Crohn's? Liver lesion and swollen lymph nodes... diagnosis taking FOREVER. - Crohn's Disease / Ulcerative Colitis Message Board

A's Wife · 08-27-2005, 09:44 AM

My husband has been suffering badly for a year... miserably for six months... he can't function, even on Azacol and Prilosec (although they are at least keeping him from lying in bed in the fetal position). One surgeon couldn't conclude any diagnosis, and said that sometimes removal of the appendix will mysteriously "cure' the patient. He did remove the appendix and release an adhesion, which we had hoped was the problem, but since that surgery, the symptoms are MUCH worse.

Symptoms:
* Upper to mid-right quadrant abdominal pain
* Diarrhea every time he eats (it was constant prior to starting Azacol and Prilosec... he had to keep a bucket with him in his vehicle!)
* Sometimes he complains of an acid feeling in his stomach
* Fatigue
* Joint pain
* Swollen armpits (one doc thought this was from bacteria, but we feel strongly that it's lymph nodes.
* Weight GAIN (from this problem directly? or maybe just from being so inactive because of the fatigue?)
* Depression

When I look back, I would wager to say that he had early symptoms as far back as 8 years ago. His gall bladder was removed about 3-1/2 years ago.

The internal disease specialist just did an abdominal CT scan, and found a lesion on the liver and "prominent" lymph nodes. They have an MRI scheduled, additional bloodwork (to see if something shows up regarding the liver), and also scheduled a colonoscopy (although he had one a year ago that showed nothing).

Anyone have a thought on this? I'm all ears!

Thank you for taking time to read my post.

aslo · 09-03-2005, 09:44 PM

Im just looking through some posts and i came across yours. I feel very sorry for the both of you. I am going through a similar problem, it has ruined my life for the past year, and because of it im now a "nutcase" of panic disorder and depression.
So i can surely relate. ive gotten so i cant even do more testing due to the panic and depression.
He has diarhea immediately after eating? And yet he has gained weight? His colonscopy was clean yet he is taking asacol? You said the two meds help, but i wonder how he would be without the asacol. Maybe its the other that is helping.
Asacol is a strong aspirin related medication. One of its biggest side effects is actually causing colitis. If you are sensitive to aspirin, it would also cause many effects similar to an allergic reaction, which could include joint pain, swollen glands etc.
Im not saying this is the case, but if you havent tried the stomach med alone, it might be worth a try. The only other thing that comes to mind is that much of it sounds like an infection of some kind. Im sure he was tested, but that can be hard to narrow down.
I sincerely wish you and your husband the best. I too am a husband, ive lost my business to a similar condition, lost my mind, and almost lost my family. I know how it feels to try to sleep feeling this bad, and the thoughts that run through your mind.
May God help and heal you both.

gardenandcats · 09-03-2005, 10:46 PM

Asacol is used in ulcerative colitis to treat inflammation in the large intestine. Asacol is one form of mesalamine - other forms include Pentasa and Rowasa.

Asacol is used as a maintenance drug - it is helpful in retaining a remission but not in supressing a flare-up. It is typically, but not always, used for ulcerative colitis and ulcerative proctitis and also crohns. It is a anti inflammatory med.

just wondering why the doctor prescribe this med? usually its only given if one is found to have crohns or colitis.

sorrel2 · 09-04-2005, 10:16 AM

He could have an intestinal blockage, maybe from the enlarged lymph nodes obstructing the bowel. Weight gain can happen with this because not much is moving through the GI tract. Diarrhea (and abdominal pain) are typical of intestinal obstructions.

Or, the liver "lesion" (whatever that means ... one of those nonspecific terms doctors like to use) could be significant. A lot of liver diseases cause an accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, which can then cause pain, weight gain, and digestive disturbances.

Has he had any abnormal bloodwork results so far?