mrsblasalle
04-26-2004, 08:16 AM
Hi I am looking for someone who has crohn's disease that can relate to my problem.I am 32 years old and was diagnosed with crohn's in 1998.I had a bowel resection in 1998 removing 7in of my intestines.I have been really tired lately all I want to do is sleep,I am having pains in my stomach right below my ribs,I have always suffered with diarrhea but now all of a sudden the last two days its as if I am constipated with some pain in my lower abdomen.I am so afraid this is another obstruction in my intestine.I also get dizzy at times feeling quezzy and nauseated.Two nights in a row I woke up in the night vomiting green.I can't be pregnant I had a tubal in August after the birth of my son,and I have no gallbladder or appendix.Any help would be appreciated.I would also love to communicate with someone having crohn's I feel sometimes crohn's is taking over my life and I would really like support from someone who knows how I feel thanks :wave:
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geifer
04-26-2004, 09:37 AM
I have suffered from crohn's for over ten years now. Call your GI doctor it is nothing to go from no symptoms to all hell breaking lose. If you do have a blockage it is better to get it taking care of quickly then let it go. My GI always told me if something is not normal for you call. I hope this helps and good luck geifer
cookie51
05-02-2004, 11:14 AM
Hi, My niece was just told she has crohns, she had bad stomach aches and diarria, but they thought it was all in her head. Well now they have given her 5 pints of blood, because she was losing blood in her bowel, she is on so many meds, nothing really helps she is sick everyday. She is 18 years old and now has a tutor, because she is so sick all the time,she cant make it to school. So if you can keep going to the dr. ask many questions and have as much testing as you can get to help pinpoint exactly what is wrong. Dont let the drs. tell you it is nothing, and end up like my niece, losing blood and she said when she eats it is like eating glass,she ahs lost so much weight,still on meds I think for the rest of her life. They said she has 3 feet a bowel affected by crohns, we keep hoping they will find a cure for it, it is terrible to have and hope they find a cure for all people that suffer with this.
Hope you have a good day cookie
Hope you have a good day cookie
suzi47cmt
05-03-2004, 11:07 PM
You poor dear,
I DO know how you feel. I have had Crohns for 30+ years. I am 47 years old. I was not, however, actually DIAGNOSED with Crohns until I was 20. I suffered through most of my high school years not knowing WHAT was wrong with me, due to the HORRID pain, AND diarrhea. Which was SO embarrassing at times. Back in the 70's it was a RARE disease/disorder. Now, sadly, it is MUCH more common. I wish we were able to give each other our email addresses, but that is not allowed here, due to safety issues. I just feel for you, and for anyone who suffers from this debilitating disease.
But, as you can see, I have had crohns for many, many years, and I'm still here.
I agree completely regarding not letting these symptoms you are having, go. See your doctor right away. You may just have a slight obstruction, or not, either way you do need to see a doctor. Your symptoms describe many of the things I have gone through, and they are not to be ignored. The symptom of vomiting up green, that is bile more than likely, so do not let this go on. Your electrolytes could be severely off, as this is a very common thing that happens to us with crohns. Any and all of these things really do deserve the attention of a doctor.
I know it is frustrating to continually have to seek out your doctor, but that is the best thing with crohns. It is a tricky, fast moving, fast changing, deceptive, painful, disease....BUT...it IS manageable to a point, and you CAN live a normal, active life. It takes time, patience, and a lot of trial and error, however. THat is the nature of the beast, AND of course, everyone IS different, and therefore slightly differently receptive to, or not receptive to, treatment methods.
I will say this. I am a very rare case of the "sterotypical" crohns patient. I am written up in the New England Medical Journal, from back in 1980-something, due to the fact that I have had EVERY immaginable side-effect, and symptom of this disease. I have had rheumatoid arthritis, I have had five ostomies, I have had my large bowel, rectum, and all but 13 feet of my small bowel removed. Yes, I only have 13 feet of small bowel remaining, with an ileostomy, and NOTHING below that. I am not telling you this to frighten you, quite the OPPOSITE. I am a VERY RARE case. Medications that typically work for crohns patients have NOT for me. I am in a slight "remission" for the past almost year or so. I have had kidney failure, due to malabsorption and dehydration (this is DUE to the shortened bowel mostly). AND I could go on and on. I also have no gallbladder or appendix. I have also had many unrelated surgeries as well. But the crohns is the one thing that NEVER goes away.
I recently went to "grand rounds" at a local medical center (I was invited), and listened to a doctor from University of Chicago Medical Center. He is doing VERY successful stem cell replacements(not from embryo's, but from the patient themselves!!!), and it was AMAZING what it has done for the crohns patients that have had it (only three of them have had it, but all three have gone TWO and a HALF YEARS now with NO symptoms of crohns). This, of course, is a VERY serious procedure, and is not something to be taken lightly, especially the older you are. These three patients were ages 21; 25 and 34 years of age. I only mention this because it is my ONLY hope now, as I am that rare type of crohns patient that nothing else has helped.
I am sorry to go on and on my dear. I am so eager to inform and help out ANYONE with crohns, that I tend to get carried away. However, if you just want a point of view on something to do with crohns, I would be happy any time, to help out here on the healthboards forum, at least with my own experiences that is.
Take care, and please get yourself to the doctor, I think you need to. Dont let yourself go on suffering, PLEASE.
God bless,
Suzi :)
I DO know how you feel. I have had Crohns for 30+ years. I am 47 years old. I was not, however, actually DIAGNOSED with Crohns until I was 20. I suffered through most of my high school years not knowing WHAT was wrong with me, due to the HORRID pain, AND diarrhea. Which was SO embarrassing at times. Back in the 70's it was a RARE disease/disorder. Now, sadly, it is MUCH more common. I wish we were able to give each other our email addresses, but that is not allowed here, due to safety issues. I just feel for you, and for anyone who suffers from this debilitating disease.
But, as you can see, I have had crohns for many, many years, and I'm still here.
I agree completely regarding not letting these symptoms you are having, go. See your doctor right away. You may just have a slight obstruction, or not, either way you do need to see a doctor. Your symptoms describe many of the things I have gone through, and they are not to be ignored. The symptom of vomiting up green, that is bile more than likely, so do not let this go on. Your electrolytes could be severely off, as this is a very common thing that happens to us with crohns. Any and all of these things really do deserve the attention of a doctor.
I know it is frustrating to continually have to seek out your doctor, but that is the best thing with crohns. It is a tricky, fast moving, fast changing, deceptive, painful, disease....BUT...it IS manageable to a point, and you CAN live a normal, active life. It takes time, patience, and a lot of trial and error, however. THat is the nature of the beast, AND of course, everyone IS different, and therefore slightly differently receptive to, or not receptive to, treatment methods.
I will say this. I am a very rare case of the "sterotypical" crohns patient. I am written up in the New England Medical Journal, from back in 1980-something, due to the fact that I have had EVERY immaginable side-effect, and symptom of this disease. I have had rheumatoid arthritis, I have had five ostomies, I have had my large bowel, rectum, and all but 13 feet of my small bowel removed. Yes, I only have 13 feet of small bowel remaining, with an ileostomy, and NOTHING below that. I am not telling you this to frighten you, quite the OPPOSITE. I am a VERY RARE case. Medications that typically work for crohns patients have NOT for me. I am in a slight "remission" for the past almost year or so. I have had kidney failure, due to malabsorption and dehydration (this is DUE to the shortened bowel mostly). AND I could go on and on. I also have no gallbladder or appendix. I have also had many unrelated surgeries as well. But the crohns is the one thing that NEVER goes away.
I recently went to "grand rounds" at a local medical center (I was invited), and listened to a doctor from University of Chicago Medical Center. He is doing VERY successful stem cell replacements(not from embryo's, but from the patient themselves!!!), and it was AMAZING what it has done for the crohns patients that have had it (only three of them have had it, but all three have gone TWO and a HALF YEARS now with NO symptoms of crohns). This, of course, is a VERY serious procedure, and is not something to be taken lightly, especially the older you are. These three patients were ages 21; 25 and 34 years of age. I only mention this because it is my ONLY hope now, as I am that rare type of crohns patient that nothing else has helped.
I am sorry to go on and on my dear. I am so eager to inform and help out ANYONE with crohns, that I tend to get carried away. However, if you just want a point of view on something to do with crohns, I would be happy any time, to help out here on the healthboards forum, at least with my own experiences that is.
Take care, and please get yourself to the doctor, I think you need to. Dont let yourself go on suffering, PLEASE.
God bless,
Suzi :)
cookie51
05-04-2004, 11:05 AM
Hi Suzi,
Thank You for responding to my post. I am trying so hard to find any help for my niece, I see yo did not mention about losing blood, did you ever have to have transfudions? My niece has had 5 pints of blood in the last 6 months. She is on so many meds. right now I do not know the names, but I know she takes alot. Some days she seems okay, and then others she is so sick. She seems to be worse in the morning, as the day goes by she seems better. A friend of ours has crohns and he said he heard that with in the next year they have a new pill that seems to help with crohns, it has to be approved but he has heard very good things about it. I pray it helps with this horrible nightmare. She worries about having children and having a normal life, what can we say, we dont know what to expect, this is so horrible, and very scary. Well I thank You once again for taking the time to respond and hope all is well with you. cookie
Thank You for responding to my post. I am trying so hard to find any help for my niece, I see yo did not mention about losing blood, did you ever have to have transfudions? My niece has had 5 pints of blood in the last 6 months. She is on so many meds. right now I do not know the names, but I know she takes alot. Some days she seems okay, and then others she is so sick. She seems to be worse in the morning, as the day goes by she seems better. A friend of ours has crohns and he said he heard that with in the next year they have a new pill that seems to help with crohns, it has to be approved but he has heard very good things about it. I pray it helps with this horrible nightmare. She worries about having children and having a normal life, what can we say, we dont know what to expect, this is so horrible, and very scary. Well I thank You once again for taking the time to respond and hope all is well with you. cookie
suzi47cmt
05-05-2004, 02:37 AM
Hi Cookie,
Yup I DID have blood loss. But, in my case the blood loss was not at ALL like that of your niece. That is the nature of this beast called crohns. You see, SOME of us have a LOT of blood loss, some have NONE. It hits everyone differently, but yet we all have the same disease. My close friend (whom I actually MET in the hospital) who has crohns, HAS had the extreme blood loss in the past. However, lucky for her, the doctors discovered it right away. She had biopsies, and then the true diagnosis of crohns. Until the biopsy (which by the way, is the ONLY true way to tell whether a patient has crohns, or just IBS or ulcerative colitis, because crohns is the only one of the IBS diseases that effects ALL the layers of the intestinal wall), they thought she had ulcerative colitis.
I DO get anemic, but THAT is due to malabsorption of B12/iron. THe part of my intestinal tract (there is only ONE part of the intestinal tract where B12 is absorbed by the way) that absorbs B12 was inflammed, and therefore could not absorb anything properly. THEN that part of my intestines was removed. I was CHRONICALLY anemic. Now I give myself monthly B12 injections (I was a certified medical assistant for years, so lucky for me, I know how to give injections. BUT this can be easily taught to anyone by proper training).
Does your niece continue to have bleeding? Because it really is NOT all that common to have a LOT of bleeding from just the crohns. I worry that she has some other problem going on. Are they monitoring her stools? Is she chronically anemic now?
I feel for her. I admire you for being so conscientious for your niece. She REALLY needs your support. Far too many friends and family can NEVER fully understand how much impact this disease has on a person's emotional state. It is life long, and it effects a person's life deeply. The MOST important thing in a crohns patient's life is TRUE support, unlimited. It is a BIG committment. BUT it can save a person with crohns from very deep depression, feelings of poor self worth, etc..., etc...
I have been VERY lucky to have a few TRUE friends, and MOST of my family. One of which is my mother, the other is my Godmother, who is also my mom's sister, and my aunt, and who is an RN. This has TRULY saved my life.
I HOPE I have helped a bit. Anything else I can tell you, just ask. I check here every night, so I would love to help any way I can.
God bless you AND of course, your niece. :angel:
SUZI :wave:
Yup I DID have blood loss. But, in my case the blood loss was not at ALL like that of your niece. That is the nature of this beast called crohns. You see, SOME of us have a LOT of blood loss, some have NONE. It hits everyone differently, but yet we all have the same disease. My close friend (whom I actually MET in the hospital) who has crohns, HAS had the extreme blood loss in the past. However, lucky for her, the doctors discovered it right away. She had biopsies, and then the true diagnosis of crohns. Until the biopsy (which by the way, is the ONLY true way to tell whether a patient has crohns, or just IBS or ulcerative colitis, because crohns is the only one of the IBS diseases that effects ALL the layers of the intestinal wall), they thought she had ulcerative colitis.
I DO get anemic, but THAT is due to malabsorption of B12/iron. THe part of my intestinal tract (there is only ONE part of the intestinal tract where B12 is absorbed by the way) that absorbs B12 was inflammed, and therefore could not absorb anything properly. THEN that part of my intestines was removed. I was CHRONICALLY anemic. Now I give myself monthly B12 injections (I was a certified medical assistant for years, so lucky for me, I know how to give injections. BUT this can be easily taught to anyone by proper training).
Does your niece continue to have bleeding? Because it really is NOT all that common to have a LOT of bleeding from just the crohns. I worry that she has some other problem going on. Are they monitoring her stools? Is she chronically anemic now?
I feel for her. I admire you for being so conscientious for your niece. She REALLY needs your support. Far too many friends and family can NEVER fully understand how much impact this disease has on a person's emotional state. It is life long, and it effects a person's life deeply. The MOST important thing in a crohns patient's life is TRUE support, unlimited. It is a BIG committment. BUT it can save a person with crohns from very deep depression, feelings of poor self worth, etc..., etc...
I have been VERY lucky to have a few TRUE friends, and MOST of my family. One of which is my mother, the other is my Godmother, who is also my mom's sister, and my aunt, and who is an RN. This has TRULY saved my life.
I HOPE I have helped a bit. Anything else I can tell you, just ask. I check here every night, so I would love to help any way I can.
God bless you AND of course, your niece. :angel:
SUZI :wave:
cookie51
05-05-2004, 10:33 PM
Hi Suzi, Thank You for your response about my niece. Yes I think support from family and friends is so important at this time. My niece is very frightened by what is going on and we also are confused and trying to learn as much as we can, and try and help her deal with this. My sister also has a son with downs, so she has her hands full, its like trying to deal with so many things at one time. I guess the lord only gives you what you can handle, but sometimes I look at her and think please give her a break. If I come across any information on crohns I will post it right away, I think every bit of information can be helpful, so please if you have any suggestions, we will be glad and grateful to get any advice we can get.
Thank you cookie
Thank you cookie