crohns - Crohn's Disease / Ulcerative Colitis Message Board

Irishgal · 05-04-2006, 01:42 PM

Ive had crohns for about 5 years and since xmas ive had my first flare up. i thought after 6 wks of steroids it was under control but nope, its at me again. not as severly as before but the pain is still pretty bad... i know its bad when i have to bend over and hold my breath

my crohns doc wants me to see a nutritionist since im still losing weight from it - tho i told him with the pain i have no appetite so that doesnt make any sense, and he also wants me to have a cat scan... im a lil wary about this cos i know there is somat wrong inside me. i can touch my stomach and feel exactly where is sore. i dont think surgery will be an option but i dont know what else he could do..?

Sharon76 · 05-05-2006, 12:47 AM

hi Irish

I was diagnosed with Crohn's recently, a few weeks ago, after having on elong continuos flare up since last august. Very bad flare up with hospitalisations and a twisted bowel.

The idea of seeing a nutrionist is to make sure you get all nutrients in the correct way. As, crohns affects the bodys ability to abosrb nutrients. He has probably referred you ready for when the flare up is under control and you can start re introducing good food again.

The cat scan will be to see how much of your bowel is affected by the crohns, check to see if it has narowed, affected other parts etc. yes there is something wrong, the crohns! But dont worry it wont be anything more serious. The pain you are describing along with soreness, is 2normal" when you are having a flare up. I get that all the time, it is caused by the inflammation in the small bowel, and the steriods help to control that.

Good luck and i really hope it is under control soon, i understand what you are going through.

Irishgal · 05-06-2006, 11:45 AM

thanks a million sharon for your reply. i really appreicate it. i cant take steroids really anymore unless i have to cos i have rheumathoid arthritis and the steroid weakens my bones so id try anything else before id have to go on them again
the crohns is still acting up so im still not able to eat as much as i can so its pointless to see the dietitian or so i think. i eat really healthy with my few odd treats here and there of course so its just silly. but sure, will go to keep the doc happy

mt1971 · 05-06-2006, 11:58 AM

If you are taking steriods for more than one month your GP should be prescribing a bone strenghtening drug to counter their effects. It has been a long time since I last took steriods so I cannot remember the name. It is very important (especially in your cas with your other medical condidtion) that you take this drug. Does anyone else rememeber its name?

The one I took was a one pill a week, so no big issue, except you have to drink loads of water with it and also not sit down for 30 mins after taking it.

gardenandcats · 05-06-2006, 07:45 PM

To start with you need to have a good gastrologist who specializes in Crohns. He needs to get your flair up under control. If your still unable to eat much and losing weight then its not under control.Entecort is similiar to prendisone and is more friendly on the bone loss and has less side effects then prendisone. Usually Steriods are given along with a maintaince med as the maintaince meds usually take a few months to really kick in and work. You should be on one of those either 6-mp or Imuran. Sometimes they will try Pentasa 1st but most find its useless.
Over time if you do not get the flair under control you will damge your intestines and that will require surgery bowel resection.I have had 3 so far But I had Chrons back in the 60s before they knew much about it. Since the newer meds are availble I have been doing so much better.
Crohns is a life long problem. But with a good knowlegable doctor you can get in under control and lead a good life. If your having alot of bad pain. Then ask your doc for some type of pain pill. Don't suffer. use them if you are really having a bad day. The key to living with this is having a good doctor,if things are not improving then you need to go back and let him know that.
Good luck and hope you feel better soon.