Crohn's Disease or ????
I had my gallbladder removed 4 months ago b/c it was severly inflamed & only functioning 13%. A few weeks later I received a pamplet in the mail addressed to me personally saying "Now that you have Crohn's Disease...." I threw it away & didn't think much more about it till now. I've not been able to hold food down since my surgery - puking & either loose stools or black tarry ones sometimes 10+ times a day. I went to the OB thinking I was pregnant b/c I keep gaining weight (size 3- a size 10) in a few months. I wasn't pregnant & now he is checking for the problem. Everything I've read says you lose weight with Crohn's Disease but I have all the other symptoms & found out 3 relatives have it also. Does Crohn's Disease make you really tired & sick feeling? Can you gain weight with it? What other possible diseases could be causing my problems?
Thanks in advance for any info or advise.
Blueeyedluv
It's good to hear you're in remission. What meds are you on (more specifically, did they put you on remicade)? How are you dealing with any side effects?
Good luck & good health to you!
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Hey Blueeyeluv;
I have had crohns and ulcerative colitis since 2004. The symptoms that you are experiencing are very similar to how I was eventually diagnosed. My family GP could not get to the bottom of the problem, so it is good you are seeing people that will perform the barium swallow tests, upper or lower gi tests, colonoscopy. I had lost 50 lbs in 2 weeks before diagnosis. I was vomiting as well as watery stool. I was in severe trouble. I am on medication therapy for life. Once the medications took positive affect, it was at first important for me to gain weight and get my strength back. Muscle mass disappeared, shrunk. When Crohns is 'rearing its ugly head', eating whites is your best choice. As fiber and multigrain etc work against you. I was considered a severe case at diagnose and now am in remission. My medications are working beautifully and I know what I have to do to keep that going. Eating right, avoid caffeine, decrease alcohol intake immensely, avoid corn and corn products and continue to take medications. I do go for lab tests every 3 to 6 months to monitor potassium and blood levels. Good luck to you. I am here if you have any questions. I also have a crohns blog you may wish to follow ....http://intestines101.blogspot.ca ....Take care
May 24, 2012 - 1:14pmThis Comment
blueeyedluv,
Good luck this week, & try not to stress (not good for ulcers)! I'll keep my fingers crossed that you get it figured out by the end of the week!
We have a page on ulcer information: https://www.empowher.com/condition/ulcers
And an article about treating ulcers naturally: https://www.empowher.com/gastric-ulcer/content/ulcers-how-treat-them-nat...
Best,
Danielle.
March 6, 2012 - 7:43amThis Comment
Thanks Danielle. I have an apt with a Digestive Disease Group next week. They are thinking it is a bleeding stomach ulcer so they are doing upper GI first. They gave me Rx in the meantime to help & said not to take any pain meds or anti-inflamatories. They said I could take Tylenol but that doesn't work for me. Sucks b/c Rx causes major headaches as side effect.
I will keep you posted though. Any info on ulcers would be great.
Thanks,
Shelley
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Hi Blueeyedluv,
Welcome to the EmpowHER community, I hope we can help support you through your struggles and frustrations! First of all, it's great that you've taken initiative and gone to the doctor. According to our site, Crohn's has a variety of symptoms that include anemia, fatigue, weakness, nausea, and diarrhea. So this indeed could be the cause of your tired, sick feeling. If you're pretty set on Crohn's, a doctor can diagnose through a variety of ways.
Please see our Crohn's page for more information: https://www.empowher.com/condition/crohns-disease/symptoms
You say that you're gaining weight... have you started any medications?
There are plenty of other gastrointestinal illnesses, but again, your gastroenterologist is the best person to ask. Please keep us updated.
Best,
Danielle.
March 1, 2012 - 6:42am
Hi prteam
I am on Azathioprine (immuno suppressant) and Asacol5 and Potassium
I keep active with exercise, positive outlook. I actually do not notice any side effects. I am monitored every 3 and 6 months for complete blood count. Changed the diet no red meats or dairy at all. Probably helps immensely there. Wishing you well too!
July 26, 2012 - 8:13pmThis Comment