In shock

[Lissa73]

If you had told me last week I would be posting here , I probably would have told you you were crazy...

My name is Melissa, but I usually got by the shortened form Lissa. I'm a 40 year old jewelry designer by day and factory worker by night . My Mother was diagnosed with colon cancer at the age of 46 and passed away at 48 so I was told I needed to have a colonoscopy to make sure I didn't also have it. I woke up in recovery after the procedure and the doctor said I had no polyps, but he found 3 lesions in my small intestines where he would normally see them in patients with Crohn's disease . This is NOT what I was expecting to hear. I used to have some issues when I was younger or in times of sever stress when I thought maybe I had IBS and I would get severe cramps and felt like I had to run to the rest room... But that's about it, I'm tired and achy, but I'm 40 and work in a factory. I've read so many sad , terrible stories on here the last week, I can't possibly have Crohn's .

Unfortunately on saturday I received a voicemail on my phone telling me I do indeed have Crohn's and have to schedule a small bowel series.

Are there extremely mild cases of Crohns? Do people get progressively worse? I'm just kind of floundering around not knowing what I should do or who to talk to. My doctor can't see me until the end of April... really??? I just needed a place to put my thought's down so I'm sorry for the rambling.

 

[rollinstone]

Hi Lissa, sorry to hear you have crohn's, to answer some of your questions, yes it is possible to have mild cases, and everybody's crohn's is different from person to person, good news is once you get on the right meds your quality of life will increase and you'll eventually find that you feel better than you ever remembered, or "normal", either way you'll find plenty of support from the lovely folks on these forums.

 

[MattB]

Lisa, yes it sounds like you have a mild case of CD! Once you get on some 5 Asa drugs you should be feeling better! Maybe a low dose of steroids will help to! I too know how it feels not being able to get into the dr for weeks at a time. I was diagnosed 6 years ago I am now 19 and had another colonoscopy today after it my dr told me he could not treat me anymore and I need to go to a specialist that specializes in CD!my appointment is in 6 weeks :eek2: you should definitely see a gastro specialist! Make sure you find one that you like and do some research on the dr and read reviews! If you need someone to talk to I'm here especially at night! I don't get much sleep! Good luck with everything!

 

[afidz]

I am sorry to hear about your new diagnosis :hug:
As already said, it is possible to have a mild case, and yes it can get progressively worse. Crohn's varies so much from person to person so its hard to say what will happen with you. The best thing that you can do for your self is learn and be your own advocate. This forum is full of useful information and, because there are so many people on here, someone will have the answer to questions you might have. Don't be afraid to ask questions when you go to the doctor. Listen to your body. If you think something feels off, it probably is and its probably related to Crohn's. Follow your doctor's instructions, take your medicine as ordered and don't stop it with out your doctor's knowledge. If you do those things, the better chances you have at keeping this disease at bay. Now, that isn't saying that it will guarantee that your disease won't progress, sometimes it just happens and its out of your control. (so if it does, don't beat your self up about it)
I might be missing something, if you have any questions feel free to PM me or ask the forum. This truly is a great support system, I hope you like it as much as so many do. :hug:

 

[Lissa73]

Thanks so much for the replies everyone :wub:It's nice to find a group that understands what you are going through. My friends are supportive but a lot of them think it's no big deal. Maybe for me right now it isn't because I've read so many other stories on here about what people are going through.I didn't go to the doctors for years trying to figure out what was wrong with me or end up in the hospital numerous times... I really didn't think there was anything wrong with me except for my gallbladder which I had removed in December.

So far turning 40 has really blown

Thanks so much Joshuaaa , MattB and afidz :hug: I'm done feeling sorry for myself...there are so many that have it much worse than I do :hug:

 

[wild_one353]

yes there are mild cases, and yes people do get worse, not all but most will.

stay away from all sources of potential pathogenic bacteria, and you may further prolong your mild cases of crohn's. dont clean other peoples bathrooms or toilets, etc. dogs cat birds etc.

and dont take any antibiotics. and if you do eat plenty of fiber.

 

[Lissa73]

yes there are mild cases, and yes people do get worse, not all but most will.

stay away from all sources of potential pathogenic bacteria, and you may further prolong your mild cases of crohn's. dont clean other peoples bathrooms or toilets, etc. dogs cat birds etc.

and dont take any antibiotics. and if you do eat plenty of fiber.

Thanks wildbill Does this mean I should make Hubby clean ours?

 

[JDTM]

Hey there Lissa! I was diagnosed with a mild case last year, although it didn't feel mild to me at the time and I was really upset by the diagnosis. However, I'm doing well right now, and as soon as you get things dialed in, I'm sure you will too! Just don't lose hope if the first thing you try doesn't work for you (or work right away -- many of the meds, especially the milder ones, take time to kick in), and educate yourself in order to see what little things you can do to keep your Crohn's in check. The forum is a great place to find support and answers -- just don't freak yourself out with what you read here. Keep in mind that many people who post here are going through a rough patch or having a more difficult time than others, whereas those who have Crohn's who are doing well or are in remission may not be as inclined to hop on the forum just to announce how well they are doing.

Best of luck and keep the questions coming!

 

[Lissa73]

I remember reading your story JDTM. Happy belated birthday Jesse! Yours didn't sound mild! So glad you are feeling better and hope you continue too! Thanks for all the advice and yes I have freaked myself out a few times since they said I have Crohn's. :eek2:

 

[Karen]

I am sure that you will find plenty of support that your looking for ... There are lots of people here that can help out ...

 

[tots]

Hi Lisa's-

Sorry you have had to join us!

This is a group of good people who always have an "ear" to lend and advice and knowledge to share.

I have been in my current flare for over a year I am hoping each flare can change in the degree of severity. This one is worse than the others.


Good luck,


Lauren

 

[Ya noy]

 

[trajk1612]

yes there are mild cases, and yes people do get worse, not all but most will.

stay away from all sources of potential pathogenic bacteria, and you may further prolong your mild cases of crohn's. dont clean other peoples bathrooms or toilets, etc. dogs cat birds etc.

and dont take any antibiotics. and if you do eat plenty of fiber.

I am curious about the antibiotics. What affect do they have? I ask because over the past 3 weeks I have been on antibiotics twice.