Newbie :)

[memphiscrohnie]

Hi everyone! My name is Rachael; I'm new to joining this site...but certainly not new to Crohn's! I began having symptoms (stomach pain, going to the bathroom all the time, super tired all the time) when I was 15 (2004). I went to a billion doctors (well, you know it feels that way) who had no idea what I had. When I visited my pediatrician for the last time, after he told my parents that I was anorexic, which infuriated me, he referred us to a pediatric GI. My GI doc literally took one look at me and said, "Does Crohn's run in your family? I've read your chart, and of course I will do tests to confirm, but that's what I think you have." Brilliant man. So my official diagnosis date is July 5, 2005. I was put on prednisone and imuran, but soon developed a fistula and was also put on Remicade.

I have only had a few flare ups from 2005-2010. However, the past year and a half have been really hard. First, I developed a small bowel obstruction in Nov. 2010. Then an abscess in February, and we all know how fun those can be! Spent 3 weeks in the hospital in August 2011 because my obstruction was acting up again. Since I left the hospital in August, I was feeling GREAT!

Until January, when I started seeing double. My optometrist told me it would correct itself. It did not. So in April, I was at a regular doctor's appointment and she noticed my vision. She did an MRI and noticed swelling in my brain. So, she admitted me to the hospital for more tests and they think I have a fungal infection called Histoplasmosis. I started treatment for that (a horrid IV medicine with lovely side effects) on April 14. So I am currently writing everyone from a wonderful hospital bed. Till the end of June. ACK!

I decided to join this forum because you seem to care about each other and it's hard to find other chronie's to talk to. People without Crohn's sometimes just don't get it.

-Rachael

PS Sorry if this is too long! I left out a lot

 

[Clash]

Welcome! So sorry for all you are going through. I'm fairly new to the form as my ds was diagnosed in Feb. he was/is 15 at time of diagnosis and we are doing the loading doses of remi now. I truly hope the antibiotics get you sorted out! I'll be sending good thoughts and prayers your way! I'm sure someone with more experiences will come along with great words of wisdom and advice!

 

[David]

Hi Rachael and welcome I'm so glad you joined. From our [wiki]Remicade[/wiki] wiki entry:

Patients receiving Remicade that have visited- or reside in certain areas (Ohio, Mississippi River Valleys, or Southwest United States) may be at increased risk for invasive fungal pathogens, including Histoplasmosis (Histoplasma capsulatum)[6], Coccidioidomycosis (Valley Fever)[8], and Blastomycosis[9]. In some cases, patients and physicians were unaware of this increased risk and antifungal treatment was delayed

I'm sorry you're going to be in the hospital until June though

Again, welcome! I'm so glad you joined. We're here for you anytime.

 

[Angrybird]

Hello Rachael and welcome to the forum, I am sorry to see that you are stuck in hospital intil June :eek2: Just know we are here for you for any info and support you need.

AB
xx