Hi, I'm new to this forum but not new to Crohn's Disease. I was diagnosed in December 1997, but I was sick and in denial for years. I had my gallbladder removed in November of 97 because of pain and gallstones only to have my Crohn's explode into an angry monster! By the time I was diagnosed in December (97) I was in extreme pain all of the time. My GI said " you have severe Crohn's Disease" after my 1st Colonoscopy. I was put on steroids and some other meds. On February 9th, 1998 I couldn't take the pain anymore. I had lost 60 lbs since November. Any food that went in my mouth was either thrown up or caused painful diarrhea.
By the time I got to the hospital I was passing out from the pain. They did a CAT scan and decided that I must have swallowed a nut or something and it was causing a blockage.
On the 11th I had exploratory surgery ( they were looking for a nut ) lol. Three hours later the surgeon had tears in his eyes as he explained to my family that he couldn't understand how I was still functioning. ( I wasn't ). I had a blockage in my colon that was the size of a softball. My body had started growing a new colon. After removing 22 inches of colon he had to give me a colostomy bag.
A few days later they removed some of the tubes and the IV's and I got to come home. I still had a drain in my stomach and had to learn how to deal with this "poop" bag.
Talk about being depressed! Because the colostomy was unexpected he placed it in a "hard to handle" place on my stomach so my husband and my sister had to help me change it every time. Bless their hearts I will never doubt their love again!
Fortunately I got to have the bag reversed 7 months later. I consider myself extremely blessed.
Since the surgery I have been on : Remicade (every 6 weeks), Imuran (3/day), Colestid, Lomotil, and Pantoprazole ( acid reflux), Injectofer (iron infusions), B-12 shots (every 6 weeks). I also take Zoloft for anxiety.
One of my triggers is anxiety so I try to stay calm.
When my doctor asks "how are you doing?" I want to laugh at him. How do I answer that? I'm surviving and dealing with my aches and pains everyday.
I have started having joint pain in my fingers, knees, back, and right hip. I laugh and know it's part of the package. My Remicade Nurse and GI doc is sending me to a Rehmatologist. Yeah more medicine!
I know I sound like I'm complaining and I'm sorry. It's just nice to be able to get this off my chest. I realize life could be so much worse. God is good to me!
Thanks for listening!
By the time I got to the hospital I was passing out from the pain. They did a CAT scan and decided that I must have swallowed a nut or something and it was causing a blockage.
On the 11th I had exploratory surgery ( they were looking for a nut ) lol. Three hours later the surgeon had tears in his eyes as he explained to my family that he couldn't understand how I was still functioning. ( I wasn't ). I had a blockage in my colon that was the size of a softball. My body had started growing a new colon. After removing 22 inches of colon he had to give me a colostomy bag.
A few days later they removed some of the tubes and the IV's and I got to come home. I still had a drain in my stomach and had to learn how to deal with this "poop" bag.
Talk about being depressed! Because the colostomy was unexpected he placed it in a "hard to handle" place on my stomach so my husband and my sister had to help me change it every time. Bless their hearts I will never doubt their love again!
Fortunately I got to have the bag reversed 7 months later. I consider myself extremely blessed.
Since the surgery I have been on : Remicade (every 6 weeks), Imuran (3/day), Colestid, Lomotil, and Pantoprazole ( acid reflux), Injectofer (iron infusions), B-12 shots (every 6 weeks). I also take Zoloft for anxiety.
One of my triggers is anxiety so I try to stay calm.
When my doctor asks "how are you doing?" I want to laugh at him. How do I answer that? I'm surviving and dealing with my aches and pains everyday.
I have started having joint pain in my fingers, knees, back, and right hip. I laugh and know it's part of the package. My Remicade Nurse and GI doc is sending me to a Rehmatologist. Yeah more medicine!
I know I sound like I'm complaining and I'm sorry. It's just nice to be able to get this off my chest. I realize life could be so much worse. God is good to me!
Thanks for listening!
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well you have been through the mill. Glad you have found us, we are a great group here and always happy to listen and help in anyway we can. Best wishes and hang in there ☺
This disease can be so frustrating, and someone who has never experienced it can never understand how we feel 
