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Hi All,

Going for a CT Scan this Wednesday for possible Crohn's Disease. I haven't been myself since late April. My GI scoped me last week and told me my J-Pouch is slightly inflamed but its been like that for a couple of months.

My problem is I may feel OK one day but lousy the next, and my OK days are not that good either. Many bathroom trips, about 12 a day, sometimes more, and then I have to always go back in the bathroom it seems after each BM, just to pass gas. Seems like no matter what I eat, or how little I eat, I feel extremely stuffed and bloated like I swallowed a cannon ball.

My GI is concerned that it could be Crohn's Disease, a partial bowel obstruction (which I doubt because I have had that before), Bacteriea overgrowth in the pouch, or something else, or maybe nothing at all.

When he told me Crohn's Disease, and after suffering from UC since 1986 prior to my surgery in 1993 to remove the Colon, I told him I would rather it be Cancer and be done with it because I can't handle another bowel problem. Anything different would be a relief.

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Keep us posted.

Why would your doctor mention the "C" word (Chron's... not Cancer) and sound the alarms before he has a true diagnosis?

Is doing a CAT scan the normal procedure for diagnosing Chron's or is it to look for an obstruction?

I am not too happy with the my surgeon (I don't doubt his ability and magnificence in surgery, but I am not happy with my periodic visits) because he does not listen to my symptoms/complaints. I would not be in his office if everything was "OK". I feel he could have diagnosed my pouchitis months earlier if he was not somewhat condescending, by telling me I should "think positive". I AM POSITIVE, but I am asking for help with issues only he can solve.

He is now referring me out to another doctor to operate on my hernia. I asked my primary doctor to give me a referral, rather than feel like I am "bothering" my surgeon once again.

I just may ask my primary for a new referral to another GI/Surgeon for future visits regarding my J-Pouch.
Lesandiego
I'm with Marianne wondering if you've found out the results from your test yet Rocket.

You could have another autoimmune problem that is not bowel related at all like Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia or something like them. Maybe you should look up their symptoms and see if the ones you have been experiencing might be similar to the ones for those problems. You might also ask your GI about IPS. Please look that up as well.

I just don't think it could be crohns after all of these years. I'm not doctor but think it would have turned up before now if it were.

I'm sorry you are feeling so lousy and hope the test results show no j-pouch problems.
Take Care and please have a restful weekend.
TE Marie
Thanks for the referral boys mom, but I am on an HMO plan. I just love and trust my primary and will let him do the research to find me a good GI. I just don't have any pouch issues right now to ask for a referral at this time, but he did just refer me to a new surgeon for my incisional hernia.

I told him my issues with my GI surgeon and he told me that I will like this female surgeon that I will see on the 8th.
Lesandiego
Hi All,

My tests have still not taken place. It was postponed twice because the codes were incorrect for my insurance to cover it. So my tests will be this Friday.

As some of you may know, my marriage is over and I am glad about that but it has taken most all of my time to prepare things for my attorney. I really haven"t had much of a chance to post here. Between my full time job and that... Well you understand.

Thanks for all of your concerns.

Rocket
R
Hi Rocket,

I was experiencing symptoms similar to yours. My doctors kept on repeating that it could be Crohn's. While every case is different, in my case it was discovered that my pouch became over stretched, and that it was not functioning correctly. It always felt like I have a partial obstruction (which in my case let to discomfort, not severe pain) as I always had a lot of gas (and cipro did not help).

The anatomy of my "pouch" was also not as one would have expected, which also posed problems.

Perhaps it would be a good idea CT enterography and a defacography.

These two tests helped determine the problem.

Good luck and feel free to contact me at any time.

Solomin
S
That's great news Rocket! Unless of course, you were really in love with that Rice Milk. You would not think that it would cause problems, since rice is considered such a safe food. But, it is higher in carbs than regular milk and virtually no protein. If you are just lactose intolerant, maybe trying lactose free milk is worth a try. Works great for my husband, who is lactose intolerant.

Jan Smiler
Jan Dollar
Milk shakes are common problems for those with lactose intolerance, because there is so much milk in it. Most adults are not or intolerant of milk, but just the milk sugar, lactose. Pizza is not a very good test because there are so many other things in it and the combination with the spice and grease can be kryptonite for many of us, even if we tolerate milk in any other form.

My husband did not even know he was lactose intolerant until he developed UC. It was when he was in a flare that milk really sent him into orbit. When things are quiet in his gut, he can tolerate small amounts of milk. Cheese and yogurt are OK (because they have very little lactose). But, he cannot handle a lot of cheese or spicy/greasy pizza. Turns out, he also has IBS, and the typical food intolerances associated with it.

Jan Smiler
Jan Dollar

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