my story... and surgery this month
Hi to everyone on the site. I'm glad that I finally signed up; it seemed every time I googled the name of any food along with "crohn's" this site came up first nearly every time... I guess I'm a bit lazy.
Anyways, I was officially diagnosed with Crohn's during my junior year of high school, 2004. I have had stomach problems my whole life, and have been on various drugs for my crohn's (pentasa, methotrexate, steroids, remicade, and others I've forgotten). My university years were significantly interrupted by frequent flares, but I managed to graduate on time and even study abroad.
I have taking humira as my only drug for about two years, at the minimum dosage (40 mg/bi-weekly). I was rushed to the hospital for the third time in my life about six weeks ago with another intestinal blockage. As usual the pain was excruciating, and I have never really been able to describe it to anyone other than those with the disease. This flare was different because the pain did not go away completely after leaving the hospital; it was still there, albeit not as intense. I was very worried.
I met with my GI and surgeon a month after being released and was still having pain and nausea (though not nearly as intense compared to when I went to the ER). They both recommended laparoscopically assisted ileocolectomy and I've agreed. There is significant, apparently irreversible scarring in my terminal ileum and also suspected damage to my jejunum area a bit higher up in the small intestine (hopefully the surgery will only stick to the ileum). I have been lucky to be living in Boston, where I receive care at the Crohn's and Colitis Center, a leading place for crohn's research and new therapies.
Over the past two weeks I've had some days filled with mild to moderate pain and nausea, but others are nearly pain free and I begin to question my option to schedule surgery. I do think, however, that the operation is inevitable, but these conflicting states of feeling pain and then feeling nearly pain free can make things seem a bit confusing. I am hopeful for a complete, healthy recovery and most of all can't wait to be back on the tennis court!
Anyways, I am so glad to be here and hear everyone else's stories. Best of luck to all of you, stay strong!
Bobby
Hi to everyone on the site. I'm glad that I finally signed up; it seemed every time I googled the name of any food along with "crohn's" this site came up first nearly every time... I guess I'm a bit lazy.
Anyways, I was officially diagnosed with Crohn's during my junior year of high school, 2004. I have had stomach problems my whole life, and have been on various drugs for my crohn's (pentasa, methotrexate, steroids, remicade, and others I've forgotten). My university years were significantly interrupted by frequent flares, but I managed to graduate on time and even study abroad.
I have taking humira as my only drug for about two years, at the minimum dosage (40 mg/bi-weekly). I was rushed to the hospital for the third time in my life about six weeks ago with another intestinal blockage. As usual the pain was excruciating, and I have never really been able to describe it to anyone other than those with the disease. This flare was different because the pain did not go away completely after leaving the hospital; it was still there, albeit not as intense. I was very worried.
I met with my GI and surgeon a month after being released and was still having pain and nausea (though not nearly as intense compared to when I went to the ER). They both recommended laparoscopically assisted ileocolectomy and I've agreed. There is significant, apparently irreversible scarring in my terminal ileum and also suspected damage to my jejunum area a bit higher up in the small intestine (hopefully the surgery will only stick to the ileum). I have been lucky to be living in Boston, where I receive care at the Crohn's and Colitis Center, a leading place for crohn's research and new therapies.
Over the past two weeks I've had some days filled with mild to moderate pain and nausea, but others are nearly pain free and I begin to question my option to schedule surgery. I do think, however, that the operation is inevitable, but these conflicting states of feeling pain and then feeling nearly pain free can make things seem a bit confusing. I am hopeful for a complete, healthy recovery and most of all can't wait to be back on the tennis court!
Anyways, I am so glad to be here and hear everyone else's stories. Best of luck to all of you, stay strong!
Bobby