I'm 41 now & was diagnosed with Crohn's in 2005. But not right away, so I spent yrs. from age 18 up with severe diarrhea at times to saying I had IBS. Then being in so much pain I would double over, hardly could eat. Finally found Crohn's & got somewhat under control. Then ended up on Prednisone constant low dose in flares mg increased. What I thought was a savior, swelled me up & gained tons of weight only to add to my back problems. Finally trying to avoid surgery as long as possible, I did have surgery Feb. 2014. Got to the point even on high dose steroids, still flaring. Surgery they took out 18" of small & large bowel, 2 resections. One section had become grown together & almost ready to leak. A few mths after surgery I developed a incisional hernia which now a yr later has went massive. Waiting to have surgery to repair it. But so far no flares, although I get nausea, fatigue, & weakness. I have learned one thing in this process, is that I won't wait as long next time to have surgery. Not as bloated now, even though steroids did help at times. Good to be in your forum, & nice to meet you all.