Another first- being hospitalized for Crohn's

[Adam1971]

Hello all. I have shared some of my story with you in the past month, which is about how long I have known I have crohn's. I am 41 years old and was diagnosed with crohn's after a colonoscopy and biopsies. The docs said I had inflammation in my terminal ileum, as well as a stricture and internal fistula. Though I started treatment with lots of liquid food, entocort, and humira, this past weekend I started having some severe abdominal cramps and nausea. I could not eat and felt overall like hell.

So, I went to the ER yesterday afternoon, and they decided that I needed to be admitted due to malnourishment and the need to give me IV prednisone to quickly reduce the inflammation. This came along with much needed pain medication. The gi doc felt that I likely had blockage at the stricture and that admitting me would give me time to get the inflammation under control, do more imaging, and ultimately determine if surgery is necessary. I was kind of shocked about getting hospitalized, but also relieved because I know I will get the help I need with this.

This morning, I also found that my stool sample tested positive for c. difficile, which muddies the picture as to what is causing what.

THis afternoon, the attending GI doc explained that I could be here for a few days or a couple weeks until we know how effective treatment will be, and what will need to be done (if anything) following more imaging (barium follow thru???).

I wanted to share all this because it is my story unfolding. Crohn's is scaring the **** out of me and my family. Its such a new place to be in- to have a disease, to be in the hospital, to be talking to specialists about surgery, to all of these crazy hardcore medications.

On top this, the impact is hard right now. My wife and I are organic farmers, and we have 2 wonderful little girls. Having this major curve ball is really hard to deal with, and in between laughs and research and trying to keep positive, there are tears and a sense of being so overwhelmed.

I am so thankful to have this place to share these things. Thank you all!

 

[KWalker]

I wish I had some advice for you but I just thought I'd remind you all of us at crohnsforum are here for you and your family and we wish you the best of luck. I hope they figure out what's wrong soon so you have some answers and be put at ease.


If you have C. Diff does that mean you get your own room? (Here we do). If so atleast you can get some quiet, family time rather than listening to someone complain all day.
Hang in there and keep us updated!

 

[Adam1971]

Thanks for your support, kwalker. Yes, c. diff gave me my own room . Its been nice to have the quiet and room for friends and family.

 

[Trysha]

Hello Adam,
All of these things happening to you so swiftly is a lot for someone to deal with.
Hopefully things will turn out better than you think, its the not knowing that is so draining.
It sounds as if you have a lovely family.
Looking forward to hearing of your good progress in the coming week.
Feel better soon.
Hugs and best wishes
Trysha

 

[KWalker]

Lol Adam, although I was in the hospital for a different reason, because crohns gives me the D they put me in isolation (my own room) as a precaution for c.diff. The nurses were acting like it was a bad thing but it made my stay so much better. Nice quiet sleeping, no other people coming in and out for the other people you share a room with, etc. Its a nice feeling lol.


Hopefully you aren't in for a few weeks like they said you could be

 

[Adam1971]

Yeah, I figure if I have to deal with crohn's, what's a little bacteria infection thrown in to the mix? Just means more meds and more privacy

 

[Mia E]

Hi Adam!!
I know how overwhelmed you re feeling right now as I was in a similar position a couple of weeks ago ( minus the bug!). I found I was crying at the drop of a hat, it just knocked me for six! I do think the steroids have some part in how emotional you can get but just stick in there, the drs know what they are doing
All the best, mia x

 

[David]

Hey Adam,

I'm sorry to hear about the new hurdle That's a lot to have to deal with at once. *hugs* to you buddy.

It sounds like your docs are really on top of things though which is great. What they're probably going to do is try to determine the extent of your disease and whether your stricture is due more to inflammation or scarring. If it's more due to scarring and severe, then they'll probably do surgery and that's not a bad thing. If they think it's more inflammation and they can control it with meds, they'll likely do that. If they think surgery is best, they'll probably try to get the disease under as much control as they can before doing surgery as that improves long term prognosis.

I'm trying my hand at small scale organic farming (*shakes fist at pickleworms*). My goal is to raise 85% of my family's food within two years. I'm at around 40% or so now so progress is great If you feel like talking about it, how many acres are you farming and what are you growing?

*hugs*

 

[Adam1971]

Hey Adam,



I'm trying my hand at small scale organic farming (*shakes fist at pickleworms*). My goal is to raise 85% of my family's food within two years. I'm at around 40% or so now so progress is great If you feel like talking about it, how many acres are you farming and what are you growing?

*hugs*

We are growing about 4-5 acres of veggies, raising pastured chickens, pastured hens for eggs, sheep for wool and lamb (about 13 sheep), a family dairy cow, a steer, and a 4 month old heifer calf. We started our farm in 2003 after growing as much food as we could for our wedding. Our farm is 30 acres total.

 

[David]

That sounds absolutely amazing. Good for you! Here's what I'm doing.

 

[marjaw]

I'm sorry you're having such a tough time. I was shocked when they kept me in the hospital for days with an obstruction too but it was the best place for me. Pain meds and iv steroids worked wonders. Hope everything goes well for you and keep your chin up!

 

[Angrybird]

Hi Adam, sorry to hear you're in hospital you are in the right place to get sorted though. Sending you and your family lots of hugs and best wishes :hug: Hope you can be feeling better soon.

AB
xx

 

[Adam1971]

Just an update...

Well, thanks all for your well wishes and and information. I just wanted to provide an update on being in the hospital, a first for me.

I have been in since Sunday and have been getting better steadily. It turned out that the c diff. infection is probably the real culprit for the bout of colitis I've had. So, I have had IV flagyl, IV prednisone, and enough IV fluid to turn me into a blimp. I had a ct enterography on Wed that showed that actually the humira may be helping to reduce my crohn's stricture and that I don't have active crohn's inflammation anywhere else in my small intestine . The colitis from c diff. did cause my colon to pretty much shut down. Now I am back on solid foods (I love white bread and rice) and moving away from constant diarrhrea. I am hopefully switching over to all oral meds tomorrow.

I am glad to be feeling a bit better, and I I really miss being home with my wife and 2 sweet little girls. I hear them in the hall of the hospital floor when they come to visit saying "Daddee....Hi Daddee..." Can't wait to tuck em in myself (sniff).

Thanks for being here for me.

-Adam

 

[marjaw]

So glad you're doing better!

 

[Angrybird]

Thanks for the update Adam, glad you are starting to feel better

 

[David]

That's fantastic Adam, I'm glad you're feeling better. I hope you're home on the farm soon!

 

[Adam1971]

Going home today!!!!!

Hello. Just wanted to share that I am heading home in a couple of hours.

:ysmile:

 

[David]

Hurray!

 

[Mia E]

brilliant news! take care of yourself!x

 

[Angrybird]

Wahoo! :dance:

 

[swmorris2]

All of this explains why when I was admitted from the ER last Monday morning I got my own room. It wasn't because I was special, they were worried I was a threat, bummer. But it was very relaxing being by myself.