The Pain, Diagnosis and Treatment of Crohn's Disease

At thirteen years old I suffered from severe side aches that would come and go. My family doctor diagnosed the pain as most likely being associated with ovarian cyst; I was not treated for the pain.

When I was twenty-four years old I was hospitalized with severe stomach pain and vomiting. The first suggested treatment was to remove my appendix, but after monitoring me overnight and following up that morning with a sonogram of my appendix, appendicitis was ruled out and I was spared an unnecessary operation. I was told once again that I probably had a cyst rupture on my ovary and was sent home. The pain in my lower right side and abdomen continued to occur.

When I was thirty-two my new family physician, unable to make a diagnosis for my side aches, sent me to see an OB/GYN (gynecologist) who examined me and said the pain in my side was too low to be associated with my ovaries, she then sent me to see a endocrinologist/gastrologist. The endocrinologist ordered a series of tests consisting of a sonogram of my gallbladder, IVP of my kidneys, CT scan of my abdomen, an upper GI series, a barium enema (this is unpleasant, if given a choice have a colonoscopy), an endoscopy and a colonoscopy (procedures that use cameras to look inside your stomach and intestines). After ruling out all other probable causes for my side aches, which I was told was the only way to safely diagnose Crohns Disease, I was diagnosed with Crohns Disease.

Crohns Disease most commonly occurs in the small or large intestine, mine is located in the small intestine where the large and small intestines join, the effected area is a 3 cm length section of my ileum. The narrowing is caused by my own body's immune system attacking my intestines like a foreign object that causes the intestine to become inflamed, swell and become very narrow. Even after the inflammation subsides scar tissue created from the inflammation causes permanent narrowing of the ileum. I am normally prescribed prednisone to control flare-ups, a high dosage at first decreased slowly. Prednisone is a steroid and the side effects of prednisone are weight gain, a really fat face and a weakened immune system. Not a nice drug but for me necessary during flare-ups. I receive vitamin B-12 injections once a month for the remainder of my life because inflamed or damaged intestines may not absorb vitamin B-12. I take 800 mg of Asacol per-day.

The affected part of my small intestine is extremely narrow when inflamed and prevents me from eating solid food. I begin a liquid diet of Ensure or a similar product, easier to consume chilled. It is extremely painful even to digest water. During a flare-up I find it helpful to lie on my back with my legs slightly elevated, it seems substances pass through my small intestine with less resistance. When I am able to eat solid food I start off eating Jell-O and then other easy to digest non-dairy foods such as baked or mashed potatoes. I take pepcid to help with indigestion.

A typical doctors visit consist of being weighed, having vital signs checked, and an examination of my abdomen and lots of questions about how I feel and how my digestive system is working. My doctor normally presses on the effected area and listens to my stomach with a stethoscope. Depending on the types of medications I am taking blood tests are taken every month, quarter or semi-annually.

Life when I am not having an episode is close to normal. I have bouts with diarrhea and constipation. When going out shopping etc...I find its a good idea to know where the public restrooms are located.