Do I have Crohn's?

Posted by apilizota @apilizota, Apr 30, 2023

For 6 years now I have had digestive issues that come and go. I’ve had a total of 4 endoscopies and colonoscopies. Each time the doctors say I have gastritis and they put me on a PPI. My symptoms have been: abdominal pain and burning, belching, and bloating that last for weeks/months. But now with my last colonoscopy the doctor saw two tiny ulcers in the end of my small intestine. The first thing I asked her was, ‘Is it Crohns?’ And she said no but I’m not convinced. She has diagnosed me with IBS every time. It’s been years of me having chronic gastritis and pain that last for weeks or months and then I’m fine for several months. Doesn’t IBS only last for days? But now that she’s seen two ulcers I’m pretty convinced I have Crohns. Now that I’ve pushed the issue with her she’s going to do the camera pill test. She now says a small part of her thinks I might have it. Also, as I reflect back, I’ve had mouth sores and anal fissures a few times and that could be correlated with Crohns. But I never told her abt that since she never ever mentioned Crohns as a possibility. I’m really frustrated and upset that I’ve been dealing with this for so long. What are other tests to determine whether a person has Crohns?

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somedaydialysisfree | @somedaydialysisfree | May 1, 2023

@apilizota, have you done a breath test too, checking for fructose malabsorption.

apilizota | @apilizota | May 1, 2023

In reply to @somedaydialysisfree "@apilizota, have you done a breath test too, checking for fructose malabsorption." + (show)

I have and it came back normal. Too many symptoms I’ve had are pointing to Crohns. I just don’t know why my doctor would wait this long to test me for it. She just diagnosed me as having IBS. But now with these recent tiny ulcers she decided to do the capsule endoscope.

rozy288 | @rozy288 | May 1, 2023

I have 6 major diagnosis, seen 6 Gastro Dr’s …. Had over 20 tests in 20 years .
Horrible symptoms, life changing … every single day/ night for those 10 years w/o one day off .
I’ve even been to Mayo Clinic Jacksonville for Endoscopy w/ endo flip / 2 hr SIBO test/ and Entroscopy ( special c-scan of small intestine).
I’ve tried everything…. Diet wise / RX /holistic supplements, you make it . Even a Functional medicine Dr.
No luck 🍀. I feel for you …
I pray you find the right Dr.
to help ….

apilizota | @apilizota | May 1, 2023

In reply to @rozy288 "I have 6 major diagnosis, seen 6 Gastro Dr’s …. Had over 20 tests in 20..." + (show)

Omg!! Not one doctor gave you a diagnosis?? What are all your symptoms, if you don’t mind me asking?

apilizota | @apilizota | May 1, 2023

In reply to @rozy288 "I have 6 major diagnosis, seen 6 Gastro Dr’s …. Had over 20 tests in 20..." + (show)

And what kind of medicine have they put you on through the years? I’m praying for you too!

Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | May 1, 2023

@apilizota
Curious- did the doctor biopsy the ulcers?
Any blood tests done?
By the way- IBS can last forever- waxing and waning. I have that plus I’ve had autoimmune colitis.

apilizota | @apilizota | May 2, 2023

She didn’t biopsy the ulcers and no blood work recently.

heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | May 2, 2023

Mouth sores could be herpes, right? I don't know if herpes would cause the blisters you describe in the intestines. It's a good question. Herpes can't be cured, but there are new anti-virals to treat outbreaks. I know this is just adding to the complexity of your issue. Hope you find the answer. All the best, Joe.

rozy288 | @rozy288 | May 3, 2023

In reply to @apilizota "Omg!! Not one doctor gave you a diagnosis?? What are all your symptoms, if you don’t..." + (show)

Chronic Gastritis, 1000’s Deep wet belching , GERD, Esophagitis, Small hiatal hernia, small benign polyps on stomach lining , Diverticulosis, IBS- D, Gastro Cardiac syndrome.
Some insomnia, can’t eat anything w/o suffering so bad . I’ve tried all PPI ‘s , Everything Amazon and Metagenics etc for GI issues ( supplements), I’ve tried some anti depressants for a couple months here and there . Holistic Chiropractor, Abdominal Myan massage , Hypnotherapy. I’ve had 3 endoscopy’s , 6 hr gastric emptying study , many abdominal ultrasounds, upset and lower GI , colonoscopies, SIBO tests , H-pylori tests , food allergies testing 2x, so many tests in 10 yrs . Last night up 3am-6 am suffering so bad w/ gut and heart . It’s every single day and night w/o one day off in 10 years.
I’m just as bad on empty stomach. It’s a vicious cycle .
Even w/ Ambien o can’t sleep . I take Heart ♥️ Calm triple magnesium ( google it ) when my heart palpitations get bad . I take .50 mg Klonopin if I get too anxious. I’m so fatigued and life is hard . I’ve exhausted all my opinions. It started at 51 for me .
;(