New to this (Crohns)

[AmeeBree]

Hello,

I'm 21 years old in a little under a week. About a year and a half ago I started getting tested for Crohns. Diagnosed shortly after. I am having a hard time admitting that to some people, including myself. If I talk to anyone about it it's most frequently close family (mom, grandma mostly.) Most people care less about it, some people can be very judgmental.

I started having stomach issues very early in childhood, many visits to the emergency room for them to tell me I'm constipated and send me home, however I have very good bowel movements and have for most of my life.

When they finally started testing me for Crohns I was in a very hard point in my life, lots of stress, thought my stomach issues may have been from that. As I described symptoms, nausea, A LOT of vomiting (days at a time), decreased appetite, occasional diarrhea, most of the time my poop is more loose than solid, and PAIN substantial amounts of pain in my gut/abdominal area primarily left side.

Had a upper GI and colonoscopy done and referred to GI specialist. My case seems to be in the illium.

Most days I feel great no symptoms (at least that affect me being able to live a normal life). Occasionally I get those stomach pains. At first I was visiting hospital with such pain every 3-6 weeks. More recently not so much.

Today I found bright red blood in my stool. It's not the first time it's happened but first that I've made the connection that it could be from the Crohns. I've had some minor abdominal cramping for about 2 weeks now which (my period is supposed to come soon and will usually happen about a week before) but it was different than when that usually happens. Didn't think much until the blood. I don't have pain or any other symptoms that might make me feel as tho it is hemorrhoids.

Is this something I should worry about?

Do you have any suggestions that might help me be able to embrace the fact that I have this disease and it's not as big of a deal as I feel like it is?

Can you give me any tips that might help me steer away from attacks, such as foods I should stay away from? Foods that will help me?

Any other advice you can help me with is very appreciated.

Sorry for how long this is.

Thanks in advance!

-A

 

[AmeeBree]

[emoji53]

 

[Lady Organic]

Hi Amee Bree,
if the blood appears to be mixed in your stool there is some chance it may be some disease activity in the colon. Hemorrhoids can give blood too, you are right and is also a possibility. Any new symptom you have is best to be discussed with your GI team for proper investigation, so call the nurse of GI to discuss that. Are you on any medication right now?

when we are sick, it can be difficult time psychologically. Hopefully you will find treatment that will bring you in full remission of symptoms. When in remission, we almost forget we have this disease and live happy! Do you take any medication right now?

I feel sorry you feel people around you are judgmental of your condition. Do these people know you now have a diagnosis of chronic inflammatory illness? Simply tell people you are under the care of GI specialist in a hospital for a chronic illness of the intestine.

as for foods. I invite you to take a look at IBD-AID diet which is in a link in my signature. Look for table 2, the authors mentions all the foods preferred for this diet.
wishing you well.

 

[Deanne]

Hi Amee Bree, I know when I was diagnosed I was so emotional, even if someone said the word ' Crohn's' I would burst out crying. My best advise to keep a food diary for your symptoms, it helped me.
I have had crohn's for about 4 years now, and I still get family and friends 'play down' my disease. Because they can't see anything, they think I must be faking it. At a family BBQ on Saturday night I asked my mum what the ingredients were in a dish she had made and my sister made a comment about me being 'fussy' and told me to just eat it. So even after 4 years my sister still doesn't seem to get it.
I have only told close people the whole story, the ones that will support you, the rest only tell them what you want them to know.
Medication, a healthy diet (different for everyone) and try and stay stress free - my motto and best suggestion for anyone. D