Hi everyone - My name is Kristi. I am 27, and was diagnosed with Crohn's in 2007. Here is my best attempt at abbreviating "My Story"!
* 2007 - Graduate School (Occupational Therapy) After countless ER vists and admissions, finally diagnosed!!! Followed by open small bowel resection due to partial obstruction
* 2008 - Despite resection, inflammation continued - symptomatic and visible with scans... Trialed Pentasa, then 6MP, then began Remicade ~ 8 wks.
* 2009-2010 - YAY I graduated with my Masters! First "real job" began... Symptoms persisted, pain increased, BM frequency increased, fatigue worsened, joint pain appeared ~ Remicade moved up to 6 wks and added B-12 inj and various probiotics and antispasmodics
* 2010 - Changed jobs to one with more flexible hours due to fatigue and symptoms worsening
* 2011 - Changed jobs again to even more flexible hours and less physically demanding
* 2011 - Partial obstruction and adhesion difficulties - 2nd Open small bowel resection and adhesion removal
** Acquired VRE from hospital, developed seroma in peritoneal cavity that burst through incision 2 weeks after surgery that resulted in a wound that was several inches deep and took 4 months of packing and treatment to heal.
** Had to take long quit this new job. "Rested" until 2012 - symptoms were slightly improved during "rest" period.
* April to November 2013 - began part-time work (a few clients a week) and slowly built up case load to 30 hours per week w/ 4 days/week. Pain became severe again, affecting daily life activities. Fatigue was intolerable (sleep study results led to beginning Ritalin to help with sleepiness).
** CT showed intussusception - had 3rd surgery - Open adhesion removal to correct intussuception and to try to decrease pain
** Admitted back to hospital for a week before Christmas - Pill endoscopy showed new active crohns w/ apthous ulcerations in small bowel - added Methotrexate 15 mg weekly to regimen.
** Again, I've quit working. Now interested in pursuing disability as I've FINALLY began listening to my body... I'm afraid of being denied, as I know I cannot return to work without causing a very decreased quality of life and can't afford to have NO income at all
Currently, I am feeling very frustrated and very tired of waking up every day to pain, fatigue, and being BFFs with the bathroom... Which all has brought me here! I am looking for support, encouragement, and above all UNDERSTANDING of what I.. what WE... go through on a day to day basis. Sometimes my pain and fatigue is so bad I can't even get through a shower without sitting to rest... And while my close family and friends try to empathize, no one truly UNDERSTANDS unless you've been there! So I welcome your questions, comments, advice, and your "I hear ya's!"... Because having IBD sucks, but it has to be better when you have support from those who understand!
* 2007 - Graduate School (Occupational Therapy) After countless ER vists and admissions, finally diagnosed!!! Followed by open small bowel resection due to partial obstruction
* 2008 - Despite resection, inflammation continued - symptomatic and visible with scans... Trialed Pentasa, then 6MP, then began Remicade ~ 8 wks.
* 2009-2010 - YAY I graduated with my Masters! First "real job" began... Symptoms persisted, pain increased, BM frequency increased, fatigue worsened, joint pain appeared ~ Remicade moved up to 6 wks and added B-12 inj and various probiotics and antispasmodics
* 2010 - Changed jobs to one with more flexible hours due to fatigue and symptoms worsening
* 2011 - Changed jobs again to even more flexible hours and less physically demanding
* 2011 - Partial obstruction and adhesion difficulties - 2nd Open small bowel resection and adhesion removal
** Acquired VRE from hospital, developed seroma in peritoneal cavity that burst through incision 2 weeks after surgery that resulted in a wound that was several inches deep and took 4 months of packing and treatment to heal.
** Had to take long quit this new job. "Rested" until 2012 - symptoms were slightly improved during "rest" period.
* April to November 2013 - began part-time work (a few clients a week) and slowly built up case load to 30 hours per week w/ 4 days/week. Pain became severe again, affecting daily life activities. Fatigue was intolerable (sleep study results led to beginning Ritalin to help with sleepiness).
** CT showed intussusception - had 3rd surgery - Open adhesion removal to correct intussuception and to try to decrease pain
** Admitted back to hospital for a week before Christmas - Pill endoscopy showed new active crohns w/ apthous ulcerations in small bowel - added Methotrexate 15 mg weekly to regimen.
** Again, I've quit working. Now interested in pursuing disability as I've FINALLY began listening to my body... I'm afraid of being denied, as I know I cannot return to work without causing a very decreased quality of life and can't afford to have NO income at all
Currently, I am feeling very frustrated and very tired of waking up every day to pain, fatigue, and being BFFs with the bathroom... Which all has brought me here! I am looking for support, encouragement, and above all UNDERSTANDING of what I.. what WE... go through on a day to day basis. Sometimes my pain and fatigue is so bad I can't even get through a shower without sitting to rest... And while my close family and friends try to empathize, no one truly UNDERSTANDS unless you've been there! So I welcome your questions, comments, advice, and your "I hear ya's!"... Because having IBD sucks, but it has to be better when you have support from those who understand!