Things are starting to happen fast around here!

I just posted earlier about how we still had no diagnosis for my husband's joint pain. Then at almost 9 this evening his gastroenterologist called (how is that for service?). He said he put a rush on the biopsies they took during my husband's colonoscopy on Monday and the results came in this evening.

Apparently he DOES have inflammatory bowel disease (colitis). The doctor's best guess is that it's ulcerative colitis. He says that it's not severe though and once we get it under control, the arthritis symptoms SHOULD go away. (Assuming that the arthritis is part of the inflammatory bowel disease and not a separate disease - which both his gastroenterologist and rheumatologist say is unlikely).

He'll be starting a couple of different medications in the morning, so we'll see. Hopefully he'll be able to start functioning normally again soon! Praise God!

Unfortunately, my 2 year old's fever is now up over 105 so I guess I'll be taking him to the doctor in the morning.

Thanks for the thoughts and prayers!

Stephanie

__________________
Stephanie
Mom to: Caleb (8/03), Ian (9/05), & Lucas (11/08)

That's good news if they finally have a diagnosis and can treat it finally. I didn't know people with inflammatory bowel disease also had arthritis...wierd. Hope he feels better soon.

__________________

Prayers coming your way for both your hubby and your son.

__________________
When Jesus returns, will you be ready???

Apparently because inflammatory bowel disease is a systemic problem, it can affect other parts of the body (although not always). People with IBD can also have a rash, liver, or eye problems, although thankfully, my husband doesn't.

His doctor said that it's unusual to have IBD with arthritis symptoms and NO current GI symptoms, but not unheard of.

__________________
Stephanie
Mom to: Caleb (8/03), Ian (9/05), & Lucas (11/08)

I'm so glad to hear you finally have a diagnosis, and that this should be fairly easily treatable! My SIL also had pretty nasty colitis/IBS/Crohn's, and actually had to have her colon removed and an internal pouch was placed. She's doing well, but is on antibiotics a lot and gets sick easily. SOOOO glad to hear that you dh's case isn't too severe, and that hopefully he'll be feeling more like himself soon. What a long road for your family! Hope your baby is also feeling better soon. Ear infection, maybe? Try garlic oil drops, 2-3 in each ear at bedtime, and stuff cotton in ears. Works so well (a homecare nurse told me she does this with her kids)!!

__________________

I'm thinking of you all!!!

__________________

My dh also has ulcerative colitis. The medication they have for it now is wonderful! He saw a great improvement in just a couple of weeks and after a few months has been able to cut back on the amount medicine he has to take.

Your dh may find that avoiding certain foods helps. Cutting back on dairy, sugar and spicey foods has helped my dh quite a bit.

I would also be careful of some of the web site out there about ulcerative colitis as many are filled with horror stories that scared the heck out of us.

I hope life at your house gets back to normal soon!

__________________
DS - 6/01, DD - 7/03, DS - 5/06

My husband used to love spicey foods, but now he can't tolerate them. He thought it was because of the anti-inflammatories. Makes me wonder now though.

I have also noticed that many websites seem to forecast only the worst case scenario. I've found that to be true with everything we've researched...we've been scared many times over since we've been given a half a dozen possible diagnoses in the past.

Thanks for the advice.

__________________
Stephanie
Mom to: Caleb (8/03), Ian (9/05), & Lucas (11/08)

Glad you finally have a diagnosis and he can be treated now!
I've seen it treated by acupuncture too.

Hope dh's treatment goes well and that your baby feels better soon!

__________________
Mom to Caitlyn 4-1-03
Mom to Michael 9-1-05