Well...as my daughter is fond of saying...time to stop being a "creeper" and give you my story. I'm not very good at things like this so please put up with me. I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in May 2013 and here's a summary of how I got to where I am today:
In Feb 2013 I was sick as I had not been before. After 2 days of major stomach pain and nausea I started to feel better but not great. Thought I had a bad case of flu/food poisoning. After several weeks of limping along I finally went to see a doctor. After blood tests and ultrasounds it was determined I had ovarian cysts and fibroid tumors and "free floating fluid" in my abdomen. Several more Dr. visits and tests...they decided to do surgery to reduce the cysts. About a week before said surgery I ended up in the ER with yet more pain and what was thought to be a bad appendix.
I woke up after surgery minus a healthy appendix and a lovely drain in place to drain an abscess. (Remember the "free floating fluid" never investigated?? ) Diagnosed with diverticulitis, several more ultrasounds, CT and CTE scans, Colonoscopy, X-rays and probably more tests I have forgotten about and moderate to severe Crohn's Disease was the official diagnosis.
Treatment tried:
*Entocort - Was I in for a price shock when I picked it up at the pharmacy and then it didn't work :eek2:
*4 months of Prednisone - my body really liked this, what a treat that was and so not worth the much needed shot of energy
Currently meds:
*Azathioprine 150 mgs daily
*Ranitadine 150mgs daily
*Omeprazole 20 mgs daily (yep, heartburn and stomach acid are good friends of mine)
Things are still not under control so B12 has been added. (30lb weight loss and a current weight of 109lbs are not impressing my doctors and I'm getting tired of shopping in the juniors department...I am long past wearing clothing with rainbows and glitter :ylol2 Remicade was prescribed a couple of weeks ago but my insurance has decided they apparently know better than my doctors and have denied it. They figure I haven't tried enough meds yet so they recommended Humira. After waiting yet again for the approval process for the medication they themselves suggested I am now "conditionally approved" for Humira.
So that's where I am at now. Many thanks to all for sharing your personal experiences and helping me to understand this disease in terms I can understand.
On a lighter note...I've noticed some here have a fondness for wine. My husband and I have been making wine at home for some years. Not only does it make my friends happy but it might keep a bit of my sanity after some of my experiences lately. :dance: :wine:
In Feb 2013 I was sick as I had not been before. After 2 days of major stomach pain and nausea I started to feel better but not great. Thought I had a bad case of flu/food poisoning. After several weeks of limping along I finally went to see a doctor. After blood tests and ultrasounds it was determined I had ovarian cysts and fibroid tumors and "free floating fluid" in my abdomen. Several more Dr. visits and tests...they decided to do surgery to reduce the cysts. About a week before said surgery I ended up in the ER with yet more pain and what was thought to be a bad appendix.
I woke up after surgery minus a healthy appendix and a lovely drain in place to drain an abscess. (Remember the "free floating fluid" never investigated?? ) Diagnosed with diverticulitis, several more ultrasounds, CT and CTE scans, Colonoscopy, X-rays and probably more tests I have forgotten about and moderate to severe Crohn's Disease was the official diagnosis.
Treatment tried:
*Entocort - Was I in for a price shock when I picked it up at the pharmacy and then it didn't work :eek2:
*4 months of Prednisone - my body really liked this, what a treat that was and so not worth the much needed shot of energy
Currently meds:
*Azathioprine 150 mgs daily
*Ranitadine 150mgs daily
*Omeprazole 20 mgs daily (yep, heartburn and stomach acid are good friends of mine)
Things are still not under control so B12 has been added. (30lb weight loss and a current weight of 109lbs are not impressing my doctors and I'm getting tired of shopping in the juniors department...I am long past wearing clothing with rainbows and glitter :ylol2 Remicade was prescribed a couple of weeks ago but my insurance has decided they apparently know better than my doctors and have denied it. They figure I haven't tried enough meds yet so they recommended Humira. After waiting yet again for the approval process for the medication they themselves suggested I am now "conditionally approved" for Humira.
So that's where I am at now. Many thanks to all for sharing your personal experiences and helping me to understand this disease in terms I can understand.
On a lighter note...I've noticed some here have a fondness for wine. My husband and I have been making wine at home for some years. Not only does it make my friends happy but it might keep a bit of my sanity after some of my experiences lately. :dance: :wine:
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