Need Advice, Please Help.

[JGrams414]

Hey everyone, my name is Josh. I am 23 yr old Male from NJ I was diagnosed with Crohns of the illeum in February of 2006 and it has been a roller coaster ride ever since. For almost a year since my first episode I was completely fine, I mean little things here and there where I was in bed for a day or a couple hours but nothing like before. In July 2007 I had a second flare and was hospitalized for some time. In June of 2008 I had another flare, but couldnt push myself to go back to the ER and be admitted, so I toughed it out went to see my GI, after having the camera pill exploratory done they decided it may be time for surgery since it had spread from 6 to 8 inches and I was in severe pain a lot. I was seeing two doctors within one practice and one said surgery was a good idea the other said no way that I was too young and we should try remicade or humira.

So I was on temp disability for 2 months just to try to get things back together and went back to work last week. My body constantly feels weak, my joints are soar every day and I have a desk job, I am running to the bathroom every 5 to 10 minutes it seems. Some days just sitting down I get extreme discomfort in pain and being in the office doesnt help.

Anyway I called my doctor and it seems he has put me on the "back burner" since I got scared of the surgery and sort of hid. ( I know it is stupid)

So after talking with family they recommended seeing another docotor for further info and treatment. Can anyone recommend any gastroentrologists in NJ I would be very grateful.

 

[Isla]

I don't live anywhere near there so cannot recommend any doctors out there, but I highly recommend you try other medicines to help you. Remicade and Humira are options and the other doctor was right not to discount them. They help some but not all, it might be worth a try if you feel you can withstand some of the things that go with it like - side effects, increased pain from it not working, one of them starting to work then no longer working - so on and so forth. Finding what is right for you is stressful in hard, but you have to do what you feel is right for yourself. Welcome and I hope you can find a doctor willing to explore more options with you.

 

[teeny5]

I would see another doctor to explore all your possibilities. I wouldn't want surgery unless it is the last resort.

 

[Aenea01]

I have Crohns with illitius also. Switching meds is always the option over surgery for me too

This part that you are going through, it blows but it happens. You need soft tp at work, don't use the cheap stuff they supply . Also, what you eat and how much stress you have really affect how your symptoms go.

Glucosamine is always worth a look for those achy joints, just like an arthritic sufferer - it will help the ache some. I take Tylenol for the general feeling of crap.

When its really bad I take Donatel for the painful cramps that feel like someone just grabbed a handful of your gut, or the other ones that feel like you just ran a few miles when you are really out of shape (fun).

Figure out what you are eating. Fer instance - I had no idea that I couldnt eat wheat till recently. I've gone through years of Crohns and had always turned to toast or crackers when I was feeling naseau and then wondered why it ran through me like water (or as water). Whatever ends up working for you, experiment a bit with it - food can be fun even when you are not feeling so hot.

A really bad day is always a great excuse for a chocolate shake

 

[XoBuBbLeSoX]

I suggest that you find a new doctor who will take you seriously as a patient,with what I see as a chronic illness.Your feelings about surgery should be taken into consideration,and your doctor shouldn't make you feel like your well being is a back burner thing,just because you fear surgery as anyone your age does.I'm 22 and know exactly what the fear of surgery entails.You need someone understanding and compassionate not someone caring for you who has a my way or the highway attitude.Find a better doctor...and I agree that trying new meds shold come first hand and surgery as a last resort.Don't feel ashamed or rude because you have feelings.There is nothing wrong with you expecting and demanding compassion and the very best care from your medical providers.