Well, after weeks of what was diagnosed as flu and then hemorrhoids, I finally got my diagnosis March 4th of severe Crohn's. As I've gleaned from the forum, there are many here who can relate. My life went from 90 to near 0 real fast. My initial flare is a bad one, but I was blessed to find a great GI in Memphis who is considered a leader in this disease and I am glad to say I'm making improvements albeit just 12 days into this new season in my life.
Most of my issues are lower colon and rectum related. My diarrhea has stopped, stools are now normal, but not much control. My energy stays sapped and my hemorrhoids are awful (at least I think it's the roids) anytime you have golf ball sized and painful appendages hanging out rather than being tucked in, well you know the pain.
My wake up call was when I began passing large amounts of bright blood 3 weeks ago and constant diarrhea. In three weeks my weight fell from 207 lbs. to 191 lbs! I'm a 6'3" 53yo male.
A colonoscopy and CT scan later and now I'm here.
GI put me on the following meds immediately:
40mg daily prednisone
1000mg up to 2000mg mesalamine suppository (canasa)
.375g Apriso capsules oral mesalamine
500 mg Cipro antibiotic
250mg Flagyl antibiotic
What's better:
1) I'm packing in 3500+ calories a day and I'm now back to 195 lbs
2) Bleeding has stopped
3) diarrhea has stopped
4) my overall color and strength are better, but I am aware to be careful about the prednisone rush.
What's still Not good:
1) my rectum and anus are not good. My arse is inside out and it hurts. Tylenol helps and I believe the mesalamaine helps. Thank God for a hot bath tub!!!
2) I have no strength to work. I own rental houses, so I can hire the labor, but my overall stamina is non-existent. This probably bothers me more than anything. I can drive a little, go to the store and walk a little, but I have to be careful about not over doing it. Some days it's bed and easy chair only. Im looking forward to getting back active again. This disease WILL NOT win!
What's great:
My wife ! She has stepped up and is right alongside me. I cannot imagine going through this alone. She actually told me she thought I had colitis weeks ago after researching my symptoms and she was instrumental in finding the GI we now trust.
What's bothering me:
The unknown. I believe I'm making progress. I am glad I can eat. I just want this flare to finish.
We sit down with the GI this coming Tuesday to discuss the CT results and gauge my progress and next steps.
I'm changing/upgrading medical insurance April 1st since the meds and treatments can be very expensive as I'm learning quickly.
I hope most of my rectum issues are hemorrhoids, but I'm afraid not. My energy levels tell me my colon is still sick.
Well, that's where I'm at.
Glad I found y'all here. Thanks in advance.
Most of my issues are lower colon and rectum related. My diarrhea has stopped, stools are now normal, but not much control. My energy stays sapped and my hemorrhoids are awful (at least I think it's the roids) anytime you have golf ball sized and painful appendages hanging out rather than being tucked in, well you know the pain.
My wake up call was when I began passing large amounts of bright blood 3 weeks ago and constant diarrhea. In three weeks my weight fell from 207 lbs. to 191 lbs! I'm a 6'3" 53yo male.
A colonoscopy and CT scan later and now I'm here.
GI put me on the following meds immediately:
40mg daily prednisone
1000mg up to 2000mg mesalamine suppository (canasa)
.375g Apriso capsules oral mesalamine
500 mg Cipro antibiotic
250mg Flagyl antibiotic
What's better:
1) I'm packing in 3500+ calories a day and I'm now back to 195 lbs
2) Bleeding has stopped
3) diarrhea has stopped
4) my overall color and strength are better, but I am aware to be careful about the prednisone rush.
What's still Not good:
1) my rectum and anus are not good. My arse is inside out and it hurts. Tylenol helps and I believe the mesalamaine helps. Thank God for a hot bath tub!!!
2) I have no strength to work. I own rental houses, so I can hire the labor, but my overall stamina is non-existent. This probably bothers me more than anything. I can drive a little, go to the store and walk a little, but I have to be careful about not over doing it. Some days it's bed and easy chair only. Im looking forward to getting back active again. This disease WILL NOT win!
What's great:
My wife ! She has stepped up and is right alongside me. I cannot imagine going through this alone. She actually told me she thought I had colitis weeks ago after researching my symptoms and she was instrumental in finding the GI we now trust.
What's bothering me:
The unknown. I believe I'm making progress. I am glad I can eat. I just want this flare to finish.
We sit down with the GI this coming Tuesday to discuss the CT results and gauge my progress and next steps.
I'm changing/upgrading medical insurance April 1st since the meds and treatments can be very expensive as I'm learning quickly.
I hope most of my rectum issues are hemorrhoids, but I'm afraid not. My energy levels tell me my colon is still sick.
Well, that's where I'm at.
Glad I found y'all here. Thanks in advance.