Just diagnosed

[laura32583]

just diagnosed

Hello out there crohns world. Im laura, a 28 yr old, recently divorced, mommy of three. I was shocked to find out yesterday that I had Crohns. No one in my family does.
It all started back in June of 2011. I had just left my husband and I was topping the scales at 275 pounds. I noticed one day I was just sick to my stomach. I went and saw my dr. He said it was nerves and gave me anxiety pills. Over the course of the next nine months I have lost 85 pounds. I went to every dr under the sun for the severe pain and nausea. No diagnosis. But the pain was and still is so bad. I was relieved yesterday when my Dr called with the results of a colonoscopy (they did this because I hadnt had a bowel movement in over a month, never did have any loose bowels with this) and said it was Crohns. I have been up all night tonight readying and trying to learn about this disease. I am on so many meds but i have a feeling they will all be changed soon to better suite my disease. I am confused and scared. They said I also have barretts esophagus. Prob from the chronic vomiting. Any advice would help....i just want to feel okay and the pain to stop.

 

[Irene3]

Welcome to the forum!

I'm only new too, but finding this forum was great. So it's good you found it after only just finding out you have crohns. The threads are so informative, and there's already been a few threads that helped me identify a few symptoms, and all the crohns sufferers put their advice and experiences on here, so it helps.:soledance:
I went to lots of GPs trying to work out what was wrong too. It can be a difficult chronic illness, but hopefully to find a great GI, and some of the common mess for it, bring your symptoms under control. Best wishes xoxo

 

[Irene3]

Meds...as in medications....sorry

 

[Angrybird]

Hello Laura and welcome to the forum. I am sorry to hear about the diagnosis but as Irene has mentioned it is good you have found us and decided to join, there really is a lot of helpful info and support here. I would agree that your meds may change if the ones you are on currently are to treat sympstoms rather than the disease specifically, out of interest what ones are you on now? Have you been told when you will now have an appt to discuss things in further detail?

I hope that you can feel better soon, keep us updated on how you get.

xxx

 

[David]

Hi Laura and welcome It's quite understandable that you're scared but one of the most difficult aspects is now behind you: proper diagnosis. Now that you're properly diagnosed they can get you on a treatment regimen and you can make lifestyle changes that will hopefully get you into remission as soon as possible.

We're here for you anytime. Please keep us updated as to what medications they put you on and feel free to ask as many questions as you have.

All my best to you.

 

[Manatey]

I am pretty new to this site myself but not the disease. It is a great place. I have learned more here in the last week then I have in 10 years. The people here are also very supportive and positive. I hope you can get the physical and mental symptoms that come with it under control very soon. Good luck! Let us know how its going!

 

[tots]

Great info here- its a great way to get understanding of what your dr tells you. Good luck with your journey!!

 

[Momof2EW]

Research helped me so much through this site. I had no idea what Crohns even was until I did research after having my colonoscopy results done back positive for CD. Its a very annoying disease which may take aime time to see what perm's and medicines will work just for you. Hang in there, welcome to the forum. You'll find awesome people here, keep us posted.

Good luck!

 

[SuzInVa]

Hi Laura, I'm new here too. Like you, I was scared (still am, but getting stronger every day), overwhelmed, angry, and self-pitying (me, not necessarily you :smile. I had to find a change in perspective and what I realized was that nothing essentially had changed with my diagnosis, except it now had a name. And when it had a name, I could figure out a way of dealing with it. The unknown is the scary part. I come on these forums when I can to educate myself and I bought a book (which I'm still wading through) and will buy more, if I need to. Knowledge is power, I believe. And when I have power, I have faith that I can do what needs to be done with as little interruption of my life as possible.

You can do this, you will be ok and they will get the pain under control! As will I :dance::dance::dance:

 

[carrollco]

When I was first told I had Crohn's, I thought it was a death sentence. Now, when I look back, I realize how silly I was. November 2011 is a month I'll never forget--filled with research, scaring myself silly, and having a marvelous pity party with myself.

I discovered this is a very different era with inflammatory disease. There are multiple medications to choose from, but you still have to be your own advocate. You will learn to listen to your body and your mind. Keep stress as low as possible, remember to take care of yourself.

And then, you just have to accept yourself for who you are. I have no problem telling people I have Crohn's. I even blog about it. Of course, it took me a year to get here, but I have learned to love myself even with this disease.

 

[Kip1]

Hi Laura
Welcome to the site, I am new here too.
I was diagnosed in November 2011 & was a little shell shocked. My mum has Crohns & presented with the runs constantly & had 2 resections but none of the other symptoms such as mouth ulcers & abscesses that I had so I found myself trying to research everything I could about a disease I thought I knew all about. Just when I think I know it all I find something new that Crohns can cause.
I have to say that this site has been the best thing ever for me & I wish I would have found it 1st.
I am now waiting for a bowel resection due to narrowing.

 

[goldbrick911]

Hello laura32583 and welcome

I have only been here 2 days and I can't wait to get on every night. Even though I've been here 2 days, I have been diagnosed with CD for 41 years. I've also been in the workforce for 44 years. So, Crohn's CAN be dealt with. You need a Gastroenterologist that has experience with all 5 levels of medications, has lots of experience wielding the colonoscopy equipment, knows how to read all types of Barium workups and knows when to perform resections and when not to. That's a lot of stuff, huh? At this point in the medical community and its' dealing with CD, I would expect at least 20 years experience in the field. The last 5-10 have seen the arrivals of the "cade" drugs (Remicade, etc.). Medications used for treating AIDS and Rheumatoid Arthritis are being used in different ways to modify the immune system and allow progress in controlling it.

Most importantly, I agree with carrollco to listen closely to your body and ALWAYS be ready to be your own best advocate. Any timidity with telling your doctor/s what your symptoms are will allow this disease to act with a smile on its' face.

Best of luck and we're here for you.

Love and Kisses

Live long and prosper


Goldbrick911