P
picsiechick
Guest
Hi, friendly folks!
I've read just a few threads and you are all supportive and helpful and open, so it seems pretty safe to bare my soul here.
Last week the GI said I have Crohn's. The scopes, from both sides, will be Feb 28, so that's really all I know at this point.
My symptoms, thankfully, have been mild, but I was a very active person - kickboxing 3 times a week, serious moutain bike riding and racing, weights, yoga - and since July I haven't been able to do anything strenuous due to fatigue and overwhelming nausea. I've been lucky - the D has been very mild, the N has not caused vomiting, I've been bloated to some extent (no pun intended) or another virtually this whole time, and have had mostly right side abdominal discomfort. Hey, I don't call it pain because it's nothing compared to the broken shoulder I had eight years ago!
Now that I've heard that this is my illness, I can think back to a few times when I've had gastro upsets to some pretty painful states, and one particular bout of D that had me searching the net to see if I should go to ER...Anyway, the diagnosis answers a lot of questions for me, and I'm grateful for that!
I'm also grateful that my symptoms are quite mild. I'm guessing this means that the disease has probably not done a tremendous amount of damage. And, as I'm 39 years old, my age of diagnosis also probably bodes well for a mild case that may not require surgery.
I have (finally) started keeping a food diary. My next GP appointment, I'll be asking for a referal to a dietitian or nutritionist. That will probably take a good month, so the diary will be very helpful.
I started on Pentasa on Friday. So far, it has helped somewhat. Generally less bloating, less D, but the nausea is still present, and I still have some discomfort. I'm hoping the food diary will help to pinpoint the triggers.
What has really suprised me is that I wasn't prepared for all of these emotions! At first I was pleased that they could figure out what it was so we could treat it. Gradually I've realized that the mystery has just been replaced with a riddle, so it's going to take quite a bit of time to figure out what I should do next.
First thing this morning I tried to make an appt. to see my GP, but he's away until next month, and I'll have to see a locum. Today, feeling emotional as I am, this seemed so distressing to me! I'm not the type to just break down and cry wherever I am, to leave work, etc, but this emotional thing is sure making me want to! Work is busy, sort of stressful - I have lots of things I'm responsible for and some of them have serious deadlines. I can't leave, and I don't want to be that person...that unreliable person.
But I also want to be the person who listens to her body. After all, if I hadn't listened, my symptoms were mild enough, I might not have pushed to have a diagnosis, and I might have gotten just that much worse in these five months!
I have trouble understanding how much damage I might do if I get too tired, if I push through fatigue, if I keep my body and brain busy all the time...I know that exercise will help to keep me happy - I hope it will be completely obvious just how much I can tolerate.
During these five months, I have managed to keep reasonably active - yoga each morning, a 2.5k walk to work, most days the same walk home, (light) weights 2-3 times per week, I've added time on the exercise bike to the routine - I managed to do 26 minutes yesterday along with the weights and the yoga. I would be a complete blimp if I did not do this....one of my symptoms is NOT weight loss!
Tomorrow I hope to be less emotional. There's a gym just a block away that is offering a free cardio kickboxing class for the whole month....and it starts just 1/2 hour after I'm done work. I am determined to try a class this week...and see how I feel. Today, my emotions are guiding me - it's too much, they say.
Just to give a bit of background - I moved here in February - took a better job in a way better town with the same company. My husband had to stay behind for 4 months until the house sold. He took care of our "kids" - 2 border collies and 2 cats. We've all been together since mid-June and my symptoms got really noticeable on July 1. Of course, everything here is new. New doctor (thankfully, better than my old one), new job, new house, new town, husband in school instead of working, even finding the right kickboxing class will take time. Luckily, the medical facilities are way better here, so it's one thing I don't need to worry about. No traveling to have a test done! yay!
Well, I'm trying very hard to be patient, and grateful, and positive; and some days I just feel scared, and worried, and lonely....so I'm very glad I've found you all!
My next hurdle that I must answer soon is whether I should back out of the business law correspondence course that I just got the materials for, as it may be too much for me at this time....I think I have about a week to decide that....or should I just go for it full speed ahead. I'm not used to feeling so....breakable....
I'm glad I found you all! Thank you for being there for us newbies.
Namaste,
~T~
I've read just a few threads and you are all supportive and helpful and open, so it seems pretty safe to bare my soul here.
Last week the GI said I have Crohn's. The scopes, from both sides, will be Feb 28, so that's really all I know at this point.
My symptoms, thankfully, have been mild, but I was a very active person - kickboxing 3 times a week, serious moutain bike riding and racing, weights, yoga - and since July I haven't been able to do anything strenuous due to fatigue and overwhelming nausea. I've been lucky - the D has been very mild, the N has not caused vomiting, I've been bloated to some extent (no pun intended) or another virtually this whole time, and have had mostly right side abdominal discomfort. Hey, I don't call it pain because it's nothing compared to the broken shoulder I had eight years ago!
Now that I've heard that this is my illness, I can think back to a few times when I've had gastro upsets to some pretty painful states, and one particular bout of D that had me searching the net to see if I should go to ER...Anyway, the diagnosis answers a lot of questions for me, and I'm grateful for that!
I'm also grateful that my symptoms are quite mild. I'm guessing this means that the disease has probably not done a tremendous amount of damage. And, as I'm 39 years old, my age of diagnosis also probably bodes well for a mild case that may not require surgery.
I have (finally) started keeping a food diary. My next GP appointment, I'll be asking for a referal to a dietitian or nutritionist. That will probably take a good month, so the diary will be very helpful.
I started on Pentasa on Friday. So far, it has helped somewhat. Generally less bloating, less D, but the nausea is still present, and I still have some discomfort. I'm hoping the food diary will help to pinpoint the triggers.
What has really suprised me is that I wasn't prepared for all of these emotions! At first I was pleased that they could figure out what it was so we could treat it. Gradually I've realized that the mystery has just been replaced with a riddle, so it's going to take quite a bit of time to figure out what I should do next.
First thing this morning I tried to make an appt. to see my GP, but he's away until next month, and I'll have to see a locum. Today, feeling emotional as I am, this seemed so distressing to me! I'm not the type to just break down and cry wherever I am, to leave work, etc, but this emotional thing is sure making me want to! Work is busy, sort of stressful - I have lots of things I'm responsible for and some of them have serious deadlines. I can't leave, and I don't want to be that person...that unreliable person.
But I also want to be the person who listens to her body. After all, if I hadn't listened, my symptoms were mild enough, I might not have pushed to have a diagnosis, and I might have gotten just that much worse in these five months!
I have trouble understanding how much damage I might do if I get too tired, if I push through fatigue, if I keep my body and brain busy all the time...I know that exercise will help to keep me happy - I hope it will be completely obvious just how much I can tolerate.
During these five months, I have managed to keep reasonably active - yoga each morning, a 2.5k walk to work, most days the same walk home, (light) weights 2-3 times per week, I've added time on the exercise bike to the routine - I managed to do 26 minutes yesterday along with the weights and the yoga. I would be a complete blimp if I did not do this....one of my symptoms is NOT weight loss!
Tomorrow I hope to be less emotional. There's a gym just a block away that is offering a free cardio kickboxing class for the whole month....and it starts just 1/2 hour after I'm done work. I am determined to try a class this week...and see how I feel. Today, my emotions are guiding me - it's too much, they say.
Just to give a bit of background - I moved here in February - took a better job in a way better town with the same company. My husband had to stay behind for 4 months until the house sold. He took care of our "kids" - 2 border collies and 2 cats. We've all been together since mid-June and my symptoms got really noticeable on July 1. Of course, everything here is new. New doctor (thankfully, better than my old one), new job, new house, new town, husband in school instead of working, even finding the right kickboxing class will take time. Luckily, the medical facilities are way better here, so it's one thing I don't need to worry about. No traveling to have a test done! yay!
Well, I'm trying very hard to be patient, and grateful, and positive; and some days I just feel scared, and worried, and lonely....so I'm very glad I've found you all!
My next hurdle that I must answer soon is whether I should back out of the business law correspondence course that I just got the materials for, as it may be too much for me at this time....I think I have about a week to decide that....or should I just go for it full speed ahead. I'm not used to feeling so....breakable....
I'm glad I found you all! Thank you for being there for us newbies.
Namaste,
~T~
.
