Newly diagnosed CD

[stacey128]

Hi Everyone,

I was just diagnosed with moderate CD of the large and small intesting last month after 6 long years of feeling awful. I am so happy to have a diagnosis, but feel like a new kid on the block. I began Asacol 3 weeks ago (4 pills 3x/day) with dietary changes (no raw vegetables/fruits, or dairy), which seemed to be helpful. However, I was still experiencing discomfort so I decided to nix the Asacol and begin Entocort today (3 pills in the morning).

I am so sick of feeling sick. I am also scared about the side effects of these meds and if I have to continue taking them for the rest of my life

Very glad to have found this support forum. Any feedback would be appreciated!

Stacey

 

[Earnellzwifey]

Hi Stacey128 and welcome to the forum. I am glad that the dietary changes have helped but you are still not getting good results from your medications. Many of the medications for Crohn's does have some bad side effects but you can read some experiences of people that have taken it and had a good result as well. Here is a link to that sub-forum http://www.crohnsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=80.

As far as if you have to stay on the meds or not depends on how your body responds to the treatment. The goal is remission and their are many that have obtained it and are no longer taking medication, but on the other side their are some that have not found the goal of remission and have been on medications for many years. I hope that you will be one of the people that find remission and stay there.

This is a great place to get many answers to how to live with Crohn's. If you have any other questions please do not hesitate to ask.

 

[David]

Hi there Stacey and welcome to the community. I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis but I understand that you're glad to finally have it.

Other than the inflammation in your intestines, do you have any symptoms?

If I had one piece of advice, it would be to learn everything you can about this disease. You will find over time that you're going to have to advocate for yourself and the more educated you are, the better this will go. We're here to help you every step of the way.

Again, welcome.

 

[afidz]

Hi Stacey
Its kind of bittersweet news when you finally get diagnosed. 6 years is a long time to go undiagnosed, glad you found answers
What are your doctors plans?
Its great to hear that diet change has helped, I know thats something that I always struggled with in the beginning. ( I have no self control) Since you are in the beginning of your diagnosis it might be beneficial to keep a food diary and see what foods truly upset you. Every one is different and we can all handle or not handle different foods, so its kind of up to you to see how to adjust your diet. Seeing a nutritionist might also be a good starting point. I know you said your diet changed has worked, I am just giving ideas on how to optimize it. Hope you start feeling better soon!

 

[stacey128]

Thank you everyone for the welcome! Earnellzwifey: Thanks for the link. Any and all information available I'm open to looking over. David: I had a few ulcers, 2 polyps (one was precancerous), and small ulcerations, lesions/erosion, and inflammation everywhere. All it took was a colonoscopy for a doc to finally see that this wasn't IBS..

Afidz: Thanks for the advice! What foods have bothered you?

To all: Have you or anyone you know of found success with Entocort?

Thanks

 

[stacey128]

Oh, David, my symptoms include horrible stomach aches, gas, and bloating (lovely, I know) that seem to worsen as the day goes on.

 

[afidz]

When I was flaring things high in acid really bothered me, um things that had a lot of spices, caffeine (hot coffee still bothers me). Nuts and seeds are pretty much bad for anyone, they can get stuck in ulcers you may have. All vegetables whether cooked or not bothered me. I pretty much just stuck to a soft diet.