So I haven't written anything about the bane of my existence in quite a while; Oh Crohn's Disease, how I wish I could forget you...
In the past few months my Crohn's symptoms have been limited to stomach/intestinal cramps, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. Despite sleeping 16 hours a day sometimes, and not leaving my couch for days at a time, I would say this is an improvement. It's been a year since my last fistula was removed and I don't have another one forming (that I know of). I've been living with this set of symptoms long enough that I've sort of gotten used to them. (Not that one can get used to swirling carpet patterns or asking your friends to take you home because of sudden onset sickness...) However, I know it could get better.
In the past two or three weeks however the phantom joint pain has returned. I say phantom because it disappears and reappears in different places with no warning.
Last summer my left hip was a huge problem. It would swell and lock up, I couldn't walk, and pain meds did little to help. I've also had "tennis elbow" like symptoms in my right arm at various intervals over the past few years. However it seems that I'm suddenly having pain in both hips, my ankles, and my elbow radiating into my hands. It's disconcerting at best. I can't take advil because it can cause intestinal bleeding (which we Crohnies already have) and pain meds have too many potential negative side effects for long term use so they don't give us a large enough supply to help deal with something like this.
I'm seeing a new GI Doctor in Atlanta on Thursday and I'm hoping he'll be able to shed some light on all of these symptoms. I wasn't too impressed with my last doctor and I'm hoping we can try something new or at least something that works. Generally stabbing sharp objects into your joints aren't a cause for celebration but I wouldn't mind another cortisone injection in my elbow right about now.
I really hope the new Doc can do something, and I can maybe get back to "normal" soon.
Note: I met a friend through twitter who has Crohn's AND joint pain, but hers is because she needs a hip replacement. Introducing Jessica Snellings.
Peace.
Cari
In the past few months my Crohn's symptoms have been limited to stomach/intestinal cramps, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. Despite sleeping 16 hours a day sometimes, and not leaving my couch for days at a time, I would say this is an improvement. It's been a year since my last fistula was removed and I don't have another one forming (that I know of). I've been living with this set of symptoms long enough that I've sort of gotten used to them. (Not that one can get used to swirling carpet patterns or asking your friends to take you home because of sudden onset sickness...) However, I know it could get better.
In the past two or three weeks however the phantom joint pain has returned. I say phantom because it disappears and reappears in different places with no warning.
Last summer my left hip was a huge problem. It would swell and lock up, I couldn't walk, and pain meds did little to help. I've also had "tennis elbow" like symptoms in my right arm at various intervals over the past few years. However it seems that I'm suddenly having pain in both hips, my ankles, and my elbow radiating into my hands. It's disconcerting at best. I can't take advil because it can cause intestinal bleeding (which we Crohnies already have) and pain meds have too many potential negative side effects for long term use so they don't give us a large enough supply to help deal with something like this.
I'm seeing a new GI Doctor in Atlanta on Thursday and I'm hoping he'll be able to shed some light on all of these symptoms. I wasn't too impressed with my last doctor and I'm hoping we can try something new or at least something that works. Generally stabbing sharp objects into your joints aren't a cause for celebration but I wouldn't mind another cortisone injection in my elbow right about now.
I really hope the new Doc can do something, and I can maybe get back to "normal" soon.
Note: I met a friend through twitter who has Crohn's AND joint pain, but hers is because she needs a hip replacement. Introducing Jessica Snellings.
Peace.
Cari
I'm so excited for you to see Dr. Wolf! It kind of makes having my Crohn's symptoms again worth it knowing that I can help you feel better!
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