My child is 11. He started having frequent diarrhea and abdominal cramping. He occasionally would have a headache and fever. He became pale also. At first our pediatrician did testing on his stool to rule out ova and parasites, H. Pylori, etc. Those were all negative. His doctor seemed to think he had a virus and that his normal flora in his intestinal track was off and prescribed probiotics. After several weeks, it didn't help. That's when we were referred to a gastro-pediatrician. After blood test results, it appears to be Crohn's. We are scheduled for an upper GI and colonoscopy.

Seven years ago, my son was diagnosed when he was only 3 years old. He developed a fistula on his bottom that had to be drained. About 3 months later he developed another. Then he started having 10 or more loose bowel movements a day, weight loss, and lack of appetite. After several procedures and examinations it was determined he had Crohn's disease.

In the spring of 2009, my 11-year-old son complained of painful canker sores in his mouth. That fall, he had several episodes of fecal incontinence, chronic diarrhea, and constantly held his hand to his lower abdominal area because his "stomach hurt". I took him to a military clinic and they said he had food poisoning and would get better. He continued to lose weight, became lethargic, and was extremely pale. He only weighed 66 pounds by the time I took him to a civilian doctor who immediately suspected Crohn's disease and referred us to a pediatric gastroenterologist. I am very thankful I have other insurance through work and did not have to rely on the military system. If I had waited any longer I do not know what permanent damage my son would have suffered at such an important time in his development. He was diagnosed after having an EGD, colonoscopy, and upper GI series. His entire gastrointestinal system was affected from his mouth to his anus. He had a fistula in the anal area, gastritis, colitis, ileitis, and his transverse colon was impacted. His diagnosis came just weeks before his 12th birthday. His initial treatment was with steroids, antibiotics, and iron and calcium supplements. After three months and some horrible side effects from the steroids, he started infusions. He is not symptom free yet because he still has urgency, stomach pain, and feels tired all the time. However, he is now at a healthy weight and is hitting puberty at just the right age. He is 13 now and not as willing to share his bathroom habits with me so I can only tell you what I observe and am able to pull from him. Even though I'm saddened that my child has a chronic disease, at least I know what was causing him to be sick and can get him appropriate treatment. I am concerned about possible long-term effects from his treatment, but know that we had to get his disease under control because the alternative was not an option.