Does this sound like Crohn's?
Wed, February 17, 2010 5:57 PM
Hi,
Hoping someone can give some insight on what is going on with my 18yr old Son. My Son has had severe abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea and total lack of energy for 2 years. Often when he eats within 5 minutes he feels pain and goes straight to the bathroom with loose stools. He has had 2 colonoscopies, an endoscopy and a sigmoidoscopy in the last year with normal results, except the endoscopy showed some inflammation in his stomach and the sigmoidoscopy showed a small fissure. He gets mouth sores all the time, wierd rashes on his arms and sores all over his male private part that can't be explained. He is in the hospital right now due to the worst pain and diarrhea he has ever experienced. The GI Doc told me today that although he thinks right now he is dealing with either an intestinal virus or food poisoning, he thinks he may have Crohn's. He said that Crohn's is hard to diagnose and can take 2 years to make the diagnosis. My son has been diagnosed with IBS in the past, what is the difference with Crohn's and are there telltale signs. He is too sick to have blood work today, but will have it tomorrow.
It breaks my heart that my Son is not enjoying his teenage years, in fact he is just miserable all the time and has a hard time functioning and concentrating.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Amy
akeeneJoined Feb 17, 2010
Fri, February 19, 2010 1:00 AM
Reply posted for akeene.
hi
it sounds like uc or crohn's to me too. has he ever taken meds like asacol, lialda, pentasa? perhaps you can talk to the dr about starting one of these meds and see how he reacts. i'm sorry you are going through this...it is so *** us mommies to see our kids so sick.
Joined Jan 24, 2010
Thu, February 18, 2010 1:00 AM
Reply posted for akeene.
Hi Amy,
It sounds like CD to me, though I'm just a Mom, not a doc. I agree with your doctor that it is difficult to diagnose. My daughter was diagnosed @4, but had been misdiagnosed for 3 yrs prior to that.
With your son being diagnosed with IBS in the past, is he following any specific diet? The reason I ask is that perhaps he can get some relief to "cool" his system down. When my daughter was diagnosed, our family went through a total lifestyle change. Our doc told me how very important nutrition is and we needed to "listen" to her gut. We started a food diary and found "trigger" foods to avoid. Everything I thought was good, salads, raw veggies, lots of fresh fruits, whole grains, were right for the rest of us, but the worse thing I could give her. I had to educate myself and begin the transformation to a low fiber/low residue diet.
I know it sounds like a lot and how overwhelmed and emotional we parents are, especially when our kids are hospitalized. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Things will begin to look up, the dust will settle and he will be able to live a more "normal" life once he gets back in control of his system.
You have come to the right place......lots of advice, sympathetic ears, and people that really do understand.
Lizzies Mom
p.s. I am happy to say it has been 6 yrs since diagnosis and my daughter is just as big of a pain in the --- as her sister, which is a great thing! Really, all kinding aside, she is active, smart and doing well.
Joined Sep 9, 2009
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