New here and though it's not much of one, here is my story

[Shakedown]

Was diagnosed in 4/2002 with crohn's. Was put on Pentasa with no push of importance to take 4000mg a day. Dealt with symptoms on and off for a year.

Moved to FL and met with a new Dr. who informed me I needed to be on 4k mg a day of Pentasa. Symptoms soon went away and stayed away.

Moved to MI met with a new Dr. who was amazed at how well I was doing. Very intelligent Dr. who I have recently met with again even while not living in the north anymore.

2005 moved to NC, establish new Dr. who informs me if there is still no probs. in one year he will take me off the Pentasa and see how I do. 8months later was laid off and took myself off Pentasa to kill another monthly bill. No probs.

2007 brought a lot of stress to me. (Stress triggered my being diagnosed) So after a build up of being sick to my stomach for a week over one very stressful incident, I knew things were probably gonna happen...... and they did. End of Nov. things went downhill. Started taking Pentasa again and things would get better then worse over and over. Dec. it hit bad and my refusal to go on steroids allowed my life to turn very miserable. Cranker sores, fissure, major stomach cramps, diarrhea to the extent it took off 24-26lbs, knots on my legs, and forced to the emergency room. Treated for dehydration and pain. Met with Dr. 3 days later and put on Prednisone. 40mg a day decreasing 5mg per week. It knocked everything right out. Life was great once again.

Prep for colonoscopy. Prep didn't fully work, cancel procedure. 2 days later symptoms return. 3 weeks later back on Prednisone with another colonoscopy prep and procedure that found what we knew was going on. It's my opinion the prep solution aggravated things and caused symptoms to return.

So here I am...5 weeks into 2nd round of Prednisone and things are better, but not 100%. I'd say I'm about 90-95% My NC Dr. told me my only option was 6MP or Remicade. I'm not buying into that and have no plans of getting on those medications. The side effects do not look good to me and I've beat this disease once so I'm pretty positive I can do it again. Once off the prednisone think I'm gonna chance it with Pentasa and aloe. My diet is head on as I'm a fitness/gym fanatic. So we'll see.

 

[Kev]

Hey SD Welcome to the forum. This disease can have it's ups N downs. I hope your current plan works out OK. Your NC Dr list of options looks a little short. you may want to look further BEFORE committing to anything if your plan doesn't work

 

[Shakedown]

Yeah I'm not impressed with the medical field in this state! I've already got back in contact with my Dr. I had in MI.

 

[BWS1982]

I know it can be frustrating, but try to put it in perspective....have you just now met EVERY medical professional/GI doc in NC? Might not work out as well if you need to make Remicade trips later down the road or something, long distance is something to consider...but I'm not saying don't do it, just try to get the big picture in view...but ultimately you need to do what's best for you, and you know that, not me.

I'm an adept diet-guru as well. Even before Crohns, looked at the label before I ate it. Practically the same thing every day. Tuna for breakfast sometimes, eggwhites perhaps, etc...Eating for purpose first, enjoyment second. Fitness is a bitch to get workin' when you're glued to a toilet seat....'bout to bring some 35 pound DB's in there for something to do.

People who didn't/don't understand Crohns were shocked when I was diagnosed because they figured I could have prevented it being such a health nut. Others blamed it on all the protein, tuna, creatine, supplements (nothing but the basics, wasn't on anything fishy). Got news for all those not in the know: My diet wasn't in control of my "acquisition" of this disease, my DNA was.

 

[Guest]

hi shakedown, & welcome.

the yoyo of life with crohns certainly makes us appreciate the good days, eh?

glad to hear you're on the way up again, tho.