New to CD

[Brian]

Hello All. I'm glad I came across this forum - looking forward to discussing and learning about what I may be faced with in the coming weeks/months/years.....

I was just diagnosed with Crohn's (ileum region) this week. I'm a few weeks from 44 yrs old. My story starts about 2-3 months ago with a very noisy belly, no pain. The craziest abdominal sounds and motions I've ever experienced. I wasn't too concerned until the waves of pain joined the noise early in Dec....waves of various frequency and intensity.

Well, Christmas eve was my first Gen. Dr. appointment, CT scan after Xmas, then GI consult before New Years, colonoscopy this past Wed, 2nd opinion yesterday. Monday will begin prep testing (for any existing infections), then late next week likely first round of Remicade. Basically on an all-liquid diet at this time (yum!)
Whew!....it's all been happening quickly, which is good I guess. I'm trying to stay positive, hopeful to send this to remission as quickly as it came about, but understand the reality that it could be a difficult, long-term battle.

Oh by the way, add Urologist visits to the mix......on top of this, the CT scan shows a rather large kidney stone that I didn't realize I had. At the moment it's "safe" where it's located, but certainly needs attention asap once the Crohn's is in "control".

My wife has been with me every step of the way and super supportive, making this much more bearable!

Thanks in advance for the benefits I'm sure this forum will provide!
Good luck to all!

 

[Pirate]

Welcome to the forum Brian. Yes, you will learn a lot of helpful things here. I was DX with CD in 1986 and have went through all the ups and downs short of surgery.
I stumbled across this forum a few months ago and even though I have had this for the last 24 yrs. I have learned so much more than I knew before.
I've met new friends that understand what I have gone thru. You will realize the same as you post more and get to know us better. We are all very unique individuals, some serious, that would be me, and some funny, that would be Farm, Fen and a few others, and others that are totally off the wall, that would be Peaches, Lishy (keep an Eye on her, she can be a bad influence), Shaz, Jetta, and a few others. (Mostly the ladies) LOL.

 

[Jennifer]

Welcome! I'm new too.

Oh joy a liquid diet! Longest I was ever on one was a month and a half. I recall making a Thanksgiving dinner out of Playdough (I was 9 years old then).

 

[imisspopcorn]

:welcome: Brian.

 

[shazamataz]

Welcome Brian, good to have you with us. Sounds like it'd been quite the few months for you!
Hope you find yourself at home here, it really is a great place

 

[crazycanuck]

Welcome to our fourms and I'm sorry for all you've had to go through lately. Its a great place this site it and I've had this disease two years and now can only wish I'd found it earlier. Good luck and I hope too you'll enter remission as quick as it came.

 

[Crohn's 35]

HI Brian, welcome!! Wow everything is moving super fast! That is a good thing. Most people go thru the whole medication alphabet, as most insurance companies require it before Remicade. You have a great team looking after you and they are agressively treating it... wish that happened for me. I too have had Kidney stones, 4 of them and had them treated, but I will tell you about that another time. Which side is your kidney stone? The best thing I can recommend to stave the pain away is drink alot of water so it floats and doesnt block. I am glad you have a supportive wife, this disease requires that, support means alot! Keep us informed on how you are doing!

 

[Peaches]

:welcome: Brian! Glad you have found us early in your journey. I have been diagnosed for 13 years and just thought to look for some place a few months ago. This is a great place to get answers to your questions and support. Sounds like they are doing the top down approach and getting you right on Remicade. Hoping that will put you right into remission! I have been on it for 5 years and it has been a very good medication for me. There is a thread on here called Remicade Club that you may want to join. I believe kidney stones can also be related to Crohn's as well. Hopefully they will be able to clear that out for you as well. Well, good luck and keep us posted!

 

[Brian]

HI Brian, welcome!! Wow everything is moving super fast! That is a good thing. Most people go thru the whole medication alphabet, as most insurance companies require it before Remicade. You have a great team looking after you and they are agressively treating it... wish that happened for me. I too have had Kidney stones, 4 of them and had them treated, but I will tell you about that another time. Which side is your kidney stone? The best thing I can recommend to stave the pain away is drink alot of water so it floats and doesnt block. I am glad you have a supportive wife, this disease requires that, support means alot! Keep us informed on how you are doing!

Thanks Jetta! The stone is on my right side. Good advice about drinking lots - if that thing tries to move on, there's no way it'll pass - too big!

 

[Brian]

Thanks to everyone for the welcomes and well wishes!! So far I'm responding nicely since starting Prednisone a couple nights ago. In fact I've been experimenting with real food again without too much trouble (mostly soft and low fiber, small portions). Just can't let myself overdo it.
Thanks again! - Best wishes!

 

[farm]

Welcome Brian. take it easy bud.

 

[pain in the butt]

Welcome! Keep Us posted!

 

[CrohnsHobo]

Welcome Brian.

 

[fenway1971]

Hi Brian,
I'm a fellow Crohn's and kidney stone sufferer. My heart goes out to you. Drink lots of water!!!

Welcome to the forum.

 

[tamesis]

Welcome Brian.
I am also new around here, and everyone has been amazing. i don't know where i'd be the past couple months without this place! I've had a long wait to get testing done, and everyone here has helped keep me sane.
Wishing for quick remission for you!

 

[Crohn's 35]

Hi Brian,
I'm a fellow Crohn's and kidney stone sufferer. My heart goes out to you. Drink lots of water!!!

Welcome to the forum.

Fenway are you deaf??? I said that on post #7 :ylol2: :ylol2: .

Have you had alot Fenway?

 

[themuse]

hey Brian and Welcome.

Out of curiosity, did anything happen in your day to day life that maybe sprung your symptoms to the surface.

I am always curious as to stress playing a factor in Crohn's.

Good luck!

 

[Brian]

hey Brian and Welcome.

Out of curiosity, did anything happen in your day to day life that maybe sprung your symptoms to the surface.

I am always curious as to stress playing a factor in Crohn's.

Good luck!

That's a good question. I can't recall anything that really changed much over the past ~six months, or any big events. There are various times in my job that can get a bit stressful, but I never feel that it affects my health. I never have trouble leaving work at work and relaxing at home. And at home, things can be a bit hectic at times too, but I never feel that overwhelmed.

Thanks again to everyone for the warm welcomes!

 

[My Butt Hurts]

Hi Brian!
Glad you're here, you've stumbled across an awesome place. You're super lucky to have a supportive wife. Let her know that!
Welcome to the forum!
MBH