Hi, my name is Nick! Just stopping by to introduce myself. I just found out about this place, and plan to visit as often as I can!
Anyway, here goes my shot at explaining "my story" and introducing myself to all of you.
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Since about around July of 2012, I started noticing that I wasn't having solid stools anymore. I didn't think much of it, just thought it was maybe some stomach bug that would pass, and of course, it didn't. It slowly got worse as months passed (Yeah, months, because I was too stubborn and dumb to go to the hospital). I eventually started to notice some mucus-like stuff along with every bowel movement, and sometimes small traces of blood. Also, my stool color just got darker over time to an almost black color, probably from the blood. My appetite started to go away as well, it got to the point where I could only manage to eat about 3 or 4 bites of something, and just start feeling sick at my stomach and have to stop eating totally. I am a 23 year old guy, and weighed 127lbs at about 5' 11, give or take an inch.
Fast-forward to now, I waited until I had a pretty bad anal fistula which I thought was just a hemherrhoid I had developed from having to use the bathroom so much. That caused me so much pain to the point where I was basically bed-ridden. It hurt to walk, sit, stand, sneeze, cough, EVERYTHING just hurt to do.
So, while trying to "ease the pain" in a sitz bath, I finally decided, "I think it's time to go to the hospital." A decision I regret so bad for not doing long ago.
I went to the ER, they took some blood, stool and urine samples and they recommended I see a Gastro doc to have a colonoscopy or endoscopy to really find out what's wrong. I ended up having to prep for a colonoscopy (fun! lol) and on December 9 when I had the operation, I found out that I have Crohn's Disease.
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I go back the Dr. tomorrow actually to find out more of what's going to happen. For the last 2 weeks though, I have been on Prednisone (40mg a day) Flagyl & Cipro. I'm down to only the Prednisone now, which I will start tapering by 1/2 a tablet every week starting Saturday.
I'm just so happy to be/feel better now!! I have an appetite that I just can't seem to please, and just feel better in general having everything under control. It's honestly given me a more positive outlook on life. I think I waited so long, and let myself flare up so much off and on to the point where I thought I was somewhat depressed.
I know I'm in for a long ride, though, but I'm ready for it with positive thoughts!
Thank you for reading my story!
Anyway, here goes my shot at explaining "my story" and introducing myself to all of you.
---
Since about around July of 2012, I started noticing that I wasn't having solid stools anymore. I didn't think much of it, just thought it was maybe some stomach bug that would pass, and of course, it didn't. It slowly got worse as months passed (Yeah, months, because I was too stubborn and dumb to go to the hospital). I eventually started to notice some mucus-like stuff along with every bowel movement, and sometimes small traces of blood. Also, my stool color just got darker over time to an almost black color, probably from the blood. My appetite started to go away as well, it got to the point where I could only manage to eat about 3 or 4 bites of something, and just start feeling sick at my stomach and have to stop eating totally. I am a 23 year old guy, and weighed 127lbs at about 5' 11, give or take an inch.
Fast-forward to now, I waited until I had a pretty bad anal fistula which I thought was just a hemherrhoid I had developed from having to use the bathroom so much. That caused me so much pain to the point where I was basically bed-ridden. It hurt to walk, sit, stand, sneeze, cough, EVERYTHING just hurt to do.
So, while trying to "ease the pain" in a sitz bath, I finally decided, "I think it's time to go to the hospital." A decision I regret so bad for not doing long ago.
I went to the ER, they took some blood, stool and urine samples and they recommended I see a Gastro doc to have a colonoscopy or endoscopy to really find out what's wrong. I ended up having to prep for a colonoscopy (fun! lol) and on December 9 when I had the operation, I found out that I have Crohn's Disease.
---
I go back the Dr. tomorrow actually to find out more of what's going to happen. For the last 2 weeks though, I have been on Prednisone (40mg a day) Flagyl & Cipro. I'm down to only the Prednisone now, which I will start tapering by 1/2 a tablet every week starting Saturday.
I'm just so happy to be/feel better now!! I have an appetite that I just can't seem to please, and just feel better in general having everything under control. It's honestly given me a more positive outlook on life. I think I waited so long, and let myself flare up so much off and on to the point where I thought I was somewhat depressed.
I know I'm in for a long ride, though, but I'm ready for it with positive thoughts!
Thank you for reading my story!