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I have some Chron's questions...

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 9/29/2007 3:10 AM (GMT -8)
Hello all!

I usually post on the IBS board, but went to my GP yesterday and he mentioned Chron's to me so I thought I'd some to a good place to ask some questions about it... :-)

Okay...I was Dx with IBS-D a year and a half ago.  Here are my symptoms...chronic diarrhea (everyday) that contains tons of mucus (grose, I know, but we can all relate here), I have not noticed any blood in stools.  I don't  have the appetite I once had and I fill up quickly.  I have had tons of tests including colonoscopy, EGD, bowel series x-rays, CT scan, hida scan, ultrasounds, stool tests, & blood tests, etc.  (My EGD did suggest a GERD Dx.)

I went to my GP yesterday and he seems to believe that it sounds like I possibly could have Chron's.  I told my Dr. that I do not see any blood in my stools.  He said that it may not matter.  I suppose everybody is different with symptoms of Chron's? 

What tests exist (besides a colonoscopy) that may suggest Chron's as a Dx?

Is there anybody that has Chron's that DOES NOT have blood in stools, but have tons of mucusy mixed stools that is large in volume??

Thanks for your input...it is really appreciated! I will talke all of the advice I can get.

Shelly

Posted 9/29/2007 4:06 AM (GMT -8)
yup get that all right- you don't nedd to have blood. did you get a pill cam done? might show up something the other tests havent. i really hope they get you sorted - it can be frustrating not having a diagnosis - maybe try another gi - a second opinion might help.
Posted 9/29/2007 11:06 AM (GMT -8)
you need to see a gastroenterologist, not a GP. Did the CT Scan do the abdomen and pelvis with and without contract? A small bowel series might help. A colonoscopy can't go all the way into the small intestine.

Your symptoms are worth looking further into. People have different ways ot manifesting the illness. I had pain in my upper abdomen when I walked up stairs or exerted myself for 5 years before the GI finally suggested a colonoscopy and surprise! I never had D, but lost a lot of weight and had no appetite.

Find a good gastroenterologist and show him or her everything from the GI. There's a reason god invented specialists!

good luck,

Susan
Posted 9/29/2007 11:23 AM (GMT -8)
You can't go wrong with additional tests. Even a colonoscopy and the like is a small price to pay for a correct diagnosis. And yeah, Crohn's is different for everyone. Hell, for me, its different every week.

edit: price in regards to pain, not wallet. thank god for insurance.
Posted 9/29/2007 12:58 PM (GMT -8)
Thanks all for your comments...

In response, I have had a colonoscopy, bowel series x-rays, and all of the other tests that you mentioned I should have.  I have also been to 2 GI specialists already.  I only went to my GP to inform him of my current status with the problem so he knew what was going on.  My GP sais that my symptoms sound like Chron's or pancreatic insufficiency...so he is running some tests that my GI specialist did not do.

 

Posted 9/29/2007 5:36 PM (GMT -8)
Hey Shelly~

Crohn's is so different for everyone!! Yes it is very common for some people to have NO blood and have Crohn's disease. Espec. in the beginning stages. Some people NEVER have blood in their stool. The mucus and yucky stuff in your bowels is totally normal for Crohn's and actually prob. more normal than the blood for many with Crohn's. Get a second opinion. I had 5 before figuring out that I had severe Crohn's and what needed to be done. One diagnosis is NEVER enough, so please keep that in mind. A colon-oscopy is really the best (yet) test their is for Crohn's. Their are other tests along with a colon-oscopy that you could do as well. So mention those to your Dr. and see what he or she says. But remember to find a GI Dr. that you trust and that really cares about you. Like I mentioned above, it may take a while but it is so worth it in the long run.
I was diagnosed about 6 years ago when I was 21. Almost 27 now. It has been very hard. But for the first time in 7 years, I am about 70% better (for now, thanks for a good medication) and living a semi-normal life. Don't give up and remember to take care of yourself!

Let me know if you need anything else!

Thanks!
Posted 9/30/2007 11:25 PM (GMT -8)
It took me almost 8 years to finally get a diagnosis of Crohns.  I too was suffering with chronic diarrea and lots of mucus, but all the doctors kept telling me it was all in my head.  I finally ended up in the hospital with a partial obstruction, and that's how they found out about the Crohns.  I never saw any blood in my stool, just lots of mucus.  After I began treatment one year ago, the mucus is completely gone, and I only have diarrea maybe once every month.  My life has completely changed, because I feel so much better with my medicines.

I don't want to scare you by telling you my story, I just want you to understand that Crohns is a very difficult disease to diagnose, so please keep trying until you find out what's wrong with you.  It's definately not normal having diarrea and mucus everyday.

Christina

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