Kyra's story

[kyramichelle]

I'm brand new to this site and thought I'd take this opportunity to briefly share my story.

I was diagnosed in October 1995, a month or so before my tenth birthday, after a myriad of diagnostic tests. I am now 26. I started seeing a gastroenterologist around 5 years later, up until that point I was very thin, around 95 lbs. After I started seeing her, I gained 20 or 30 pounds and things got a bit better. I have been on many different medications over the years, prednisone, 6-mercaptopurine, pentasa, salofalk, budesonide, you name it. I had 40 cm of my small bowel (terminal ileum) and ascending colon resected in May 2004. I was only in remission for about a year afterwards. 4 years ago I was diagnosed with depression. It has been a huge struggle for me but I have come to understand that it’s not uncommon for those with crohn’s to have similar issues.

I have been going through a flare-up for the past 4 or 5 months which is what ultimately led me to this site. I could definitely use some support. I am currently taking 150 mg Imuran, 60 mg prednisone, and 40 mg pantaloc, as well as some other supplements. I am thinking of starting Remicade and will be discussing it with my doctor in the next couple weeks.

Any welcoming words would be greatly appreciated :ysmile:

 

[Jessi]

Hello Kyra and welcome to the family. :hug:

You came to the right place if you're looking for comfort and support. We're all here for each other, and I for one am very grateful for this forum.

I'm on Remicade and it has put me into remission. I really hope it can do the trick for you too. Meet up with some others on Remicade here in this sub-forum. I'm sure you'll have a ton of questions about the infusions...

I have my fingers crossed for you that this flare will end very soon.

 

[Angrybird]

Hi Kyra :bigwave: Really pleased you have found us and there is always lots of advice and support available. Will keep my fingers crossed also that the Remicade does the trick, let us know how the discussion with your doc goes.

 

[xJillx]

Hi Kyra and welcome! Boy, you've been through so much. I feel for you for having to deal with this illness at such a young age. And I am sorry to hear your current flare has been so stubborn. I hope if you decide to switch to Remicade, it does wonders for you like many of our other members.

Hang in there!

 

[David]

Hi Kyra and welcome!

The two things that jumped out at me were terminal ileum resection and depression. Have you been tested for vitamin B12 deficiency? If so, what was your B12 level and when were you last tested? This is very important as you've had almost 16 inches of TI removed and that is where B12 is absorbed. B12 deficiency can lead to depression and a whole host of other terrible things.

 

[kyramichelle]

Hi everyone,

First of all, thank you so much for your warm welcomes, it truly means a lot to me I would have responded much sooner but the day after I joined this site and posted my story, things took a turn for the worst. I ended up in emergency on New Year’s Eve with severe nausea and vomiting. After some x-rays, it was determined I had a partial obstruction. They couldn’t tell if it was scar tissue or just inflammation so they started me on a high dose of IV steroids in hopes it would bring the inflammation down. It didn’t. So the obstruction had to be removed. I had my surgery late on Jan 3, I was lucky to have a very good surgeon and she did most of it laproscopically. I have 3 little holes, one of which she had open up a bit more to remove the bowel. She removed a small section of bowel and also did strictureplasty in 2 other areas. There are more areas of active crohn’s but she didn’t want to just start cutting everything out, which I’m happy about.

I am recovering well, walking more and more every day. I’ll probably be out of the hospital mid-week. I had my first dose of Remicade yesterday and it went well, no adverse reactions, I am happy to say. Now we wait to see if my body responds to it.

It’s funny, after everything that has happened the past few months, I feel much stronger mentally and emotionally than I have in years. I feel like I have a chance to turn things around for myself and improve my lifestyle, diet, etc. and I WANT to make these changes, which is different from before.

I don’t have much in the way of internet here but I will come back and check here in the next couple days Everyone here seems really great and I am happy to have found this site.

Kyra

 

[David]

Wow Kyra, that must have been terrible I am SO GLAD you have come through with flying colors and that you had a wonderful surgeon! I wish you continued success with your recovery.

 

[seaofdreams]

Oh gosh, you poor thing! I'm so glad to hear you're taking it all in stride and have come out of surgery without any complications.

 

[Angrybird]

Oh Kyra that sucks! I am glad that things went well with the op though and that you have been able to come through it with a positive attitude. Sending lots of hugs :hug: and hope you get home soon.

 

[tiloah]

Welcome to the forum. I'm glad to hear your surgery went okay. I hope you are recovering well. I wish you the best possible outcome with the surgery and your treatment going forward.

 

[magnolia]

WOW! WOW! WOW!
is all I can say. I'm soo happy to hear your okay & so sad to hear you've been suffering with this for soo long. I'm new to this site as well, however, just wanted to let you know your not alone when it comes to being down & sad. I've only been suffering for a couple of months this flare & it's really drained my spirits. I pray your recovery is speedy & your out & about in no time. : )

 

[Lorimichelle85]

Hi welcome- I am new to the site as well and I am also 26! I had a resection in Jan 2010 and been in a flare since my daughter was born last July. If you ever need to talk you can ask me anything! Sorry about the emergency surgery I hope it helps you in the long run.....