Diagnosed! But No Thanks Crohn's

[Pepper]

Diagnosed after Colonoscopy/Endo on Jan 9 2012. Pathology wasn't very clear until Dr got on the phone with the path. and she then said "consistent with Crohn's"
-Family history, I have an aunt and a grandmother that has had Crohn's.
-Sed rate was normal
-Blood work positive for UC Neg for Crohn's (weird huh)
-have three ulcers in the terminal ileum.
-had Barium Xray - didn't say much. Although Radiologist said inflammation, Dr said that was not included in her report.
-Meds. Pentasa 500mg 2x daily and Cimzia to begin soon.
Scheduled for camera pill- yipee!! another bowel prep.

I have stomach cramps, back pain for yrs. fatigue and the worst nausea.
I do not want to take the medicine have any of you just not wanted to take the medicine. The Pentasa makes my stomach hurt more, what is the point of something making you hurt more. I don't have diarrhea, I have constipation. People talk about their bowel movements, I'm lucky to ever have one. Yes it is painful and I have to take stool softners and Miralax (hate it!)
Thanks for listening. I just wanted to let everyone know that there are people that know what you are going through and you are not alone.
Oh yeah. I asked my GI about diet, and her responses was there was no diet for Crohn's and that it didn't matter and that yes some foods would cause problems but food would not heal or hurt my Crohn's. My thoughts were yeah just push the drugs. I've decided it's up to each individual to handle your own health care.

 

[Angrybird]

Hi Pepper and welcome :bigwave: Taking meds are a pain but for some there really isn't any other option, I personally would not stop taking any meds prescribed without first speaking to my doc. I have tried the diet route many times and even flared up when not eating anything and just being on the shakes. I am still careful though, foods that I know will cause a grumbly tum I avoid as much as possible (if it was an old favourite I may treat myself every 1 or 2 months). It certainly can't hurt to look at this though and some here have really gone into great depth with this and have done really well so do check out our diet and sups forum. I am glad you have decided to join us, please keep us updated on how you get on.

 

[mikeyarmo]

Welcome Pepper!

Thank you for sharing some of your story with us.

I am sorry you are having difficulty taking Pentasa. You will see on the forum that others have also had trouble taking Pentasa. While your doctor may not be totally supportive of everything you ask or want to do, you should bring this up with them.

I also used to suffer from constipation with my Crohn's so I know what that is like. I found that increasing my fat intake helped a bit in increasing the frequency of my bowl movements. I did this through eating avocados, but I would suggest trying flax seed oil or fish oil due to the additional health benefits of Omega 3 consumption.

Looking forward to seeing you around the forum!

 

[Miss Underestimated]

I don't think they push pills and reject diet - I think the diet part is up to you, if something helps, great, and if it doesn't, don't think it made your Crohns worse, you just couldn't tolerate it as well.

The thing with pills is controlling the inflammation. I had inflammation for a long time and didn't realize it until the scar tissue had built up to where it blocked my bowel and it perforated.

The damage continues if you don't treat the inflammation.

After all that - if you don't trust your doctor, try to find one you do trust. It really is important, and this disease is too complex to try to treat yourself.