Do I need a second opinion?
Hi. I saw my G.I. doctor today who said that my Crohn's is in remission! I asked him why I still have joint pain in my hands and sometimes it hurts when I go to the bathroom and sometimes the fatigue is overwhelming and he said that none of that applies because there is no active Crohn's according to the scopes and CT scan. Basically he said because nothing shows active Crohn's in my digestive system and that anything else that's going on with me is not related to the Crohn's. Then he added that the hand joint pain should be getting better and that some people have bad lower back pain which I also have. Next he again said that it was great that I am in remission and he would see me in six months.
Hello! I would ALWAYS encourage a second opinion. Especially if your GI doesn't specialize in IBD. A hard lesson I learned was that not every GI knows IBD and all that comes with it. Without a second opinion, I would not have gotten the help I needed during my first flare. Ask around and see if you can find a GI in your area that TRULY specializes in your disease.
~Amber (InflammatoryBowelDisease.net Team Member)
Definitely consider a second opinion. Also, doctors I think tend to downplay Crohn's and miss things. I had a surgeon tell me that there is a type of Crohn's, which he believes I have, that often manifests deeper under the skin, and, a result, sometimes doesn't show up that clearly on a scope.
It is also possible you have inflammation in parts of your gi tract other than your colon--stomach, upper small intestine, esophagus etc. If you don't feel well, there is probably a reason. With Crohn's, unfortunately, we need to be proactive. Hope this helps. Take care!
Best,
Matt (Team Member)
