Hello all! i am so glad that this forum exists. I've had CD for 22 years (I was 15 when diagnosed). Being diagnosed with this disease in my teens, there was not a lot of info and i did not take it seriously so I did not take good care of myself. I ended up with a perforation/rupture in my small bowel and almost died because i was so septic. I was 23 at the time and very lucky. They removed 18" of small bowel, my ileum and appendix. Unfortunately though, the rupture ruined my reproductive system so i was never able to have children (we adopted a little boy from the state). Before the perforation, I experienced severe arthritis in my joints, especially my wrists. I was actually on Asacol when the perforation occurred. I was under a GI's care but she apparently missed this in the tests done just a few months prior. I was still under the belief that doctors knew it all. that was a shock.
After that, I took my disease much more serious. I have since experienced a perianal abscess caused by a fistula and have a seton in place. Then, just last year, my fallopian tubes and ovaries became so infected I had to have a complete hysterectomy. I also had a narrowing again in my small bowel so in the same surgery, i had a few more of inches of my small bowel removed. I never went back on any medication after my first surgery, i just tried to keep the flare-ups at bay by watching what i ate. That worked for a while but that is no longer the case.
Just in the last couple of weeks, I have experienced severe pain, along with all the other symptoms related to this disease. I think this flare up was triggered by an antibiotic my dentist put me on as I needed a root canal on a tooth and then a crown placement. He was aware I had CD but prescribed me Clindamycin. That is when it all went downhill. I am now in a full flare-up with the arthritis pain in all my joints. I recently swtiched GI doctors and found one that will finally talk to me. I am now gearing up for Remicade in the next couple of weeks. I'm apprehensive but it seems that everyone's experience or reactions (if any) vary from person to person. I just want some relief. I also work full time and thankfully, I have a very understanding boss.
Thanks for listening and feel free to write me. I'm the only one in my family and friends that has this disease so when things go bad, it is very difficult to explain it to them. It is nice to come on this forum and know I am not alone.
Wish me luck with the Remicade! Otherwise, it will be Humira. I'm on Apriso right now, but i do not think it is helping much.
thanks!
sillymom
After that, I took my disease much more serious. I have since experienced a perianal abscess caused by a fistula and have a seton in place. Then, just last year, my fallopian tubes and ovaries became so infected I had to have a complete hysterectomy. I also had a narrowing again in my small bowel so in the same surgery, i had a few more of inches of my small bowel removed. I never went back on any medication after my first surgery, i just tried to keep the flare-ups at bay by watching what i ate. That worked for a while but that is no longer the case.
Just in the last couple of weeks, I have experienced severe pain, along with all the other symptoms related to this disease. I think this flare up was triggered by an antibiotic my dentist put me on as I needed a root canal on a tooth and then a crown placement. He was aware I had CD but prescribed me Clindamycin. That is when it all went downhill. I am now in a full flare-up with the arthritis pain in all my joints. I recently swtiched GI doctors and found one that will finally talk to me. I am now gearing up for Remicade in the next couple of weeks. I'm apprehensive but it seems that everyone's experience or reactions (if any) vary from person to person. I just want some relief. I also work full time and thankfully, I have a very understanding boss.
Thanks for listening and feel free to write me. I'm the only one in my family and friends that has this disease so when things go bad, it is very difficult to explain it to them. It is nice to come on this forum and know I am not alone.
Wish me luck with the Remicade! Otherwise, it will be Humira. I'm on Apriso right now, but i do not think it is helping much.
thanks!
sillymom
