- Joined
- Feb 2, 2010
- Messages
- 102
Hello group-
First of all I'd like to express my appreciation that something like this site exists! I am really looking forward to learning and helping here!
My story:
I am a 26 year old male living in Atlanta GA. I was first diagnosed with Crohn's in 2001 when I was a freshman at Georgia Tech. I had the standard procedure of losing a ton of weight, a ton of pain, and mis-diagnosis. After my first colonoscopy it became clear what was going on and I started treatment.
After taking steroids to get everything under control, my first treatment was Colazol. I actually ended up having an allergic reaction to this med and was quickly taken off. I then began 6MP and took to this medication well. For years I was fine. I had small flares here and there, a few times requiring steroids. Also had the normal side effects of lack of energy, bad reactions to certain foods, and stool complications. But overall the 6MP kept things in check and I stayed relatively healthy.
About 9 months ago I had a routine colonoscopy which showed my situation had become much worse. I had bad stricture in my right side where the large and small intestines meet. I'm fortunate that my Crohn's remains in one spot, but it had become bad enough to warrant a change in attack. Aside from low energy levels and my inability to gain weight, I was relatively pain free and surprised at the procedure's results.
After a 2nd opinion I decided to move up to the biologics. I've been on Cimzia since September, and found the self-injections easy to use and my reaction the the meds great. My energy and weight went way up, and overall I've been feeling good.
Well today I had a follow up colonscopy to check to see if Cimzia was helping my situation or not. (I'm getting sick of Trilyte!!) Unfortunately, my situation has not improved and has actually gotten a little worse. It looks like surgery is in my forecast. The doctor said he'd perform a resection (remove about 2-3 feet) and I'd basically be without any affected areas once I recovered. The idea is to start a "clean slate" and do whatever possible to prevent it from coming back.
So I've stumbled on this site in hopes to feel better about having surgery coming soon, and hopefully help others. I'm not thrilled about the idea of surgery. It wont be my first surgery (I've had some good non-Crohn's related injuries), but definitely my most invasive and longest recovery.
I've been fortunate to live a relatively "normal" life with Crohn's and my goal is to not let this development change that!
Well now that I've babbled a bunch, I look forward to being a part of this community!
Alex
First of all I'd like to express my appreciation that something like this site exists! I am really looking forward to learning and helping here!
My story:
I am a 26 year old male living in Atlanta GA. I was first diagnosed with Crohn's in 2001 when I was a freshman at Georgia Tech. I had the standard procedure of losing a ton of weight, a ton of pain, and mis-diagnosis. After my first colonoscopy it became clear what was going on and I started treatment.
After taking steroids to get everything under control, my first treatment was Colazol. I actually ended up having an allergic reaction to this med and was quickly taken off. I then began 6MP and took to this medication well. For years I was fine. I had small flares here and there, a few times requiring steroids. Also had the normal side effects of lack of energy, bad reactions to certain foods, and stool complications. But overall the 6MP kept things in check and I stayed relatively healthy.
About 9 months ago I had a routine colonoscopy which showed my situation had become much worse. I had bad stricture in my right side where the large and small intestines meet. I'm fortunate that my Crohn's remains in one spot, but it had become bad enough to warrant a change in attack. Aside from low energy levels and my inability to gain weight, I was relatively pain free and surprised at the procedure's results.
After a 2nd opinion I decided to move up to the biologics. I've been on Cimzia since September, and found the self-injections easy to use and my reaction the the meds great. My energy and weight went way up, and overall I've been feeling good.
Well today I had a follow up colonscopy to check to see if Cimzia was helping my situation or not. (I'm getting sick of Trilyte!!) Unfortunately, my situation has not improved and has actually gotten a little worse. It looks like surgery is in my forecast. The doctor said he'd perform a resection (remove about 2-3 feet) and I'd basically be without any affected areas once I recovered. The idea is to start a "clean slate" and do whatever possible to prevent it from coming back.
So I've stumbled on this site in hopes to feel better about having surgery coming soon, and hopefully help others. I'm not thrilled about the idea of surgery. It wont be my first surgery (I've had some good non-Crohn's related injuries), but definitely my most invasive and longest recovery.
I've been fortunate to live a relatively "normal" life with Crohn's and my goal is to not let this development change that!
Well now that I've babbled a bunch, I look forward to being a part of this community!
Alex
it does sound as if you've tried a lot of different tactics to reduce the Crohn's inflammation - maybe it is time to get that diseased bit out and get your health back.. 
