Recently hospitalized for the first time

[housemouse]

Hi everyone,
I have only posted on here a couple of times but a little back ground info: diagnosis confirmed a month ago as Crohn's Disease (after going 4 years un-0medicated and without symptoms).
I've been having abdominal pain on and off for more than a month now but my GI physician said it was to expected and he was treating my Crohn's with 1000mg of Pentasa 4x a day.
Well on Thursday of last week I was experiencing the worst pain I've ever along with nausea and vomiting. I went to the ER early Friday morning and was admitted to the hospital after my CT scan showed a small bowel obstruction, and abnormal fluid in the abdomen.
I spent most of the weekend with an NG tube and hooked up to an IV because I was NPO. I was treated with antibiotics and on Monday my CT scan showed reduced swelling and the obstruction was cleared.
Needless to say I was (and sometimes still am) terrified. I have never been hospitalized before for anything and everything that had happened recently has made me begin to really realize the full potential of this disease and how I have to deal with this for freakin' ever.
Basically I am feeling pretty sorry for myself and annoyed and angry.

I am also trying to finish my last semester of my BA and considering to apply to graduate school. However, with everything going on recently I haven't even really had the chance to look at graduate programs/schools. Beginning to think graduate school isn't for me (not because of Crohn's alone, but many reasons are adding up to make me think this, the recent Crohn's issue is making it easier to give up).

Sorry if I am writing too much, I just need to let it out.

 

[mickey]

take one day at time, improve your health by making sure you get exercise, eat and drink right and reduce stress. Be good to yourself...you wll make it work.

 

[Chad K]

Don't feel sorry for yourself. I've been in the hospital several times and had to have surgeries done, and at one point a colostomy bag. It's not fun, and I hate the NG tube. I feel like a much stronger person for having gone through what I have had to go through. The best thing is to have friends and family that are there for you. Pentasa didn't seem to do anything for me, you might want to look into another medication. I am now on Humira which works great. Be strong and take it one day at a time. Trust me, things will get better. It's really hard to stay positive in times like this, but try to stay positive and you will get through it. Best of luck and be proud of yourself for being able to put up with such a crappy and painful disease.

 

[lola99]

The best advice I can give is to keep faith. When i was sick i just felt depressed and sorry for myself that i had to live like "this" for the rest of my life. But i have finally gotten to a point were i am not having pain anymore and my mental state is alot better. I see things alot clearer when im not sick. When im sick i just feel sorry for my self and cry all the time. I do realize that i will have to deal with the ups and downs for the rest of my life. But now that im feeling better i do realize that,There are medications/surgeries that will let you or I have a life that is worth living. I try to live in the present and think positively but don't get me wrong its tough. I think i've cried a gallon in the last year and half lol.

 

[sickofcrohns]

In addition to all the other good advice that other posters mentioned, don't give up on grad school! It's much easier to control your schedule and rearrange things around flares and specialist appointments when you are in grad school than in undergrad. Many universities also have support for students with disabilities, and you can look into those services as well -- including now -- to see if they can help change schedules for you if you get sick, etc. If you want to pursue a career that requires a graduate degree, go for it. You will be able to do it.