I'm so nervous!

[Meatball19]

Today is my follow up appointment after my surgery to drain an abscess. Also, after that surgery, my doctor told my boyfriend (while I was in recovery) that i have Crohns. I was diagnosed with severe ulcerative colitis when I was 15, and I've have a total colectomy with a J pouch, and frequent bouts of pouchitis....but now Crohns?? I'm so nervous to see him and actually hear it with my own ears. Then, it will be real. What if I don't ask him the right questions? What if I have to start taking one of the horrific medicines everyone talks about on this forum?? Plus, I'd like to ask him if I can go on a pain regimen because sometimes this cramping is unbearable! Does anyone have any advice?

 

[Manatey]

It never seems like you ask all the questions when you see the docs. Write a list before you go and take paper with you to make notes during the visit. I always have questions when I get home that I did not think of there. The hospital that my GI belongs to has an online thing that I signed up for. It gives me results once the doc has seen it. I can do medication refill request and write non-urgent messages to my Doctors that belong to this organization. You should ask your doctor if they belong to anything like this. As far as the meds you just have to trust they know what they are talking about and take it as it comes. Discuss pain management with your doctor and above all listen to your body. If it doesn't seem right discuss it with someone until you are comfortable with it!

 

[Meatball19]

Thanks Manatey. I just got home. My dr is 100% certain I have crohns. He refered me to a new GI dr (he is my colorectal surgeon) that is affiliated with the same hospital as him. Ill have the Seton in until I see new dr and i have a few doses of the med. I am nervous about the meds and the risks, but i cant stress about it until i talk to the new dr about them. I did ask my colorectal for a pain regimen. He happily put me on a pain med (thank goodness). Im looking forward to having my symptoms subside

 

[Ang]

We had a similar case where dh was diasnosaed with uc and later with cd. In someways cd ca be easier to handle than uc. CD doesn't always effect the entire area it tends to be more sporadic, where as uc the inflammation most often starts at a point and end at the othe point. When my son has flare up he gets inflamed from his anus to the other end of the colon, whereas with dh and the CD he had more sporadic inflamation. The medication is very similar. Are you also supplementing ? We have found omega oils, aloe vera, probiotics, digestive enzymes, and a diet restricting caesin, gluten and yeast to help flare ups. Good luck, and I hope the doctor is awesome!

 

[Manatey]

Get a Notebook. Start now writing everything down. I am regretting that I didn't do that because now 10 years later and having to get a new GI because mine moved to a hospital my insurance does not cover I have forgotten when I was on which meds and what effects they had!