Hi! I was diagnosed with IBD in 2005. At the time, I became very sick with pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and hair loss. My father had Crohns, so my doctor suspected this and put me on Asacol and referred me to a GI specialist. I was sick for more than three months before the Asacol regimen began working. The GI doctor wanted to put me in the hospital, but I refused since my husband was active duty Navy at the time and I had a 2 yo and 10 yo at home. I recall curling up on the couch in so much pain, in the wee hours of the morning, so I could moan and nobody would hear me. I had many tests colonoscopy, endoscopy, ultrasounds, follow through, etc. This GI doctor diagnosed me with UC.
A new duty station, for three years and my IBD is being controlled with the maintenance dose of Asacol. Another colonoscopy in 2010, diagnosed me with Crohn's,instead of UC, with suggested continued maintenance dose. I could resume colonoscopy at 5 year intervals.
Three years later, my husband is retired from the military, i have just completed 2 years of graduate school, 1 child is in college and another beginning middle school, and I'm in a flare. About a year ago, I began feeling fatigued and dizzy at the end of my 2nd semester of graduate school and went to the doctor. My thyroid was not functioning properly, so I assumed it was that. I completed my 2nd year of graduate school and graduated in May with hopes of continuing my education even further. I told my doctor I still do not feel good, please check me again and he suggested I go to GI again. I did this and now have been diagnosed with a stricture, through a colonoscopy, yet my Crohn's has not been horrible, at least not like 2005, but I am tired, dizzy, forgetful, my hair is falling out again (not as bad as 2005 though) and now I'm anxious, because who knows when these feelings will hit me. It's like it comes on all of a sudden.
I'm now on the active dose of Lialda and I have been referred to a colorectal surgeon and I am likely electing to have the stricture resected. Since the surgery has been suggested, my medication is not being changed, since, according to my GI doctor, I'll only be putting off the inevitable, which might become urgent.
The good news is I'm not going to move again, so my doctor will be my doctor for many years, I found this forum and have been utilizing the low residue diet I found on here. Considering the experiences I have read in this forum, the education I receive from my GI doctor, and researching recommendations through evidence based literature, I am finding comfort in making this decision.
I do wish my thyroid levels were the problem, but I'm thankful my Crohn's is not horrible and so far my inflammation isn't malignant. It is why I have chosen to consider the surgery, because not being able to traverse the stricture leaves doubt. Thank to all of you for your posts and I appreciate this forum was created! It's awesome!
A new duty station, for three years and my IBD is being controlled with the maintenance dose of Asacol. Another colonoscopy in 2010, diagnosed me with Crohn's,instead of UC, with suggested continued maintenance dose. I could resume colonoscopy at 5 year intervals.
Three years later, my husband is retired from the military, i have just completed 2 years of graduate school, 1 child is in college and another beginning middle school, and I'm in a flare. About a year ago, I began feeling fatigued and dizzy at the end of my 2nd semester of graduate school and went to the doctor. My thyroid was not functioning properly, so I assumed it was that. I completed my 2nd year of graduate school and graduated in May with hopes of continuing my education even further. I told my doctor I still do not feel good, please check me again and he suggested I go to GI again. I did this and now have been diagnosed with a stricture, through a colonoscopy, yet my Crohn's has not been horrible, at least not like 2005, but I am tired, dizzy, forgetful, my hair is falling out again (not as bad as 2005 though) and now I'm anxious, because who knows when these feelings will hit me. It's like it comes on all of a sudden.
I'm now on the active dose of Lialda and I have been referred to a colorectal surgeon and I am likely electing to have the stricture resected. Since the surgery has been suggested, my medication is not being changed, since, according to my GI doctor, I'll only be putting off the inevitable, which might become urgent.
The good news is I'm not going to move again, so my doctor will be my doctor for many years, I found this forum and have been utilizing the low residue diet I found on here. Considering the experiences I have read in this forum, the education I receive from my GI doctor, and researching recommendations through evidence based literature, I am finding comfort in making this decision.
I do wish my thyroid levels were the problem, but I'm thankful my Crohn's is not horrible and so far my inflammation isn't malignant. It is why I have chosen to consider the surgery, because not being able to traverse the stricture leaves doubt. Thank to all of you for your posts and I appreciate this forum was created! It's awesome!