Hello everyone,
My name is Jeremy. I was diagnosed in 2001 and, while I have been aware of web sites like these for many years, I am just now taking the time to contributing to one. I'm a pretty independent person when it comes to the handling of my disease. I don't take any prescription medications, choosing instead to focus on diet, exercise, stress management and supplements to manage my symptoms. The results have been pretty nice ever since I graduated college. As far as my story:
One morning, when I was a high school freshman, I woke up with an extremely swollen gland in my face. I instantly decided I couldn't go to school (there were girls there after all), and my mom took me to the doctor. A blood test revealed that I was extremely anemic.
I had always been "behind" my classmates in terms of maturation/growth, had occasional stomach aches, fatigue, etc. As you can imagine, a bevy of tests followed, with my parents worried and bewildered as to what was wrong with their son. After the tests were done, the doctor said "Crohn's Disease." I had no idea what this was.
My first stage of treatment was iron IVs, which I had to do multiple times a week for a month, and they made me feel like Superman compared to my previous state.
In classes, I dealt with my stomach gurgling loudly, and it always seemed to gurgle even LOUDER on days when everyone was quiet taking a test. That used to embarrass me. I could care less now
I also went through the various levels of medication (Pentasa and then Mercaptopurine). Mercaptopurine worked, but I was turned off by the whole suppressing of my immune system part.
I went through college and the stress that came with it, which required multiple bouts of Prednisone (my friends got a kick out of the puffy face thing).
Graduated and met my current girlfriend a year later. She has farts just as bad as mine, so I knew she was a keeper. We've been together for three years and will undoubtedly get married in the next few.
Anywho, I now work at a small-town newspaper. I don't drink anymore, and I don't eat fast food. I've recently gotten into a weight-training regimen, and I'm in the best shape of my yet-young life. I would definitely like to get in touch with other Crohn's-havers who are into weight training.
Finally, I try to keep a positive outlook with my condition, and humor is a big part of that. So if you ever want a light-hearted, funny conversation about Crohn's, hit me up.
Excited to finally be online with all of you :thumleft:
My name is Jeremy. I was diagnosed in 2001 and, while I have been aware of web sites like these for many years, I am just now taking the time to contributing to one. I'm a pretty independent person when it comes to the handling of my disease. I don't take any prescription medications, choosing instead to focus on diet, exercise, stress management and supplements to manage my symptoms. The results have been pretty nice ever since I graduated college. As far as my story:
One morning, when I was a high school freshman, I woke up with an extremely swollen gland in my face. I instantly decided I couldn't go to school (there were girls there after all), and my mom took me to the doctor. A blood test revealed that I was extremely anemic.
I had always been "behind" my classmates in terms of maturation/growth, had occasional stomach aches, fatigue, etc. As you can imagine, a bevy of tests followed, with my parents worried and bewildered as to what was wrong with their son. After the tests were done, the doctor said "Crohn's Disease." I had no idea what this was.
My first stage of treatment was iron IVs, which I had to do multiple times a week for a month, and they made me feel like Superman compared to my previous state.
In classes, I dealt with my stomach gurgling loudly, and it always seemed to gurgle even LOUDER on days when everyone was quiet taking a test. That used to embarrass me. I could care less now
I also went through the various levels of medication (Pentasa and then Mercaptopurine). Mercaptopurine worked, but I was turned off by the whole suppressing of my immune system part.
I went through college and the stress that came with it, which required multiple bouts of Prednisone (my friends got a kick out of the puffy face thing).
Graduated and met my current girlfriend a year later. She has farts just as bad as mine, so I knew she was a keeper. We've been together for three years and will undoubtedly get married in the next few.
Anywho, I now work at a small-town newspaper. I don't drink anymore, and I don't eat fast food. I've recently gotten into a weight-training regimen, and I'm in the best shape of my yet-young life. I would definitely like to get in touch with other Crohn's-havers who are into weight training.
Finally, I try to keep a positive outlook with my condition, and humor is a big part of that. So if you ever want a light-hearted, funny conversation about Crohn's, hit me up.
Excited to finally be online with all of you :thumleft:
