I have been suffering with IBD symptoms for many years, my earliest memory of it was at the age if 18, I went to sit an exam at college and began violently throwing up with excruciating stomach pains. I was rushed to hospital =, given pain killers and that was the end of that. I constantly was in and out of the doctors only to be told that I was stressed and had IBS. Upon seeing one locum doctor and a doctor in A&E, both were convinced that I had IBD and sent letters to my GP who ignored them both and told me that IBS and IBD were the same thing. I eventually went off to university to study law, hoping that it really was stress and that the change of environment would help.
I ended up going from 10 stone 3 to 7 stone from September to December. I was so ill and anaemic that I ended up deferring my studies and returning home. Returning home was such a battle, I felt like a failure as I did not know what was wrong. My father accused me of not wanting to do anything with my life and I was severely depressed. I contemplated taking my life several times.
It wasn't until May 2015 that I eventually got to see a gastroenterologist. I had only just reached home for the appointment when he rang to tell me to pack a bag and come back to the hospital.
It was found that I had ascites (abnormal fluid build up in my abdomen) that had to be drained. My muscles were wasting away and I had multiple organ failure. I was six stone and placed on TPN for 24 hours.
I remained in hospital till the 23rd of July where I was transferred to St Marks Hospital for a double balloon enteroscopy to open up some of the strictures I had. It was there that I was diagnosed with Crohns.
Due to inflammation, the dilation was unsuccessful and I was immediately placed on steroids and Humira.
I was relieved for my diagnosis as it meant that this was not just "all in my head" I returned to university in September optimistic but ended up back in hospital in November and spent the rest of the term at home. Azathioprine was added to the mix but I then had to come off of it as it resulted in elevated liver function tests.
I enjoyed a lovely new years in The Netherlands and reluctantly visited my doctor on my return who advised that I return to the hospital. I spent a week in hospital and two weeks out before I was admitted again.
I was put on TPN once again. I was tachychardic and doctors could not find out why so decided to operate. I had a exploratory laparotomy on the 16th Feb (My 22nd birthday!!) and woke up to find two stomas.
I had 23 strictures from the jejunum down so the safest thing to do was to defunction me. I have 30cm of small bowel and a jejnuostomy. I also have an ileostomy that acts as a muccus fistula.
Due to the small length of bowel, I am on TPN 16 hours a day seven days a week, I also have additional saline every other day.
I had to leave university once more as I was told that I will need further surgery in September and I do not wish for it to interrupt my studies.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story and please feel free to ask any questions!
sending hugs
I ended up going from 10 stone 3 to 7 stone from September to December. I was so ill and anaemic that I ended up deferring my studies and returning home. Returning home was such a battle, I felt like a failure as I did not know what was wrong. My father accused me of not wanting to do anything with my life and I was severely depressed. I contemplated taking my life several times.
It wasn't until May 2015 that I eventually got to see a gastroenterologist. I had only just reached home for the appointment when he rang to tell me to pack a bag and come back to the hospital.
It was found that I had ascites (abnormal fluid build up in my abdomen) that had to be drained. My muscles were wasting away and I had multiple organ failure. I was six stone and placed on TPN for 24 hours.
I remained in hospital till the 23rd of July where I was transferred to St Marks Hospital for a double balloon enteroscopy to open up some of the strictures I had. It was there that I was diagnosed with Crohns.
Due to inflammation, the dilation was unsuccessful and I was immediately placed on steroids and Humira.
I was relieved for my diagnosis as it meant that this was not just "all in my head" I returned to university in September optimistic but ended up back in hospital in November and spent the rest of the term at home. Azathioprine was added to the mix but I then had to come off of it as it resulted in elevated liver function tests.
I enjoyed a lovely new years in The Netherlands and reluctantly visited my doctor on my return who advised that I return to the hospital. I spent a week in hospital and two weeks out before I was admitted again.
I was put on TPN once again. I was tachychardic and doctors could not find out why so decided to operate. I had a exploratory laparotomy on the 16th Feb (My 22nd birthday!!) and woke up to find two stomas.
I had 23 strictures from the jejunum down so the safest thing to do was to defunction me. I have 30cm of small bowel and a jejnuostomy. I also have an ileostomy that acts as a muccus fistula.
Due to the small length of bowel, I am on TPN 16 hours a day seven days a week, I also have additional saline every other day.
I had to leave university once more as I was told that I will need further surgery in September and I do not wish for it to interrupt my studies.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story and please feel free to ask any questions!
sending hugs