Dear Friends,
I'm an Indian, 33 years old, married and have a 9 year old son.
I've been suffering from symptoms of bouts of vomiting, abdominal cramps and weight loss from 2008, May.
A year after in March, 2009, I was diagnosed for Crohn's disease after Barium tests, enteroscopy, Biopsy, TB tests and colonoscopy.
I was put on Asacol and Budesonide and was advised to follow a "NO FIBRE" diet. Things were good when I was strictly following the diet plan. My weight gained to 46kg from 42kg.
I found it very difficult to follow this diet regime without any vegetables and raw fruits as I'm a vegetarian and I do not eat any meat.
The abdominal cramps and vomiting started again and in March, 2010, I started with Ayurvedic treatment (Ancient Indian Medical Science). I completely lost my appetite, started losing weight and vomiting became more frequent. I tried Homeopathic treatment for a couple of months too.
Meanwhile I suffered a severe urine infection and went back to allopathy. My weight was down to 38kg and I had to quit my job as I had become too weak.
I was diagnosed for Crohn's at the terminal ileum with entero-vesical fistula after a series of tests(Colonoscopy, TB tests, USG, CTenteroscopy, Cystoscopy). I was put on Pentasa(6 x 500mg), Budesonode(3 x 3mg), antibiotics and supplements.
Life became extremely painful as no pain reliever could alleviate the pain. Lot of particles were found in my urine along with blood and pus.
I was admitted for a week in the hospital and was given IV antibiotics and my condition became a little tolerable. Doctors advised me to take Remicade treatment as performing surgery may lead to flare up. I took 3 doses of remicade.
The fistula had only grown in size and my urine infection was getting worsed. I was on liquid food and whatever I ingested would come out through my urine.
SURGERY
In Jan, 2011, I underwent a surgery. My Intestine had been healthier than what the doctor's had imagined. The fistula and some 10 inch of the intestine got removed. A month in the hospital after the surgery, I was just 28 kg. I thought I can never get back to normal life and cursed myself. Many a times I felt suicidal.
Once back home, my health started improving slowly and after several months I experienced 'hunger'. In another 2 months time, doctor advised me to switch to normal diet. With the support of my parents, my husband, other family members and blessings of the god I have recovered very well now. I weigh 46 kg now, feel very healthy and I'm planning to restart my career. I'm still on Pentasa (4x 500mg), Vitamins and omega3,6,9 and I'm also taking drugs for chest tuberculosis.
Nirupama Raghavan,
Hyderabad, India
I'm an Indian, 33 years old, married and have a 9 year old son.
I've been suffering from symptoms of bouts of vomiting, abdominal cramps and weight loss from 2008, May.
A year after in March, 2009, I was diagnosed for Crohn's disease after Barium tests, enteroscopy, Biopsy, TB tests and colonoscopy.
I was put on Asacol and Budesonide and was advised to follow a "NO FIBRE" diet. Things were good when I was strictly following the diet plan. My weight gained to 46kg from 42kg.
I found it very difficult to follow this diet regime without any vegetables and raw fruits as I'm a vegetarian and I do not eat any meat.
The abdominal cramps and vomiting started again and in March, 2010, I started with Ayurvedic treatment (Ancient Indian Medical Science). I completely lost my appetite, started losing weight and vomiting became more frequent. I tried Homeopathic treatment for a couple of months too.
Meanwhile I suffered a severe urine infection and went back to allopathy. My weight was down to 38kg and I had to quit my job as I had become too weak.
I was diagnosed for Crohn's at the terminal ileum with entero-vesical fistula after a series of tests(Colonoscopy, TB tests, USG, CTenteroscopy, Cystoscopy). I was put on Pentasa(6 x 500mg), Budesonode(3 x 3mg), antibiotics and supplements.
Life became extremely painful as no pain reliever could alleviate the pain. Lot of particles were found in my urine along with blood and pus.
I was admitted for a week in the hospital and was given IV antibiotics and my condition became a little tolerable. Doctors advised me to take Remicade treatment as performing surgery may lead to flare up. I took 3 doses of remicade.
The fistula had only grown in size and my urine infection was getting worsed. I was on liquid food and whatever I ingested would come out through my urine.
SURGERY
In Jan, 2011, I underwent a surgery. My Intestine had been healthier than what the doctor's had imagined. The fistula and some 10 inch of the intestine got removed. A month in the hospital after the surgery, I was just 28 kg. I thought I can never get back to normal life and cursed myself. Many a times I felt suicidal.
Once back home, my health started improving slowly and after several months I experienced 'hunger'. In another 2 months time, doctor advised me to switch to normal diet. With the support of my parents, my husband, other family members and blessings of the god I have recovered very well now. I weigh 46 kg now, feel very healthy and I'm planning to restart my career. I'm still on Pentasa (4x 500mg), Vitamins and omega3,6,9 and I'm also taking drugs for chest tuberculosis.
Nirupama Raghavan,
Hyderabad, India
The way you have suffered my heart goes out to you....but the best thing is you are on the path to recovery 