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Hi I'm 43 years old. Have acid reflux for years diagnosed by upper gi. Was always sickly as a kid,after having kids have been healthy for years. 3 weeks ago began getting really sick. 1st, Doc thought it was mononucleosis & was tested for that, but neg. Thought strange because suffered at age 12 & was sick with it for 2 months before full recovery. Since the onset of this unexplained illness I've been on penicillin, for 2 weeks took a steroid med which cut the pain of: sudden onset of canker sores in my mouth-could hardly drink water because of pain & only when I started menses was the only time I got them and they only last 3 days. Diarrhea for 3 weeks now, have lost between 6-10 lbs-which would be great if I wasn't ill to do it, fatigue is beyond frustrating-being up for 12 hours in a day is a feat in itself-but do nothing but sit, No appetite because I feel nauseous all the time like pregnant, but def not pregnant, within 10-20 min of eating anything must run to bathroom for bout of diarrhea, meanwhile feeling like I will vomit the whole time, but no vomit.before, during, & awhile after this bout I have intense sweating. Have also noticed that have intense vaginal discharge & incredible itching. Don't believe it's a yeast infection because it's not that kind of discharge; rather it is clear liquid in mass amounts that would be the normal during sex. I'm embarrassed, but looking for opinions as to whether these symptoms could be chroens related & if I should push doc to get me to a gi. Please respond & tell me your opinion.

 Reply posted for kcandcompany.

I was 45 at the time of diagnosis... I was ill with diarrhea for weeks, (started with cramps that felt more like labor contractions!) along with some vomiting and fever.  Primary doc prescribed antibiotics, which exacerbated the vomiting.  One of my knees in which years ago a ligament had been replaced, became so swollen on two occasions that it had to be drained by my orthopedic doctor.  He was so stumped that he was prepared to do surgery to have a look inside.  I developed some unexplained small, inflamed, red bumps on my arms, legs, and face.  Then came the ulcers you talked about- in the back of my throat, inside of my mouth, and embarrassingly, inside the vaginal area.  Extremely tired because I could not retain anything I ate and was in pain majority of the time.  During this time, my primary doc tested me for parasites, and sent me for a barium swallow to test my gall bladder, etc., even unnecessarily lanced one of the small bumps on my arm to preclude infection.  Meanwhile, the frightening symptoms mounted and intensified.  I finally told him that I decided to schedule a colonoscopy on my own.  When I came out of sedation following the test, I was immediately told that I had crohns and was shown a repulsive photo of my insides!  The attending doc then said I would need to wait 3 weeks for an appointment at his office. I was sure I would be hospitalized by then!  Thankfully, I was fortunate enough to see a GI in the city that same week, and he prescribed Humira. (I had had allergic reactions to nasal steroid spray in the past.)  The recovery was quite complete over the next couple of months, and I continue to take Humira. Just before the severe onset, I felt very healthy and active, but I did have years off & on of extremely painful reflux.               

 Reply posted for kcandcompany.

I hope you find your answer soon. I am in a similar situation complicated by endometriosis and previous surgeries, so every doctor keeps sending me to another specialist and I have no answers just pain and depression. I just 't understand why is is so difficult for someone to find my problem and help me. 

 Reply posted for kcandcompany.

I would definately advise you have your Dr. refer you to a Gastrointerologist, so that you can have the proper testing to know what it is you have for sure. Crohn's disease and Colitis have very similar symptoms and people are diagnosed wrongfully with one or the other quite often.  It will also give you piece of mind knowing exactly what you have and then you can figure out your options and best way to treat it.  Good Luck to you, I know it is not easy!

 Reply posted for kcandcompany.

Also, wanted to state-ran out of words. Pain in my left upperside is constantly. Like something heavy pushing on me. It seems like it is to the left side of my stomach.  I just don't feel the will to eat, shower, try to leave the house. See that depression is starting to take over me. Also suffer that, but wasn't depressed before this really really sudden spiral down. Was chronically sick as a child and dont want to return to that. Any advise. Not using this forum as a feel better method, really want YOUR opinions to see if I'm on the right track.