Re: Confused about Crohn's dx, getting a little overwhelmed here

[Guest guest]

Crohn's is at least a half brother of UC. They frequently have the same or similar symptoms, and like you, occasionally none. Both diseases can be very quiet requiring little to no attention, and the same two diseases can also be disabling in severity. I'm going to guess that you answered your own question, the doc just routinely schedules a follow-up after biopsy or colonoscopy to debrief the patient. Odds are you had some sedation for the procedure, and docs know you were not at your best to recall anything that was told to you that day. The Asacol is an aspirin for the gut. It tends to be a fairly agreeable drug.Since he saw an inflamed colon it is appropriate to begin there.

Bestjd, 45 goin to 46UC 1973, Jpouch 2000, Chronic Pouchitis 2001, PSC 2004, Stage 3Southern, IL

[Guest guest]

To second what JD said earlier, diagnosis of a bowel disease is not

surprising. Over 70% of PSC patients have either UC or Crohn's.

While true that most have UC there is a significant number of

patients that have Crohn's instead. For most diagnosed with PSC,

diagnosis of a corresponsing bowel disease is not a matter of if, but

when. His follow up a week after the procedure is not unusual in

light of a new diagnosis and as you speculated is probably to discuss

biopsy results and the overall picture of the colonoscopy and develop

an ongoing treatment/monitoring plan.

The good news is that Asacol is a well tolerated drug for most with

little or no side effects. Although you are not currently suffering

any symptoms, keeping Crohn's under control is a good thing. Once it

flares it can be difficult to control and often requires treatment

with prednisone to bring it back in check. Having to go on

prednisone is much worse than taking a maintenance dose of Asacol. I

have taken Asacol for 5 years and never had a problem. There are

also added benefits of possible colon cancer prevention by taking

Asacol.

The other piece of good news and one reason you have not yet

experienced any symptoms is that many patients with PSC have a

quieter form of corresponsing bowel disease. Although the disease

tends to be throughout the entire colon, the flares are often less

severe and farther apart than the typical Bowel Disease Patient. I

for one was diagnosed with UC in 1991 and went 10 years before having

another minor flare. Since then I have gone another 5 years without

any problems although I do have annual colonoscopies. My UC has very

little impact on my quality of life but I do realize this is not true

for everyone. Hopefully you will have a similar experience.

I know how hard it is to have multiple diagnosis of problems al at

the same time. It can be evry overwhelming. When I was diagnosed

with PSC 5 years ago I was, as I mentioned, in the middle of a UC

flare, diagnosed with hypothyroidism, elevated cholesterol, and Type

II Diabetes all in the span of several months. It was very stressful

but did get better with time. Five years later I continue to live a

full and productive life.

in Seattle

UC 1991, PSC 2001

>

> Maybe someone here can help me understand what's happening with me.

>

> I was diagnosed with PSC a month ago and my liver disease is stage

2. I accepted

> that with relative ease the moment I saw that there were children

on this site who are

> fighting this disease. My kids are healthy, so I can take it. I'm

fine with that.

>

> Then I went for my colonoscopy last week and part of my colon is

inflamed. Sounded

> like no biggie. I have no complaints about my bowels. I am

actually quite regular.

> Never see any blood. Pretty consistent. But my doctor, after

performing the

> colonoscopy, diagnosed me with Crohn's disease. Huh?!? It just

doesn't seem to fit.

> Now I have to start taking Asacol (sp?). Where is he getting this?

>

> I have to meet with him in just a week. I want to cancel this

appointment and take a

> later one. What could possibly happen here that soon? I can't

tell him how I've

> improved because I have no complaints about my bowels to begin

with. I can't

> imagine the meds would do much for me in just one week. He took

biopsies during

> the procedure - is that why he'd need to see me so soon?

>

> I just don't see how I can possibly have this disease. I know that

UC goes with PSC

> often, but this isn't making sense to me. Why Crohn's and not UC?

>

> Can anyone out there provide some clarity?

>

>

> PSC June 2006, Crohn's July 2006

>

[Guest guest]

To second what JD said earlier, diagnosis of a bowel disease is not

surprising. Over 70% of PSC patients have either UC or Crohn's.

While true that most have UC there is a significant number of

patients that have Crohn's instead. For most diagnosed with PSC,

diagnosis of a corresponsing bowel disease is not a matter of if, but

when. His follow up a week after the procedure is not unusual in

light of a new diagnosis and as you speculated is probably to discuss

biopsy results and the overall picture of the colonoscopy and develop

an ongoing treatment/monitoring plan.

The good news is that Asacol is a well tolerated drug for most with

little or no side effects. Although you are not currently suffering

any symptoms, keeping Crohn's under control is a good thing. Once it

flares it can be difficult to control and often requires treatment

with prednisone to bring it back in check. Having to go on

prednisone is much worse than taking a maintenance dose of Asacol. I

have taken Asacol for 5 years and never had a problem. There are

also added benefits of possible colon cancer prevention by taking

Asacol.

The other piece of good news and one reason you have not yet

experienced any symptoms is that many patients with PSC have a

quieter form of corresponsing bowel disease. Although the disease

tends to be throughout the entire colon, the flares are often less

severe and farther apart than the typical Bowel Disease Patient. I

for one was diagnosed with UC in 1991 and went 10 years before having

another minor flare. Since then I have gone another 5 years without

any problems although I do have annual colonoscopies. My UC has very

little impact on my quality of life but I do realize this is not true

for everyone. Hopefully you will have a similar experience.

I know how hard it is to have multiple diagnosis of problems al at

the same time. It can be evry overwhelming. When I was diagnosed

with PSC 5 years ago I was, as I mentioned, in the middle of a UC

flare, diagnosed with hypothyroidism, elevated cholesterol, and Type

II Diabetes all in the span of several months. It was very stressful

but did get better with time. Five years later I continue to live a

full and productive life.

in Seattle

UC 1991, PSC 2001

>

> Maybe someone here can help me understand what's happening with me.

>

> I was diagnosed with PSC a month ago and my liver disease is stage

2. I accepted

> that with relative ease the moment I saw that there were children

on this site who are

> fighting this disease. My kids are healthy, so I can take it. I'm

fine with that.

>

> Then I went for my colonoscopy last week and part of my colon is

inflamed. Sounded

> like no biggie. I have no complaints about my bowels. I am

actually quite regular.

> Never see any blood. Pretty consistent. But my doctor, after

performing the

> colonoscopy, diagnosed me with Crohn's disease. Huh?!? It just

doesn't seem to fit.

> Now I have to start taking Asacol (sp?). Where is he getting this?

>

> I have to meet with him in just a week. I want to cancel this

appointment and take a

> later one. What could possibly happen here that soon? I can't

tell him how I've

> improved because I have no complaints about my bowels to begin

with. I can't

> imagine the meds would do much for me in just one week. He took

biopsies during

> the procedure - is that why he'd need to see me so soon?

>

> I just don't see how I can possibly have this disease. I know that

UC goes with PSC

> often, but this isn't making sense to me. Why Crohn's and not UC?

>

> Can anyone out there provide some clarity?

>

>

> PSC June 2006, Crohn's July 2006

>

[Guest guest]

To second what JD said earlier, diagnosis of a bowel disease is not

surprising. Over 70% of PSC patients have either UC or Crohn's.

While true that most have UC there is a significant number of

patients that have Crohn's instead. For most diagnosed with PSC,

diagnosis of a corresponsing bowel disease is not a matter of if, but

when. His follow up a week after the procedure is not unusual in

light of a new diagnosis and as you speculated is probably to discuss

biopsy results and the overall picture of the colonoscopy and develop

an ongoing treatment/monitoring plan.

The good news is that Asacol is a well tolerated drug for most with

little or no side effects. Although you are not currently suffering

any symptoms, keeping Crohn's under control is a good thing. Once it

flares it can be difficult to control and often requires treatment

with prednisone to bring it back in check. Having to go on

prednisone is much worse than taking a maintenance dose of Asacol. I

have taken Asacol for 5 years and never had a problem. There are

also added benefits of possible colon cancer prevention by taking

Asacol.

The other piece of good news and one reason you have not yet

experienced any symptoms is that many patients with PSC have a

quieter form of corresponsing bowel disease. Although the disease

tends to be throughout the entire colon, the flares are often less

severe and farther apart than the typical Bowel Disease Patient. I

for one was diagnosed with UC in 1991 and went 10 years before having

another minor flare. Since then I have gone another 5 years without

any problems although I do have annual colonoscopies. My UC has very

little impact on my quality of life but I do realize this is not true

for everyone. Hopefully you will have a similar experience.

I know how hard it is to have multiple diagnosis of problems al at

the same time. It can be evry overwhelming. When I was diagnosed

with PSC 5 years ago I was, as I mentioned, in the middle of a UC

flare, diagnosed with hypothyroidism, elevated cholesterol, and Type

II Diabetes all in the span of several months. It was very stressful

but did get better with time. Five years later I continue to live a

full and productive life.

in Seattle

UC 1991, PSC 2001

>

> Maybe someone here can help me understand what's happening with me.

>

> I was diagnosed with PSC a month ago and my liver disease is stage

2. I accepted

> that with relative ease the moment I saw that there were children

on this site who are

> fighting this disease. My kids are healthy, so I can take it. I'm

fine with that.

>

> Then I went for my colonoscopy last week and part of my colon is

inflamed. Sounded

> like no biggie. I have no complaints about my bowels. I am

actually quite regular.

> Never see any blood. Pretty consistent. But my doctor, after

performing the

> colonoscopy, diagnosed me with Crohn's disease. Huh?!? It just

doesn't seem to fit.

> Now I have to start taking Asacol (sp?). Where is he getting this?

>

> I have to meet with him in just a week. I want to cancel this

appointment and take a

> later one. What could possibly happen here that soon? I can't

tell him how I've

> improved because I have no complaints about my bowels to begin

with. I can't

> imagine the meds would do much for me in just one week. He took

biopsies during

> the procedure - is that why he'd need to see me so soon?

>

> I just don't see how I can possibly have this disease. I know that

UC goes with PSC

> often, but this isn't making sense to me. Why Crohn's and not UC?

>

> Can anyone out there provide some clarity?

>

>

> PSC June 2006, Crohn's July 2006

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your response. It just seems so odd to me to be asymptomatic. I'm

hoping for some clarity at this next appointment.

Next up for me is a bone density scan. I think I'm just starting to adjust to

this

concept of my new lifestyle.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your response. It just seems so odd to me to be asymptomatic. I'm

hoping for some clarity at this next appointment.

Next up for me is a bone density scan. I think I'm just starting to adjust to

this

concept of my new lifestyle.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your response. It just seems so odd to me to be asymptomatic. I'm

hoping for some clarity at this next appointment.

Next up for me is a bone density scan. I think I'm just starting to adjust to

this

concept of my new lifestyle.

[Guest guest]

WITHOUT a colonoscopy, what are the symptoms of bowel disease? There's something going on with 's stomach/gut. First they said he wasn't gaining weight (pre-GJ-tube) because he was using so many calories to breathe (pre-lung-tx). Now they say it may be related to his liver (it's SO big) and we won't know for sure until after he has the liver tx. He has slow (no) motility from his stomach to his small bowel. Food DOES digest, but doesn't move, and simply sits there until it either drains out of his G-tube or he throws up. He has serious absorption issues. Low ferritin and folic acid levels because of it. Vitamin D was also on the low side. We're constantly adjusting his Prograf and Levothyroxine (Synthroid) dosages to compensate for the fluctuating absorptions. He's got pretty much chronic diarrhea. He was VERY regular before he got sick.

Then he became constipated because of the hypothyroidism. Last fall he became so backed up, he vomitted out fecal matter. (You do NOT want to know some of the things the body is capable of - that's one of them.) We had him back on Miralax (begun last spring because of the constipation). After that, he began having diarrhea. Occasionally his stools become almost formed, but never quite. (It's quite the party when we hit the almost stage.) Other times it's like water. (Which doesn't help the Prograf absorption.) I know Crohn's is horrendous. He's already on Prednisone for the rest of his life because of the lung tx, so that part is covered. I don't know much about UC. Amijasonsea wrote: To second what JD said earlier, diagnosis of a bowel disease is not surprising. Over 70% of PSC patients have either UC or Crohn's. While true that most have UC there is a significant number of patients that have Crohn's instead. For most diagnosed with PSC, diagnosis of a corresponsing bowel disease is not a matter of if, but when. His follow up a week after the procedure is not unusual in light of a new diagnosis and as you speculated is probably to discuss biopsy results and the overall picture of the colonoscopy and develop an ongoing treatment/monitoring plan.The good news is that Asacol is a well tolerated

drug for most with little or no side effects. Although you are not currently suffering any symptoms, keeping Crohn's under control is a good thing. Once it flares it can be difficult to control and often requires treatment with prednisone to bring it back in check. Having to go on prednisone is much worse than taking a maintenance dose of Asacol. I have taken Asacol for 5 years and never had a problem. There are also added benefits of possible colon cancer prevention by taking Asacol.The other piece of good news and one reason you have not yet experienced any symptoms is that many patients with PSC have a quieter form of corresponsing bowel disease. Although the disease tends to be throughout the entire colon, the flares are often less severe and farther apart than the typical Bowel Disease Patient. I for one was diagnosed with UC in 1991 and went 10 years before having another minor flare. Since then I have

gone another 5 years without any problems although I do have annual colonoscopies. My UC has very little impact on my quality of life but I do realize this is not true for everyone. Hopefully you will have a similar experience.I know how hard it is to have multiple diagnosis of problems al at the same time. It can be evry overwhelming. When I was diagnosed with PSC 5 years ago I was, as I mentioned, in the middle of a UC flare, diagnosed with hypothyroidism, elevated cholesterol, and Type II Diabetes all in the span of several months. It was very stressful but did get better with time. Five years later I continue to live a full and productive life. in SeattleUC 1991, PSC 2001>> Maybe someone here can help me understand what's happening with me.> > I

was diagnosed with PSC a month ago and my liver disease is stage 2. I accepted > that with relative ease the moment I saw that there were children on this site who are > fighting this disease. My kids are healthy, so I can take it. I'm fine with that.> > Then I went for my colonoscopy last week and part of my colon is inflamed. Sounded > like no biggie. I have no complaints about my bowels. I am actually quite regular. > Never see any blood. Pretty consistent. But my doctor, after performing the > colonoscopy, diagnosed me with Crohn's disease. Huh?!? It just doesn't seem to fit. > Now I have to start taking Asacol (sp?). Where is he getting this? > > I have to meet with him in just a week. I want to cancel this appointment and take a > later one. What could possibly happen here that soon? I can't tell him how I've > improved because I have no complaints

about my bowels to begin with. I can't > imagine the meds would do much for me in just one week. He took biopsies during > the procedure - is that why he'd need to see me so soon? > > I just don't see how I can possibly have this disease. I know that UC goes with PSC > often, but this isn't making sense to me. Why Crohn's and not UC? > > Can anyone out there provide some clarity?> > > PSC June 2006, Crohn's July 2006>Ami mom to - 8 yrs old - Double Lung Tx 2/26/2006, PSCholangitis - pre-liver Tx (Aug or Sept, 2006), Central DI, Steroid Induced Diabetes, HypoT, GERD, High Blood Pressure, ADD, Anemia, Malabsorption, Slow Motility http://www.caringbridge.com/visit/seanfox mom to Emma - 12 yrs old - Migraines, otherwise good & healthy (thankfully) stepmom to - 13 yrs old - ADD, RAD ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Generosity begins with our recognition of our debt to others. -Master Hsing Yun, Fulfillment of desire is an illusion; desire leads to more desire, not satisfaction.-Kathleen Mc, "How to Meditate" __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Ami, I hope someone here can provide you with answers.

To the guys who responded, thanks so much. That was very helpful. I just have

this

sensation that my whole body is breaking down on me. I know that's not the

case,

but I'm not exactly friends with my body right now. , I can't imagine

getting all

of those diagnoses at once.

Thanks for sharing your strength and information.

[Guest guest]

Ami, I hope someone here can provide you with answers.

To the guys who responded, thanks so much. That was very helpful. I just have

this

sensation that my whole body is breaking down on me. I know that's not the

case,

but I'm not exactly friends with my body right now. , I can't imagine

getting all

of those diagnoses at once.

Thanks for sharing your strength and information.

[Guest guest]

:

When I was first told about the PSC, I started planning my funeral and

making my final wishes known. After five years, I've gotten over that.

I do what I want, when I want. Yes, I get tired and sometimes I just

have no idea what is going on with my body but those times come and then

they go and life is good again.

I too have Crohn's and sometimes it's a bad thing and I want to lie

down and give up but most of the time I don't even think about it. I

take 4 tablets of 400 mg of Asacol three times a day and it works great.

I work full time. I go to school part time. Life is good.

Hang in there and know that the desperation that you feel right now

will ease and life will continue. Don't waste time letting this disease

control your life. Enjoy life and live it to its fullest.

I think that it is Barb that has the saying on her e-mails that says

something to the effect of " Never give up the fight " . I don't know if I

got that exactly right or not but it's true................never ever

give up the fight, whether it is the fight for a cure or the fight for

your life or just the fight to live a normal life.

Good luck

>>> jglr23@... 7/26/2006 6:50:53 AM >>>

Ami, I hope someone here can provide you with answers.

To the guys who responded, thanks so much. That was very helpful. I

just have this

sensation that my whole body is breaking down on me. I know that's not

the case,

but I'm not exactly friends with my body right now. , I can't

imagine getting all

of those diagnoses at once.

Thanks for sharing your strength and information.

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[Guest guest]

When my son was diagnised at age 11 it was because his blood count was very low and he was week. I had taken him to the Dr and I thought it was a GI bug that had him run down. I am a nurse and was floored how low his blood count was. He had never had blood visible in his stool but when they scoped him his colon was a mess. Apparently he had been slowly bleeding for so long it had enlarged his heart. He had no symptoms except for the fatigue. While he was in the hospital and they had done rountine labs they found the liver failure so a further workup was done and the PSC was diagnosed. He is unusual in that for 8 years his symptoms were all related to his PSC. His chron's has never bothered him. Over the years he has had several colonoscopies done. Last year they did a follow up scope and the dr said that if she had not seen his colon when it was a mess she would never guess he had crohns as there are no signs now. Don't blow off your

dr appt because you have no symptoms. Marti jglr23 wrote: Maybe someone here can help me understand what's happening with me.I was diagnosed with PSC a month ago and my liver disease is stage 2. I accepted that with relative ease the moment I saw that there were children on this site who are fighting this disease. My kids are healthy, so I can take it. I'm fine with that.Then I went for my colonoscopy last week and part of my colon is inflamed. Sounded like no biggie. I have no complaints about my bowels. I am actually quite regular. Never see any blood. Pretty consistent. But my doctor, after performing the colonoscopy, diagnosed me with Crohn's disease. Huh?!? It just doesn't seem to fit. Now I have to start taking Asacol (sp?). Where is he getting this?

I have to meet with him in just a week. I want to cancel this appointment and take a later one. What could possibly happen here that soon? I can't tell him how I've improved because I have no complaints about my bowels to begin with. I can't imagine the meds would do much for me in just one week. He took biopsies during the procedure - is that why he'd need to see me so soon? I just don't see how I can possibly have this disease. I know that UC goes with PSC often, but this isn't making sense to me. Why Crohn's and not UC? Can anyone out there provide some clarity?PSC June 2006, Crohn's July 2006

[Guest guest]

When my son was diagnised at age 11 it was because his blood count was very low and he was week. I had taken him to the Dr and I thought it was a GI bug that had him run down. I am a nurse and was floored how low his blood count was. He had never had blood visible in his stool but when they scoped him his colon was a mess. Apparently he had been slowly bleeding for so long it had enlarged his heart. He had no symptoms except for the fatigue. While he was in the hospital and they had done rountine labs they found the liver failure so a further workup was done and the PSC was diagnosed. He is unusual in that for 8 years his symptoms were all related to his PSC. His chron's has never bothered him. Over the years he has had several colonoscopies done. Last year they did a follow up scope and the dr said that if she had not seen his colon when it was a mess she would never guess he had crohns as there are no signs now. Don't blow off your

dr appt because you have no symptoms. Marti jglr23 wrote: Maybe someone here can help me understand what's happening with me.I was diagnosed with PSC a month ago and my liver disease is stage 2. I accepted that with relative ease the moment I saw that there were children on this site who are fighting this disease. My kids are healthy, so I can take it. I'm fine with that.Then I went for my colonoscopy last week and part of my colon is inflamed. Sounded like no biggie. I have no complaints about my bowels. I am actually quite regular. Never see any blood. Pretty consistent. But my doctor, after performing the colonoscopy, diagnosed me with Crohn's disease. Huh?!? It just doesn't seem to fit. Now I have to start taking Asacol (sp?). Where is he getting this?

I have to meet with him in just a week. I want to cancel this appointment and take a later one. What could possibly happen here that soon? I can't tell him how I've improved because I have no complaints about my bowels to begin with. I can't imagine the meds would do much for me in just one week. He took biopsies during the procedure - is that why he'd need to see me so soon? I just don't see how I can possibly have this disease. I know that UC goes with PSC often, but this isn't making sense to me. Why Crohn's and not UC? Can anyone out there provide some clarity?PSC June 2006, Crohn's July 2006

[Guest guest]

When my son was diagnised at age 11 it was because his blood count was very low and he was week. I had taken him to the Dr and I thought it was a GI bug that had him run down. I am a nurse and was floored how low his blood count was. He had never had blood visible in his stool but when they scoped him his colon was a mess. Apparently he had been slowly bleeding for so long it had enlarged his heart. He had no symptoms except for the fatigue. While he was in the hospital and they had done rountine labs they found the liver failure so a further workup was done and the PSC was diagnosed. He is unusual in that for 8 years his symptoms were all related to his PSC. His chron's has never bothered him. Over the years he has had several colonoscopies done. Last year they did a follow up scope and the dr said that if she had not seen his colon when it was a mess she would never guess he had crohns as there are no signs now. Don't blow off your

dr appt because you have no symptoms. Marti jglr23 wrote: Maybe someone here can help me understand what's happening with me.I was diagnosed with PSC a month ago and my liver disease is stage 2. I accepted that with relative ease the moment I saw that there were children on this site who are fighting this disease. My kids are healthy, so I can take it. I'm fine with that.Then I went for my colonoscopy last week and part of my colon is inflamed. Sounded like no biggie. I have no complaints about my bowels. I am actually quite regular. Never see any blood. Pretty consistent. But my doctor, after performing the colonoscopy, diagnosed me with Crohn's disease. Huh?!? It just doesn't seem to fit. Now I have to start taking Asacol (sp?). Where is he getting this?

I have to meet with him in just a week. I want to cancel this appointment and take a later one. What could possibly happen here that soon? I can't tell him how I've improved because I have no complaints about my bowels to begin with. I can't imagine the meds would do much for me in just one week. He took biopsies during the procedure - is that why he'd need to see me so soon? I just don't see how I can possibly have this disease. I know that UC goes with PSC often, but this isn't making sense to me. Why Crohn's and not UC? Can anyone out there provide some clarity?PSC June 2006, Crohn's July 2006

[Guest guest]

Amy This is Marti, 's mom. He is at college having a ball. Don't start counting yourself gone yet but do listen to your drs and your body. MartiAmy Sherk wrote: Hi ,I had a ruptured appendix in 1984 while I was 6 months pregnant.It just about killed me and my baby. I don't know how long I've had Crohns, but after years of sickness and my gallbladder removed, it only got worse. I ended up with a biopsy after my colonoscopy and was given the Crohns diagnosis. That's been a while. Almost 2 years ago when I went to the GI doctor sick, he thought I had a fatty liver. It's been 4-1/2 years since my last colonoscopy. I recently had a liver biopsy which showed I had no fatty liver. MY GI doctor gave me the diagnosis of PSC. My biopsy was sent to San

Francisco for an expert opinion. I am awaiting the phone call as to the extent of PSC. I have blood in my bowels and am a bit nervous. I had no idea I'd be given another disease. I was on Asacol for years. I stopped taking it almost 2 years ago. I have tried to ignore that fact that I am sick and just live! Doing that has got me in deeper! By ignoring pains, I am sicker. If this is an auto immune disease, then maybe living and ignoring the sickness has been o.k. I want you to know you're not alone! I have both Crohns and PSC too! I am still in shock. I have a wonderful husband, 6 children and 2 grand babies that count on me! Leaving them behind kills me! I know there is a God and that he will get me through this! He loves me and I feel it!I am going to proceed with my life, listen to my doctors, take better care of myself and do my best!Amy - Reno, Nevada> Maybe someone here can help me understand what's happening with me.> > I was diagnosed with PSC a month ago and my liver disease is stage 2. I accepted > that with relative ease the moment I saw that there were children on this site who are > fighting this disease. My kids are healthy, so I can take it. I'm fine with that.> > Then I went for my colonoscopy last week and part of my colon is inflamed. Sounded > like no biggie. I have no complaints about my bowels. I am actually quite regular. > Never see any blood. Pretty consistent. But my doctor, after performing the > colonoscopy, diagnosed me with Crohn's disease. Huh?!? It just doesn't seem to fit. > Now I have to start taking

Asacol (sp?). Where is he getting this? > > I have to meet with him in just a week. I want to cancel this appointment and take a > later one. What could possibly happen here that soon? I can't tell him how I've > improved because I have no complaints about my bowels to begin with. I can't > imagine the meds would do much for me in just one week. He took biopsies during > the procedure - is that why he'd need to see me so soon? > > I just don't see how I can possibly have this disease. I know that UC goes with PSC > often, but this isn't making sense to me. Why Crohn's and not UC? > > Can anyone out there provide some clarity?> > > PSC June 2006, Crohn's July 2006> > > > > > > > > > >