Hi everyone,
I have been newly diagnosed as having Crohn's Disease. I had a routine colonoscopy in November 2019 that showed I had inflammation and a stricture at the ileocecal valve. A CT showed no other inflamation in my small intestine. My CRP was 11 and calprotectin was in the 330s. My Dr started me on Budesonide. After 2 months my CRP was 15. However, I have no other symptoms--no diarrhea, vomiting, gas, bloating, abdominal pain--nothing. The Dr wants to start me on biologics, but I declined for now due to the recent pandemic.
Does anyone know of someone who had Crohn's but no symptoms?
I am thinking of getting a second opinion to see if it could possibly be something else.
Thanks!!
Reply posted for robwilly.
I was diagnosed with Crohn's 30 years ago and had to have a bowel resection. Haven't been to a GI doctor for years, until I decided I should probably have a colonoscopy due to my age and history. Colonoscopy showed a structure where I had my resection and small diseased area. I have learned to live with my stool habits and am pretty much normal depending on what I eat. Only pain I have is occasionally I will get a bowel obstruction due to the structure. My GI gave me one choice-Humira. I don't feel I need to go to that extreme since I don't have symptoms. For now I just watch my diet.
Reply posted for txhoneybee.
So my first GI doc did my colonoscopy with biopsy and diagnosed me with Crohn's colitis based on finding mild inflammation and one patch of granulomas. She wanted me to start on Entyvio right away, which I felt was CRAZY considering how mild my symptoms were.
I found another GI doc. He looked at the biopsy report and the operative report and said that my case is very mild, and that with Crohn's the thing "Dr. Google" doesn't say is that there's actually a very broad spectrum.
He agreed that starting a biologic so soon was a bit severe, and I'm actually on the lowest dose of oral mesalamine, and I seem to be responding to it even within these first 2 weeks (normally it takes a couple of months).
Point being, it NEVER hurts to get a second opinion. Especially if you can find a GI who specializes in CD---so many of them are aggressive with biologics because it's the only thing they're really trained in, and their experience of patients with CD is very small.
Reply posted for KrisT3.
I was diagnosed with crohns after a colonoscopy, but a week later my GI Dr. changed it to uc after viewing the pictures from the camera pill.
Unlike you, I had chronic diarrhea. I mean always. I don't think I have either, but my GI Dr. was certain of the diagnosis of uc.
Reply posted for KrisT3.
I was also diagnosed with Chron's in Jan 2020 due to light to moderate inflammation in small intenstine observed via colonoscopy/capsule endoscopy. I had almost no symptoms leading up to this but was slighly anemic/fatigued. I was prescribed budesonide for 8 weeks, and then the doc told me I'd need to start Humira to be taken for life.
I got a second opinion from another GI doctor who suggested Stelara (preferred) or Humira, again to be taken indefinitely.
Since my initial diagnosis, I have had some slight stomach pain.
Does anyone else have a similar experience of being prescribed biologics so soon without symptoms? Doesn't seem like a great option, especially with COVID going around.
Reply posted for KrisT3.
Very surprised to hear that you are being suggested Biologics with no symptoms. Would highly suggest diet changes or other non-immunosuppressant routes. Would absolutely get a second opinion from other GIs. Seems like extreme / costly treatment that isn't necessary. However, if you have early signs of potential - definitely should consider lifestyle / diet patterns to get ahead of it!
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