I am 23 years old and was diagnosed with Crohn's at the age of 11. It started with joint pain and the doctor thought I had JRA. After months of hardly being able to eat and losing a significant amount of weigh, my mom got fed up and took me to the ER where they were pretty sure I had Crohn's. The colonoscopy I had later confirmed it. Doctor started me on Remicade and this caused me to have horrible flare ups and 2 hospital stays. I also had an abscessed fistula which required surgery.
Fast forward to my teen years and I was in remission and the best I ever felt. The medication combo for me was 6mp and Pentasa. I also took Iron pills and a multivitamin. Everything was great and I never once had any problems or symptoms.
Then when I was 18 I moved out of state and never set up an appointment for a new GI. I was only on 6mp and stopped taking it when the prescription ran out. Dumb move. I didn't start having problems again until I was 19. Occasional stomach cramping and frequent bathroom trips. Things really became worse after I turned 20. My husband insisted I go see a doctor and they set me up on Entocort, 6mp, Pentasa, prednisone. All of these did nothing except for the prednisone. At one point I was taking about 20 pills a day. Had little to no energy and was visiting my good friend the toilet 18/20 times a day. I ended up switching GI doctor's because I felt he didn't listen to me.
After the switch my new GI put me on 6mp and prednisone, which became just 6mp after weaning off the steroids. I still felt horrible and couldn't function whatsoever. I had every side effects for that medication and my doc immediately took me off of it. I had to have a blood transfusion in May 2012.
Finally she talked about starting Humira. I got approved through Abbott so I wouldn't have to pay anything for a year. I was supposed to start that July 2012 but found out I was pregnant. Oddly enough the whole time I was pregnant I didn't have any problems. 3 weeks after having my baby I started having a flare up. I'm currently only on 20mg of prednisone and I'm waiting to start Humira again. I recently just got approved by the company again so I won't have to pay for it for a year. Extremely expensive otherwise.
I'm still going to the bathroom several times a day and have stomach pains. I am able to eat small meals. This isn't the worse it's been but I want to feel normal again, especially with having to take care of 3 kids. I'm really thankful that my husband is understanding of this even though I know it frustrates him.
I'm sorry this is so long. Just looking for support from my fellow Crohnies!
Fast forward to my teen years and I was in remission and the best I ever felt. The medication combo for me was 6mp and Pentasa. I also took Iron pills and a multivitamin. Everything was great and I never once had any problems or symptoms.
Then when I was 18 I moved out of state and never set up an appointment for a new GI. I was only on 6mp and stopped taking it when the prescription ran out. Dumb move. I didn't start having problems again until I was 19. Occasional stomach cramping and frequent bathroom trips. Things really became worse after I turned 20. My husband insisted I go see a doctor and they set me up on Entocort, 6mp, Pentasa, prednisone. All of these did nothing except for the prednisone. At one point I was taking about 20 pills a day. Had little to no energy and was visiting my good friend the toilet 18/20 times a day. I ended up switching GI doctor's because I felt he didn't listen to me.
After the switch my new GI put me on 6mp and prednisone, which became just 6mp after weaning off the steroids. I still felt horrible and couldn't function whatsoever. I had every side effects for that medication and my doc immediately took me off of it. I had to have a blood transfusion in May 2012.
Finally she talked about starting Humira. I got approved through Abbott so I wouldn't have to pay anything for a year. I was supposed to start that July 2012 but found out I was pregnant. Oddly enough the whole time I was pregnant I didn't have any problems. 3 weeks after having my baby I started having a flare up. I'm currently only on 20mg of prednisone and I'm waiting to start Humira again. I recently just got approved by the company again so I won't have to pay for it for a year. Extremely expensive otherwise.
I'm still going to the bathroom several times a day and have stomach pains. I am able to eat small meals. This isn't the worse it's been but I want to feel normal again, especially with having to take care of 3 kids. I'm really thankful that my husband is understanding of this even though I know it frustrates him.
I'm sorry this is so long. Just looking for support from my fellow Crohnies!