Hey guys!

[Banhammer]

Hey guys! My name is evan I am from southern california and am 16 years old. About a year ago I got a fissure and was a bit anemic but dr just gave me some cream for it and that was it, I had diarrhea like on and off and you know sometimes would have just a lil bit of blood here and there you know but I always thought well maybe its the fissure so never told my mother. Then about 6 months ago the diarrhea was more frequent about 5-6 times again and my nights were horrible, but this diarrhea would be on and off happen for like 1 week next week I am fine. so then 2 months ago for whole month constant diarrhea and blood in stool but I never told my mom. And finally after many people telling me I look pale and then me almost passing out in church one day my mom said thats it evan you are going to the hospital. I got scheduled with blood tests and referred to a GI specialist. After meeting with him he told me I will have a colonoscopy+endoscopy that tuesday mind you school started monday so I only went one day to school next day at hospital. After the colonoscopy and endoscopy and some biopsy taken I was hospitalized, after all results and blood work came back they found out I had crohns disease. All of my large intestines to some of my small intestines. I was put on liquid diet for 12 days and given remicade the swelling went down from 100% to 10% after first dose. Now remicade will be medication I am taking. I been out of hospital for 3 weeks now. Was in hospital for 16 days but heard that is good news because some people are in for months.

 

[Astra]

Hi Evan
and welcome

You've been very lucky getting a quick diagnosis! So happy the Remi has worked for you!
We have a lot of young uns just like you here, lots of friends who can relate!
Glad you found us, hope you stick around
Lotsa luv
Joan xxx

 

[Banhammer]

Hi joan! thank you I am so glad I found you guys. And yes actually dr from just the symptons he told its most likely crohns disease. Dr grill and Dr henar were my drs names and both say they have had many cases of crohns disease and are very good in diagnosing it so I was glad for it and all care I got. and can't wait for a new community of friends and stories

 

[Shannon]

Hi Evan! I am also a youngie here with Crohn's - 17 years old diagnosed very similarly to you - pretty quick and straightforward. Glad you found the forum!

 

[Banhammer]

Hi shannon! Really glad to meet someone close to same age as me with this disease. Yeah it was pretty straight forward kind of like scary at first because I was like why do they want a colonoscopy and endoscopy all sudden. But in good health now this remicade they are giving me is helping really well. And yes I am glad I found the forum too. Are you involved with CCFA.org crohs & colitis foundation of america. I am not but my doctors were telling me it has like camps and meetings with all kind of teenagers with crohns and is really neat thing to get involved with but just haven't really umm checked it out.

 

[Shannon]

I'm not, but yes I've heard CCFA can be really helpful - especially to our age group. I guess since my diagnosis is still so recent and I'm still trying to get stabilized health-wise, I feel like it's too soon to join anything. I think once I feel better and am really comfortable with this whole experience, I'll probably reach out more.

 

[Banhammer]

Yeah mine is recent to I still have not been back at school yet. But I will be going back next Monday lots and lots of work. Me I am actually feeling ok about it all I mean can't really do much about it right just live it. I mean when they told me I would have to go back to hospital every 8 weeks I was bummed but now its just like it could be so worse you know. And yeah I am thinking about joining it once I get my life in track more. Right now I am just behind in everything and can't seem to set focus to one thing, but in time...:thumright:

 

[2thFairy]

Hi Banhammer (Evan)!!

I'm new to the forum too, but have found this place extremely valuable already! Lots of good people with a ton of helpful REAL advice and experiences. I'm an old lady with ulcerative colitis, so my experience so far is quite different from yours, but this is a good place.

 

[Shannon]

HA I am going back to school on Monday as well! I've been out all this time and I have SO much work to do - lucking I've had a home tutor to help me catch up in math. I'm taking Precalculus this year and falling so behind!

 

[Banhammer]

hi 2th fairy! yeah so far I am enjoying the hellos! And yes so far finding lots of information reading the medication forums and such

 

[Banhammer]

oh no way shannon! yeah I only went to one day of school. I have a home in hospital teacher she is pretty much like a tutor comes in and helps out. Oh nice pre calculus! me I'm in algebra 2 H took algebra 1 twice 8th and 9th or else i'd be in same boat as you! And my homecoming dance is this saturday! and doctor said I am recovered enough to go so I am going to have me some fun. I can not wait to see all the faces at school I need it. Staring at walls all day gets blah. How long were you in the hospital for?

 

[Shannon]

Wow, I took algebra 1 twice in both 8th and 9th grade, then geometry in 10th, then algebra 2 in 11th, now I'm a senior taking PreCalc. I know what you mean - I need some social activity! I was in the hospital for a week - got an emergency colonoscopy and endoscopy, biopsies showed Crohn's, so pretty much similar to yourself. They treated me with steroids and now 6MP, which is my 'everyday forever' drug, its lowdose chemotherapy. I think I'm almost in remission, I sure hope so - I'm missing out on all the senior year events!

 

[Banhammer]

Oh you are a senior! Oh well yeah ill be in pre cal next year . Yeah ugh just being home all day is a drag totally... Yeah I had a choice with the steroids every day or the remicade I choose the remicade just because ugh I'm not much a medication person... And yeah remicade is my every 8 weeks forever drug for now and I think they are thinking about putting me on another medication because I guess you can gain antibodies to the remicade I am taking so this medication will prolong that or something. and blahh where was your crohns disease located in your digestive track... and yes I am missing out on much events to but good thing my friends keep me in good spirits and come by and visit that really sure does help out.

 

[Shannon]

What we also have in common is that my Crohn's affects all of my large intestines and part of my small intestines. What I'm thankful for is all the correspondence, I email all the time and stay in touch with everyone that way, so I don't feel too isolated. I'm nervous about going back to school because walking up my own stairs seems to take a lot of out of me at times - in addition to all this work I have to do before I go back. It's insane! You have it bad too, though, Junior year is the worst! SATS, standardized tests, all that college prep, and I think the classes are pretty rough that year as well, they were for me at least. Stay strong! I think the key, for anybody really, but especially for us Crohnies who have to watch our stress level, is to take it easy, make free time for relaxing, and stay peaceful. I know what you mean, I was never a medicine person - I wouldn't even take advil for a headache a month ago - and now I'm on 22 pills a day! Lots of lifestyle changes we have to adjust to.

 

[Banhammer]

Oh so we are pretty much all same except for the medication. have you ever umm thought about maybe taking the remicade because I have lots of energy now... well not to much like haha yesterday I went outside to wash my car and was exhausted from that but my anemia is going up so thats good.... my eye sight still is like im tired all time just everything is out of whack. and yeah ughh! medicine no way my mom would always tell me take this take that I would be like for what I don't really need it ya know... and yeah loots of the life style changes biggest is food like I switched to like organics, and low residue no spicy pretty boring but its alright I mean I could live with that even tho I am a big food eater... and yes lots of work for junior year but thankfully all my teacher have said they will work with me to get me caught up

 

[Shannon]

Ah I'm trying to switch to organics but it can get so expensive! I am feeling stronger, I've been on iron supplements for my anemia. The steroids really helped me, but the 6MP should kick in sometime soon! My docs never mentioned Remicade, I guess they think this is the best route for now. I am on low residue too, I hate it because I'm missing salads and spicy foods; I love food so much, of course I would have a chronic illness of the digestive system. I wish I had a car... been couped up in this house for so long I often feel like if I could just take a nice long ride by myself I would feel so much better!

 

[Banhammer]

Yeah organics are for sure pricey I mean I went into our farmers market here and was like WHAT!? but we have this whole foods market but its like 30 min away but there prices are supposed to be awesome on organic. Yeah I am on iron as well, also had like 3 iron transfusions at dr as well was a blood transfusion. i think when I left hospital i was at like 9.3 actually funny story they took my blood that day from the pick line came back at like 7.8 and my dr was like this cant be right and they poked me and came back at 9.3 if it was 7.8 woulda been fer sure another week there

 

[Banhammer]

ugh i know! no raw veggies no salads no spicy! ughhh! i know ahaha and all my life i thought of becomning a chef maybe ill be a chef of first ever crohns patient restaurant.ahaha and sure ill let you ride with me in my car. im and ok driver i mean not best just got license but im ok haha

 

[Dexky]

Hi Evan!! You two are having quite a conversation so I'll just say welcome!! Hope you stick around!!

 

[Banhammer]

hi Dexky! I will of course! thanks for saying hi!

 

[Nancy Lee]

Hello Evan....and welcome to the Crohn's Forum!
Make yourself at home...wander through the forums...
any questions don't be afraid to ask...
someone is usually close by.

Once again~Welcome! :thumright:
Hugs~Nancy

 

[Banhammer]

Hi nancy! thank you! I will of course I have lots of questions but will just be a lil before I got them all ready to THROW AT YOU GUYS haaha, and I read your lil story about how you make a tomato and cucumber salad to make it seem like you are having a real salad got a laugh out of that! I would suggest putting a bit of extra virgin olive oil and salt with a small squeeze of lemon juice instead of that italian dressing you were talking about! very tasty

 

[DustyKat]

Hi Evan and :welcome:

I'm glad you found your way here. Good to hear you had a quick diagnosis and the Remicade is working well. Since you have ileum involvement are you on B12 supplementation?

As you have already found there are many young adults on here so you will be a most welcome addition. Good luck and welcome aboard!

Take care,
Dusty

 

[Banhammer]

Hi dusty! thanks I am glad I found you guys too! And no I am not on any b12 supplements should I talk to my doctor about those?

 

[Crohn's 35]

HI there, I gotta welcome you too besides it is my job :lol2: I have b12 shots because I have 2ft of my Ileum gone, but you could take a sublingual (under the tongue) ask your doctor about it , most people are low in b12...Hate to sound like a mom but ... hope you are taking Calcium and Vitamin D, all doctors are aware how important both are for growing bones and fighting disease. We will be ready when you do shoot those questions at us, dont worry we can take it, good to see you have a good attitude and sense of humour, trust me you will need it !

 

[Banhammer]

Hey pen i got a visit with dr in acouple weeks and will definitely ask him about the b12... so I should be taking calcium and vitamin D alright I will definitely ask my "mom" about picking me up those from the store ahhaa