Does anyone have Crohn's Disease?

[Jalapeñomel]

So the doctor's are now saying that they think DH has Crohn's Disease.  He has been referred to a specialist for more bloodwork, but I was curious to know what symptoms you had and what the course of action is after a diagnosis.  

I realize this is all preemptive, because it could be something totally different.  

[bcv513]

I have it. Diagnosed about two years ago. I was having bad stomach pain and going to the bathroom ten times a day. The pain and the urgency were terrible. I waited over a year to get checked. Blood tests showed a high C-reactive protein and sedrate. They did a colonoscopy. Dr was pretty sure it was crohns and biopsy confirmed it.

I remember the doctor telling me the goal was for me to forget I had crohns. I thought she was crazy. I now forget I have it. It's scary as hell but once you find the right medicine you can have a very normal life.

I hope you guys get some answers soon. Feel free to message me if you have any questions or want to talk

[Overthemoon]

BIL has it. His symptoms hit a peak while he was in college out of state and he never said a word to anybody. He came home for Thanksgiving and he looked like a skeleton. He finally told MIL that it hurts him to eat and he basically had to go to the bathroom all the time. She took him to a specialist here in Atlanta. His grandfather had Crohn's too so they got to that diagnosis pretty quickly.

He was on Remicade for several years, and it helped him tremendously. He ended up deciding to go off of it because his doctor told him that for his particular demographic it can raise his risk of lymphoma, but he has stayed healthy and at a normal weight by following a vegetarian diet. I know that he still has to be pretty strict with himself though - I know if he eats certain things he feels really awful for a while afterwards.

Good luck to your DH and I hope they can find the right treatment for him!

[sapphireblue]

My mother has it. She was diagnosed as a teenager. At this point, she isn't on any medication. I know she has bathroom issues and sometimes really needs to go. She avoids certain foods that trigger her and I think now she has it pretty well dialed in.