Frustrated

[ruby]

Hi there. I need to vent to someone who actually understands whats going on. For the last 5 months i have been having a flare up and only now am getting diagnosed from a GI. I am so frustrated and depressed with everthing going on. I have had to drop out of school this semester because of my symptoms. If i am not doubled over in pain, (and even fainting from it), im stuck in the bathroom all day. Its effecting my son (im a single mother of a 5yr old). Hes had to find me recently passed out on bathroom floor due to pain. Im also frustrated not being able to eat anything without it getting stuck in my throat. Its sad that its common for my son to see me throwing up my food on a regular basis because its lodged in my throat. I cant go anywhere because i need to make sure there is a bathroom close by...i have to plan all my outings around closest bathrooms, and even then i tend to stay home then try and use a public bathroom...its embarrassing having to sit in a public bathroom. I just want to be fixed and continue on with my life, but it seems like i cant get anywhere. Just wondering what works for others to help with lessoning the symptoms....anything at this point im willing to try.
Thanks for letting me vent

 

[Terriernut]

Ruby, glad to know you are going to a GI...but 5 months wait is too long! If you are in a flare, no doubt their first drug of choice will be prednisone. It has side effects for darn sure, but it works. I hope you get help soon! We can all certainly relate to what you are going thru! Hasnt your GP been able to help you at all? Or are you like me and thinking tomorrow it will get better....it wont if you have Crohns or IBS, you will need medical treatment! Get help, dont take any crap from the Dr's insist on getting what you need, or you could be a 'bag lady' like me...
Misty
Looking for matching shoes!!! LOL!

 

[margie]

Ruby,
I am so sorry that you are struggling so badly. I, too, have had my fair share of challenges. I try every day to not think of the pain and vomiting etc that comes with this lovely disease. Instead I try looking at the good things that I have in my life and I have turned to my writing which helps take my mind off of it all, even if it is just for a little while. Maybe, find a hobby to try to relax. I know that it isn't easy, but I find that it does help me. Nothing will make the problems or symptoms go away, but it is how I deal with it all on a daily basis.

I hope this helps. Sending thoughts and prayers your way.

Margie

 

[MADiMarc]

Dear Ruby,
You are going through rough patch, alright. People here do understand, so you've come to the right place.
5 months is too long in a flare. I understand why you feel you have no life outside your bathroom walls.
As for school, I get it. It is very frustrating to be involved in something you know will make your life better. However, if dropping a semester is what you needed to do to get healthy, then I am glad you did. Besides, dealing with a flare & a 5 year old boy is more than enough for a saint to handle, let alone a mere mortal.
As for dealing with the depression...we each find our own way. I have gotten into yoga. Sounds "new agy" but it works for me. Margie writes...it works for her.
Come here and vent all you want. I have a good foot stomping hissy fit about once every two or three months about this flipping disease!
Michele

 

[CDDad]

Hi Ruby,
Welcome to the forum. I hope you can get things under control soon. Were you being seen by the GI all this time? And only now getting a diag? Or did you wait 5 months to see if things would improve on their own?

Anyway, hopfully you can get on the right meds soon to make you feel better - for you and your child!

edit - I was just thinking that the food getting stuck in the throat does not sound like Crohns. Of course I could be wrong. My sister has a disease called Achalasia where food gets stuck in her esophagus. There are also other conditions like Gerd that can cause that feeling.

One drug that can make you feel better almost overnight in Prednisone. It's what I always had to use when i was at my wits end. But, many docs don't like to prescribe it until other drugs fail. The trouble is most other drugs take some time to work, and that can be a rough patch while waiting to see if they will work.
Pred has some nasty side effects but when you really need it, it can work wonders.

 

[ameslouise]

Hi Ruby and welcome!

Have you had a scope to determine what's going on in your throat?

Throwing up is a sign that something is seriously wrong. You can't be living like that. It's dangerous to have food lodging in your throat! Plus if you are vomiting regularly, you are probably not getting proper nutrition.

What meds are you on? I'm a little confused by your post - have you seen the GI or do you now have to wait 5 months to see one?

Where are you located? If in US, either find a different GI, or go to the emergency room. They will send a specialist to see you!

If not in US, I think things are more complicated with waiting. Not sure how other countries systems work.

Do you have someone that can help out with your son if you have to go to the ER?

Hang in there! Even if we can't be there in person, we are all here for you!

- amy

 

[ruby]

thank you guys for all your advice. It took me almost 4 months to get in to see a GI. I had seen my family dr, whom referred me to the GI. I have my colonoscopy next week, where my GI says we will get the actual confirmation of his diagnosis of Chrons. I have heard of pretosone as being a treatment but teh only side effect i know is the weight gain? what other side effects are there? I am ready to try anything at this point in order to have a life beyond my bathroom walls. 5 months is a long time to live in your bathroom.

as for hobbies, i try my hardest to distract myself by scrapbooking and playing with my son, taking care of my dogs...but unfortunatley this flare has put a lot of impariment on my fav activities. All of your encouragement is greatly appreciated. It is so comforting to know that I am not the only one who has gone through this. Thank you for your encouraging words, it really has helped me today

 

[co2]

First I would say, get on meds, see a doc. If your looking for help managing the pain here is what I do.
When I'm in pain at home I'll use a heat pad on my stomach and veg on the couch, it really seems to help. Also, I don't know if anyone else can vet this, but I swear by green tea. I'm not at all a natural remedy guy, I don't believe in diet curing crohn's but a cup of hot green tea really seems to calm the pain down for me. I think it's just the fact of drinking something hot, but I don't know.