I don't believe  crohns is restricted to the large intestine so it can be anywhere in the digestive system. That includes the small intestine.

Well I don't know about Crohns, but let me tell you Ulcerative Collitis comes back as Pouchitis.

Hi kimmie,

pouchlogic is correct.

having said that, the decision to go to the ER should be made by you and the surgeon if possible. It’s hard to give medical advice when it comes to a potential life threatening situation, from a online forum.

do you have a trusted family doctor, GI, or the surgeon who performed the ileo?

If you recently had the ileo, your surgeon should still be providing post surgical support. He/she would be the one to help you thru this crisis you are facing.

@selene posted:

Well I don't know about Crohns, but let me tell you Ulcerative Collitis comes back as Pouchitis.

This really isn't correct because Ulcerative Colitis technically only effects colonic tissue. J Pouch surgery removes all colonic tissue except the rectal cuff, inflammation of which is called cuffitis.

Furthermore there is an emerging scientific belief based on actual recent studies that the old labels of "Crohn's" and "Ulcerative Colitis" are simply not applicable to inflammatory bowel disease that develops in pouches and post-ileostomy. Instead, it is believed that it is a new, as yet unidentified and unlabeled new disease process. So casually slapping the old labels on the new disease is not the current thinking. And as I have said elsewhere, what you call it really doesn't matter, because most of the treatments for all inflammatory disease processes are similar and vary by the location and the advancement of the disease process. Therefore my conclusion is that it is somewhat pointless to use artificial and scientifically outdated labels, as opposed to simply calling it IBD and instead describing the location and appearance/symptoms as that will determine what the treatment is, not the artificial label. I find it much more constructive and helpful for the board membership as a whole if this premise is applied to posting on various issues.

Kimmie, the ER can help in an urgent situation if you are bleeding heavily. To work out the cause and treatment of your ulcers you’ll need a good gastroenterologist. Yes, as others have written, Crohn’s can recur whenever and wherever.

Thanks everyone. I saw my gasto’s PA, and they are going to do a scope next Wednesday. That will hopefully tell me if the ulcers are inside as well.