Crohn's Disease

[yolanda yorgensen]

I've had some strange symptoms over the past several years, all related I think to my gastrointestinal tract. About 10 years ago (I am 33 now), I started having frequent yeast infections. My Gynecologist tested me for diabetes (an STD's) and found nothing. I've had periods of remission from the yeast (especially when I was pregnant with my first child over 2 years ago and while breast feeding till she was 7 months old). I'd say that I get an infection, some infections worse than others, roughly 3 to 4 times a year. Sometimes it seems to be triggered by a change in soap or if a tampon/pad manufacturer changes its product. But really, otherwise, I have found no rhyme or reason to the yeast infections. I shower daily, wear cotton, etc., follow all the rules but still have flare-ups. This has led me to believe recently that it may be related to an autoimmune problem...since I've had problems with my bowels as well and have read that colitis may be an immune disorder of some kind or another. I am even wondering if it has really been yeast alone that was happening over the years…sometime my labia swells up and my skin becomes raw all the way back to the anus. Often, if begins near the anus and not towards the “front”.

Around 10 years ago, I had chronic diarrhea (not the result of laxative abuse or diet). It was very bad and I lost weight rapidly during this time period. I was taken off a medicine that I was taking at that time and the diarrhea went away. I’m not sure if that is related to my current problem (or lack of one!) or not.

During the pregnancy of my daughter, I had chronic heartburn and was not permitted to take much of any effective medication. Towards the end, I was allowed to take some Pepcid AC and that was about it. I ate Tums literally all day long and also found some relief with milk. After pregnancy, I had hemorrhoids and they have never really gone away. I combated the constipation and pain with lots of fiber – mostly from fiber one cereal. I continue to do this because if I do not eat it, then I become very, very constipated and end up in pain when having a BM. Sometimes, I bleed a bit. About a month or two ago, I bled about a tablespoon. Around this time I also had a lot of very strange mucous from my bowels.

Usually, after a period of constipation of a day or two (often caused by skipping the fiber or simply eating too much at a social pitch in or something), I will then have frequent BM’s for a couple days and it usually ends with loose movements and some mucous as well. I have also had periods (a week here and there) of bad heartburn over the past several months. Over the counter meds help a bit and it eventually goes away.

Several months after my pregnancy, I had several incidents where I was I have very, very bad cramping and pain. Once, I couldn’t drive a car and a family member had to drive me home. Passing gas helping the pain a bit but I feel confident this wasn’t just gas pain (as my family doctor said it was probably a result of). The pain goes away with a high dose of ibuprofen. I haven’t had any of those incidents in well over a year…however, every once in awhile, I have a sharp pain in my abdomen and find myself in severe pain.

I was reading about Chrohn’s disease and was concerned when I read that people often have spine problems with it. I’ve had problems with my neck and severe spasms too over the past couple years. It started when I was pregnant and two of the incidents led to me being unable to move because of pain. I had to get a neck brace and basically not move for 3 days and take pain killers to get over it. I now manage this with Skelaxin, a heating pad and a therapeutic pillow…I can usually tell when my neck is going to act up and have been able to prevent any big problems for over a year. Unfortunately, my family doctor is kind of a jerk and told me this was possibly stress related (even the ER doctor said I have arthiritis in the neck...that there was something going on in "there").

Even more unfortunate, I am very hesitant to see a doctor about the possibility of me having colitis because during my late teens and early twenties, I suffered from an eating disorder (which involved laxative abuse) and this history seems to follow me everywhere. I was misdiagnosed repeatedly until I got treatment at and ED facility and eventually taken off all the meds (including the one which caused severe diarrehea that I mentioned earlier). I never really received proper treatment until the end of my battle with an ED…my meds were mismanaged…it was truly a big mess. When I go to my family doctor, he seems to always end up telling me having no valid concerns (says I just have gas…I just have anxiety…b.s….b.s…) and then gives me 20 questions about my psychological condition..."So, how are you doing? How are you sleeping?" (he does this after just telling him that I have had a fever or whatever!). I've fired him as my doctor and will eventually look for another doctor I can turn to for my physical ailments and concerns.

Really, I don't particularlly like doctors though. And, so, I guess my question is (if you have hung in there and read all this, thank you!), what are the chances that I have a condition like colitis? What are the treatment options available and can I manage this on my own at least at this point, without doctor care? What is a good diet for someone like me? I forgot to mention, I've had some nausia too lately....Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

I also forgot to mention that I am fatigued and extremely sleeply after a day or two of many BM's. A few years ago I saw a doctor about my light sensitivity...I would be so exhausted and sleepy in the morning that my eyes would water constantly in the daylight. He said I had a magnesium deficiency. Since my diet has improved, this isn't a huge problem anymore but I still just want to curl into a ball and sleep after a day of too many BM's. Also, I read that people with Chron's disease have skin rashes at times. I have had a rash on my stomach on and off for a couple years now...I have always thought this was related to an allergy to my belts.??? Is all this typical of crohn's or colitis and is there a danger in managing this on my own at this point?

Thanks!