Hiya,another newbie this time from the Scottish Borders.

[Carolyn P]

Hi Everyone,
To be brief I have Crohns and was diagnosed when I was 17, I'm now 51 so have lived with this for a lifetime. I have had surgery 4 times now, with the latest being in March this year. I'm physically fine as I'll ever be but my mood is very low and am actually quite depressed.There seemed to be a lack of understanding and compassion from my work colleagues and I'm feeling very let down. My daughter was diagnosed with crohns earier this year and she recommended this forum, she finds it a great support and hopes I'll feel the same.
bye for now
Carolyn P

 

[Jessi]

Hi Carolyn, and welcome!

I'm sorry you feel so low right now. I've been there recently. It's definitely not like me, as I'm normally the happy one everywhere I go. I had a psych evaluation, and my doc prescribed me sertraline for depression and anxiety.

I think the reason people at work have a hard time being sympathetic, is maybe because it's all very strange to them. People often avoid things and topics that they don't understand. But everyone here understands. You came to the right place. :hug:

Who is your daughter, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Fee]

Hey Carolyn p !! Or should I say.. Mummy!! Welcome to the forum!! Told u you'd like it!
Love you
Xxxxxx

 

[Jessi]

Hi Fee! Welcome to you too! :ghug:

 

[Carolyn P]

Hi Jessi

Hi Jessie, hope I'm doing this right, this is all new to me. My daughter's name is Fiona and her user name is Fee. She's like me in a lot of ways but she also got my illness, I feel bad and guilty that it's my fault but sadly there's not a thing I can do about it and feel helpless when I see her pain.
It was lovely of you to reply to me and think this will be a great support.
Carolyn x

 

[Carolyn P]

Hi Fee

Oh Fiona, this is lovely, I'm smiling as I'm trying to work out this site, you know what I'm like, scared of the day I never saw ! Thank u so much for suggesting it.
Love ya loads, Mum to you xxx
Carolyn P (to anyone else!)

 

[Jessi]

There are a ton of supportive people here. This is one BUSY forum!

No, there's nothing you could've done to prevent your daughter from ending up with CD, just as your own parents can't be blamed for your CD. It's nobody's fault.

Obviously your daughter loves you and doesn't blame you. She may even be grateful that she's not in it alone. I always worry over my kids, too. Especially my 11 year old daughter. She seems to be showing a few symptoms.

 

[Grumbletum]

Hello Carolyn ( and Fee ) from another 51 year old Scot. Not had Crohn's as long as you though. Sorry you are feeling low, but glad you've found us here. Hope you will find the forum as comforting and supportive as I have x

 

[David]

Hi Carolyn and welcome! I'm glad Fiona recommended you join as we're pleased to have you

I'm sorry you're feeling depressed Something I often do for new people to the site who are either feeling depressed or fatigued is ask them if they've had their vitamin B12 levels checked lately as vitamin B12 is a common deficiency for Crohnies. So... have you had it checked?

Again, we're glad to have you. We're here for you anytime and hope you stick around

*hugs*

 

[Carolyn P]

Hi Dave

Hi Dave , Thanks for replying to me, I'm on vitB12 injections and heve been since I was 17.I've asked if I could be given the injections more often but It's always no. I'm a raving insomniac so that's why I'm on this at 2.55am and I'm not even on steroids ! It's just the way I am.
Bye for now
Carolyn

 

[David]

How often do they give you injections and do you know what your levels were last time they were checked?

And I'm a bit of an insomniac as well!

 

[Emily]

YAY Carolyn and Fiona, I love mother-daughter Crohnies as I am part of a pair myself

me and my mom go in for colonoscopies together, see the same GI, etc. It's actually very nice to have my mom throughout all of this, though I must say as my Crohn's is more active than hers, I have tried more treatments than her, and I am studying Pharmacy and work in one that I'm always advising her on her medications and stuff. It's funny. But I digress...

Enjoy this forum, its fantastic to have a mom/daughter in your support group, and adding everyone on here makes it all the better!!:hug:

 

[Carolyn P]

Hi Dave

Hi Dave,

VitB12 injections are every 3 months, I think my last blood test was June, I don't know what the results were and feel embarrassed that I don't think to ask for results. I have the outlook that if anything in the tests gave cause for concern they would let me know. I try not to worry about those things cos I've enough to stress over.

Thanks for your interest and concern

Carolyn

 

[Carolyn P]

Hi Emily,

It was lovely to hear of another mum, daughter pair of crohnies. I'd rather she didn't have it but yes I suppose it is actually nice to have it in common and be able to talk so openly. I think it's made our relationship even closer as it seems things that you would never dream of saying to your daughter or friends because of embarrassment or whatever are suddenly no longer taboo.
I found it amusing in a way that you went for colonoscopies together !!! I hope your next outing is something a bit more enjoyable like shopping for instance !!!!

Take Care

Carolyn x