So researchers in Sweden and Denmark have found some more evidence that there is a link between Crohn's and appendectomies. They can't decide of course, if it is the appendectomy that makes it more likely that you get Crohn's or whether the appendicitis is diagnosed when it is really Crohn's. The whole misdiagnosed appendicitis seems eerily apt in my case.
Right before my oldest child turned one, I became seriously ill within a few hours-incredible throwing up, diarrhea, fever, pain. We went to the emergency room, they diagnosed appendicitis and did an appendectomy. When they pulled the appendix though, the biopsies showed some inflammation and a "plug" and some other oddities...but the docs weren't really concerned. I recovered and went on to have some off and on stomach flu type things that no one else would get but unremarkable. Fast forward to the mystery bump and crohn's and all my colonoscopies...the parts of my intestine with the most marked crohn's: right there in appendix land. hmmmm. Yep, it could have been appendicitis. It could be a chicken or the egg...but an interesting connection.
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Studies here in the US have shown that appendicitis--but not appendectomies--reduce the risk for ulcerative colitis. It's interesting to see them find the opposite finding in Finland.
Or it could just be the difference between Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis. Who knows?
I wish they could all come to a consensus.
Regarding Crohn's v. Ulcerative Colitis ... my doctor has always been vague on this! I was C.Diff positive when first diagnosed, and there was plenty of ulceration. After a year on SCD and course of Pentasa, my test results are all good, but I still experience recurring pain between navel and right hip. Is it appendix? Terminal ileum? Other? I hope we find out!
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