I have serious digestive issues and the doctors can't find the root of the problem. Crohn's disease showed up positive in my blood but when they did a colonoscopy they couldn't physically find it in my intestines. Does anyone here have it or know anyone who does, and how they were diagnosed? Symptoms? Treatment? I know a lot of people go on steroids as treatment, and I had a question about that…I heard they make you gain weight. is it the actual steroid itself that makes you gain weight or is it the increased appetite?

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The first step is to find a good doc. if you are not happy with your current one, then find another. the next, is too try different med combos until you find the one that works. Currently, I am on no steroids, but am on an Anti-inflammatory (Asacol), and an immune suppressant (6mp). I have been on this regimine for quite ahwile, and have done fine. I have also found that being on birht control helps with my flares around period time.

The thing with Crohn's is that EVERYONE is different. the treatment is really discovered by each person and their doc through trial and error.

symptoms – exudative diarrhea, bowel habit changes(obstruction, abdom.pain)
Place of origin can be distal ileum or/and proximal colon

DON'T let them put you on steriods. unless it is a step down for ony 1-2 weeks. Don't worry about the weight gain, steriods cause so many other problems that you can not begin to imagine. I have Crohn's have had it for years 4 bowel resections. Blood work can not tell if you have it. Takes a lot of tests, a great Dr. and time. there are other diseases that are very simular as far as symptoms. a colonoscopy will show any damage as far as ulcers, strictures etc Please make sure you see a good Dr. check him out at the local hospital and with other Drs. Talk to nurses at the hospital he is with. they will tell you the truth about what he is like. Also don't jump into a treatment called Remicade, it helps buy can be dangerous. What makes you think you have Crohn's as opposed to some other IBS ?

I was diagnosed with Crohns about years ago. Strangely enough, it started with these huge open wounds on my leg (pyoderma gangrenosum). Long story short, I started to have severe diarrhea and lost a ton of weight very quickly which was accompanied by sores in my mouth, etc. I had a barium procedure and a colonoscopy which found the ulcerated tissue but there may be instances where a colonoscopy may not show the ulcerated colon the first time ,so another colonoscopy may be needed. You defintely need a good Gastroenterologist though. As for steroids…STAY AWAY!!! I had to be on them for almost 2 years which is an extremely long time. they make you insatiably hungry (I could outeat anyone!) and its the constant eating that makes you put on weight (me, 50 lbs) plus serious water retention. Not only that, it really messes with your emotions. You've heard of "roid rage"? They're not kidding. I went from happy to angry to tears in the span of 10 minutes. It also can damage your internal organs. there are treatments such as Methotrexate (my fave), Remicade, and other immuno suppressants (since Crohn's is caused by an overactive immune system). I wish you all the luck in the world with this and I hope things get better for you soon!!!! Cheers!!!

Hello! Well, I was just recently diagnosed with Crohn's Disease this year. 2 weeks before my 16th birthday, spent it in the hospital. Anywho! I was diagnosed, by a barium x-ray, and a colonoscopy, and endoscopy. they will give you steroids if the inflammation is very severe. my first and only words are, dont take them,UNLESS you need to. I am a petite person, I am 5'6 and was 126 lbs. after I took the steroids, I kept eating and eating, and couldn't stop. I went from 5'6 to 5'8 Thanks to the roids, they make you grow for short time use. and gained 32 lbs. some say I was severely underweight, some say it was water weight. I hate it! I got off the steroids nearly 3 months later. Since then, I have only lost 6 lbs. they say it will come off slowly, these are Miracle Drugs, if you need it, then take it. I know this weight will come off, with a little bit of exercize and diet. just don't worry and Trust in God.

My ex-husband had it back in 1984. It was caused by stress. He chilled out with xanax and hasn't had any more signs or symptoms. good luck, Kitty

Symptoms of Chrone's include irregular bowel movments, diarrhea, severe abdomnimal cramping and fever.
If your colonoscopy was negative, ask your doctor about a disease called "the Sprue" (also called Celiac disease).
The symptoms are often very similar, but the Sprue is basiclly an allergy to wheat and gluten.
Back to Chrone's…it's can be managed with a medication called Questran, which helps calm and soothe the intestines. Steriods are also used to decrease the inflammation in the intestines, but, yes, the side effects of steriods can be awful. they do make you gain weight, but yes, this is usually because there is an increase in hungar or appetite.
Feel better!