I was diagnosed with Ulertive Colitus in 1999 and had been managing it well it by taking Asacol daily. I would have 2-3 very minor flares on average each year. When a flare started, I'd increase my Asacol dosage and the symptoms would subside, normally within two weeks. This Fall, my condition changed. Two events took place this year which I suspect may have something to do with the change in my disease. 1) I went to Belize last Spring and became ill with what seemed like dysentery. I did a course of the anitbiotic Cipromytazin (sp?) and it seemed to take care of the problem. 2). I received my first ever flu shot (normal flu, not H1N1). A day or two after receiving the shot, I began to have what seemed like a UC flare. I experienced bleeding and diarrhea which became worse over time. I increased my Asacol dosage to no avail. The diareah continued to worsen as well as the bleeding. I went to a GI in my home town (a great doctor but new to me) and he perscribed, upon my request, the antibiotic Metronidasol to possibly treat a lingering microbe from Belize. He did not think this was the cause of my problem but was willing to give it a try. After taking the antiobiotic for a few days, my condition began to improve for the first time after about two months. By the end of the course of the antibiotic, I seemed to be back to good healthg. That was two months ago but my syptoms seem to be returning again.
Long story, longer. During my illness a colonoscopy was performed and my new doctor gave me a new diagnosis of Crohns disease as opposed to my old one of UC. My symptoms definitely seem to have changed and I'm wondering now if the flu shot may have triggered something. I'm not allergic to eggs but do seem to have flares after eating chicken skin which I don't do any more. I've been looking online to see if there are any instances of IBD caused by flu shots but am finding nothing. My case seems to be very unusual from what I've seen online and am turing to this post to maybe try to find some answers. Any insight would be appreciated.
It may as simple as you were misdiagnosed the first time. Crohn's and Colitis are being better understood in the past years and that means more doctors are becoming aware of their differences and what needs to be looked for and tested for with biopsies to properly diagnose the conditions.
I've never heard of the flu vaccine causing IBD. But, who really knows. I've gotten regular flu shots yearly ever since my IBD Dx in 1998, but refused the H1N1 vaccine this year because I believe it's too new, was rushed through production, and didn't want to be the first round of guinea pig.
I'd question your doctor a little more. And ask what he/she found in your last scope that lead them to give you the Crohn's Dx vs. your previous Colitis Dx. I'm not saying they're wrong, but I'd ask why/how they have come to this new conclusion.
Thanks for the insight Elizabeth. I was first diagnosed and then treated for years at Mass General in Boston which is one of the highest rated hospitals in the country for treating IBD's. I'm guessing that they got it right. My current doctor explained that my latest colonoscopy showed inflammation at different isolated locations in the colon and not an even progression, which had formerly been the case. He also said that the lab work on the biopsies were indicative of Crohns. He didn't go into further detail than that.
I'm guessing that my problems are stress related and possibly food related as well even though my doctors have all disagreed with the later. I'm stumped now though as this latest trouble is unlike anything I had experienced before. In years past, a flare up for me really just involved some bleeding and minor discomfort on my lower left side. Now I have chronic diarrhea, some bleeding and my standby, Asacol, may or may not help to resolve the problem(the Metronidasol is what appeared to halt this last go around). It just seems really strange to me unless it's normal for these types of diseases to change over time. I don't know. It's all a little scary and frustrating but I guess it could be a lot worse.
July 1985 I got my first and last booster/flu shot from the army at basic training. In December 1985 I Ruptured and nearly bled to death with crohn's. I know it caused it I was healthy untill that shot. I endeed up in the Hospital after the vacine for three days. I slept from about noon the day I got to the hospital and did not wake until 1 pm the next. It took several years to find that milk and yogurt caused major flares but never had problems prior to that. I have had 2 resections and have lost 28" of intestine. Was seven years free after last surgery and just had a major flare. I forgot to tell them soy milk at starbucks.