Hi there,

I am after some advice. I have been having some problems for well over a year now. The main problem was feeling sick most evenings, lasting for a just over an hour. This year it eased for about a month, but has started up again. I have also found that my bowel habits change quite a lot. Sometimes/days I can have very loose bowel movements and at times can go between 4-7 times a day. Then I will then have formed bowel movements say twice a day. Usually when I have a bowel movement I have to rush to get to the toilet. I get a lot of wind, my stomach makes noises and I burp a lot. At times I get a tender spot just below my ribs in the middle. I feel tired and worn out, feels like I have no muscle strength in my legs/arms etc. I cant seem to put on any weight no matter how much I eat. My bmi is very close to the underweight range. I go months without periods, sometimes get joint pains and have had a rash on my chest that has been there almost all the time for the last year or so. A few days ago I felt so ill, I felt like I had not eaten anything in the whole day and needed something there and then. I saw a gp many times about this who said it was IBS, I was given some medication, which didnt help one bit. Sometimes my stomach can feel very uncomfortable like something is going on down there.

The thing is one of my parents suffered with crohns disease, they needed surgery for it, touch wood since then they have not had any flare ups. At one point a gp suggested having a test (where they insert a flexible wire/camera up your back passage). Does it sound like a good idea. Im at the same age as of when my parent first started having problems. They too went years (almost 10 years) being told they had IBS, but they got so ill, their friends thought they were dying. Thats how ill they looked.

I definately feel that something is going on, but just dont have an answer. Most days I just feel under the weather and never feel refreshed or energised.

Many thanks

Hi Smile5, you must get a proper diagnosis.  I was told I had IBS but had no tests and after about 8 years of progresively getting worse I have had a loads of tests and Crohns has been diagnosed.  If I were you I would definately go back to GP and asked to be refered.  A colonoscopy is not pleasant but is the first step to finding out what is wrong and, hopefully, giving you some relief of your symptoms all of which do fit with Crohns. Keep checking this site as there are loads of people who have 'been there' and can give personal experiences so you don't feel like you are doing it on your own. Take care x

Thank you for your reply. Im definately going to go back to the gp to get refered. Ive not felt great today, its been a mixture of things, feeling tired/worn out, feeling bloated, had bowel movements 5 times so far, at times after just eating 2 hours previously and drinking fluid on a regular basis I felt so empty like I had not eaten anything. Ive been trying get back into exercising, but I just don't feel upto it. Im only managing 10 mins of running and a bit on the bike. I only saw my gp a few days and feel bad about making another appointment so soon. However Im fed up of not feeling well/great on the majority of days in a week.

Hi smiles, you get yourself back of to the drs, and get something sorted, these things will only go worse if not seen to, take my word for it, let us know how you go on tc xxxsuexxx

thanks for the reply. Just have a quick question regarding the amount of time I feel ill. When people have symptoms how long can the go on for. Because Ive noticed the increase in bowel movements can last for about 4 days and ease up, that includes the stomach pain. The feeling sick can occur for many days then have say a couple of weeks break before it starts up again. The only thing that remains the same is the tiredness, lack of energy and the not being able to gain weight. For some reason I think that if there were a problem it would show itself most of the time not on and off?

Hi Smiles, thats the nature of the disease, it will get you thinking you are feeling better and then bite you in  the bum (pardon the pun).  I have just had four days of no pain, one normal bowel movement each day and feeling great (the first time since I can't remember when) then at 3.30 this morning all hell broke loose and I am still on and off the loo.  Will I get to work today, who knows !  I was just starting to think the medication had kicked in, shows how much I know.  Crohns symptoms can come and go.  I am just grateful that for a few days this week I have felt 'normal'.  Get to the docs and insist on a referral, its your body and they are there to help you. x  

Hi smile5, i have pain constantly, and the runs all athe time, and my energy levels are zilch, during a a flare up. ive had two really bad flares in the last six months, at the other time, its copable, but he signs are still there, we are all so very different, and the main thing is as the whereabouts your crihns is, has different areas cause different problems. your dr needs to find out all this for you tc xxxsuexxx