Hi im new here!

[Creone]

Hello,

My name is Charles jones. I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease about 4 years ago. I have not had to have any major surgeries yet (thank god seeing as how i just turned 24). When i first was diagnosed the reason they even found out was because i lost 30 lbs in a month and had a massive fever and extreme pain. Alot of prednizone and mesalimine ensued for a long time with me having a relapse bad enough to put me into the hospital only about once a year. Ironically the last two hospital stays have been on my birthday. As far as it all goes ive been pretty lucky. the only major effect it seems to have is my self esteem is shot to hell due to me being a 5'9 105 lb guy for the lsat few years and being unable to put more weight on regardless of any diet changes or anything.

My last bout with my Crohn's was about a month ago when i turned 24 i had an abscess deep within my colon(holy crap it hurt) but now it doesnt seem to be going away either ive heard it never really does......

I'm really excited to be joining this forum i could really use the support i just had my first child after being married just short of 4 years and would love to be able to live a normal life while she grows up. i believe me getting some sort of help and support is absolutely needed for me to do this.

I am not at all an emotional person and even my wife has only sen me cry a total of 4 times in the entire 7ish years shes known me. i really feel as if im at my wits end now though....

Thank you all hope to see you around!!!!

 

[Tesscorm]

Hi Charles,

Welcome to the forum! I think you'll find that there are tons of friendly and supportive members here! And tons of information and advice. My son was diagnosed last May and it's certainly tough to deal with on your own but, here, you'll find lots of people who understand! :ghug: Congratulations on your baby!!! That is a very exciting time!

My son (who has crohns) hasn't had any issues with abscesses, so I can't offer you any advice with that.. but I'm sorry it's still bothering you! Are you on any medication?

There is a Diet and Fitness forum - you may find some info to help you gain some weight. Link is: http://www.crohnsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=17

Have you tried any of the nutritional shakes/formulas to help you gain weight? My son's initial treatment was Enteral Nutrition (formula only for six weeks, no food) and then we reintroduced food but his maintenance treatment has continued to be the EN formula at 1/2 dose (1500 cal per night - he ingests his through NG tube but there are drinkable shakes available as well). He'd lost approx. 25 lbs prior to diagnosis and within three months had gained 30 lbs., since then, he's gained another 6-8 lbs. It might be worth trying to supplement your regular diet with some of these shakes??? You'll find more info about EN in the Treatment section but the info might be more geared towards using EN as a treatment rather than just as a supplement??? Some of the drinkable brands that I've heard of are Boost, Ensure, Peptamin plus there are others...

I'm sure you'll soon be hearing from lots of other members with lots of support and advice too!

Good luck!!

 

[Angrybird]

Hello Charles and welcome to the forum

First of all congratulations on the new baby!

With regards to the abscess I have been fortunate not to have problems with these but we do have a sub forum for folks who have these so do check this out so you have a chat with them about this: http://www.crohnsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=76. My understanding is that there is treatment out there to sort these out.

I was also thinking about shakes as a way to help get some weight back on, I am not sure how it works over there but for me I was referred to a dietician and they sort the shakes out and monitored me on these, it may be worth asking your doc about these?

Also have the docs made any changes in your meds? Have they have chcked any of your vitamin levels?

AB
xx