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Crohns in lower bowel

Posted , 6 users are following.

chris99677
chris99677

Hi. 

I’m new so please bare with me. For 2 years I have had the most uncomfortable pain in my abdominal. It’s alwaysbtge right hand side near my belly button and sometimes goes to the lower right. It’s aweful. It hurts all the time and when I press. I have had all the tests you can imagine. Endoscopy. MRI. CT. and colonoscopy. All showing nothing. 

I’ve been refereed to general surgery who seems to question a grumbling/chronic appendix. 

My new GP has been fantastic and understanding. So she did a faecal calprotectin test. The first one was 263 and the second 276. Which she believes could indicate crohns. But the general surgeon says it has to be over 600 combined. Nothing shows up on the colonoscopy. But she says it could well be in the small intestines. Has anybody else had a similar situation. I’m at my end now. What’s ever it is it’s ruin my life. I lay in bed all the time as this is one of the ways to reduce pain or I starve myself as this relives the pain. My bowel movement are all or nothing. Thanks. 

0 likes, 17 replies

17 Replies

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  • mark78473
    mark78473 chris99677

    Posted

    HI Chris,

    Thanks for you interest, what’s the best way to send the link??

    Thanks 

    Mark

  • decndor
    decndor chris99677

    Posted

    Hi Chris, Sorry to hear what you are going through. I was diagnosed with crohns 53 yrs ago at that stage there were none of these advanced test available yet it did not take them long to diagnose what I had got. But reading a lot of the cases on these forums it seems to be taking ages to sort it out.  There is a new test now where you swallow a pill with a  camera in it that photographs all your digestive system as it passes through the gut. It  might be useful to talk to your GP or consultant abut this option
    • chris99677
      chris99677 decndor

      Posted

      Thanks. He has mention the cam pill. So it’s worth asking. As I am aware that can see everything the colonoscopy and endoscopy are unable to. 
  • sarah76940
    sarah76940 chris99677

    Posted

    Hi Chris,

    I'm sorry to hear that things are difficult. Some of what you mention sounds familiar to me.

    I was diagnosed in May 2016 after around 8 months of investigations. My calprotectin was around 200 when first tested which led to referral for endoscopy and MRI - both of which showed nothing abnormal.

    Meanwhile my symptoms were just getting worse and like you I was having to go back to bed every day. The datigue was incredible and the pain had me in tears most days. 

    My c reactive protein and Erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels ( both blood market of inflammation) were never raised. I was so ill (my list of symptoms was ridiculous and it was very hard to cope) but nothing (apart from my calprotectin) was abnormal in terms of test results.

    I then had a capsule endoscopy (pill cam) which is a really good way of looking at the small intestine.

    It found that I had extensive ulceration throughout my small intestine and some stricturing. I also had cobblestone mucosa indicating that I'd had Crohns for a long time.

    Can you ask for the capsule endoscopy to check your small intestine?

    I too had pain in the area that you describe ( near the appendix) - the ileoceacal valve is close to the appendix and is one of the most common areas for Crohns to occur.

    I hope that you can get some answers. Things can most definitely get better. I have just been put into 12 mo they checks by my specialist as I am now so well. 

    My mum and aunt also gave Crohns and although they were very ill in the past it doesn't affect them now.

    I know it's hard but don't lose hope - keep pushing for investigations. The pill cam is the best way to look at the small intestine xx

    • sarah76940
      sarah76940

      Posted

      Sorry, I typed that response quickly and meant to say * fatigue, * blood market and * 12 monthly
    • sarah76940
      sarah76940

      Posted

      Just to add, my calprotectin was only taken at the early stage of my illness so it likely did increase.

      My GI consultant did tell me that when Crohns is higher up in the digestive tract the calprotectin level can be not as raised. 

    • chris99677
      chris99677 sarah76940

      Posted

      Hi Sarah. 

      Thanks for the reply. This does sound very similar to what I am going through. I also thought the exact same if it is higher in my digestive tract (lower intestine) this could be why my F.C levels are just below 300. And they are raised so there just be a reason for this. 

      I am on the verge of giving up. This is why I have joined this group today. Sometimes I think is it in my head. I just seem to be in so much pain that I am failing as a  Dad and husband and everything.  I can’t  play with my daughter. Go out. Do DIY around the house. Have a drink with friends as alcohol makes it worse it seems. Go to the gym. My life is taken over from this horrific pain. I just want my life back or some at least. 

       A few months ago I broke my finger and was prescribed pain killers (Co- codamol) And found that these eased the pain a little. But they are only masking it for a few hours and do make me constipated. 

      I’ve also noticed when I press on the area to the right of my umbilical that it sometimes pushes gas out. 

      I am going to persist for the pill cam. After the comments and hopefully get a diagnosis. 

      Was there anything what easer the pain apart from laying down. ? 

      Thank you 

    • sarah76940
      sarah76940 chris99677

      Posted

      Hi Chris,

      I really do sympathise - I felt the same. Please know that things definitely can get better.

      The difference in my health now compared to at the time of diagnosis is incredible.

      I can tell you what I have done but I'm not saying that this is the solution for everyone - we are all different.

      At the time of my diagnosis I was advised to take an immunosuppressant called Mercaptopurine. I refused this as I had attended a presentation by a GI consultant who said that it was now widely accepted that Crohns has a microbial trigger ( essentially, there is an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the gut). ... Yes, you can inherit a genetic predisposition, but you need an environmental trigger.

      I felt that I wanted to try to address the gut dysbiosis and see if that helped so I drastically changed my diet. I had a huge improvement within 2 weeks.

      I also take low dose naltrexone and high dose vitamin C but for me the diet change has been absolutely crucial.

      Before my diagnosis I bought a tens machine from the pharmacy ( they aren't expensive) - it helped with pain relief - obviously it won't help to reduce disease activity but at those times when I just couldn't cope with the abdominal and back pain it did give some relief.

    • sarah76940
      sarah76940

      Posted

      I eat the SCD way. I also make my own SCD yoghurt which is higher in beneficial bacteria than any tablet form available. It's very easy to make - I ferment it for 24 hours so that all of the lactose is broken down. 

    • sarah76940
      sarah76940

      Posted

      I've sent you a private message - I hope that's ok.

    • silva1988
      silva1988 sarah76940

      Posted

      Sarah, could you please also get in contact with me? I'm in the same situation as Chris. Ultrasound and blood tests are normal, but haven't done Colonoscopy or pill cam yet, i have elevated calprotectin. I have constipation only, fatty stools, loss weight and some ocasional nausea. Pain is the wirst. Always in LUQ and worsens upon body movement, do I can do little other than simple tasks.

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