LymeNet Flash: Crohn's Disease or Lyme?

This is topic Crohn's Disease or Lyme? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/34873

Posted by Lisianthus (Member # 6631) on :

I have a friend who has been dx with Crohn's for many years at least the last 20.

On Dr. Burrascanos symptom checklist she has all but 2 (fatigue & breast pain) but she is extremely hyper.

When she was growning up, her family camped all over the U.S. for the whole summer. Usually they camped in very wooded areas.

They just recently dx her with Fibro and told her the rest of her symptom were related to the meds shes on. And low potassium levels.

I believe she has Lyme & Babesia also.
She also has food issues & severe anxiety.
Right now she is on steriods and flagyl(sp)

I would like to hear any stories from all of you if you were misdiagnosed with Crohns first. Or any info that would help me convince her to seek treatment.

Thanks in advance,
Lisi

Posted by Kara Tyson (Member # 939) on :

You can have Crohn's caused by Lyme, so it isnt really an either or situation.

Perhaps someone here has both.

Posted by susscho (Member # 7429) on :

I am experiencing similar situation -- I went in for a colonoscopy in February and they found skip lesions throughout that looked like Crohn's -- pathologist said they were bacterial infection -- I was put on Flagyl and everything got worse -- I remembered my prior Lyme treatment 7 years ago and have since learned so much more --

My sister has had Ulcerative Colitis for 15 years on prednisone and also has fibromyalgia, etc....

I actually have positive Western Blot's and had a bullseye rash 7 years ago -- and even with that -- GI docs say Lyme can not be the cause -- I am still having major bowel issues and trying to get treated for Lyme that has come out full force. If your friend is ready to start looking differently at her illness and ready for major life changes I would suggest she read some of the research on GI implications for Lyme disease. THere are links on this site, I think to Dr. Fried's research.

My sister is functioning a lot better than I am right now, so I don't know if switching her to a Lyme regimen is right at this point. -- Your friend may be in the same boat. Starting treatment for Lyme is an uphill battle that some people aren't ready to undertake.