Hello!
I am new to the forum. I've looked through the posts and thought I'd share my story.
I am 25 year old male and was diagnosed with Crohns disease in June 2010 but I've been complaining of bleeding since 2000 and never followed up with a GI until last summer when things were becoming worse. Anyways, since being diagnosed, it has been down hill. I started on Asacol and a bunch of probiotics and vitamins. I thought I was getting better because I wasn't going to the bathroom as much. However, later I learned that I had severe disease of the ano-rectum. Fast forward to June 2011 and I admit myself to the hospital because I had neglected my Crohns. I already knew what I had and it was a golf size abscess and 2 fistulas. I was distraught and thought my life was over. I had surgery done and bam, I had 2 setons in place. 1 massive horseshoe fistula and another near the anterior side. Also, a draining abscess. I now had 4 holes (2 fistulas with setons and an open abscess) and my butthole! The doctor also told me that ignoring my Crohns for years that my anus had so much damage and had narrowed so much, that if Remicade or any other anti-TNF blockers didn't work, my anus would close up and I will need to have a stoma. I took 1 month off from work because I couldn't sit and my mind was totally out of sync. I reached bottom at that point and didn't think I could make it out. I let my fistulas heal for about 2 months without any medication (except Cipro/Flagyl post-surgery for about 1 week). I started Remicade at the end of August. I took my 0 week and 2 week infusion. I now have 3 holes. 2 of the fistulas are getting smaller and draining significantly less, so the Remicade is definitely helping. All in all, its been a slow recovery. I have made significant life style changes. I now am much more consistent with everything. Regulating my sleep, food, and stress has been my biggest 'drug' which has helped me recover along with the Remicade. I no longer party til 4 AM, or sleep at 5 AM, or work 50+ hours a week. I sleep at 11, wake up at 7, and eat almost the same thing everyday. Life is dull, but I am loving it much more.
If there is one thing I could pass onto people is that don't ignore your Crohn's. Get help ASAP. Also, I am big believer in sleep/stress/food regulation for IBD folks.
I am a pharmacist who graduated just last year. I was lucky to have finished school and start a new job. I make plenty of money and work for a great company that supports my Crohns. However, being in the retail setting at times can be tough. I read through some posts and I would be glad to be able to answer any medical/drug/disease/fistula&abscess questions people may have.
Thank You all!
I am new to the forum. I've looked through the posts and thought I'd share my story.
I am 25 year old male and was diagnosed with Crohns disease in June 2010 but I've been complaining of bleeding since 2000 and never followed up with a GI until last summer when things were becoming worse. Anyways, since being diagnosed, it has been down hill. I started on Asacol and a bunch of probiotics and vitamins. I thought I was getting better because I wasn't going to the bathroom as much. However, later I learned that I had severe disease of the ano-rectum. Fast forward to June 2011 and I admit myself to the hospital because I had neglected my Crohns. I already knew what I had and it was a golf size abscess and 2 fistulas. I was distraught and thought my life was over. I had surgery done and bam, I had 2 setons in place. 1 massive horseshoe fistula and another near the anterior side. Also, a draining abscess. I now had 4 holes (2 fistulas with setons and an open abscess) and my butthole! The doctor also told me that ignoring my Crohns for years that my anus had so much damage and had narrowed so much, that if Remicade or any other anti-TNF blockers didn't work, my anus would close up and I will need to have a stoma. I took 1 month off from work because I couldn't sit and my mind was totally out of sync. I reached bottom at that point and didn't think I could make it out. I let my fistulas heal for about 2 months without any medication (except Cipro/Flagyl post-surgery for about 1 week). I started Remicade at the end of August. I took my 0 week and 2 week infusion. I now have 3 holes. 2 of the fistulas are getting smaller and draining significantly less, so the Remicade is definitely helping. All in all, its been a slow recovery. I have made significant life style changes. I now am much more consistent with everything. Regulating my sleep, food, and stress has been my biggest 'drug' which has helped me recover along with the Remicade. I no longer party til 4 AM, or sleep at 5 AM, or work 50+ hours a week. I sleep at 11, wake up at 7, and eat almost the same thing everyday. Life is dull, but I am loving it much more.
If there is one thing I could pass onto people is that don't ignore your Crohn's. Get help ASAP. Also, I am big believer in sleep/stress/food regulation for IBD folks.
I am a pharmacist who graduated just last year. I was lucky to have finished school and start a new job. I make plenty of money and work for a great company that supports my Crohns. However, being in the retail setting at times can be tough. I read through some posts and I would be glad to be able to answer any medical/drug/disease/fistula&abscess questions people may have.
Thank You all!
