Get Well Never

Any Crohn's patient can tell you, there are good days and there are bad days. We all strive to have more good days, but those bad days always sneak their way in.

Today, I'm having a good day! The shingles outbreak seems to be less painful and guts are *gasp* behaving. That, or I'm just getting accustomed to pain.

My pain tolerance has grown over the years, thanks to Crohn's Disease. While most people would find this to be a positive trait, I'm scared of it. I find myself putting up with pains that would place most people into the fetal position on the nearest bathroom floor. Ignoring these pains and aches could be detrimental to my health.

That's most likely how I ended up with two fistulas in my intestines. These things are extremely painful, and the beginning ulcers would have been extremely painful. But I wrote off the pain as if it were just Crohn's being Crohn's, contracting my guts and making me uncomfortable. Early intervention may have prevented those ulcers from becoming fistulas.

Feeling too much pain, vomiting too much, or having an overabundance of ANY symptoms should never be taken lightly. But when you go for weeks, months, or even years with persistent pain, it becomes second nature. I'm sure there have been many times when I should have gone to the hospital to address my symptoms, but I chalked it up to "just another flare."

So, please, fellow Crohnies and UC Buddies, consider every symptom you experience, and really think it through before ignoring it or writing it off as "nothing." Symptoms are the warning signs of problems, and we need to take care of them before they take over our bodies!

Be seen by a health professional as soon as humanly possible if you experience:

• Unusual or new pain
• Fever - even low-grade fever can indicate infection
• Sudden weight loss (more than 10 lbs in one week)
• Bloody vomit or stools

These symptoms are not uncommon for Crohnies, but they can indicate something serious brewing in your body.

Obligatory disclaimer: The contents of this blog are of my own education, experience, and opinions. In no way should any information in my blog be used in lieu of proper medical or nutritional care. Use common sense.

Shingle Bells!

In yesterday's blog post, I talked about some of the seemingly unrelated symptoms of Crohn's Disease. Today, I am a walking demonstration of a strange manifestation due, in part, to Crohn's: SHINGLES!

I noticed this painful spot behind my ear (pictured) this morning, and had pain radiating across my scalp and down my arm. I went to the urgent care clinic as soon as I could, because I knew any kind of infection might prevent next week's surgery.

Shingles is not caused directly by Crohn's Disease. Crohn's has weakened my immune system, allowing the virus which causes shingles to present itself in a most painful, ugly way.

I have yet to find out if my surgeon will cancel the plans for surgery next week. In the meantime, I'm hiding from babies, pregnant women, and anyone who's never had chicken pox, so they don't get shingles from me.

Symptoms of Being Awesome

When people think of Crohn's Disease or ulcerative colitis, the first thing that comes to mind is constantly running to the bathroom, and being doubled over in pain. These seem to be the "standard" symptoms for sufferers of these diseases, and sadly, that's as much as some people know about the disease.

But there are so many more symptoms of CD & UC, some of which are so bizarre, it seems to be a different disease altogether. I'll organize this list similarly to how I organized the foods list; here are the most common symptoms of Crohn's:

• Abdominal pain - it can affect just one area of the abdomen, or the entire abdomen. 
• Diarrhea
• Fever and night sweats
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Extreme bloating - makes you look pregnant
• Bleeding (internally, or in the intestines, visible only when you use the bathroom)
• Severe heartburn or acid reflux
• Extreme lethargy
• Open sores near the mouth or anus
• Sudden weight loss
• Joint pain and swelling
• Muscle deterioration

There are also some "side" symptoms that come with the disease:

• Anemia - iron, B12, and other nutrients that the body can not absorb naturally
• Depression
• Anxiety and fear
• Energy loss
• Low libido
• Trouble swallowing
• Stunted growth in children with the disease

When Crohn's really wants to be an asshole, these symptoms can take place:

• Fissures - sores or cracks in the intestine, usually near the anus
• Fistulas - one or more organs ulcerate and attach to another organ; most common fistulas are colon-to-skin (literally a gaping wound on the abdomen), colon-to-intestine, colon-to-bladder, and colon-to-uterus in women
• Intestinal blockage - the intestine becomes so swollen, it causes a complete blockage. Nothing can move through, and this usually requires surgery
• Perforated bowels - can spread infection throughout the entire body

All of the symptoms listed above tend to come and go with Crohn's sufferers. During a "flare," the Crohnie may have one or more, or even ALL of the symptoms listed. Typically, flares can be treated with medication, and eventually put in to remission so that the person can return to a somewhat normal life. Flares can last anywhere from a few days to several years. I, for instance, have had one of my fistulas for over 2 years. Medication isn't helping, so it's time for surgery.

Now, I want to talk about the not so common symptoms of Crohn's Disease. Some of these are so strange and seem like they can't possibly be related to Crohn's. But remember, Crohn's Disease is an autoimmune disorder. That means our immune systems are obnoxious little bastards who think it's fun to throw curve balls, just to confuse us (source: I made that part up). 

Here are some of the weird, bizarre, contradictory symptoms of Crohn's Disease: 

• Itchy hands and feet - it's the kind of itch that seems to be so deep inside, scratching is futile
• Erythema nodosum - painful, itchy red bumps on the calves and shins, usually along with swollen ankles
• Eye sores
• Psoriasis and/or eczema
• Nail clubbing - fingernails become too large and too curved; typically have pits and waves in them as well
• Sudden blisters on the hands and feet
• Excessive salivating
• Vertigo
• Neuropathy (numbing & pain) of the hands and feet
• Random, uncontrollable cursing and swearing

Ok, so that last one was just for fun, but it happens! The last list includes things I have personally experienced, and discovered to be secondary symptoms to my Crohn's Disease. As you can see, Crohn's can manifest itself in a myriad of ways. In no way are my lists complete, and I would love to hear from others what their symptoms are. Please feel free to comment below or use the contact box to let me know!