I was very pleased (and surprised) to find this amazing forum yesterday that I had to become a member. I am from Cyprus and somewhat of a rarity here as a Crohn's patient since the disease is not that widely known here. I was diagnosed back in 1998 and prescribed Salofalk (Mesalazine) which I took regularly for 9 years and never ever had a problem with Crohn's apart from the odd bouts of diarrhoea caused by excessive coffee intake. Then in 2007 my brother passed away and the following day I collapsed in agony and was rushed to hospital. I went from a healthy 65 kg to 42 kg in 2 weeks. Since then life has become a bit of a struggle with the daily grind of pill popping; bloating; excruciatingly painful trapped wind; trying to eat, and furthermore once eaten trying desperately not to bring it back up but usually failing miserably; trying to stay out of the toilet long enough to get through a days work (I work from 7.30 am - 5.00 pm every day and spend my weekends in bed. Now, there's quality of life!!!!)
I have been on corticosteroids on and off for 3 years and have just started to develop the early symptoms of osteoporosis; have been prescribed azathioprine (Imuran) which did next to nothing; Remicade was good for a few months and I managed to gain back all my weight, energy and quality of life and thought the worst was over until I became immune to the drug a few months ago. Since then I have had 3 bowel obstructions and was admitted to hospital each time. Picked up 2 dangerous viruses in the meantime (sorry I don't know the English terms for them) but with a truck load of anti-biotics I seem to have fought them off which is rather surprising since my immune system is pretty crappy at the minute. I'm now waiting for the Ministry of Health to approve Humira for me which in about 2 weeks I should receive an answer. Medication is free in Cyprus but each individual case has to be approved by the MOH. I have based a lot of hope on this drug despite the awful sounding side effects but a lot of your stories have given me hope and a positive outlook.
The icing on the cake: My partner finally walked out on me 3 weeks ago. I guess it is just too much for someone who does not understand the difficulties we go through on a daily basis.
I have been on corticosteroids on and off for 3 years and have just started to develop the early symptoms of osteoporosis; have been prescribed azathioprine (Imuran) which did next to nothing; Remicade was good for a few months and I managed to gain back all my weight, energy and quality of life and thought the worst was over until I became immune to the drug a few months ago. Since then I have had 3 bowel obstructions and was admitted to hospital each time. Picked up 2 dangerous viruses in the meantime (sorry I don't know the English terms for them) but with a truck load of anti-biotics I seem to have fought them off which is rather surprising since my immune system is pretty crappy at the minute. I'm now waiting for the Ministry of Health to approve Humira for me which in about 2 weeks I should receive an answer. Medication is free in Cyprus but each individual case has to be approved by the MOH. I have based a lot of hope on this drug despite the awful sounding side effects but a lot of your stories have given me hope and a positive outlook.
The icing on the cake: My partner finally walked out on me 3 weeks ago. I guess it is just too much for someone who does not understand the difficulties we go through on a daily basis.
Good luck with the humira!! Stick around!!!
