Diagnosed and Struggling

[sidney75]

Hello all!

I've been reading these forums for several months and posted a few times as undiagnosed. Long story short, I was admitted to hospital in Oct. 2014 with obstructions in ileum and in my sigmoid colon. NG tube and six days later I was released, and readmitted the following day. Had colonoscopy which showed chronic inflammation throughout small and large intestine, but GI doc did not want to diagnose CD. Fast forward and I have had months of flaring that comes and goes, and symptoms have gotten much worse and I was diagnosed with CD.

I did not have a diagnosis I struggled (and am still struggling) to accept this reality and have stubbornly refused to change my lifestyle. I am so nervous about managing with medication because I am highly sensitive to medications but my lack of will to change my diet and lifestyle (mainly coffee and cigarettes) has put me in this situation as the pain and symptoms are so disruptive and impossible to ignore.

I'm having some challenges in navigating this site, so any suggestions as far as threads that may help in support through this first phase of treatment, as well as lifestyle change support would be greatly appreciated. The more I read on this site the more the gravity of this diagnosis is setting in, and I'm ready to move past the denial phase of this diagnosis. Thank you all.:ybatty:

 

[David]

Welcome to the community

I understand your stubborness in regards to changing your lifestyle. The coffee I won't give you a hard time on. But the smoking? If you're diagnosed with Crohn's disease, stopping smoking is akin to taking azathioprine according to this study: http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=43215

Has your doctor proposed a treatment plan as of yet?

 

[sidney75]

I am working on the smoking and my treatment right now is 4000 mg of Pentasa as my CD is mild to moderate. The high dose gave me a raging migraine so I'm doing 2000 mg and I am feeling better. It definitely feels like the inflammation is less, but I think I will have to go back up to 4000mg after a few days because I can still feel some pain. My main concern is getting the inflammation under control (obviously). She wants me on 4000 mg for 8 weeks. Also very high risk for colon cancer due to the type of adenoma (sp?) that was also removed when colonoscopy biopsies were done. It was one level higher than previous polyps (history of polyps). Getting through this nicotine addiction is critical. I also have Diverticulosis so preventing diverticulitis is something we are working on with diet choices. Each day I am making small changes and building momentum as this is the way making lifestyle changes have worked for me in the past. Definitely working past through the denial phase of this. I have two boys graduating high school this year and am getting married in September - have to get this under control.

 

[POTTYTIME!]

Hi sid,

I used wellbutrin to help with the smoking after over 20 years. Takes about a week to get into your system then it makes the smell and taste of cigarettes, makes you feel nausea. Due to the feeling, you dont want to smoke. Took about a month all together but I have been 2 months 18 days without a smoke. I also stay clear for smokers due to the smell still makes me sick and I dont take the pills anymore.

I am also on the pentasa with no relief. My doctor has started the process to change over to the humira, my CD is more on the severe side though.

 

[sidney75]

Hi Potty,

I have tried Wellbutrin before, it put me in a daze but I might give it another go. I'm seriously considering just going cold turkey and getting it done. I have had 6 months before using the patch but I went back. I don't think the withdrawal was severe enough to discourage me from relapsing...lol...

 

[POTTYTIME!]

The wellbutrin just helped me quit. I had started slowing down but not stop. It is a personal choice. Have to want to quit or it does not work. I quit 3 years ago but started back to to I started working offshore again and wanted to. I tried the gum but did not work well with my CD. BUT I did not know I had CD at the time so I dont recommend doing the gum cause you will never leave the bathroom.

Im not going to throw religious beliefs on you, but alot of praying helps, if not for smoking, just life in general.

 

[Tuff]

I quit about five years ago. After trying the patch and gum I just finally quit cold turkey. The third day was the worst, after that the cravings were manageable. If you can survive the first week, the rest is easy.
:ghug: