My story...

[collegecrohns]

Kinda new to all of this. This year in may, I started getting dizzy often and then randomly would get sharp pains in my lower abdomen. Felt like i was being stabbed but i ignored it. The dizziness got worse so I saw two doctors and was diagnosed with Orthostatic Hypotension(basically i get dizzy when i have a change in posture). Things got worse with stomach pain and my doctor told me to see a GI. My GI sets up a upper endoscopy and colonoscopy. Then I got diagnosed with Crohns, was told it is not mild but it is not severe. Went to other doctors for my dizziness and got diagnosed with vertigo and vestibular issues. I was diagnosed 2 weeks before I left home to go away for my sophomore year in college. I now take methotrexate injections, pantoprazole 40 mg, budesonide 3 caps 3mg, and folic acid. I was faced with the choice to stay home or go back away to college (1200 miles away from home and my doctor). Decided since it wasn't too bad at first I would go away. Think i might have made a mistake. My grades are suffering because I'm missing class, I feel terrible and its difficult to treat your body right, being away at college. I've had to come home multiple times to get tests done to see how things were or to meet with my doctor. I regularly miss class because i feel terrible and weak and can't make it to class. I was told after another colonoscopy that it is getting worse and I should go on humira. Now i am faced with the difficult choice to take a semester off, come home for a semester or try and force myself through it. It all happened so fast its very overwhelming and confusing.

 

[smt]

I am sorry that you are going through this. Where exactly in the colon and small intestine is your Crohn's located? You say it happened fast; did you have symptoms before May?

 

[smt]

I am sorry that you are going through this. Where exactly in the colon and small intestine is your Crohn's located? You say it happened fast; did you have symptoms before May?

 

[Clash]

I'm so sorry to hear of your struggles. Have you set up accommodations with the Office of Disability at your college? The can sometimes mediate between you and the professor and allow for certain accommodations. My son has one that includes his absences and a whole range of other things.

If he were to start flaring badly the the office would help him file a medical withdrawal. Although, like you he would be extremely disheartened at losing a semester. Though with a med withdrawal it shouldn't affect his GPA.

Sometimes humira can work rather quickly but it can take a few months before it has you feeling really well.

I hope the Humira works for you and gets you back on your feet.

 

[collegecrohns]

It is located in the Ileum and the duodenum. My GI said its basically in the beginning and the end, they couldn't see the middle but they're assuming its diseased there too. I guess I've had stomach issues for a while but nothing as severe as what I felt in may.