- Joined
- Apr 4, 2010
- Messages
- 149
Hi everyone,
My name is Gail, I'm 44 and I live in Durham, UK. I was diagnosed with Crohn's a month ago after being ill on and off (mostly on) for almost three years. I've been trying to come to terms with the diagnosis and this forum is one of the things that has helped. I was absolutely terrified at the diagnosis of Crohn's and I feel like I've been crying for three years non-stop with the trauma of being so ill! But once I got the diagnosis and began to find out more, I think I'm coping better. You people on this forum have given me info, made me feel less alone and even made me smile through the tears. There is a lot of support here. I just plucked up the courage to join you and want to say hello and thanks.
Over the last three years, I was told I had everything from IBS to depression. I'm still really angry that people doubted my sanity. It's hard enough being physically ill without people - especially doctors - telling you that it could be in your mind.
It all started after a trip to Spain and what I thought was a bug but from which didn't recover. I lost two stone and have been in terrible pain at times. I had 2 CT scans, 2 colonoscopies, 2 gastroscopies, blood tests, stool tests and eventually a pill cam endoscopy which found the Crohn's in my small bowel. The consultant at the hospital put me on 25mgs Prednisolone three weeks ago and I felt well after four days for the first time in three years! It feels so wonderful to be well! Then, a week ago the moonface began to set in and, being rather vain, I'm not too keen on looking like a chipmunk - so cute, not! So I'm tapering it now. The last three days I halved a 5mg tablet so to take 22.5 mgs a day. I might cut down to 20mgs tomorrow.
The doc said he'd put me on Azathiaprine when the blood tests come back. I hope it works....but I'm also hoping I can learn a few things along the way that will help me keep some control over my disease...well, as much as I can anyway.
I'm still up and down with my emotions but I hope I can learn a lot and eventually support others in the same way through the forum.
Thanks for taking the time to read my story.
Gail
ps I called myself Hedgehog because I try to understand the world, the universe and everything....
pps Joan (Astra), hello! I'm a militant socialist too...as well a Crohnie!
My name is Gail, I'm 44 and I live in Durham, UK. I was diagnosed with Crohn's a month ago after being ill on and off (mostly on) for almost three years. I've been trying to come to terms with the diagnosis and this forum is one of the things that has helped. I was absolutely terrified at the diagnosis of Crohn's and I feel like I've been crying for three years non-stop with the trauma of being so ill! But once I got the diagnosis and began to find out more, I think I'm coping better. You people on this forum have given me info, made me feel less alone and even made me smile through the tears. There is a lot of support here. I just plucked up the courage to join you and want to say hello and thanks.
Over the last three years, I was told I had everything from IBS to depression. I'm still really angry that people doubted my sanity. It's hard enough being physically ill without people - especially doctors - telling you that it could be in your mind.
It all started after a trip to Spain and what I thought was a bug but from which didn't recover. I lost two stone and have been in terrible pain at times. I had 2 CT scans, 2 colonoscopies, 2 gastroscopies, blood tests, stool tests and eventually a pill cam endoscopy which found the Crohn's in my small bowel. The consultant at the hospital put me on 25mgs Prednisolone three weeks ago and I felt well after four days for the first time in three years! It feels so wonderful to be well! Then, a week ago the moonface began to set in and, being rather vain, I'm not too keen on looking like a chipmunk - so cute, not! So I'm tapering it now. The last three days I halved a 5mg tablet so to take 22.5 mgs a day. I might cut down to 20mgs tomorrow.
The doc said he'd put me on Azathiaprine when the blood tests come back. I hope it works....but I'm also hoping I can learn a few things along the way that will help me keep some control over my disease...well, as much as I can anyway.
I'm still up and down with my emotions but I hope I can learn a lot and eventually support others in the same way through the forum.
Thanks for taking the time to read my story.
Gail
ps I called myself Hedgehog because I try to understand the world, the universe and everything....
pps Joan (Astra), hello! I'm a militant socialist too...as well a Crohnie!
