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Suspected Crohn's

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Bricklayer
Bricklayer

Since last July, have had issues with my stomach, in particular, blood and mucousy stools. GP referrred me to a Bowel specialist, who , initially performed a flexible sygmoidoscopy. It indicated I had a couple of small polyps ( all clear ) and a 10cm patch of inflamation in my bowel. Following the Flex Sygmoidoscopy, my symptoms became worse , bleeding became more apparant. I went back to the surgeon and he did a full colonoscopy, which again just indicated the area of inflamation. He put me on 6 mesalazine tabs ( 400mg ) daily & referred me to a Gastro entorologist as it was not a surgical matter. My Gastro specialist, initially increased my mesalazine tablets to 12 daily, although it helped it didn't solve the issue. He then put me on a course of Prednisalone as well as the mesalazine tablets, which by and large, solved it, with just the odd sight of blood/mucuos. I was weaned off the prednisalone & also the mesalazine tablets, down to 4 daily, and all my symptoms have now returned. I went back to see the Consultant, who once agaon, has upped my mesalazine to 12 daily, now wants to do another flex sygmoidoscopy with biopsys , and he spke of putting me on a tablet, which , is meant to be wonderful, HOWEVER , can have bad side effects, firstly, for the first couple of weeks , can generally make you feel unwell ( that I can live with ) , but it can also poison your bone marrow & makes you more succeptible to skin cancers !!!!

I was quite shocked and said It would have to be very seriously considered.

I spoke with my GP , about this, he knew the drug involved ( i don't remember the name ) , he said , most people tolerated it well. 

I do however, have Bronchiectasis , which makes me more vulnerable to chest infections, and these drugs are an imune suppressent, so thats a concern too. 

I asked the GP if I didn't take anything , and just put up with the blood/mucous , what the consequences would be, and was told , it could lead to bowel cancer.

So basically, I am between the devil and the deep blue sea as they say!

Anyone else out there in similar situ?

I have no pains from the bowel issue, at first it was thought to be Inflamation of the bowel, but now it seems, more likely to be Crohns.

Thanks in advance

1 like, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • Janeeyre
    Janeeyre Bricklayer

    Posted

    I am a little confused.  Who suspects the Crohn's Disease--you or the doctors?  Did you have that test that indicates whether or not your system is fighting of the disorder?  Specifically the antibody test? 

    Prednisolone is a steroid. It prevents the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation.  I know it is prescribed for Crohn's but perhaps also for ulcerative colitis.  Did your physician actually say Crohn's is the suspect?

    • Bricklayer
      Bricklayer Janeeyre

      Posted

      Hi , it was 1st suspected that it could be either Ulcerative colitis or Crohns, as i didn't respond to the prednisalone , he seems to think more likely Crohn's , I have had a blood test , but whether it was an antibody test, im not sure, something I will ask when I go back next month !

      Thanks for mentioning that !

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