C
Chap
Guest
Greetings!
I'm a 55 y/o male currently living in Nashville. In 1999, I was diagnosed with Crohn's at Mt. Auburn Hospital in Cambridge MA, where I lived at the time, after a bout of severe abdominal pain due to intestinal blockage. The diagnosis was made on the basis of a barium X-ray and my immediate response to a steroidal anti-inflammatory (Prednisone).
From what I've read, I am fortunate to have rather mild symptoms - so far. Apart from a frequent gurgling from the right side of my abdomen, and the occasional onset of pain when I eat something that's high-residue, there are no other symptoms I'm aware of. No diarrhea, blood, weight loss, malnutrition, external manifestations.
Until about 2008 I would have pain severe enough to send me to the doctor about every 18 months. I could always identify what did it, too. Broccoli. Popcorn. Half a bag of almonds. In December 2008 I was hospitalized for about 2-1/2 days, responding quickly (as usual) to prednisone. In July my gastroenterologist started me on 9mg of Entocort per day. But I was hospitalized again in December 2009. The dr. suggested that, since Entocort didn't work much beyond 6 months anyway, I taper off it in preparation for something else. The taper was still under way when I again was hospitalized a few days ago, this time due (I believe) to eating 3 apples in the course of an afternoon.
So it appears my CD is escalating now and I need to get serious. That's why I'm joining this forum. I'm seeing my doctor again in a few days and I'm sure I'll have some specific questions before and after, but for now . . . just glad to be here!
Chap
I'm a 55 y/o male currently living in Nashville. In 1999, I was diagnosed with Crohn's at Mt. Auburn Hospital in Cambridge MA, where I lived at the time, after a bout of severe abdominal pain due to intestinal blockage. The diagnosis was made on the basis of a barium X-ray and my immediate response to a steroidal anti-inflammatory (Prednisone).
From what I've read, I am fortunate to have rather mild symptoms - so far. Apart from a frequent gurgling from the right side of my abdomen, and the occasional onset of pain when I eat something that's high-residue, there are no other symptoms I'm aware of. No diarrhea, blood, weight loss, malnutrition, external manifestations.
Until about 2008 I would have pain severe enough to send me to the doctor about every 18 months. I could always identify what did it, too. Broccoli. Popcorn. Half a bag of almonds. In December 2008 I was hospitalized for about 2-1/2 days, responding quickly (as usual) to prednisone. In July my gastroenterologist started me on 9mg of Entocort per day. But I was hospitalized again in December 2009. The dr. suggested that, since Entocort didn't work much beyond 6 months anyway, I taper off it in preparation for something else. The taper was still under way when I again was hospitalized a few days ago, this time due (I believe) to eating 3 apples in the course of an afternoon.
So it appears my CD is escalating now and I need to get serious. That's why I'm joining this forum. I'm seeing my doctor again in a few days and I'm sure I'll have some specific questions before and after, but for now . . . just glad to be here!
Chap
