Crohn's - 20 years and counting

[ChrisM]

Hi all, just a quick note to introduce myself. I was diagnosed with Crohn's about 20 years ago after being ill for a long while - GP was pretty useless - told me a young man like me shouldn't be bothering him, and that I would feel better if I took up jogging. At the time I barely had the strength to walk. Finally diagnosed when I had an abcess on my backside.

Took a good few years to get something like stable on meds, with numerous setbacks, then I settled down to about 10 years of relative stability with the occasional ambulance ride to Accident & Emergency. For some reason (it took a few glasses to work it out!) brandy could take me from healthy to a stretcher case in a matter of hours. Go figure.

About 7 years ago the flare-ups got more frequent and eventually I was talked into having a resection and about 20cm / 8in of small intestine removed. Once I recovered from the op I wished I had agreed to it several years before.

That was 5 years ago and I'm much better now. Fingers crossed it will continue but you never know when the next flare is coming...

Chris

 

[David]

Greetings Chris and welcome! 20 years? Wow, that's a long time. I'm so pleased to hear you're feeling well now though. That's fantastic

Again, welcome, and I look forward to seeing you around the board. I have no doubt you have much wisdom and knowledge to share with us.

 

[ameslouise]

Hi Chris and welcome!

Glad to hear you are feeling pretty good now! Are you on any meds now?

Stay away from that Brandy!!

- Amy

 

[ChrisM]

Thanks both - Pentase 2g/day at the mo, and I haven't touched brandy in years. Even gave away 2/3 bottle of VERY good stuff Can still enjoy Calvados though... and Whisky, Vodka, wine... so very lucky.

 

[xJillx]

Hi Chris and welcome! I am so happy to hear you are doing so well since your surgery. Thank you for sharing that with us. I think many fear having surgery, so it is great to have someone speak of the benefits and how it has helped them.

As David said, you will be a valuable member of our community with all your knowledge to share! Once again, welcome to the forum!

 

[ChrisM]

Thanks Jill. I put off having surgery until I was given an ultimatum: Have it at a convenient time when you are reasonably well and strong to recover, or wait for a crisis when you will HAVE to have it, and start from a worse position. I reluctantly chose the former. I was told I'd be off work for 3 months and would be very compromised to start with from the point of view of lifting and so on. In fact after a 3 hour op and 2 nights in intensive care, I left hospital after a week. I started walking the next day, exercise bike within two, was working part time after 7 weeks and full time within 10 weeks. Maybe I was lucky, I realise everyone is different, but I saw surgery as the beginning of the end; now I see it as a new beginning. I look forward to participating in the forum Chris

 

[Astra]

Hiya Chris
and welcome fellow Brit

That's a happy ending! So glad you're on the mend and have recovered fast, well done you!
See you around the forum
lotsa luv
Joan xxx

 

[Terriernut]

Welcome Chris! Brandy should only be used to light fires. Mind you the wind that we cronies produce can light fires too! (if you use a lighter of course):yfaint:

May I suggest wine instead, or perhaps a nice cider?? Hope no more ambulance rides for you!

Welcome to the forum!
Misty