Hi guys I'm a 35 year old guy from the UK. I was diagnosed with Crohns Disease in my small bowel around 13 years ago after suffering chronic pain in my bowels and joints. I have suffered over the years and have had a good concoction of drugs along the way too!
I suffer too with my joints and this runs hand in hand with my crohns. I've been told it's reactive arthritis which is caused by the Crohn's disease. In the past my knees have swollen to the size of small babies heads and I continue to this day to suffer with them.
Drug wise I started like many taking pentasa many years ago along with azathioprine, this helped for a number of years before this stopped working. I was then put onto Humira which worked really well for around 3 years until my body decided it would reject it, at a loss they tried me on Infliximab which I currently have infused into me but this also is now not working.
I've just been told I now need surgery to remove part of my small bowel and my colon, I guess this was always coming but just a shock to hear it.
I've read a lot of posts on here from people who have had the surgery and the recovery time seems to vary?
My only worry is work as I don't get any sick pay so this worries me, but I guess you find a way of coping.
As you can see I'm new to this forum and have never really done any forums before but this one seemed interesting to share my experiences with other Crohn's sufferers.
I suffer too with my joints and this runs hand in hand with my crohns. I've been told it's reactive arthritis which is caused by the Crohn's disease. In the past my knees have swollen to the size of small babies heads and I continue to this day to suffer with them.
Drug wise I started like many taking pentasa many years ago along with azathioprine, this helped for a number of years before this stopped working. I was then put onto Humira which worked really well for around 3 years until my body decided it would reject it, at a loss they tried me on Infliximab which I currently have infused into me but this also is now not working.
I've just been told I now need surgery to remove part of my small bowel and my colon, I guess this was always coming but just a shock to hear it.
I've read a lot of posts on here from people who have had the surgery and the recovery time seems to vary?
My only worry is work as I don't get any sick pay so this worries me, but I guess you find a way of coping.
As you can see I'm new to this forum and have never really done any forums before but this one seemed interesting to share my experiences with other Crohn's sufferers.