14 with Crohn's :(

[Hanny]

My name is Hannah, I am 14 years old and have been majorly suffering from Crohn's disease for over a year now. I was just diagnosed by my gastroenterologist through endoscopy and colonscopy in April. The pills I am prescribed don't seem to be working very well which is making my doctor think i also have IBS. As much as I am glad that my mysterious stomach aches and bathroom trips are now explainable and have a name, i was discouraged (and a little embarrassed) by the fact I had a "disease" and a crummy one at that. But it seems more people than I realize are suffering from this too! I am currently on 2500 mg of Pentasa everyday as well as folic acid. And I have just begun taking Methotrexate. Overall I was just looking for some tips on how to cope with this and any ideas that worked for others like me!

 

[Claire617]

Heya it really sucks that you have this at such a young age, I was diagnosed when I was 13, as if secondry school isn't hard enough without Crohns!
I'm also on methatrexate, and I find it works wonders for me in keeping my body going. I'm sure you can get lots of tips from the people on here, but I find it's the kind of problem where everyone suffers in different ways, some can tolerate certain foods, other people can't, and the same goes for medications.
Hope you find the help you need here

 

[Trysha]

Hello Hanny,
It is sad to hear of someone so young having to cope with crohn's.
The medications, once established and you can cope with them will eventually help you to feel better.
There is a section on the forum for young people and you might like to take a look at it and meet some new crohns friends there.Take a look around at what is available to you
Feel better soon
Hugs and best wishes
Trysha

 

[Trysha]

It is in the support forum under "teens only"

 

[Angrybird]

Hello Hanny and welcome to the forum :bigwave: The pentesa can be good and keeping inflammation as bay is mild cases of crohns once it has already been settled down usually by steroids - were you ever prescribed these? The fact that mtx has been prescribed may mean that your crohns is a bit more severe but it can take a few weeks before you will notice any improvement from it which can explain your ongoing symptoms. One thing it may be worth trying is diet - some have found relief from symptoms by keeping a food diary and then avoiding foods that have have increased their tummy problems. Others have gone as far has having a liquid only diet for a while which can really help is calming things down.

I hope you can be feeling better soon!

AB
xx

 

[David]

Hi Hannah and welcome to the forum! I'm so glad you joined!

Let me see if I have this correct. Your only medications are 2500mg of Pentasa and folic acid? And because those aren't working your GI now thinks you have IBS instead?

Again, welcome!

 

[Hanny]

I take Pentasa 2500mg, and since those didn't help i now take 20 mg(8, 2.5mg pills) of methotrexate and increasing to 10 pills and then i take folic acid and calcium supplements to compensate that. After a few sessions of poking my stomach my doctor says i'm very bloated and gassy and may even be lactose! I do have Crohn's for sure but now she thinks IBS aswell i'm not sure why but , I guess she thought the pentasa would help and as well my brother has it. And thanks for your support everyone!