Experiences with

Crohn's disease

Symptoms of Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease affects people of all ages. The symptoms usually start in childhood or early adulthood.

The main symptoms are:

  • diarrhoea
  • stomach aches and cramps
  • blood in your poo
  • tiredness (fatigue)
  • weight loss

The symptoms may be constant or may come and go every few weeks or months. When they come back, it's called a flare-up.

Treatments for Crohn's disease

There's no cure for Crohn's disease, but treatment can help reduce or control your symptoms.

The main treatments are:

  • medicines to reduce inflammation in the digestive system – usually steroid tablets
  • medicines to stop the inflammation coming back – either tablets or injections
  • surgery to remove a small part of the digestive system – sometimes this may be a better treatment option than medicines

You'll usually have a team of health professionals helping you, possibly including a GP, a specialist nurse and specialist doctors.

Causes of Crohn's disease

The exact cause of Crohn's disease is unknown.

It's thought several things could play a role, including:

  • your genes – you're more likely to get it if a close family member has it
  • a problem with the immune system (the body's defence against infection) that causes it to attack the digestive system
  • smoking
  • a previous stomach bug
  • an abnormal balance of gut bacteria

There's no evidence to suggest a particular diet causes Crohn's disease.

SymptomsMedical treatmentsCauses

Related links

Crohn's disease

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Treatment

Living with

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44,725 public posts

Correct dose of b12 post abdominal surgery/stoma bag

Many years ago he was diagnosed with Crohns disease and over the years has had extensive abdominal surgery. He now has a stoma bag. At present he is taking 1000mcg of b12 but I have recently read that he needs at least 2000 mcg! He is constantly feeling unwell!
Vonni7 profile image

ET Jak 2 positive and crohns desease

hi wondering if anyone else is coping with e.t.and crohns disease. Was diagnosed with essential thrombocythaemia jak positive in October 24 and crohns disease shortly afterwards.
westielover11 profile image

Endo/Crohns Disease

Does anybody else suffer from endo and crohns disease? I am finding that when i am due on my period it is making my crohns flare up which is then making the endo flare ups feel 10x worse then they usually would. I don't know if this is just a coincidence or its what would usually happen.
Red476 profile image
Red476
in Endometriosis UK
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Has anyone ever received a crohn’s diagnosis based on upper endoscopy and inflammation in the upper digestive areas?

I strongly suspect I have crohns but my gastroenterologist does not listen to me and has insisted it’s just IBS for years. I have many of the symptoms, and my fecal test and endoscopy showed inflammation. I also have 2 other autoimmune diseases. But he claims the inflammation is due to reflux and/or
MsAmyM profile image

Is a long diagnosis common when initially being treated for Crohn's?

Hi all,My partner has been diagnosed with Crohn's about a year ago. It took until march after all of the tests for them to put him on a bi weekly dose of abrilada. In 5 months and no change they tested to see how he was metabolizing the drug and realized by week two it was no longer in his system. Since
GFSupport profile image

Whipple's disease?

Hi, I was diagnosed with Crohn's 2 years ago now and have been on biological medicine since then. Although it has helped I'm still suffering from digestive and joint pain. My wife also became unwell around same time. She was diagnosed with sarcoidosis. However after becoming very unwell last month and
UmaDaisy profile image

Over the counter treatment

I am having a Crohn's flare and using tylenol and mylanta. I would like over the counter suggestions other than mylanta. Thanks. I am not interested in medication recommendations. Wantok
wantokporo profile image

Crohn's+IBS

Hi,I became unwell about 2.5 years ago and after a year was diagnosed with Crohn's. I've been on biological injections for my Crohn's for the last 18 months and according to my consultant after a couple of colonoscopies/capsule it is being well managed. He said I also have IBS. My question is since
UmaDaisy profile image

Budesonide

Hi, I'm currently being investigated for Crohn's. I've had bowel issues for over 20 years and always been told it's IBS. Anyway three years ago, I had my gallbladder removed and my symptoms went in to overload mode. My calprotectin levels were in the hundreds. Since then I've had three colonoscopies
Sunita77 profile image

Terminal ileitis

My colonoscopy found mild inflammation in the TI area which they said looked like Terminal Ileitis. Biopsies were taken but they came back normal. I haven't discussed the results with my consultant yet as I had to give in a stool sample to check the calprotectin level first. It looks like it isn't Crohn's
Sunita77 profile image

Pregabalin and Linaclotide

There's a bit out there in the posts but it would be good to hear from anyone with experience of either of these. GP can't prescribe me linaclotide: blocked due to a record of IBD (i.e. Crohn's that I have/had -no physical signs, long story). So I get the P and a followup visit to see if that works and
XDjames profile image
XDjames
in IBS Network

Answer's at last for my deficiency.

He went on to say it is highly possible this represents Crohns disease now wants to do a colonoscopy. 😱 📷 Crohns most certainly would explain the absorbtion issue's albeit not the best news to have another diagnosis to add to my long list.
Jillymo profile image

Crohns/IBD

I have undiagnosed Crohns/IBD and continuous flares. I had surgery in 2011 resection of 20cm colon. What treatments are effective?
Lalande profile image
Lalande
in Thyroid UK

Third Perianal Abscess Drainage

I just had my third Perianal Abscess drained in an operation. I was diagnosed with Crohn's last year. I have fistula's that haven't closed so they put a Seton in during this operation. I'm wondering what suggestions people might have for diet and how to avoid getting another abscess. It's incredibly
MrNewfie17 profile image

Pain Investigations - IBS?

Barium enema showed some signs of mild active Crohns disease. However, capsule endoscopy some months later was clear and so I was discharged with suspected IBS instead.
PurpleShark profile image
PurpleShark
in IBS Network

MS VACCINE?!

https://scitechdaily.com/new-vaccine-can-completely-reverse-autoimmune-diseases-like-multiple-sclerosis-type-1-diabetes-and-crohns-disease/ #MSCURE
cassielynn71 profile image

IBD symptoms with no diagnosis

I was just diagnosed with IBS 6 months ago, before my 40th birthday. It started with persistent constipation, bloating and cramping that led to a colonoscopy. Since my mother has Crohn's, I expected the same diagnoses, but instead I got an all clear from the GI doctors. The months that followed put my
JQLA profile image
JQLA
in IBS Network

Ranazalone 375mg. Too nervous to take it.

You see a few weeks ago my other half eas taking azathioprine for a combination drug to treat Crohns disease and it gave him acute Pancreatitis, it was awful and so hard to get pain relief and treatment in the surgical ward they discharge him and it was not under control and he was taken back in.
Weetabixie profile image

HAPPY EASTER.

Crohns disease and various probelms around that area are rife in my family and I count myself lucky to have got this far without major problems. As usual it is just the waiting and thinking as soon as I decide to organise a trip away the appointment will come up!
Desanthony profile image

Wednesday's Word

[u][i]Ascites [/i][/u] This refers to fluid build up in the abdomen.This is often associated with cirrhosis as well as other conditions. It is usually treated with diuretics, diet, or removing the fluid by a procedure called a[i] paracentesis. [/i]
DonnaBoll profile image
DonnaBoll
Administratorin PBC Foundation
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