. I have a colonoscopy scheduled for next week. I am on a Dicyclomine for pain (which does not help) and omeprazole to reduce the inflamation.

I am still having abdominal pain; actually the pain is getting worse. I have never had bloody D, so I am still wondering if this is Chrons or something else.
 
Good luck next week, and remember prepping for colonoscopies can be fun.... if you have no tastebuds.... ;)
 
good luck, on the colon drink I might suggest lemon lime if they have it, that stuff is ROUGH to drink but lemon lime seems to be the best flavor ive gotten, strawberry is just rotten lol
 
I had the colonoscopy done on Wednesday and the Dr. found nothing. I don't know whether to be happy or disappointed. I am not sure what is next. I meet with my GI doctor next week to discuss all the test results and the next steps....I'm sure I'll learn, but right now I don't know what is next. I am concerned I am going to be pushed off and labled with IBS, but I think there is something more to it as the pain never goes away.
 
hi csohio & welcome :)

it sounds to me like you could have an acid issue for a start, which would explain the soreness in your osophagus and why the doctor's put you on omeprazole. acid over-production itself can be a very painful condition, but thankfully it is something that can be alleviated in time with the right meds and dietary changes.

re the other stomach pains.. if it does turn out to be IBS, please don't assume that this is just a general term for when the doctor doesn't know the real reason for your symptoms... IBS is a proper condition, which also can be very painful and debilitating, and can make the sufferer very miserable. again, diet and meds are the key to controlling it, plus relaxation and other de-stressing aids.

i wish you the very best of luck - i do hope you get a clear diagnosis soon, and then you'll know how to cope and receive the appropriate treatment. keep us posted how you get on.
 
N

nicknack

Guest
I am new to this forum. Basically I wanted to say that I am in somewhat similar position to csohio; (my pain is not associated with diarrhea, currently in the "hoping for a diagnosis" phase; I have been suffering from "abdominal pain" for ~2yrs (on and off) but the last 6 months I have had constant lower abdominal pain.)

Let's keep posted to see if we can share experience.

I have scan planned for next 2 weeks.
 
Update

Well, I'm frustrated as ever. After my endoscopy and colonoscopy I met with my GI who can not find any problems that points to the pain I am constantly having (she did find a slight inflammation in the upper GI and has prescribed prilosec). I went to OSU hospital and had an H2 test done to measure the bacteria levels in my small intestine. That test came back completely normal. My GI referred me to a physical therapist thinking the pain was a result of an exoskeleton issue. After six visits the PT can not find any muscular issues in the abdomen that mimics the pain I experience. I went back to my primary care physician for a second referral. He was awesome and pulled some strings to get me into a new GI with another hospital group. This GI reviewed everything and ordered an abdominal and pelvic CT with contrast. That test came back completely normal. They also compared this CT to the scans from the last and have found no changes. I have not gone back to the new GI. My first GI saw me last week again and now wants to try a course of anti-depressants because they also have been known to help with abdominal stomach muscle spasms. I will start taking that med after I clean my system of the tramadol (pain med) that I have been on for about 5 months. I can not take the pain med and the anti-depressant.

I am in a lot of pain right now and am really concerned the new medication is going to be a waste of time. I really think something is wrong inside but no one can seem to find it. I don’t think it is crohns since the symptoms I am having don’t really match up to crohns; but I don’t know where else to go. Reading others stories are comforting to know that I am not the only one who has struggled with diagnosis. Thanks for listening.
 

imisspopcorn

Punctuation Impaired
I'm sorry your not finding answers....The antidepressant may help you deal with the pain. Lord knows, chronic pain is depressing in itself. Have you tried any antispasmodics??? Thanks for updating us. Good luck.
 

farm

Captain Insaneo
Just keep fighting bud. Just keep fighting. One day, hopefully soon, you'll get an answer and good treatment and find remission for whatever this is.
 
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