I am a 44 year old woman, diagnosed yesterday with non-specific colitis. I have mouth, esophogeal, stomach, colon, rectal, and anus involvement, but apparently the biopsies didn't indicate Crohn's. The doctor said my symptoms are highly indicative of Crohn's, but she stopped short of calling it that based on the biopsies taken during my colonoscopy.
I have a lot of diverticula, and get frequent diverticulitis infections. I started this summer with what was thought to be diverticulitis, for which I took Avelox and Flagyl. I was running a high fever and had severe cramping with constipation. After 10 days on the meds, I had about three good days, then started with diarrhea about 15-20 times a day, fever over 102, very bad pain and cramping all the time, not just when I had to use the bathroom, and pretty much felt like dying. I went back to my regular doctor, who sent me for a CT of my abdomen. The radiologist favored a dx of Crohn's because of thickening in several areas of the colon and multiple areas of stranding. I don't really know what that means. I was put on 15 days of prednisone and refered to a GI. By the time I saw the GI, about two weeks later, I had lost 20 pounds (which was the only bright side...).
The colonoscopy showed no involvement in the terminal ileum, but have patchy inflammation in the transverse colon, and many areas of inflammation in the descending colon and rectum. The CT showed thickening in the cecum as well.
Since June I have been eating plain yogurt with crackers, noodles with bland sauces, and the occasional turkey sandwich on white bread. I can't tolerate so much as a flake of parsley in my food, no whole grain crackers or bread, I'm using lactose-free
milk, drinking plain water. I still get d sometimes even eating this, but if I try anything else, I will be sick all day and night. I ate baked chicken breast a few nights ago and regretted it for over 12 hours. I can't eat any sugar.
After the colonoscopy, I started on Asacol, which helped my belly, but gave me severe headaches. Yesterday the doctor started me on Colosol, nine pills a day. I hope it will help without causing migraines.
I have many autoimmune type problems, but also have a lot of immune disfunction problems as well. I get sick with every cold, bronchitis, skin infection, etc. anyone brings near me.
I know this is long, but very few people I know understand what I go through, and I think many of you will relate. I have learned a lot from reading the forum the past few weeks.
Edited to clarify and to correct a spelling error.
Post Edited (sweettea) : 9/12/2007 3:56:36 PM (GMT-6)