Hello all,
I found this site when searching for information and decided to register. Just a bit about me: diagnosed with crohn's disease at age 29 but believe I had it years before this. I've been on many medications over the years including: Asacol, Pentasa, Mercaptopurine, Imuran, Entocort, Prednisone, Remicade, Humira, Orencia, Stelara, Xeljanz, drug studies and probably a couple others I'm forgetting. I'm currently on: Entocort, Xeljanz and Methotrexate.
I've had 4 laparoscopic bowel resections secondary to small bowel obstructions from narrowing/strictures. I have a local GI who I adore and who has been my MD since I was diagnosed but I see a IBD specialist in Shands secondary to refractory moderately-severe disease and the need for access to drug studies/off label meds.
Despite my bouts with flare-ups, I continue to work full-time plus an additional part-time job as I'm sure many of you do also. Some days it is challenging to make it out of the bed; however, I feel very fortunate that a lot of research in IBD as been done over the years and it seems that there are more new drugs and drug studies to help patients. When I was first diagnosed, the only infusion available was Remicade.
I try not to let my disease define me and rule my life although we all know that can be difficult. I have always felt talking with others who have IBD and similar diseases helps to know you are not alone in this. I am enjoying my life as much as I can and feel blessed in many ways.
I found this site when searching for information and decided to register. Just a bit about me: diagnosed with crohn's disease at age 29 but believe I had it years before this. I've been on many medications over the years including: Asacol, Pentasa, Mercaptopurine, Imuran, Entocort, Prednisone, Remicade, Humira, Orencia, Stelara, Xeljanz, drug studies and probably a couple others I'm forgetting. I'm currently on: Entocort, Xeljanz and Methotrexate.
I've had 4 laparoscopic bowel resections secondary to small bowel obstructions from narrowing/strictures. I have a local GI who I adore and who has been my MD since I was diagnosed but I see a IBD specialist in Shands secondary to refractory moderately-severe disease and the need for access to drug studies/off label meds.
Despite my bouts with flare-ups, I continue to work full-time plus an additional part-time job as I'm sure many of you do also. Some days it is challenging to make it out of the bed; however, I feel very fortunate that a lot of research in IBD as been done over the years and it seems that there are more new drugs and drug studies to help patients. When I was first diagnosed, the only infusion available was Remicade.
I try not to let my disease define me and rule my life although we all know that can be difficult. I have always felt talking with others who have IBD and similar diseases helps to know you are not alone in this. I am enjoying my life as much as I can and feel blessed in many ways.
