AboutMiranda Expertise I can answer most questions pertaining to Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis) as well as the medications, surgeries and tests associated with it. I am not a doctor so please don't ask questions that aren't related to this specific area or close to it because it is not my area of expertise.
Experience I have been diagnosed with Crohn's disease for over five years and have dealt with the disease since I was twelve years old. I have been through every medication, numerous exams as well as surgery. I have also worked at a camp for chronically ill children the past three summers and two of our sessions are Crohn's and Colitis so I am very familiar with both conditions.
Organizations Crohn's Colitis Foundation of America, IBD Campus Connection
Education/Credentials I will be finishing up my Bachelor of Arts in Health and Human Biology this spring and I am currently applying to nursing schools to become a nurse practitioner.
Expert: Miranda Date: 7/5/2008 Subject: Undiagnosed large intestine problem
Question Hi Miranda. I wonder if you can help me with a large intestine problem which so far defies diagnosis and treatment? 36 yo male. It started about three months ago with mild heartburn and indigestion, but subsequently started feeling pain and discomfort in the ascending and descending sections of my large intestine, also bloating and more frequent visits to toilet (stool normal), and many "false alarms". Colonoscopy and endoscopy show all clear (only mild reflux and mild gastritis, but no tumors, polyps, or any changes indicating any "normal" diseases, and together with blood tests apparently exclude any major obvious conditions like Crohn's or coliatis. I now have almost constant discomfort or pain along my large intestine, including stitching in the upper section under my ribs on both sides. It's so bad that I can't even walk too much because my intestines and stomach muslces are hurting. No medications so far have worked, including digestive system relaxants like Colofac, or even low doses of anti-depressants. My GP is at loss, I face a long wait for a specialist and in the meantime I'm getting desperate since this is totally destroying my quality of life, between pain, discomfort and decreased mobility.
Answer The pain your are describing can be associated with acid reflux since you explained that it tends to be in your upper abdomen under your ribs. It could be a gastritis or esophagitis or something totally unrelated. I am not a doctor so I can't give you many other ideas about what it might be because I am most familiar with crohn's and ulcerative colitis. In the meantime things that have helped me when I have stomach aches include: using a heating pad on the area that hurts, taking a hot bath or just curling up in bed sometimes ease the pain. I have also found that keeping a list of foods that bother my stomach has helped me avoid the irritating foods. Other than that I dont have much advice to provide you. Keep in contact with your doctor and even if they are at a loss as to what you have they can still help you deal with the everyday pain and discomfort to a certain degree. Keep your appointment with your specialist, and I hope you feel better soon.
