Hi,
I am 30 and was diagnosed at 11. Having Crohn's has been the hardest challenge of my life.
My growth was stunted and puberty delayed. This made middle and high school very difficult for me. Somehow I managed to still have friends, go out and enjoy "normal" life, play sports, travel, get decent grades and accepted into a good University.
I had started taking remicade at age 12.
In college I was still very scrawny. I was determined to gain an "adult" body as I felt mine was still that of a child. I began working out like a football player and eating 3-4k calories per day. I watched as my strength and weight went up like never before. I was able to attain the physique I wanted and this was a huge personal accomplishment.
After I graduated college I began working. I was constantly hit with illness which I perceived to be side effects of remicade or having Crohn's. These side effects included eczema, headache, fatigue, gum disease, skin rash, constant sickness (colds, etc), weight fluctuation, depression, and more.
After living with all these side effects for years, I finally realized that I am not truly living at all. I am confined to a prison without bars. I am convinced my only way out of this prison is to stop using remicade. I've been on remicade for 18 years.
I recently have begun a vegan diet based on whole foods. My intention is to treat Crohn's holistically and once the inflammation subsides, discontinue remicade.
Thanks for reading.
I am 30 and was diagnosed at 11. Having Crohn's has been the hardest challenge of my life.
My growth was stunted and puberty delayed. This made middle and high school very difficult for me. Somehow I managed to still have friends, go out and enjoy "normal" life, play sports, travel, get decent grades and accepted into a good University.
I had started taking remicade at age 12.
In college I was still very scrawny. I was determined to gain an "adult" body as I felt mine was still that of a child. I began working out like a football player and eating 3-4k calories per day. I watched as my strength and weight went up like never before. I was able to attain the physique I wanted and this was a huge personal accomplishment.
After I graduated college I began working. I was constantly hit with illness which I perceived to be side effects of remicade or having Crohn's. These side effects included eczema, headache, fatigue, gum disease, skin rash, constant sickness (colds, etc), weight fluctuation, depression, and more.
After living with all these side effects for years, I finally realized that I am not truly living at all. I am confined to a prison without bars. I am convinced my only way out of this prison is to stop using remicade. I've been on remicade for 18 years.
I recently have begun a vegan diet based on whole foods. My intention is to treat Crohn's holistically and once the inflammation subsides, discontinue remicade.
Thanks for reading.
