Crohns and Colitis Exchange
This is a place for members with Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis to get ... more
See All
Preferences
My Communities
My Discussions
My Email Digests
I was diagnosed with Crohn's in February 2012, after about 5 years of ongoing bowel movement concerns and weight loss (total loss of 60 pds). After the diagnosis, I was put on Prednisone (tapered) for 8 weeks and Lialda (3 per day). I concluded my Prednisone course and about 3-4 weeks after that got really sick.
For the past two weeks I've had diarrehia and extreme urgency for bowel movements. Also, I have this gurgling/bloating noise in my stomach. Lost about 10 pounds and cannot seem to keep food or liquids in. The GI doctor prescribed another 8 weeks of Prednisone (tapered again) and I recently finished a one-week course of Flagly and Cipro.
I still am off of work due to the continued urgency and diarrehia.
Being new to Crohn's, are these systems typical of a Crohn's flare-up and that the medication prescriped just isn't keeping me in remission? Or, is this something more serious? I don't want to think that this is my new way of life. Very depressing. I'm hoping this is something that can be controlled....
Any suggestions or similar experiences?
Thank you!View Thread
I have horrible mood swings and my temper seems to be completely out of control. My lunch spilled all over my car this morning which resulted in a full on temper tantrum complete with stomping, screaming, and throwing things. I am tired of not being me!
Please tell me that when I stop taking this crap I will be normal again?!?View Thread
Background:I was diagnosed with 'colon spasms' about 10 years ago. The Dr. chose not to pursue a colonoscopy or endoscopy diagnosis at the time because I was significantly underweight and uncompliant (I was 12 and hated doctors). After 6 years of having an 'attack' at least once a day it eventually went away and then I have had 6 years of maybe 5 very mild attacks per year until these past few weeks.
An attack for me is a very painful abdomen, to the point that it wakes me up at night, a fever accompanied by sweating and chills, and diarrhea for 30 minutes- 1 hr. At the worst point in time eating anything (a banana, a single slice of bread) could cause an attack within minutes or it could be hours later (I got really tired of waking up at 3am). I don't remember having a normal bowel movement during those 6 years. There were times I felt that I could not breath much less move. Anti-spasmotics would take the pain down a bit but it still hurt like hell.
The attacks started going away about the time I graduated high school which was also around the time I became a vegetarian and when I started drinking coffee regularly. Since then I've had maybe five instances a year where I'd get comparatively mild abdominal pain and diarrhea. One thing that I have found a little weird is that all my bowel movements are due to my morning coffee. If I skip the coffee or delay it, the bowel movement follows suit. In the past few weeks things have been changing and I am beginning to think that the good times are over.
My symptoms don't seem to fit even the norm for even severe IBS (with the fever, frequency, the children's equivalent of >30% loss of weight, stunted growth, and waking up at night in pain), but I am skeptical of IBD if my remission lasted 6 years. I can't seem to find any scientific information of duration of remission with IBD, so any information or experiences anyone could provide me would be greatly appreciated.View Thread
I Mom age 60 was diagnosed last year with Crohns. In the past month she has been barely eating and extremely tired to the point where she wasn't getting out of bed. She has lost 10 pounds in 2 weeks and is now 116 pounds. She is 5 ft 6 inches
My dad and I brought her to the ER 2 weeks ago where they did an x-ray, ECG, blood work and took her blood pressure. It was 80/48. They told her her iron was super low and gave her three units of blood. She felt great for three days but is now tired all the time again.
She had a CT Scan last week and was told her bowel is looped and twisted. Her doctor is putting her on Humira as he has tried other medications that haven't helped such as steroids, Sulphasalazine and Methotrazate.
For the past 5 weeks she has been on 4 iron pills daily. So I am concerned still about her iron. Shouldn't it have gone up in the time period? It is no life sleeping all the time and she is cold all the time also.
He wants to see if Humira makes a difference but has told her she is at a higher risk for an obstruction.
I feel he isn't doing enough? Should she get a second opinion or bring her back to the ER? She doesn't have a family doctor and he is going to India for 2 months next month. She doesn't see him again until May 10th
Thank you for any help.View Thread
Sorry about any mis-spellings I haven't had much sleep either.View Thread
I decided to try it. I took two tablets with each meal and at bedtime. Can't remember the strength of the tablets as it was 15 years ago and I haven't needed to do it again!
I ate a restricted bland diet for approximately 2 weeks which included oatmeal EVERY morning and no fried foods, beets, gravy, caffeine, nuts, alcohol, or vegetables. I did eat poached chicken for protein. This calmed my GI system down enough to start slowly adding more "normal" foods.
I just had a colonoscopy done and the doc said that my GI tract was in excellent health and that I did not have to do another test for 10 years! So I am either in the longest remission ever or cured! Well...not cured....I still have indications when I know I have to modify my diet for a week or so to relax my GI tract and I do my old diet as prescribed above. But I catch it before it becomes a real problem. Anyway, works for me and I don't need any drugs!View Thread
I decided to try it. I took two tablets with each meal and at bedtime. Can't remember the strength of the tablets as it was 15 years ago and I haven't needed to do it again!
I ate a restricted bland diet for approximately 2 weeks which included oatmeal EVERY morning and no fried foods, beets, gravy, caffeine, nuts, alcohol, or vegetables. I did eat poached chicken for protein. This calmed my GI system down enough to start slowly adding more "normal" foods.
I just had a colonoscopy done and the doc said that my GI tract was in excellent health and that I did not have to do another test for 10 years! So I am either in the longest remission ever or cured! Well...not cured....I still have indications when I know I have to modify my diet for a week or so to relax my GI tract and I do my old diet as prescribed above. But I catch it before it becomes a real problem. Anyway, works for me and I don't need any drugs!View Thread
I have UC and rheumatoid arthritis. I am currently traveling overseas in South America. Right now, I am having a bit of a flare-up after having been symptom free for a month. Starting overnight, I developed bad abdominal pain/cramping and nausea. Today, the abdominal pains are not as bad, but I have no appetite and horrendous joint pain - the worst I have had in years. I have not had any diarrhea or blood in my stools.
I'm kind of in a jam because since my UC is acting up, I can't take my NSAID for my joint pain. At what point should I seek medical attention, start a course of antibiotics, or start a course of prednisone?(I have antibiotics and prednisone here with me just in case).
I'm just not quite sure what to do. Has anyone ever been in this situation before? If something serious is going on, I don't want to let it go without getting medical attention.
Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!View Thread
Any other common experiences? Any other meds I should ask her about to switch to? What about Cimzia?View Thread
Firstly, thank-you all for all the posts... they are an invaluable resource!
I've been dealing with my fourth flare up in two years, and have now gone through 5-ASA's and azathioprine. Trying to keep my chin up, but this sucks! I feel like I'm missing out on so much in life. Anyway, enough pity-partying!
I'm wondering if anyone has thoughts on the long-term benefits of remicade (aka infliximab) v.s. a colectomy? I don't like the permanence of surgery, but at the same time, I've only heard good things about it. On the other hand, I'm not so sure about being on such a major medication for the rest of my life, and being immune-suppressed etc. either. Do people ever stop taking remicade gradually once in remission?
Thanks again for all the information!View Thread
HeatherView Thread
HeatherView Thread
Take the Poll
View Thread
Anyone have an similar experiences?View Thread
Take the Poll
Poll Results
-
Defer start of Remicade0% (0)
-
Start and stop after 1 or 2 treatments100% (1)
-
Continue with prednsone treatment and await remission0% (0)
See Related Digestive Disorders Communities
Women's Health Newsletter
Find out what women really need.
Spotlight: Member Stories
Helpful Tips
Helpful Resources
Related News
Report Problems to the
Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Other Member Communities
- Dieting Club: 10 - 25 Lbs Member Community Share Your Tips and Support!
- Caregiving Member Community The Support and Understanding You Need!
- Parenting Friends Talking Member Community Get Support from Members Like You!
-
More Related Communities
The opinions expressed in WebMD User-generated content areas like communities, reviews, ratings, or blogs are solely those of the User, who may or may not have medical or scientific training. These opinions do not represent the opinions of WebMD. User-generated content areas are not reviewed by a WebMD physician or any member of the WebMD editorial staff for accuracy, balance, objectivity, or any other reason except for compliance with our Terms and Conditions. Some of these opinions may contain information about treatments or uses of drug products that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.
Do not consider WebMD User-generated content as medical advice. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your care plan or treatment. WebMD understands that reading individual, real-life experiences can be a helpful resource, but it is never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified health care provider. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or dial 911 immediately.
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
©2005-2013 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.
