Just diagnosed

[em6263]

Hey.

So, I was just diagnosed with Crohn's this week. Was really sick Wednesday night, which isn't that unusual for me, but then I realized I was hemorrhaging, which had never happened before. It was really scary. I was in and out of the ER for the rest of the week, had a colonoscopy on Friday morning, and here we be.

I'm just feeling really overwhelmed with everything. When I got the diagnosis, I was just coming out of anesthesia from the colonoscopy, and really didn't take everything in. I've got another appointment with the GI doc on Thursday, but just really wanted to talk with someone before that. I feel awful for burdening my bf; I've put him through so much this week.

In a way, this is all kind of a relief, because it explains a lot of the problems I've been having the last 15 years - since I was a teenager. I was always too embarrassed to talk to my doc about it. But it's just so much. The medications the doc gave me (Lialda and belladonna) seems to upset my stomach more, I have no idea what I can or can't eat (and still don't feel like eating anyway), and apparently I need to figure out another method of birth control, because of a drug interaction-? And most of all, I still feel awful, but I missed so much work last week, I really need to go back tomorrow. I just don't know how I'm going to do it.

I'm so, so sorry to vent. Just feeling really in over my head with all of this.

Thanks for listening.
-Em

 

[Rebecca85]

Belladonna? Are you sure you gave that one right?

First, eating. While you are feeling so bad you are probably wise to stick to soft, bland foods. Unfortunately, what we can and can't eat varies from person to person so you will have to experiment for yourself. A food diary might be helpful! And there is some information on our wiki that might help too.

As for work, the good news is you should now be covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (I assumed you are American because you went to ER ). You need some time to get your stomach right and to come to terms with your diagnosis. If that means having a bit more time off, well so be it. My doc actually signed me off for a week before they discharged me from hospital.

Don't worry about venting, we've all been where you are right now! Any questions or if you just need to talk, there's always someone here

 

[Leebie3]

welcome em

 

[Adam1971]

Hi and Welcome!

I think venting and asking questions is one of best things about this forum. No need to apologize.

I too was recently diagnosed and I have missed a lot of work time (I have an understanding, cool boss, TG). It is overwhelming and getting used to the idea of having this disease is hard to wrap your head around, especially while your energy and sense of well-being are being zapped by pain all the time.

Things will get better. Hang in there!

 

[em6263]

Thank you all so much for the replies and support. Rebecca - yeah, my doc gave me "belladonna alkaloid" to help with muscle spasms (which I'm having a lot of). Is this unusual?

Adam - yeah, overwhelming is an understatement. I'm glad you have a cool boss... I seem to have one as well. TG.

 

[Rebecca85]

I've never heard of belladonna except as in deadly nightshade- maybe it's just not used over here though! There are soe differences in drugs and their names between UK and US.

 

[Rebecca85]

A quick google suggests that in the UK it is known as scopolamine or hyoscine (not sure if it's the exact same thing, but close enough!)