Crohns has ruined my year so far..

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Joined
Sep 28, 2012
Messages
16
I don't know really where to start but here goes...

I was diagnosed with crohns 5 years ago and told it was in my small bowel, after scans and endless tests I was put onto salofalk. My symptoms seem to get better and I carried on.

I didn't realise how I'll I was getting, no energy, felt like I had the flu and dizziness all the time, black rings around my eyes and constant D. My stomach was also getting larger.

After seeing my consultant he suggested steroids, I had a bad reaction to steroids in the past so I was very cautious. I decided to start the course and to be honest after the initial side affects I started to feel better. Then the bang.

I was out on a Saturday doing shopping when all of a sudden I was stopped n my tracks, I couldn't walk and felt terrible. My husband took me to hospital and they admitted me with a flare up. I was in hospital 8 days, they put me on antibiotics and gave me pain killers and sent me home. I was still taking my steroids and salofalk.

when I got home I didn't get any better, temp all the time and my stomach was really painful. For the next 3 weeks I was layed up in bed then one day I couldn't take it any more. I went to the doctors who said they could give me morphine but that was just hiding the problem, so it was agreed I was re admitted to hospital.

This time I had a ct scan and they saw several abscesses and said I need surgery, but they wanted to see if the abscesses went down with antibiotics first. So I went home with more meds.

In a total of 6 weeks I had lost 3 stone in weight and I looked like death.

The meds worked a bit but I knew I was very ill, I rang my surgeon and he said he would operate immediately. I had an illocecal resection and they removed the abscesses and 2 fistulas.

It was an open procedure and I woke to find I had a stoma. My initial feelings was anger that I had got one (in called it Russell) and I wanted my life back, but I now realise it has saved my life.

My operation was 9 weeks ago and I had a check up this week and I am scheduled for a reversal in November and it can't come quick enough.

Has anyone got any facts about the reversal procedure as I am a bit nervous about having another big operation.

:(:(:(
 
Hello and welcome to the forum, I am glad you have decided to join :)

I have not had a stoma so could not advise on this, we do however have a sub forum for these that is certainly worth checking out - the folks here will have plenty of info for you: http://www.crohnsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=46.

Has anything changed med wise for you? Is the tum now more settled?

AB
xx
 
First off welcome Mummyg :welcome:

Sorry to hear how tramatic you last few months have been. I also do not have experience in the stoma department but just wanted to stop bye and send you some love and best wishes for a speedy recovery. :ghug:
 
I just had my reversal. Actually my story is quite similar to yours, but over a longer period of time.

The reversal is easier than the original surgery. You will have the post op pain, but nothing out of the ordinary. You will have the big D for a while. Three weeks out and I still do, but slowly improving.

Getting rid of that bag was well worth the surgery.

Good Luck

Dan
 
Hi, I am currently on no meds but my surgeon says we need to consider maintenance meds. I think they will put me on aza.

I just hope after the reversal I stay in remission.

I am struggling with dry skin and concentration but I hope it is just down to the illiostomy and the major surgery I have had. I have been reading about low lovelies on vitamin b12, do the docs check that before surgery?

My last surgery was an open procedure but they are going to try and do it keyhole, fingers crossed.

I don't think I would have coped these last few weeks if it wasn't for this forum, it has been my lifeline reading about people in the same position as me as I have felt so alone.

Thanks everyone
 
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