Hello. I'm new here, and thought I should take a moment to introduce myself.
I was diagnosed with Crohn's at age 10. Thankfully for most of my life the disease has been relatively moderate; I've not had any major surgeries, only a few minor procedures like draining a fistula and the removal of anal skin tags.
My current state of health: I have two strictures, one at the right side of the transverse colon, and another in the rectum. I frequently experience bowel distension, cramping, and audible noise as a result of the upper stricture. I see blood in my stool on an irregular basis.
I've flared up over the past couple months and have dropped to a very low weight (5'11" and ~120lbs). I've been trying to put some weight back on but anything I gain disappears just as quickly. My hair has been falling out as well.
I used to be on Remicade for many years but because of changes in my life situation I no longer have a health insurance plan that would fully cover the treatments. I tried seeing a holistic doctor and using herbal supplements to manage my condition. Things were looking good until the flare-up occurred during a period of increased stress. My GI specialist, knowing I couldn't pay for Remicade, put me on Budesonide (ineffective), then Prednisone (currently 20mg/day, tapering) and is about to have me go on Humira, once the insurance coverage details are worked out.
I've been heavily depressed ever since the flare-up... feeling like a failure for having spent time and money working with the holistic doctor only to have things crash and burn like this. I'm not keen on Humira, especially since I'll be expected to stay on it permanently, but I have to admit that my condition is not improving with things as they are and this is probably the best bet to restore some kind of quality of life.
And I need to start planning out where I go from here. There's so much I could be doing, other issues in my life that need managing. I'm hoping that the time I spend here will give me the information and guidance I need as I plan for the future.
Thank you all for taking the time to read.
I was diagnosed with Crohn's at age 10. Thankfully for most of my life the disease has been relatively moderate; I've not had any major surgeries, only a few minor procedures like draining a fistula and the removal of anal skin tags.
My current state of health: I have two strictures, one at the right side of the transverse colon, and another in the rectum. I frequently experience bowel distension, cramping, and audible noise as a result of the upper stricture. I see blood in my stool on an irregular basis.
I've flared up over the past couple months and have dropped to a very low weight (5'11" and ~120lbs). I've been trying to put some weight back on but anything I gain disappears just as quickly. My hair has been falling out as well.
I used to be on Remicade for many years but because of changes in my life situation I no longer have a health insurance plan that would fully cover the treatments. I tried seeing a holistic doctor and using herbal supplements to manage my condition. Things were looking good until the flare-up occurred during a period of increased stress. My GI specialist, knowing I couldn't pay for Remicade, put me on Budesonide (ineffective), then Prednisone (currently 20mg/day, tapering) and is about to have me go on Humira, once the insurance coverage details are worked out.
I've been heavily depressed ever since the flare-up... feeling like a failure for having spent time and money working with the holistic doctor only to have things crash and burn like this. I'm not keen on Humira, especially since I'll be expected to stay on it permanently, but I have to admit that my condition is not improving with things as they are and this is probably the best bet to restore some kind of quality of life.
And I need to start planning out where I go from here. There's so much I could be doing, other issues in my life that need managing. I'm hoping that the time I spend here will give me the information and guidance I need as I plan for the future.
Thank you all for taking the time to read.