Hello all,
I was exeriencing a lot of diarrhea, nausea, severe stomach pain especially after I ate something, this all started about 2006.
I attended a fun filled Women's night in Feb, 2007, at the local college where women get to meet others and check out the latest and greatest stuff that is being sold. I met a woman who did Iridology (and other holistic treatments and/or tests), she looked at my iris' and told me that I needed to see a GI immediately because something did not look right for my intestines. Talk about a shocker, I kept thinking how did she know. My sister-in-law who is also my best friend, was with me and insisted that I see a doctor to have this checked out since my father had died of colon cancer. Four months later I had had enough and decided to seek help (after using about 2 weeks vacation for being sick).
The colonoscopy showed moderate to severe Crohn's Disease. Started taking Pentasa 2-500mg pills 3 x a day, rest when possible, avoid stress etc.
You all know the routine.
Thankfully, I have never been hospitalized, but do have to have a colonoscopy every 3 years and see the Dr. every 6 months. He did increase the Pentasa to 4 - 6 x a day if needed and wants to start me on either Prednisone or a low dosage of chemotherapy (not thrilled with either of those options).
Two years ago I quit my job due to the stress and working 60-70 hours a week, with my boss wanting to add more job duties to my schedule (yeah, like I could handle any more). I took it upon myself to say "Enough was Enough" and thankfully my husband has been a huge support.
For about the past 6 months, I have felt that I am getting worse again and am not sure what to do. The past 4 days, I have slept for about 16 hours a day, feel like someone has taken a baseball bat to my joints, headaches, loss of appetite etc.
Any advise from those who have had it much worse than me would be greatly appreciated.
I look forward to hearing from all of you.
Sandi
I was exeriencing a lot of diarrhea, nausea, severe stomach pain especially after I ate something, this all started about 2006.
I attended a fun filled Women's night in Feb, 2007, at the local college where women get to meet others and check out the latest and greatest stuff that is being sold. I met a woman who did Iridology (and other holistic treatments and/or tests), she looked at my iris' and told me that I needed to see a GI immediately because something did not look right for my intestines. Talk about a shocker, I kept thinking how did she know. My sister-in-law who is also my best friend, was with me and insisted that I see a doctor to have this checked out since my father had died of colon cancer. Four months later I had had enough and decided to seek help (after using about 2 weeks vacation for being sick).
The colonoscopy showed moderate to severe Crohn's Disease. Started taking Pentasa 2-500mg pills 3 x a day, rest when possible, avoid stress etc.
You all know the routine.
Thankfully, I have never been hospitalized, but do have to have a colonoscopy every 3 years and see the Dr. every 6 months. He did increase the Pentasa to 4 - 6 x a day if needed and wants to start me on either Prednisone or a low dosage of chemotherapy (not thrilled with either of those options).
Two years ago I quit my job due to the stress and working 60-70 hours a week, with my boss wanting to add more job duties to my schedule (yeah, like I could handle any more). I took it upon myself to say "Enough was Enough" and thankfully my husband has been a huge support.
For about the past 6 months, I have felt that I am getting worse again and am not sure what to do. The past 4 days, I have slept for about 16 hours a day, feel like someone has taken a baseball bat to my joints, headaches, loss of appetite etc.
Any advise from those who have had it much worse than me would be greatly appreciated.
I look forward to hearing from all of you.
Sandi