Hi, my name is Amanda and I was diagnosed with Crohn's in June of this summer. I have spent time reading the posts on this forum and find its contributors very helpful. Many of my concerns and questions are addressed throughout the threads.
I want to preface my post by saying that my writing and thinking are very fuzzy and confused these days so this may come out as complete gibberish for which I apologize.
Registering for the forum was a big step for me because becoming part of this community means that I am acknowledging my diagnosis. Months before I was diagnosed in June, I was in denial that something was wrong with my system--I just thought I was eating the 'wrong' things and stressed. When I finally saw a doctor, I was at my weakest, most vulnerable point in my 32 years. My mom has been living with me since late June, which is a huge blow to my independence but I surrender because I Need her with me (it has also been a mixed blessing since we have strengthened our relationship). I have a wonderful support system of friends and family but almost all of them are long distance and only one of them is familiar with the disease. Reading the posts on this forum assures me that there are other people who struggle with troubles similar to the ones I face.
I am optimistic almost all of the time, possibly to assure others that I am okay but nonetheless it usually works. However, I have break downs and hate that I feel so crappy. Although I do not dwell on it, my body and brain hurt constantly. After a colonoscopy in June, my doctor started me on Prednisone and a week later on Imuran. The pain in my gut and head have been so severe that I take Percocet. Two weeks ago Friday I started Humira with four shots. This Friday I will take the next two shots. I have not started feeling any good side effects yet but I am confident they will come (right?). Even before I started taking the Percocet, my head was very fuzzy and confused, which drives me crazy. Before all of this happened, I was very active, both physically and mentally. Now my energy level is little to none. Everyday I do some type of brain and body exercise but I have learned to limit it or else completely wear out. I should acknowledge that the pain in my gut is not a knife-stabbing-constant-pain-everyday like it was the first six weeks which I consider a small improvement.
One of my biggest concerns right now is about food. I am scared of food. With my mom here, she cooks and I have been able to eat anything but in very small portions. I am not hungry very often. I think maybe part of it is a feeling that I am scared of how it will exit my system (I had constant diarrhea before diagnosis but after starting medication I have a bowel movement every few days). But I do not really know.
Thank you reading this and I welcome any and all suggestions and comments.
I want to preface my post by saying that my writing and thinking are very fuzzy and confused these days so this may come out as complete gibberish for which I apologize.
Registering for the forum was a big step for me because becoming part of this community means that I am acknowledging my diagnosis. Months before I was diagnosed in June, I was in denial that something was wrong with my system--I just thought I was eating the 'wrong' things and stressed. When I finally saw a doctor, I was at my weakest, most vulnerable point in my 32 years. My mom has been living with me since late June, which is a huge blow to my independence but I surrender because I Need her with me (it has also been a mixed blessing since we have strengthened our relationship). I have a wonderful support system of friends and family but almost all of them are long distance and only one of them is familiar with the disease. Reading the posts on this forum assures me that there are other people who struggle with troubles similar to the ones I face.
I am optimistic almost all of the time, possibly to assure others that I am okay but nonetheless it usually works. However, I have break downs and hate that I feel so crappy. Although I do not dwell on it, my body and brain hurt constantly. After a colonoscopy in June, my doctor started me on Prednisone and a week later on Imuran. The pain in my gut and head have been so severe that I take Percocet. Two weeks ago Friday I started Humira with four shots. This Friday I will take the next two shots. I have not started feeling any good side effects yet but I am confident they will come (right?). Even before I started taking the Percocet, my head was very fuzzy and confused, which drives me crazy. Before all of this happened, I was very active, both physically and mentally. Now my energy level is little to none. Everyday I do some type of brain and body exercise but I have learned to limit it or else completely wear out. I should acknowledge that the pain in my gut is not a knife-stabbing-constant-pain-everyday like it was the first six weeks which I consider a small improvement.
One of my biggest concerns right now is about food. I am scared of food. With my mom here, she cooks and I have been able to eat anything but in very small portions. I am not hungry very often. I think maybe part of it is a feeling that I am scared of how it will exit my system (I had constant diarrhea before diagnosis but after starting medication I have a bowel movement every few days). But I do not really know.
Thank you reading this and I welcome any and all suggestions and comments.