New to crohnsforum - HI

[reidyjo81]

Just thought I would introduce myself as I am new to this forum, I have never used this type of site in all my years of crohns, and thought it would be nice to speak to other people that are in the same boat. I have been suffering since I was 17 and am now 29 ! Only ever had to have surgery once thank god but have had some serious relapses since and I struggle with every day life tp be honest. Being on azathioprine lowers my immune system and I find I pick up every bug and cold going around. I am always tired and I can't remember a day that I haven't had diarrhea. Any encouraging messages would be great. :shifty-t:

 

[Dexky]

Hi Reidy, you'll find several here with your same predicament. We've only had about 7-8 months dealing with this so I won't presume to know anything you don't already know. Just wanted to say welcome and let you know there is a wealth of experience on here as you'll soon find out. Stay tuned!!

 

[Astra]

Hi reidyjo
and welcome

Yeah, I think we all know exactly where you're coming from!
When was the last time you had your bloods checked? and Iron too?
have you tried Prednisolone? how about your diet?
have a scoot round the threads on treatment and diet, there are loads of info on them
glad you found us, you're no longer alone with this, lots of friendly peeps here!
any questions, fire away
lotsa luv
Joan xxx

 

[Nancy Lee]

Hi reidyjo81..

Just stopping by to say welcome to the forum!
Lots of people here in the same boat that perhaps can help you out.


Welcoming Hugs~Nancy

 

[DustyKat]

Hi reidyjo and :welcome:

Lots of good advice there from Joan. My daughter had a right hemicolectomy 4 years ago and I know even with supplements she very often sits at the lower end of normal with her haemaglobin. I don't think having your periods helps balance that equation either! She also has diarrhoea. Have you tried Questran? I know it would work for Roo but she finds it too unpalatable, so she plans her eating around her day.

So glad you found us and plenty of peeps that can help out far more than me!

Take care and :hang:
Dusty.

 

[reidyjo81]

Hey,

Thanks all for your warm welcome, nice to know there are other people out there and your not suffering on your own. I have tried everything going, I am on and off Pred and I hate taking it but I know it helps, only finished taking them a couple of weeks ago. I have seen about 3 different nutrisonists and they all tell me different things, its all very confusing. I am now starting a new diet and going to stick to it for 6 weeks and see how I get on, avoiding alcohol which is just going to kill me. I have my bloods checked regularly as on azathioprine, recently found that my iron is very low so am on iron supplements. Lets hope its onwards and upwards. Thanks for all your advice so far and look forward to speaking more xxx

 

[Busy]

Hello there Reidyjo81,

just popped onto your thread to say welcome

busy

 

[Regular Joe]

Hi Reidyjo81,

Welcome.

You said "avoiding alcohol which is just going to kill me."

I found the opposite to be true. If I don't avoid alcohol, it is just going to kill me. That's what happens to a person like me who used to believe what you just said about alcohol. I also heard my GI specialist tell a person that chronic alcohol consumption combined with certain IBD medications can be fatal. The only cases I know of where stopping alcohol consumption has killed anyone was when the person was chemically dependent on alcohol.

If you do have symptoms that feel like they're going to kill you, literally...e.g. acute alcohol withdrawal...you'll need to enter a detoxifcation unit because alcohol withdrawal can kill you. I can't tell you how many times that's happened to people I've known. A sudden and complete halting of alcohol intake for a person whose body has become chemically dependent will result in seizures, hallucinations, psychosis, and death. It can get gruesome and quite ugly.

Changing your diet can help with Crohn's Disease. Here is a link that is very basic, but it's always been one I go back to whenever I start experience "problem foods". The links at the bottom are also helpful.

http://www.healthcastle.com/ibd-diet.shtml

I hope you get to feeling better, and welcome, again.
Joseph