Crohn's symptoms?

I will talk to your dr about further testing if that is a concern you have.

Fatigue is a nonspecific symptom that can be caused by a variety of things, including active Crohn's. But, you cannot assume it is from Crohn's unless you rule out the other things.

Jan

Thank you for your response. Although it is true that fatigue can be caused by many things, this is not my typical "fatigue" from stress, overwork, dehydration, etc. More of an overwhelming generalized weakness. I am pretty tough (stubborn) and can usually push through everyday fatigue. Not able to this time. Seeing a GI who specializes in IBD for the Crohn's in 2 weeks.

Yes, fatigue from inflammation is different than what you get from stress, work, etc. when I have an arthritis flare or a robust case of pouchitis, I feel like air is made of mollasses and walking across the room is a real effort. It is fatigue at a whole different level. It is a symptom that tells me that this is REAL, and not just me wimping out.

Inflammation anywhere in the body can cause fatigue. For me, the degree of inflammation is directly proportionate to the level of fatigue.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22578888

Jan

Air made of molasses is a perfect description.

Yep, when I have that, a short course of prednisone (20mg/day for 4 days) and a fast taper sets me right very quickly.

Jan

What are the risks/problems associated with a short course of prednisone (with fast taper) in j-pouchers or even long term use? I was put on a brief course of prednisone by my PCP last year for severe back pain and my pouch worked better during the prednisone treatment (20 mg BID with a taper)and for a short time after the taper then it has ever worked.

Short course steroids have virtually no risk, paticularly low dose (20mg or less).

Long term use can cause osteoporosis, avascular necrosis, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, fluid retention, stomach ulcers, gaucoma, cataracts, Cushings syndrome, adrenal suppression, to name a few. The only reason to use long term systemic steroids is basically life or death situations. However, topical use, like enemas or Entocort (oral, but poorly absorbed, so considered topical), might be OK.

Jan

Approximately what length of time would you call "short term"?

Couple of weeks to a month or so at most. The longer you are on it, the greater the risks of long term side effects. The rub is that some of those long term side effects can occur long after the steroids are discontinued.

Jan

Just had a sudden change in my vision. Right eye went from 20/25 to 20/200 since this recent hospitalization. Plus I can now read up close and in the past have needed reading glasses. Left eye seems the same. I have not been on steroids for quite a while. Sounds like a cataract but why would it come on so suddenly? Seeing ophthalmologist next week just prior to the GI specialist in Crohn's.

I have no idea. Let us know what the doc says.

Jan

Saw the eye docs today. My vision problem is due to a cataract which may have been developing for a little while but was exacerbated by my recent illness, according to the eye specialist. Can't be corrected enough by refraction so will be having surgery. Tomorrow I see the GI specialist to discuss my new Crohn's diagnosis. Will mention the "sudden" vision change to him. Doing much better on the two antibiotics with my GI issues!

I'm going through the exact same thing right now with my left eye. A
significant change in my sight over a very short
period of time. Been to the Opthomologist four times now
in the past month.

Same as you it's a cataract that's just built up practically
overnight. The doc says it's a result
of steriods and UC. He's monitoring it closely right
now as there is a much smaller cataract in my right eye
also. He says I'm going to need surgery here done on
both eyes eventually and wants to time it correctly to
help balance out prescription changes and new glasses.

I went through the same thing a few years ago, the sudden loss of vision in a short period of time which manifested in being unable to read restaurant menus without my glasses. I went for some tests, was referred to two different retina specialists and was diagnosed with Central Seruos Retinopathy (CSR) which is characterized by the appearance of "blisters of fluid" near the retina which obscures the retina's ability to see. It is most common in males age 20 to 50 and its cause is unknown. The fact that I had IBD was communicated to my eye doctors and they could neither rule in, nor rule out, autoimmune causes, because the cause of CSR is itself unknown.

They can determine if you have CSR by running a dye test, in which you are injected with a yellow orange dye which is permitted to course through your veins for a few minutes and then laser photos are taken of your eyeball. It's actually cool to look at, but by doing this test they can detect the location and size of the fluid blisters. Mine were not super close to the retina but I was told they heal on their own and then return as it is a chronic issue. They can also be treated with lasers but I elected not to do this because it can cause retinal damage.

evening

I also been having vision woes simce last September.This Monday I am seeing a neuro opath MD.
My left eye field of vision has decreased.I worn glasses all my life but this is so strange.I been to regular Opath Md x 2 within 4 months.He does not know what caused my vision woes.So off I am going to hopefully get some answers
Cassiecass