1. < Digestive Health

Want to connect with people Diagnosed with Crohn's at an older age

Posted by gshlager @gshlager, May 10, 2023

I was diagnosed with colitis during a screening colonoscopy and my GI seems fairly convinced based on the location of the inflammation and the pathology reports that is Crohns.

I had what I would describe as mild symptoms back in November before the colonoscopy which consisted of moderate cramping and bloating, intolerance to certain food, and mild constipation. I did not have any diarrhea.

I changed my diet and began taking supplements (omega3, probiotic, curcumin, etc.) and the issues seemed to resolved after about 3 weeks.

Since then I have had isolated flare ups which usually consist on mild cramping and in some cases moderate back and hip pain (not sure if this is crohns or just ordinary aches and pains of being 61), and they have mostly resolved within a few days.

I have a follow up appointment with my GI at the end of the month, and he instructed me to have a calprotectin stool test to gauge the level of inflamation (my understanding anyway).

I am interested in knowing the experience of others who have been diagnosed with crohns at an older age, and also what types of medications are used for those with mild to moderate symptoms.

Thanks you ....

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reno10 | @reno10 | Feb 25 2:23am
In reply to @lucismith "I have learn recently when I was signing up to a trial research for new medication..." + (show)
@lucismith

I have learn recently when I was signing up to a trial research for new medication for Crohns that this disease also cause join pain , and lots of other parts of your body .
My gastro is excellent suggesting other meds and the last one was Rinvoq because I am very sensitive to side effects after my 3rd bottle I was recommended to stop , my doctor was disappointed but I could tell the difference no urgencies , no diarrhea, and last January 23rd I went to full colonoscopy which confirmed what I had in my heart my Crohns was finally quiet , and I am no longer taking any medication at all .
My life was upside down wi the Crohns stress was at high level which makes even worse for the disease.
I am a true believer that JESUS can and will heal so after lots of prayers , tears to be delivered from I have finally at terms that my prayers and decision to change my lifestyle, letting go of things that isn’t important in life , taking different approaches to daily activities etc caring for my 97 years old mother , my husband 87 , so at 65 I am feeling good about my changes and blessings.
Last Saturday I began to bleed a lot which results in 2 trips to ER and end up at hospital until yesterday after my gastro that was at the hospital required just a sigmoidoscopy confirmed again my Crohns is just well as could be , and my bleeding stoped and was caused by diverticulitis but I am home recovering.
So I would recommend talk to your doctor about this medication and give a try , Remicade infusions was very good at the beginning as well .
Please check your emotional health and make changes on the outlook of life what is more important, food is another thing to watch which triggers your Crohns , I was recommended by Crohns NP to take Vitamin D3 , B12 and gummies multi vitamins forever thing due to where my Crohns is and lack of nutrition enough in my body through food intake .
Out lives is very important we are the only ones that can make changes I did I am very happy .
Hope the best and don’t allow the disease to take over your life ! Luci .

Jump to this post

Luci,
Please don’t kill me for my complete and utter incompetence and trying to send you a message. I wanted to just thank you for your kind message. You sent me and I screwed up and sent it to myself. I tried everything. Nothing I did worked so I took pictures of it and sent it that way. So sorry I’m so sorry.
Thanks again take care
REPLY
1 reply
Luci Smith | @lucismith | Feb 25 5:49pm
In reply to @reno10 "Luci, Please don’t kill me for my complete and utter incompetence and trying to send you..." + (show)
@reno10

Luci,
Please don’t kill me for my complete and utter incompetence and trying to send you a message. I wanted to just thank you for your kind message. You sent me and I screwed up and sent it to myself. I tried everything. Nothing I did worked so I took pictures of it and sent it that way. So sorry I’m so sorry.
Thanks again take care

Jump to this post

I am with you I can’t take doctors without bedside manner, and don’t believe what we are saying to them .
Diarrhea is real not in the person’s mind this is totally absurd .
They have Doctors and someone that just have the md at end of their names but means nothing .
Hopefully you will feel better and find a good real doctor .
Luci .

REPLY
Luci Smith | @lucismith | Feb 25 5:53pm
In reply to @lucismith "I have learn recently when I was signing up to a trial research for new medication..." + (show)
@lucismith

I have learn recently when I was signing up to a trial research for new medication for Crohns that this disease also cause join pain , and lots of other parts of your body .
My gastro is excellent suggesting other meds and the last one was Rinvoq because I am very sensitive to side effects after my 3rd bottle I was recommended to stop , my doctor was disappointed but I could tell the difference no urgencies , no diarrhea, and last January 23rd I went to full colonoscopy which confirmed what I had in my heart my Crohns was finally quiet , and I am no longer taking any medication at all .
My life was upside down wi the Crohns stress was at high level which makes even worse for the disease.
I am a true believer that JESUS can and will heal so after lots of prayers , tears to be delivered from I have finally at terms that my prayers and decision to change my lifestyle, letting go of things that isn’t important in life , taking different approaches to daily activities etc caring for my 97 years old mother , my husband 87 , so at 65 I am feeling good about my changes and blessings.
Last Saturday I began to bleed a lot which results in 2 trips to ER and end up at hospital until yesterday after my gastro that was at the hospital required just a sigmoidoscopy confirmed again my Crohns is just well as could be , and my bleeding stoped and was caused by diverticulitis but I am home recovering.
So I would recommend talk to your doctor about this medication and give a try , Remicade infusions was very good at the beginning as well .
Please check your emotional health and make changes on the outlook of life what is more important, food is another thing to watch which triggers your Crohns , I was recommended by Crohns NP to take Vitamin D3 , B12 and gummies multi vitamins forever thing due to where my Crohns is and lack of nutrition enough in my body through food intake .
Out lives is very important we are the only ones that can make changes I did I am very happy .
Hope the best and don’t allow the disease to take over your life ! Luci .

Jump to this post

Hope you will be able to find a good caring doctor soon .
Luci

REPLY
1 reply
reno10 | @reno10 | Feb 26 12:58am
In reply to @lucismith "Hope you will be able to find a good caring doctor soon . Luci" + (show)
@lucismith

Hope you will be able to find a good caring doctor soon .
Luci

Jump to this post

Well, I did actually last Thursday. I almost didn’t go to the appointment because of what I have been through in the last year with doctors or so-called doctors.
She was amazing. She actually listened to me and she gave me my much needed referral.
Thanks again take care

REPLY
catherine1290 | @catherine1290 | Feb 27 10:17am

I also was diagnosed with Crohn's late in life. Age 69 at the time. My Colo/Rectal Surgeon stated this is becoming common in recent years. I take Stelara every 8 weeks by sub-Q injection. I can't report having any side effects after 5 years.

REPLY
marion49 | @marion49 | Nov 17 1:32pm
In reply to @reno10 "Hello, I’m new on here, and very grateful The Mayo Clinic has this site to connect..." + (show)
@reno10

Hello, I’m new on here, and very grateful The Mayo Clinic has this site to connect and get informed by others with the same horrible condition.
The reason I’m responding to your comment is because of the age thing, I am 67 years old and I got this horrible disease Crohn’s over a year ago.
It’s a very lonely, embarrassing disease. Especially when your entire family turns their back on you.
I look forward to learning more about this horrible disease that is affected so many of us.

Jump to this post

Wow, my Gastro, after telling me that if I didn't choose one of the 3 options (infusion, shots, meds) I would DIE. What he didn't tell me is there is a list of foods to be cautious of?? I'm reading that most of the group has diarrhea, I don't, but I have been constipated most of my life until I went on Miralax daily. And as he gave me my subtle diagnosis, he told me to go off my arthritis meds asap! So now I have joint pain and stomach issues. This is like a double edged sword! Oh and best of all, when I had my routine colonoscopy 7 years ago, Doc said I never needed another one as long as I lived. Fast forward 7 years and I'm told to get one, my Gastro doc of 35 years had retired 2 weeks prior and I was give this new doc with no bedside, matter of fact manners!

REPLY
marion49 | @marion49 | Nov 17 1:50pm
In reply to @colleenyoung "@gshlager, I modified the title of your discussion to reflect the connection you'd like to make...." + (show)
@colleenyoung

@gshlager, I modified the title of your discussion to reflect the connection you'd like to make. I hope you also saw the reply from @lucismith

Gshlager, while the diagnosis of Crohn's is new for you, have you had digestive issues for a long time. What led to your having a colonoscopy?

Jump to this post

Colleen, this is my first time using this site, I can't tell if your comment was meant for me? I have not had digestive issue, just periodic ER visits, over the year, for what turned out to be Constipation. Last June I had severe upper and lower stomach pains that put me in the ER, the CT scan showed enough evidence that I needed a Gasto to do a Colonoscopy. In turn that pathology report was Crohn's, which of course, I frantically denied!! I don't have diarrhea, which most people complain of. What's confusing me is, not all symptoms are the same? I haven't had a flare up since June, but I can feel strangeness in my gut and it hurts when pressed on, and as thin as I am, my stomach stays puffy.

REPLY
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