Hello,
My name is Heather, 25, teacher. I was just diagnosed with Crohn's 2 weeks ago tomorrow. My mom has had the disease for the last 6 years. This is my journey to diagnosis. Almost 3 years I developed an abscess. It was drained by a general surgeon and I was sent on my way. Every 3 or 4 months the abscess would recur but never as bad (or painful) as the first time.
Cut to this past fall when I started not to feel well. I started getting occasional stomach aches and diarrhea. Still didn't really think that much of it until the aches and diarrhea became more and more frequent. The abscess also started to act up more and more. Finally in January I was referred to a colorectal surgeon to discovered that I had developed a fistula. And exam and surgery were scheduled. The doctor was uncertain it was Crohn's even given the family history and symptoms.
I ended up with emergency surgery after stomach aches and diarrhea landed me in the hospital. They place ceton drains. I spend a little over 24 hours there and was sent home with a scheduled colonoscopy for the following week. My symptoms increased and were becoming worse and worse. Finally I was rushed to the hospital in the middle of the night after I began vomiting.
At first I was diagnosed with C-diff. An infection the doctors thought I developed after the surgery. It wasn't until I had the colonoscopy the next day that I was diagnosed. That was Feb 8th, 2011. I ended up spending a total of 6 days in the hospital.
So here I am. Totally overwhelmed. I am currently on prednisone (ugh!). The plan of treatment is Remicade and 6MP.
I am hoping that there are some people who are on this treatment plan here. Maybe someone with a fistula.
Even though I have a great experienced support system in my mother I would love to hear from others too.
Thank you for reading
Heather
My name is Heather, 25, teacher. I was just diagnosed with Crohn's 2 weeks ago tomorrow. My mom has had the disease for the last 6 years. This is my journey to diagnosis. Almost 3 years I developed an abscess. It was drained by a general surgeon and I was sent on my way. Every 3 or 4 months the abscess would recur but never as bad (or painful) as the first time.
Cut to this past fall when I started not to feel well. I started getting occasional stomach aches and diarrhea. Still didn't really think that much of it until the aches and diarrhea became more and more frequent. The abscess also started to act up more and more. Finally in January I was referred to a colorectal surgeon to discovered that I had developed a fistula. And exam and surgery were scheduled. The doctor was uncertain it was Crohn's even given the family history and symptoms.
I ended up with emergency surgery after stomach aches and diarrhea landed me in the hospital. They place ceton drains. I spend a little over 24 hours there and was sent home with a scheduled colonoscopy for the following week. My symptoms increased and were becoming worse and worse. Finally I was rushed to the hospital in the middle of the night after I began vomiting.
At first I was diagnosed with C-diff. An infection the doctors thought I developed after the surgery. It wasn't until I had the colonoscopy the next day that I was diagnosed. That was Feb 8th, 2011. I ended up spending a total of 6 days in the hospital.
So here I am. Totally overwhelmed. I am currently on prednisone (ugh!). The plan of treatment is Remicade and 6MP.
I am hoping that there are some people who are on this treatment plan here. Maybe someone with a fistula.
Even though I have a great experienced support system in my mother I would love to hear from others too.
Thank you for reading
Heather
I was prescribed 6mp first and i being stubborn took myself off that because the side effects seemed worse then my crohns. I have heard that 6mp is kinda old school hard core treatment so maybe you can get them to change it after a short time and get on something less intense...i will give it credit though it did (for me) shut down the flares..but once you have control it just seemed to beat me down..hense why i stopped for other treatment...I just started Humira..to be honest i think all the meds are hit and miss. But on the bright side at least you got the diagnoses done and now you can focus on finding your treatment. Best of luck and keep your head up! I know its hard..I cried once because all i wanted was to be able to eat a milk shake...and at 28 yrs old...well that was just kinda sad LOL We all have a low point you just have to be able to hit it and get back on your feet. I personally think we people with crohns are stronger then the rest of the world...we deal with trials daily that most only hit once in a life time...so be proud..your already part of the A-team! LOL
