Newbie

[KJONES]

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Katrina. I have been living with CD for about five years now. Well I was diagnosed five years ago. I think I have been living with it longer than that, not knowing exactly what it was. I was also told that I had IB. I had back surgery in 2007. Two weeks after having back surgery I was back in the hosptial because I had a small bowel obstruction. They removed part of my small bowel and that is when I was told I had CD. In 2009 I was back in the hosptial again, another small bowel obstruction. I am just gonna be honest, I didn't think CD was a disease that can take you through so many changes. Right now I am really feeling the pain. I am waiting to see my doctor, so I can get back on my meds. I haven't been on meds in awhile because, I have had so many other surgeries,(not related to CD) that I just kind of put CD on the back burner. I can see now it is not a back burner disease. I feel so tired all the time, sick on the stomach, I feel like something is in my eyes (like itchy). My body feels inflammed, like I have all this water under my skin. I have gained so much weight, my shoes don't fit anymore, cause my feet are swollen....i just feel ughghggg!!!!!! I have done alot of reading on CD, but it does not give me what I want to know, so I decided to join a forum. I need some advice on what I need to do. I want to know if anyone has ever felt the way I am feeling? I feel like I am going crazy!!! My body feels like it is turning on me. I need all the advice and help I can get at this point. I am so scared!!!!

I just want to thank anyone in advance for any advice that you give


Sincerely,


Katrina

 

[David]

Hi Katrina,

Goodness, you poor thing. I'm so sorry you're going through so much. But I'm glad you found your way here. Being scared is totally understandable and we're here for you! And yes, unfortunately, too many here have felt how you're feeling right now Alrighty, where to start... we need some more information.

1. When is your doctor's visit and is the doctor a GI?
2. How old are you?
3. What meds were you on and did they work for you?
4. What part of your intestines have been removed?
5. What were the other surgeries for?
6. Are you currently on any medications or supplements?
7. Can you elaborate on the "water under the skin" statement?
8. Are your eyes red or do you have any symptoms other than the itchiness?

Sorry for so many questions.

 

[glum chump]

Hi Katrina and welcome to the forum!

It seems like you've been through the wringer these last four or so years! Those bowel obstructions are HORRIBLE! You poor thing!

Feeling tired sounds oh-so familiar. Have you had your iron and Vitamin B12 levels checked? If you're low on either of those two, you might want to take an iron supplement and get started on B12 shots or pills. The swelling of the feet can often happen and are indicators of illness, although it can also be caused by other things like too much salt in your diet.

Are you taking any meds for Crohn's at the moment? You might want to talk to your doctor or your GI. With Crohn's, there's also stuff outside of the digestive system that goes wonky like joint pains, and eye troubles (iritis, etc.).

Look around the forum---I'm sure you'll find tons of useful info. If you have specific questions, feel free to post them for feedback!

Kismet

 

[mikeyarmo]

Welcome Katrina!

I am sorry to hear about all the issues you are dealing with currently.

You should be keep a symptoms log where you can document exactly what symptoms you are experiencing. This will help when you go to a doctor as it makes it easy to remember what you experienced and when (as all you need to do is read from your list/book!)

Look forward to seeing your response to David's questions and hope the forum will be of help for you!

 

[KJONES]

Hello,

I am back. I have had to go to the ER twice since I have become a newbie. I have been really sick on the stomach, and the feeling of another blockage coming on. The doc says evrything is ok, but I have gone through this several times. They don't find anything the first couple of times, while I just sit here and get worse, then finally "Oh you have a blockage". I am strong enough to say "Thank you" for all the concerns and posts.
@David are the answers to your questions.
1. When is your doctor's visit and is the doctor a GI? My next doctors visit is not until 10 November (which I think is to far away. I am calling the nurse everyday to get an earlier appointment. We are playing phone tag. I am going to make a face-to-face visit tomorrow). My doctor is a GI doctor.
2. How old are you? (I am 37)
3. What meds were you on and did they work for you? (I am not currently taking any meds. Waiting to see the doc so he can get me back on meds)
4. What part of your intestines have been removed? (small bowel was removed)
5. What were the other surgeries for? (My other surgeries have been 3 brain surgeries. They started last year November. I went in for a headache. An hour later the doc came in and said that I had a cyst on my brain that needed to be removed. Went back to work in Feb. March I was back in the hospital, because of fluid on the brain. They started with a temporary shunt to see if it was going to work, then ended up putting in a permanent shunt. So I will live with a shunt on my brain for the rest of my life. I have had neck surgery, back surgery, appendectomy, reserection of the small bowel, partial hysterectomy. Also in April of this year I had to have a tumor removed from my para-thyroid)
6. Are you currently on any medications or supplements? (Not on any meds or supplements)
7. Can you elaborate on the "water under the skin" statement? (I think I just feel bloated, maybe from the inflammation. Maybe?)
8. Are your eyes red or do you have any symptoms other than the itchiness?(My eyes are red, and feel like something is in them)

Well I think this answers them. You can ask all the questions you want. I want answers! I hate living like this. I feel trapped.

Katrina

 

[David]

Hi Katrina,

Wow, that's terrible. *hugs* to you my dear.

I agree 100% that November is way too far away. Going in tomorrow for face to face is a great idea.

Do you by chance know what part of your small bowel was removed? Terminal ileum? Ileum? Jejunum?

If I was in your position, I would probably start on a high quality multivitamin, B complex vitamin, fish oil, and vitamin b12. Just me of course, but I think that could help a bit including your eye inflammation. And yes, it does sound like your eye is inflamed. We talk about that a lot here if you want to read some other stories and ideas. For other dietary and supplement ideas, you may want to read through our diet and supplements forum.

Hang in there hon. We're here for you. *hugs*

 

[Jennjenn]

Hi welcome

I hope that things start to improve for you. Wow you have been through so much. I feel so bad. I would definitely keep on with trying to get an earlier appointment. With your health history especially they should get you in as soon as they can if you are not feeling well. I am lucky in the fact that my specialist is very understanding and takes me in asap if I am not feeling well. Last Friday I called in the morning and said I was really not well and I was in by 1:30 in the afternoon. Maybe not just a GI but you need a specialist for Crohns so that they can be more empathetic to the situation.
I hope things get better for you and that you feel well soon.

 

[doctor's mom]

Hi Katrina,

Wow, that's terrible. *hugs* to you my dear.

I agree 100% that November is way too far away. Going in tomorrow for face to face is a great idea.

Do you by chance know what part of your small bowel was removed? Terminal ileum? Ileum? Jejunum?

If I was in your position, I would probably start on a high quality multivitamin, B complex vitamin, fish oil, and vitamin b12. Just me of course, but I think that could help a bit including your eye inflammation. And yes, it does sound like your eye is inflamed. We talk about that a lot here if you want to read some other stories and ideas. For other dietary and supplement ideas, you may want to read through our diet and supplements forum.m

Hang in there hon. We're here for you. *hugs*

my 2 cents: due to having a small bowel obstruction twice in relatively short time (2007 and 2009) I'd ask the GI about immunosuppressants. With so many surgeries in the past it's imperative to prevent a possibility of another one and maintain a remission.