New to this forum

[rachey]

Hi guys,
Im new to this forum, thought id check it out.
I was dignosed with Crohns Disease at age 19 since December 2004, i have tryed many of drugs which didnt seem to work, i was on stereoids for over a year and a half as well as many other treatments, and finally when infliximab (remicade) was introduced started on this.
to begin with infliximab worked wonders for me, i was so pleased, i have now been on infliximab for over 7 years, and for the last 3 years iv noticed that the infliximab doesnt have the same effect it used to so had to start back on mercaptopurine with the infliximab, iv lost nearly 9 stone in weight in the last year.
recently i have been really ill with it, and have had conversations with my doctor about starting new treatment (humira) but they want to try aMethotrexate with the infliximab first to see weather that will help instead of my mercaptopurine.
everything seems to be a struggle, no treatment seems to work and keep me in remission, im very enimic and so tired all the time, im in pain most of the time, and have to have pain relief on a day to day basis, work is hard at the moment and have since developed depression.
would like to speak to people to lift my spirits, as sometimes you always feel like your alone, when your not.
i hope i can help some people and they can help me.

 

[nativesith]

Welcome.
You will find many helpful people here who will support you.
This is a great site, it has helped me a great deal.

 

[rachey]

thank you, just thought id check it out and see what happens, seen it a few times

 

[mccindy]

You have found a wonderful place! Everyone on here understands what you are going through, and will embrace you. I'm glad you reached out. There's nothing worse than suffering alone without emotional support. Welcome!

 

[lizbeth]

You are most definitely alone now . I'm glad you decided to check us out. I'm so sorry that you have been having these troubles and then to develop depression, well it must seem like the icing on the cake......not!!!

I am relatively new to Crohns, just 6 months diagnosed, and as yet have not been prescribed an effective treatment regime so everyday I have symptoms that vary from mild to very extreme, I'm still trying to work out what foods trigger symptoms too and have identified some so far. I also take pain relief everyday and quite a lot of it although I take it for multiple joint pains too. I haven't worked now for over 2 years due to other health issues and think it's amazing that people do manage to while coping with this illness, though I very much hope that I will return to work when I get treatment sorted.

I really hope that the change in medication puts you back into remission, it would be lovely for you to dump the pain killers, it's what I aspire to. I also hope that you do get a lift in your spirits, his forum has been a God send to me and I have met many wonderful people who just want to help others.
http://www.crohnsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=77 this is a link to the mental health sub-forum, it might be worth checking that out too as there will be people there also experiencing depression who can empathize with you. I hope this helps a little, please keep in touch.

Take care, big hugs and welcome to the forum. :ghug:

 

[staloffn]

I am in the same boat with you! Back in dec. I noticed a sudden change with the Remicade. they have increased my dose over my last three Tx's and now up to 800mg. the last time only lasted 2 weeks, and just had a tx this week which turned me around and feeling good quickly. been also on entocort a few weeks to help. but the anxiety of wonder if i only have 2 weeks of feeling good sucks. I'm trying to do as much fun stuff as i can but think the entocort is messing with my sleep leaving me tired... but wide awake. seem to sleep only 3 hrs in a row. these last 6 months have been an unpleasant reminder after yrs of remission. i feel your frustration. felt like i dealt with the pain and all better in the beginning when nothing brought any relief for yrs. now i think i must have been spoiled cause its been tough going back to feeling crummy and when my fistula returned it put me over the mental edge for sure. i'm thankful i'm getting a break for however long the remicade is going to last. hopefully the metho will help you out. or we can make the humira transition together.