Hi Im Ali.

[Alexandria.J]

Hi everyone. My name is Alexandria I'm 17 years old and i have crohns. I have had it about 5 years now and everything has been good up until the end of this summer. I wasn't on any medication but a couple months ago i got really sick and went to the hospital. After confirming it was the crohns by doing a scope they put me on some meds.

A few weeks later they did a blood test seeing where i would be in the next few years and the results were not good. I am starting cimzia in a couple of weeks and i am a little nervous. (I'm not a fan of needles)

I have lost about 12lbs putting me at 92. And it is really hard to gain it back. Im having a hard time because i don't know who to talk to about anything. Im a happy person in general but i have been feeling really sad lately. My parents get upset when they see i have lost weight and they don't understand its hard for me to keep it on let alone gain weight.

Cant wait to meet people on here and see where this takes me.

 

[Lydia]

Depression is common with flares. Cimzia can work really well. I hope it puts you in remission right away. Welcome to the forum!

In the mean time, a low residue diet can be easy on the tummy and help you maintain your weight. Try drinking meal replacements like Ensure or Boost.

Have your support system (ie, parents) educate themselves on what crohns exactly is. They need to understand in order to be a better support system. Good luck and a speedy recovery!

 

[thecrohn]

Hi Alexandria- do you have any idea where your crohn's is? Is it in the colon, or intestines, illium, or elsewhere? Do you know if you have any ulcers or fistulas? Do you know your inflammation levels?

It's always easier to treat these things if you know the answers to the questions. The reason why is because each case of Crohn's is so different and varies from person to person, that treatment options are different based on your severity and where in the GI tract you're affected. The reason why treatments can / can't work on a personal level is that prescribing he right one isn't always black and white, depending on other factors. It's important to get as in-tune with possible about medical specifics.

In the meantime, eliminate bread and milk, and indulge in probiotics- like greek yogurt. Avoid sugars like the plague, and if you get a sweet tooth, eat fruit and honey. Stick with chicken and fish.

 

[Chase's Mommy]

Hi sweety, welcome to the forum!! I am on Cimzia and I, too, HATE needles!!! My best advice for you if you are put on it is get the needle in at the right angle as high up on your thigh as possible (i've found that place to be the least painful place on my thigh and as apposed to my stomach :-/) that they show on the little chart that comes with the shots and just go at your own pace. The nurse that came in to show me how to administer mine said something like "Everyone I've encountered has said that the faster they do it the better" Well. Not me. I am NOT good with pain and I hate needles so I do it fairly slow. Like it takes a good 5-10 minutes per syringe for me I, also, let it sit out on the table for about half an hour before I take it bc the colder it is the more it hurts. It's a sticky, syrup consistency kind of medicine so it takes a while for the body to absorb it, therefor the pain is worse if I try to take it faster since my skin has to pocket in order to fit it all in there haha Don't worry sweety. You'll be just fine! I'm practically a pro with the Cimzia shots haha. If you ever have a question or concern about them I'll gladly lend my experience and advice, as will everyone else in here. You've come to the right place because this forum here has been the most wonderful experience I've had in the past 6 years of being diagnosted with Crohn's. :hug:

 

[Emily]

Hey Ali,:welcome:
I have quite a similar story to you, I'm 19 and got sick last year and I dropped about 25 pounds. Surgery and medicine changed my life. If your doctors do not think you have a bad enough stricture for surgery, then I'd say Cimzia sounds like a good choice, since it is for moderate to severe Crohn's and you sound like you're really not having an easy time. I'm on Humira which is very similar, but let me tell you that you will get so used to the injections very soon, and if Cimzia agrees with you, you should start feeling a lot better and putting the weight right back on.

PS. this forum is a great place to turn when you're feeling alone in your Crohn's problems (whatever it may be) cause all of us on here get it

 

[Alexandria.J]

Chase's Mommy
Thank you this helps a lot. When i was in the hospital whenever they gave me the meds through the IV i always had them go very slow. I am still a bit nervous because of the fact i will be putting things directly into my body which has always freaked me out. Knowing that there is something going into my skin and sitting there. The only thing i can compare it to is somewhat like a TB skin test? Im not sure but that is what i am thinking.

emr52
I already feel like i have more people to turn to and obviously people who understand what i am going through so thank you for that. It means a lot knowing i have people i can turn too when i need it.:thumleft:

 

[dannysmom]

Hi Ali. I hope you feel better soon! There is a teen forum too here:
http://www.crohnsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=67

 

[David]

Hi Ali and welcome! I'm sorry you've been having trouble and feeling so sad *hugs*

That you're having trouble with your weight tells me you may be having some malabsorption issues. Have your doctors been monitoring your vitamin and mineral levels such as vitamin B12, magnesium, potassium, etc?

All my best to you!

 

[hannaho]

Hi ali, Sorry to hear about u losing so much weight and being in pain im 16 and was diagnosed with crohns a year and a half ago i know how awful the pain is and have been in and out of hospital myself. i was on steroids for a long time previously snd managed to lose weight when steroids usually make u put weight on. Hope u feel better and the meds start to help a bit.Its nice to be able to relate to someone my own age.x