Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum, and have been told today from gp that I might have crohns disease.

My symptoms are horrible, and I have had these almost a year now, although they have been getting worse since about christmas.  I have had diarreah constantly, really bad stomach cramps, pain when doing the toilet and passing wind, ulcers, piles, high temperature, feeling really tired and just not feeling myself at all.  I cant remember the last time I felt properly well.

After numerous blood tests, stool tests and doctors appointments with my gp, I finally saw another doctor today who has told me he thinks it is crohn's disease. The doctor I had seen previously had already referred me to the hospital for a colonoscopy, and now the one I have seen today is again writing to the department to tell them I need an appointment urgently, and to put me on the list for any cancellations.  I have complete faith in this doctor, as he helped my sister when she had skin cancer, when no other doctor took my mother's fears seriously.  He has also prescribed me Prednisolone to see if it helps any in the meantime.

So yes I dont know whether or not its definate, but reading up on the internet makes me think so.  Im only 22 years old, and really quite scared about all this.

My apologies for coming on here and blethering on. I just needed someone to talk to I guess


Kelly x

Hi Kelly

You've definitely come to the right place!!

The symptoms you describe are Crohn's down to a tee. If you're new to all this it can be terrifying and you have my deepest sympathies.

Firstly I want to assure you that once you have been properly diagnosed the disease CAN be controlled. You aren't going to have to live like this forever. Most sufferers have periods of ups and downs and with the right course of treatment some people barely even notice they have the condition at all. There is no common level of suffering with Crohn's. Everyone seems to have different experiences of it.

You're probably really nervous about the colonoscopy but like most things once you've had a couple you'll wonder why you were ever scared. My advice to you is to demand sedation however. A trick I often use is to tell the Doctor my backside is really sore as a result of running to the toilet so often. That's usually enough to convince them to put me to sleep. Remember it's YOUR body and YOUR right to dictate precisely what the Doctors do to it!

The course of Prednisalone is very common amongst sufferers. We've ALL had it and there are a few side effects you should be aware of. Weight gain, bloating, and acne are all common when taking the drug. The point of it is to reduce imflammation in the intestine. Its this imflammation which is causing the stomach cramps as the food passes along it.

It does sound as though you have a pretty bad case of it and I really hope they can do something to settle the symptoms as soon as possible.

TC xxx

Hi Oliverio

Thank you very much for replying to me......it just seems no one outside of here really understands. Its great there is a place like this for people suffering from this to come to, and everyone seems really helpful and kind

Im just hoping now that they hurry up with the colonoscopy, I am nervous about it but would rather it was over now and I know for sure rather than having to wait. Just want life to get back to normal, you know? Thats a good trick though! I'll certainly be saying that to them, and wont be lying either, its really uncomfortable and sore right now. God, Im feeling a bit sorry for myself today lol.

Im trying to find information just now about diet and things see what I can do on my own to try and ease the pain a bit, but its quite hard to find some information.  

I'm really glad this site is here.  I'll certainly be visiting regularly from now on.  Thanks x

No problem x

Make sure someone goes with you to the colonoscopy. When you come round expect to be a bit stoned for several hours afterwards! lol

It's tricky to give you fair and honest advice but I don't believe in sugar coating things. If you DO have Crohns you will definitely have to make changes in your lifestyle and diet. More often than not though, all Crohns requires is a little bit of forethought. In other words...plan ahead if you're going out. Think about toilet facilities. Have a little pack of tissues in your handbag in case loo roll is scarce etc etc

You'll never lead a "normal" life as such but what you can do is lead as close to a normal life as possible. Even with surgery there is no cure but like I said there are ups and downs. I had a pretty severe case of it in my teens and needed a colostomy bag for a couple of years. 7 years down the line I took up kickboxing!! lol There is light at the end of the tunnel xx

I appreciate your help with this.

Obviously I am still trying to come to terms with it all, and will no doubt be bugging your brain the next few days/weeks for some of your advice! Right now I am just trying to take it all in and find out everything I can.

Thanks again, hopefully speak soon x

Hi Kelly, welcome to the Crohn's forum. Our founder appears to be off playing with Twitter these days but has made us this great place to chat. Never worry about blathering on, we all need to do that sometimes, especially when we first arrive (listen to me sounding like an old hand after a week!). Anyway the point is there are quite a few of us and we're all here for each other in any way we can be - have a surf through the topics here and read about the ups and downs others have been through and read the nice comments from others. I like the sound of your GP, having the wit to put you on Prednisolone while waiting for the colonoscopy is most unusual. Once they suspect Crohn's they usually just throw their hands in the air and say "go see a specialist". At least that seems to be the normal routine

Nigel

(Edit: Hah, if Oli can figure out how to upload a piccie so can I!)

Hi Kelly

I had Colonoscopy just over 2 weeks ago, my 1st one and still waiting for biopsy results, they arent so bad just make sure you have the sedation that way you will remember very little about the whole thing. I am sorry to say but there is no quick way of being diagnosed with Crohn's.

I know it is easy to say but try not to worry to much, there are plenty on here who have been through it or are going through being diagnosed.

Chin up

Ian

Thanks everyone for all your replies, it really means a lot x

Don't have much to add but nice to put faces to all these names!

Yes Oli, look what you've started

Hiya Kelly,

Good luck with your colonoscopy, and like the others have said definitely have the sedation, my first one i didn't and it was a nightmare, the second one they sedated me and it was completely the opposite, didn't even know they had done it!! (well sort of anyway)

Quoted from NigelF

Hi Kelly, welcome to the Crohn's forum. Our founder appears to be off playing with Twitter these days but has made us this great place to chat.

LOL very true, I have been playing with Twitter a lot lately, but I haven't forgotten you all. Let me know through the contact form (or on Twitter), if you have any ideas for other features you want to see on the site. Thanks to all for making the site a great place to chat.

PS Defo take the sedation with the colonoscopy! Good luck and I hope everything goes well.