steph's story
Some of the things I have read about crohn's sound absolutly terrifying. you really have to love and listen to your body - is what i have learned so far. I am 26 and was diagnosed dec 05. he said it with a smile and told me to avoid milk, spices and anything acidic and gave me an rx for asacol. i had no idea what it was about or how long i would be taking meds for. i actually thanked him with a smile - not knowing what i was in for
I had abdominal pain and occational bleeding for 2 months before - my gp thought it was colitis. before my colonoscopy i was convinced i was "normal".
In the summer i got occational abdominal pains, but just took lots of malox which did nothing. i thought i was getting healthier - going to the gym, eating right (like normal ppl) and such. to throw it all out the window was hard - when i finally just started my routine. I hiked the westcoast trail at the begining of september and got sever knee pain, so i took tons of ibprophen (which i now know is a no-no for ibd) - the hike was awesome by the way and i would do it again.
i havn't had some of the symptoms that most ppl with crohn's talk about. i get a lot of inflammation in my joints and rectal discomfort. I had an abcess which they thought was related to the disease so after taking a total of 6wks of cipro and flagyl - and it not healing - the surgeon said i was taking the wrong kind of antibiotic. the best part - he could tell by the location!!!
So - i have just started seeing an accupuncturist and will be seeing a natropath soon for food sensitivity tests. after seeing the accupuncturist i feel alive, like i have never felt before. truely amazing. i must say i do not have much faith in conventional dr's. my gi seems to tell me the same story everytime i see him - the course of tx depending on the course of the disease. my gp is good to talk with and helps to what he can. the surgeon is just there - waiting i guess
having crohn's has changed me. it has taught me to love my body. there was an intimate moment, a week after diagnoses, i was pretty lost looking. after a bath i sat in front of the wall mirror and just caressed every part of me. suddenly it isn't about being the "perfect" girl - but really taking care of yourself.
anyways, this is my story. i didn't expect to ramble on so much. things just kept coming to mind. it's a rough ride, but when the sun is beaming - i soak it in.
Cheers, Steph
Some of the things I have read about crohn's sound absolutly terrifying. you really have to love and listen to your body - is what i have learned so far. I am 26 and was diagnosed dec 05. he said it with a smile and told me to avoid milk, spices and anything acidic and gave me an rx for asacol. i had no idea what it was about or how long i would be taking meds for. i actually thanked him with a smile - not knowing what i was in for
I had abdominal pain and occational bleeding for 2 months before - my gp thought it was colitis. before my colonoscopy i was convinced i was "normal".
In the summer i got occational abdominal pains, but just took lots of malox which did nothing. i thought i was getting healthier - going to the gym, eating right (like normal ppl) and such. to throw it all out the window was hard - when i finally just started my routine. I hiked the westcoast trail at the begining of september and got sever knee pain, so i took tons of ibprophen (which i now know is a no-no for ibd) - the hike was awesome by the way and i would do it again.
i havn't had some of the symptoms that most ppl with crohn's talk about. i get a lot of inflammation in my joints and rectal discomfort. I had an abcess which they thought was related to the disease so after taking a total of 6wks of cipro and flagyl - and it not healing - the surgeon said i was taking the wrong kind of antibiotic. the best part - he could tell by the location!!!
So - i have just started seeing an accupuncturist and will be seeing a natropath soon for food sensitivity tests. after seeing the accupuncturist i feel alive, like i have never felt before. truely amazing. i must say i do not have much faith in conventional dr's. my gi seems to tell me the same story everytime i see him - the course of tx depending on the course of the disease. my gp is good to talk with and helps to what he can. the surgeon is just there - waiting i guess
having crohn's has changed me. it has taught me to love my body. there was an intimate moment, a week after diagnoses, i was pretty lost looking. after a bath i sat in front of the wall mirror and just caressed every part of me. suddenly it isn't about being the "perfect" girl - but really taking care of yourself.
anyways, this is my story. i didn't expect to ramble on so much. things just kept coming to mind. it's a rough ride, but when the sun is beaming - i soak it in.
Cheers, Steph
