Might it be possible that I have crohn's disease or another digestive tract autoimmune disease?I am a 17 year old girl that has alopecia areata an autoimmune disease. It is under control now thanks to steroid injections in my head where my hair was falling out but now it has all grown back in. Thank goodness. However I am concerned because I have been having severe stomach problems for over a year now. Mostly characterized by constant diarrhea and severe (like put me in tears) cramping. I went on flagyl to clear out my system and then I took some probiotics after to replace what I had cleared out with good bacteria. It worked and I got much better and put back on the 10 pounds that I had lost over the course of a week. I didn't have any problems again till now. Come summer the problem has flared up again. I'm having the same cramping and I haven't had solid stool for about two weeks now. I'm worried that because I already have one autoimmune disease that I may have another. Something like crohn's disease or another digestive tract autoimmune disease.
I am supposed to be going on accutane in a few weeks and I've heard that accutane can cause crohn's disease. So I am starting to stress over it. Not to mentionthe fact that I have lost my appetite as my stomach cramps any time I eat and when I do eat the food runs through me like no other. If anyone knows anything about autoimmune diseases or think I might have another problem their input would be greatly appreciated. I really don't want to have to make another trip to the doctor. Especially if I'm just being a hypochondriac. Thanks!
Posted by International Man of Mystery
Hi, I'm sorry to hear about your current problem with the alopecia. I've had severe Crohn's disease for years, so I know a lot about it. First of all, what kind of doctor gave you the Flagyl? You didn't mention a GI doctor at all, which kinda concerns me. Of course a family doctor or internist can give antibiotics, but only a GI doctor who can scope you, etc. should be diagnosing you with Crohn's (or ulcerative colitis, which is similar but only affects the colon).
I highly recommend finding a good GI doctor in your area who can let you know for sure or be 99% sure at least, whether you have Crohn's or ulcerative colitis, or neither. Oh, it's nice to hear you tolerated Flagyl well, because unfortunately Flagyl can be rough on people's GI tracts. Not always, but sometimes. It's possible your cramping and diarrhea could be Irritable Bowel Syndrome (much less serious than Crohn's), but again, I highly recommend going to a GI doctor soon to make sure.
And I have NEVER heard of Accutane causing Crohn's. Whoever told you that sounds like they have the wrong info. And I have never heard it can worsen it either. But if I heard either of those things from a qualified source, like a GI doctor, I'd be sure to avoid Accutane. haha. The cause of Crohn's is not even known. Even though there are theories that something like a bacteria, virus, or other toxin in the environment makes it kick in and causes the disease to come about. And it's known to be genetic, and it's awesome they have even found a few genes that are associated with the disease, which will help research and treatments for the future.
Oh, in case you don't mind answering this, how did you get alopecia? That sucks to hear, considering you're 17, and a girl for that matter. I'm glad to hear steroid injections are helping you though. I hope this info helps a lot, and I hope you feel better soon and get a better idea of what's going on. :)
Just to help you out more maybe, I figured I'd give you the link to the national Crohn's and Colitis Foundation which is www.ccfa.org.
Edit: I figured I'd add that it looks like Accutane sure MIGHT play a role in causing Crohn's, but it sounds like it has not been proven 100%. Keep in mind too, that Crohn's is a very complex disease (and unfortunately I have had it for years, and a severe case for that matter), and even the most brilliant doctors/researchers don't know exactly what causes it, and there is no medical cure for it as of right now.
And to Zsa Zsa, where did you get your information from, where you said all those diseases, including Crohn's, are "significantly associated" with that form of alopecia? You may be right, but that sure is news to me, but you may also be wrong.
Posted by Zsa*Zsa* Galore
Yes, you are right. There is a connection to AA & Crohn's.
The cause of Alopecia Areata is obscure. Immune-mediated injury induced by possible infective, chemical, of neuropeptide stimulant is believed to cause damage to hair follicles. There is an increased incidence of autoantibodies directed against gastric parietal cells, thyroid, smooth muscles etc in AA.
A number of diseases are significantly associated with AA:
Crohn's Disease
Vitiligo
Thyroid disease
Atopy
Down syndrome
Addison's disease
Pernicious anemia
Lupus erythematosus
Scleroderma
Celiac disease
Lichen planus
Rheumatoid arthritis
http://books.google.com/books?id=CP27h0r-FjwC&pg=PA19&lpg=PA19&dq=crohn's+disease+significantly+associated+with+alopecia+areata&source=web&ots=5MpN9eWrcw&sig=BOnuSogl9cG6l-KljJBJizqUIvk&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=8&ct=result
http://dermind.tripod.com/areata.htm
DO NOT START ACCUTANE. Accutane (generic: isotretinoin) has been linked to the development of Crohn's Disease. There are ongoing lawsuits against the drug company, Roche, due to this connection. Here is info on current lawsuits:http://www.schmidtandclark.com/Accutane-Crohns-Disease/
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601202&refer=healthcare&sid=amiIZKeblTlE
You need to be evaluated by a Gastroenterologist immediately. You aren't a hypochondriac.....you are very smart! Good luck!
EDIT: International Man of Mystery.....I have sourced my information. In addition, I have emailed you further clarification on my answer. Research is advancing every day in the study of auto-immune related disease. Before criticizing someone's answer, why not do a little research? There are many on here that are truly trying to help.
After reading the symptoms "Sally" was enduring, which sound an awful lot like Crohn's, my goal was to get her to a Gastroenterologist to get properly diagnosed. Once there, the doctor would explain the danger of trying Accutane with her digestive problems. If she tries Accutane w/o seeing a GI doctor, her condition will be exacerbated. I was trying to save her from needless future complications.
Posted by Sarah D
LOW DOSE NALTREXONE, LDN ---> the newest underground termed - 'miracle' drug - today for many ailments.
Hello, I am so very sorry about the pain you are going through. I know all too well about Crohn's - since I was 9 years old I've had on again off again flares with cramps, weight loss, stool problems, etc. I am now 20 years old.
Anyway, your alopecia and Crohn's are BOTH autoimmune diseases.
PLEASE look into information on Low Dose Naltrexone.
My last Crohn's flare seemed not to be going away - I had it for a good 8 months until I started Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN).
It's an underground medication - people may exhibit such minor side effects from LDN like some ppl. have vivid dreams or headaches, but that's it.
It works for autoimmune diseases, certain cancers, AIDS, MS ..
PLEASE LOOK INTO IT. JUST SEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND YOU'LL SEE SO MANY FORUMS FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVE MIRACULOUS IMPROVEMENTS FOR AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES (that doctors have 'no cure' for yet -- what a bummer). This may be it. I have no pains whatsoever today, and I am so thankful for it everyday - i thought at one point during my 8 mnth flare it would never go away.
AND PLEASE, if you have disorder like Crohn's - which is an absorption problem, LDN comes in a cream form, which has worked for me - goes directly into the blood system.
and if you do not have noticeable effects at first - improvements - do not give up, for some people it takes a few weeks to show signs!
BE WELL, FEEL WELL! STAY STRONG. I was your age not too long ago and I know all too well about the stresses of the disease, applying to schools, doing well in school, family, etc. just BE STRONG (and read / have someone like a parent read about LDN on the internet !)
email me if you have any questions - just as a warning, not all doctors are so happy about this medication, because drug companies will not invest money into the research of it because it is such a cheap drug (been around along time, no money to be made from it). But no worries, there are some at heart current professional medical doctors who are doing studies (which is shown on the website link) and the results are amazing compared to the types of meds on the market today!
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