New

[tehandehness]

Well, you cannot imagine how glad I am to find this place.

I am 18, and I was diagnosed with Crohn's last year. Unfortunetly, I had been having symptoms since I was about 13, but my mother had decided that I was faking, or playing sick to get out of school, or being lazy. In the last year I've had two colonoscopies, a barium swallow, and I have my second capsual endoscopy next month (first one didn't work).

Even though I have a diagnosis now, though, the medications just aren't working. My mother doesn't understand why I cant work, but its because I have at least 2-3 bad days a week where I can barely make it to class, let alone work, and I am pretty sure that I would be fired right quick for missing 2-3 days a week. She has decided that I am just lazy. Oh well, not much I can do about that.

So right now its just playing with meds, finding what works, and learning to live with it I guess. As long as it doesn't get worse, I guess I can't complain.

Its nice to finally meet people who know what I have to deal with on a daily basis. Nice to meet you all!

-Ashley

 

[TammySue62]

HI ASHLEY
Welcome aboard.
Sorry to hear that you are so sad.
Things will get better for you on this forum.
Does your Mother not no what CD is?
Maybe you should have your Dr. explain this disease to her.
Better yet tell her to read some post about CD on this forum.
You dont explain much in your post.
Like what kind of meds are you on now?
What meds have you tried in the past?
Talk to your boss about your CD and explain how it is (a roller coster ride)a disease for life that you have your ups and downs never knowing from one day to the next day on how you will be feeling untill you wake up that day.
I dont no what most of your symptons are,because your post is quite short.
Keep on posting here there are many of people that will help you out and guide you along
Especially when your feeling down or blue come to the lounge and relax or if your angry and upset go to the vent section and let it all air out.We will listen.
Well I hope that I have helped you a bit.
Talk to you later.

 

[DanSJVDavis]

Yeah, your mom really needs to start doing some research into just what Crohn's is and what it does to the body. Sometimes it is hard for those who don't have the disease to relate, but anyone willing to learn about it usually becomes more tolerant of its effects on those who have it. We never asked for it and now that we have it, we just have to live the best life we can and not let it control our lives. I might recommend the True Guts DVD as a start http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=94702045
for anyone wanting to learn a little more about Crohn's and its effects on the sufferers. A lot more info can be found on the CCFA.org website. Knowledge is our best weapon against the illness, at least, as far as my own opinion goes. Learn all you can about your illness and you can teach others.

Far as work goes, if your employer is sympathetic to your problem there are alternatives to being fired. There are programs for people with chronic illnesses like FMLA that protects people with chronic illnesses from being fired. I used it while I was working at a hospital as a cashier. Basically it allowed me to take time off for my illness without fear of being written up or reprimanded. Check into it. I think there are some stipulations you have to meet, but it's worth looking into.

 

[tehandehness]

Thank you for the responses. I wasn't really sure how much information to put in my introduction post.

I can understand why she doesn't understand. She has been a diabetic for 21 years, so to her even the most debilitating things can be overcome with meds and a good diet. Those help, but Crohn's is a clever little bugger. She is finally starting to understand, but I am definetly going to have her come read up on this forum.

Tammy, as far as meds go, they started me on asacol which kind of worked for maybe three or four months. Then they put me on colzal, which never really worked, so I was prescribed Entocort on top of that. She also prescribed Hyoscyamine (I think...) for really bad cramping spells, which helps a little sometimes. One of the thing I hate the most is that even the best meds don't work all the time. Its unsettling.

I am definetly going to go talk to my boss. Its a private store, so I may be able to just do a day or two a week, just so that I become a total hermit and so I can take a little pressure off the parents.

I am going to go to the health food store where my aunt works now and see if she recommends anything, and try to pick up some multi-vitamins. I've also seen a lot of people talking about B-12 so I might look into that too.

-Ashley

 

[ruthymg]

Hi Ashley and welcome to the forum. I agree, your mum needs to read up a bit on crohns. I'm surprised she's not more sympathetic, especially with her already having an illness which requires looking after yourself. Try and get a little more info for her, she probably misunderstands the implications of having an illness like crohns. I hope you can get the support needed.


Ruth

 

[Nancy Lee]

Welcome

Hello Ashley and :welcome: to the fourm!
It's probably hard for your mom to understand what you're going through
when she has a disease of her own to cope with.
BUT she should become more informed about your disease as well,
so she can be more understanding.
Please have her browse thorough the forums here
and it should give her some insight into just what you are going through.
Warm welcoming hugs~Nancy

 

[Karen]

I am sure that you will have a great time here and you will also make plenty of new friends ... jump right in and have some fun !!