- Joined
- May 18, 2011
- Messages
- 7
Hi, I'm a 21 year old university student in Vancouver. I was diagnosed in February with Crohn's disease. Some back story:
In 2010, I started noticing the random abdominal cramps that I usually get were getting really painful. I also had a couple weeks where everything I swallowed caused my esophagus to hurt deep in my chest. I got an xray but there wasn't anything there. In the fall, I started randomly getting sores in my mouth. They would hurt a few days and then go away. I just kind of brushed these things off like I usually do.
In December, I started having diarrhea. The sores were back, too. I spent my Christmas vacation wincing when I ate and on the toilet. Fun! I was also have pain and swelling near my anus which I assumed was because of the diarrhea. My GP first assumed I was having stomach acid problems.
I spent the first week of this year lying on my couch because the pain near my anus was really bad. Turns out I had an abscess! I found out because it opened and I went to the doctor because I was scared. She gave me antibiotics.
I went back to the doctor a week later to follow up. At that point, there were ulcers all over my uvula and the back of my mouth. Painful! Since I was still having diarrhea and it had been a month, she referred me to a specialist. She said I may have Crohn's. Mostly because my older cousin has had it for 20 years.
I love Dr Bressler! He's my gastroenterologist and he worked really quickly. The first time I went in, he found a closed fistula and said it was probably Crohn's. He booked a colonoscopy for me.
On February 7th, I had my colonoscopy and he diagnosed me with Crohn's. During the procedure, they found another abscess inside. Three days later (ALSO MY BIRTHDAY), I spent all day in the hospital waiting to get the abscess surgically drained. Not a fun birthday but oh well.
The doctor put me on Imuran and prednisone but the steroids didn't work to make me feel better. I had to quit my job and go on EI sickness benefits because I couldn't work (at the time I was going a student work placement at a laboratory). Dr Bressler decided I needed to go on Humira right away to bring down the inflammation. I think at the worst my CRP level was at 135.
I've been on Humira now for 8 weeks and I feel so much better. I was better after the first injections basically. Before that, I could only really lay on the couch all day. It's worked so well. I had trouble with the autoinjector and just started syringes but that's another story altogether =P
About a month and a half ago, I had bad eye inflammation and developed erythema nodosum. My mom bought me a cane because I was also having horrible joint pain. I'm glad I can walk again! I had surgery to put a seton stitch in two weeks ago. Still in some pain but I'm well enough now to be at school. My energy level is pretty low but I'm sure it'll get better.
That was long! If you read all that, thanks!
Other things about me that don't involve illness: I love science fiction television shows (BSG, Doctor Who, Star Trek) and reading. My favourite author is Stephen King and my favourite film is Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Also, I'm studying molecular biology at university and I want to go into medical research.
In 2010, I started noticing the random abdominal cramps that I usually get were getting really painful. I also had a couple weeks where everything I swallowed caused my esophagus to hurt deep in my chest. I got an xray but there wasn't anything there. In the fall, I started randomly getting sores in my mouth. They would hurt a few days and then go away. I just kind of brushed these things off like I usually do.
In December, I started having diarrhea. The sores were back, too. I spent my Christmas vacation wincing when I ate and on the toilet. Fun! I was also have pain and swelling near my anus which I assumed was because of the diarrhea. My GP first assumed I was having stomach acid problems.
I spent the first week of this year lying on my couch because the pain near my anus was really bad. Turns out I had an abscess! I found out because it opened and I went to the doctor because I was scared. She gave me antibiotics.
I went back to the doctor a week later to follow up. At that point, there were ulcers all over my uvula and the back of my mouth. Painful! Since I was still having diarrhea and it had been a month, she referred me to a specialist. She said I may have Crohn's. Mostly because my older cousin has had it for 20 years.
I love Dr Bressler! He's my gastroenterologist and he worked really quickly. The first time I went in, he found a closed fistula and said it was probably Crohn's. He booked a colonoscopy for me.
On February 7th, I had my colonoscopy and he diagnosed me with Crohn's. During the procedure, they found another abscess inside. Three days later (ALSO MY BIRTHDAY), I spent all day in the hospital waiting to get the abscess surgically drained. Not a fun birthday but oh well.
The doctor put me on Imuran and prednisone but the steroids didn't work to make me feel better. I had to quit my job and go on EI sickness benefits because I couldn't work (at the time I was going a student work placement at a laboratory). Dr Bressler decided I needed to go on Humira right away to bring down the inflammation. I think at the worst my CRP level was at 135.
I've been on Humira now for 8 weeks and I feel so much better. I was better after the first injections basically. Before that, I could only really lay on the couch all day. It's worked so well. I had trouble with the autoinjector and just started syringes but that's another story altogether =P
About a month and a half ago, I had bad eye inflammation and developed erythema nodosum. My mom bought me a cane because I was also having horrible joint pain. I'm glad I can walk again! I had surgery to put a seton stitch in two weeks ago. Still in some pain but I'm well enough now to be at school. My energy level is pretty low but I'm sure it'll get better.
That was long! If you read all that, thanks!
Other things about me that don't involve illness: I love science fiction television shows (BSG, Doctor Who, Star Trek) and reading. My favourite author is Stephen King and my favourite film is Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Also, I'm studying molecular biology at university and I want to go into medical research.
My husband and I just finished watching the whole Battlestar series last night! We are at a loss of what to do with our time now. Looking forward to seeing you around the forum!
