Hi everyone, I'm Jill
I'm a 22 year old college student who was recently diagnosed with Crohn's Disease over the Christmas Holidays. I have been what I can only assume as flaring since September 2013, with digestive issues on and off for the past four years. The last nearly 6 months have been the worst of this illness for me and I have found myself in Hospital many times. I have been diagnosed by a Doctor and am now waiting on a specialist to see me in my area, though it seems to be taking forever to fit me in..
Though I've been "flaring" for the past six months, I feel as though the last two weeks have been extra unbearable. My iron levels are low to the point of me passing out (recently hitting my head and ending up in Hospital), I'm experiencing some pretty hefty waves of depression and I'm just plain in pain. I can't sleep more than two hours at a time and am constantly waking up in pain, experiencing urgency and in soaked with night sweats.
I was taking Pentasa for about two months but didn't notice much of a change. My diet varies to how I'm feeling. I generally have a smoothie in the morning (which I find great) but then solid food becomes scary because I don't want to experience pain or even have anything in my system/ this in turn leads me have zero energy. I think I may be developing a not-so-good relationship with food. It scares me because I really can't figure out what affects me and what doesn't.
Another big problem I'm having is dealing with the abdominal cramping pain. I was on some Oxy and TA(forget the long form name) for awhile and they kept me feeling "normal". But my doctor won't prescribe me pain meds anymore due to my body's dependancy.
I am currently not on any medication but have just started to take the following:
B Complex (I forget the mg, but I double up)
Vit C: 3000 mg
EazyIron: (Currently one pill, but the Dr. in the ER told me to try and double up)
Cal/Mag
Fish Oil (but I'm unsure if it is helping or causing urgency)
My activity level is little to none, which is really difficult because when I was "healthy" or at least healthier I was really into rock climbing, speed skating, and hiking wherever and whenever possible.
I had my first speed skating practice in a very long time today and just felt like I was going to pass out or throw up after every two laps. Being in active is becoming very very frustrating to me and I think leading to depression.
I think my biggest fear of all of this is surgery. And it keeps plaguing my mind. Though I know there's been a lot of success with surgeries (stomas etc) I am still just learning of these things and am obviously freaked out.
Anyway,
It's nice to be on this forum. I am pretty frustrated right now not knowing what to do for myself, maybe I should just be more patient. I've been missing a lot of school and have become very anti social in the last while. It's becoming hard to cope.
If anyone has any advice for a newbie with CD, please share.
** Especially if it can help me sleep at night!!!!
Thanks so much in advance
****I was able to put on 24lb from last May-August when I was feeling myself (still some symptoms but nothing debilitating) but have lost 30lb since September and seem to still be loosing (though I'm constantly bloated and don't feel like I am…)
Jill
I'm a 22 year old college student who was recently diagnosed with Crohn's Disease over the Christmas Holidays. I have been what I can only assume as flaring since September 2013, with digestive issues on and off for the past four years. The last nearly 6 months have been the worst of this illness for me and I have found myself in Hospital many times. I have been diagnosed by a Doctor and am now waiting on a specialist to see me in my area, though it seems to be taking forever to fit me in..
Though I've been "flaring" for the past six months, I feel as though the last two weeks have been extra unbearable. My iron levels are low to the point of me passing out (recently hitting my head and ending up in Hospital), I'm experiencing some pretty hefty waves of depression and I'm just plain in pain. I can't sleep more than two hours at a time and am constantly waking up in pain, experiencing urgency and in soaked with night sweats.
I was taking Pentasa for about two months but didn't notice much of a change. My diet varies to how I'm feeling. I generally have a smoothie in the morning (which I find great) but then solid food becomes scary because I don't want to experience pain or even have anything in my system/ this in turn leads me have zero energy. I think I may be developing a not-so-good relationship with food. It scares me because I really can't figure out what affects me and what doesn't.
Another big problem I'm having is dealing with the abdominal cramping pain. I was on some Oxy and TA(forget the long form name) for awhile and they kept me feeling "normal". But my doctor won't prescribe me pain meds anymore due to my body's dependancy.
I am currently not on any medication but have just started to take the following:
B Complex (I forget the mg, but I double up)
Vit C: 3000 mg
EazyIron: (Currently one pill, but the Dr. in the ER told me to try and double up)
Cal/Mag
Fish Oil (but I'm unsure if it is helping or causing urgency)
My activity level is little to none, which is really difficult because when I was "healthy" or at least healthier I was really into rock climbing, speed skating, and hiking wherever and whenever possible.
I had my first speed skating practice in a very long time today and just felt like I was going to pass out or throw up after every two laps. Being in active is becoming very very frustrating to me and I think leading to depression.
I think my biggest fear of all of this is surgery. And it keeps plaguing my mind. Though I know there's been a lot of success with surgeries (stomas etc) I am still just learning of these things and am obviously freaked out.
Anyway,
It's nice to be on this forum. I am pretty frustrated right now not knowing what to do for myself, maybe I should just be more patient. I've been missing a lot of school and have become very anti social in the last while. It's becoming hard to cope.
If anyone has any advice for a newbie with CD, please share.
** Especially if it can help me sleep at night!!!!
Thanks so much in advance
****I was able to put on 24lb from last May-August when I was feeling myself (still some symptoms but nothing debilitating) but have lost 30lb since September and seem to still be loosing (though I'm constantly bloated and don't feel like I am…)
Jill
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