Community Forum

About a month ago I had a Colonoscopy and was told then that I had Ulcerative Colititis, 4 weeks later at my one on one with the doc. I was told that I have Crohns Colitits!!! I was given Lialda to take 4 weeks ago, 4 a day for four weeks, then two a day, just started the two a day, well yesterday after the meeting with the doc. they have put me back on 4 a day for 4 more weeks, if the bleeding doesnt get under controll they will put me on something else, he told me what but I cant remember. I am not sure what this now means for me, I was just getting used to the fact that I had UC now I am being told that I have Crohns Colitits, How much diffrent is this from UC? If anyone has any info I would sure like to hear it. I am 40, rarely get sick, and this has taken its toll on me, I have arthritis in my knees and neck, as well as my jaw, I am tired all the time, and have to realy watch what I eat, lost a ton of weight because I am afraid to eat certain foods. I try to go on with the daily routin, but sometimes its hard, coworkers have no idea how bad I feel some days and I am sure they dont understand how sick I realy am at times. They just think I am looking for time off work, when I havent taken any time off of work since the flair up, even thou I should have...I have a very loving husband and two teenage daughters that help me out tremdously with things, dont know what I would do without them at times.

 Reply posted for Rosie6891.

You are not alone! I have Crohn's and Colitis also. It took a hospital stay 10 years ago and finding a great doctor 2 years ago after a cross country move... I got lucky on that one. I have recently been put on Humira for my Crohn's and Lialda for my Colitis. The two diseases are in opposite ends of your digestive system as you can read on this website and research elsewhere. If you aren't getting your questions answered with your doctor find another, trust your body and instincts. None of us are doctors we are just sharing our experiences. I have exhausted all other meds and ended up on Lialda, Entocort and Humira and also have gastritis which I take over the counter meds for. Before I started any of these along with my parents we researched my options for treatment. I am only mild to severe crohn's. Research, research and trust yourself go in educated it always shocks my doctor with how well I know what options are out there. Good luck. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!

 Reply posted for Jezjiah13.

I have another question for anyone out there, is it normal to get Hemroids with UC or Crohns? This is the 2nd time I have had them in little over a month, its not fun and they hurt me terrible. Went to the doc. for the first one they gave me a persercitption ointment, thats about it. Its back, taken all the precautions this time and still have it, it hurts!!! Any suggestions, tips?

 Reply posted for Rosie6891.

i have crohn's, and my mom technically has ulcerative colitis. she's gone to numerous doctors who still can't figure out if she really has crohn's or colitis, but like someone else said it doesn't really matter until you get to the point of surgery. my mom and i are on some of the same meds, which is nice because we can sometimes answer each others questions or commiserate.

 Reply posted for Rosie6891.

I have severe crohns colitis which I was told means I have inflamation from the throat to the tushe..Crohns is normally just the lower level of the intestines.....most of my pain is in my lower back and to my tushe. I've been in a relapse since early december. Doesn't matter what I eat or drink...never the same ride every day. I'm 55 and was just diagnosed 2 yrs ago. Not sure if I have a fissure or fistula...been puttiing off going to the doctr.  Have a remecade apt in another week.  make sure you have a heating pad readily avialable...good luck!

 Reply posted for woahitslibby.

Woahitslibby,

Thanks for the reply, its nice to know that I am not alone in this. Like I said the doc's told me they have seen granduales and that indicates Crohns, but he did tell me it was going to act more like UC than Crohns! All I know is I have been in a "flair up" for going on three months, but it must not be as bad as most get becuause they dont seem in a hurry to do much with me, or maybe this is the procedure? I am being seen by a specialist that deals in UC and Crohns. My "bathroom" symptoms are not that bad, infact they are down right normal at this point except for the bleeding, its the other things that are taking there toll on me, the arthritis, the fatigue, just the dealing with it all, I just want to feel somewhat NORMAL again. Like I said I am very active, love to be active, and this had taken off my feet and that I hate! Does it get better, will I feel NORMAL again? Is it always going to be like this?

 Reply posted for Rosie6891.

I was originally diagnosed with crohn's colitis, which was then changed to uc, and then recently changed back to crohn's colitis.  Although there are differences between the 2, it can be hard to tell the difference between them in some cases.  The two present very similarly since they both happen in the large intestine and the diseases are similar.  (The colitis in crohn's colitis refers to the location of the crohn's -the colon.)  They are treated almost exactly the same, up until the point of surgery.  UC can be cured with surgery and crohn's can't. 
I feel you on the whole daily routine thing though, its hard to push yourself day after day.