C
Charlie
Guest
Hey all.
I'm a 28 year old Londoner, who was diagnosed 10 and bit years ago. Like many others, the first few years were the worst for me. Several bouts of medication that never seemed to do the trick, feeling awful all the time, losing more than 25kg in weight (am a big chap) and all the other fun and games.
I struggled to finish my A-Levels, had to pull out of some of the end sittings, and took 5 years to get a 3 year degree. Crohn's and exams just don't mix! Through those first 3 years I was pretty down, looked like I was going to flunk out of uni, have nowhere to go, and the disease was getting worse. Plus I couldn't handle any more pred and the sleepless nights it gave me.
After a while I decided to ditch the drugs and alot of the advice my doc was giving me. I stopped taking most meds, tried to eat healthy but not limit myself too much, and got back into the gym. I found another university closer to home, closer to the toilet, it seemed to the trick, and I finished my degree!!!
These days, 7 years later, things are alot better for me. I get the odd flare up, and blood loss is always there to some degree or another. If the pain is not crippling, I just get on with things. I have a Masters and PhD now, and just got a new job and am going to relocate to Holland. The early years of the disease have left their mark. I have early signs of osteoporosis and have been for a few bone density scans due to the high amount of fractures I have experienced, especially in my hands. It doesn't help that I continue to play cricket and guitar, but I'll keep doing both those things until I cant anymore. I really believe it was mind over matter that helped pull me out, as well as some good books and computer games!
Anyway, I've not really known anyone else personally with the disease, although I have good friends who understand it, but it's always nice to share things with others that have been there.
I'm a 28 year old Londoner, who was diagnosed 10 and bit years ago. Like many others, the first few years were the worst for me. Several bouts of medication that never seemed to do the trick, feeling awful all the time, losing more than 25kg in weight (am a big chap) and all the other fun and games.
I struggled to finish my A-Levels, had to pull out of some of the end sittings, and took 5 years to get a 3 year degree. Crohn's and exams just don't mix! Through those first 3 years I was pretty down, looked like I was going to flunk out of uni, have nowhere to go, and the disease was getting worse. Plus I couldn't handle any more pred and the sleepless nights it gave me.
After a while I decided to ditch the drugs and alot of the advice my doc was giving me. I stopped taking most meds, tried to eat healthy but not limit myself too much, and got back into the gym. I found another university closer to home, closer to the toilet, it seemed to the trick, and I finished my degree!!!
These days, 7 years later, things are alot better for me. I get the odd flare up, and blood loss is always there to some degree or another. If the pain is not crippling, I just get on with things. I have a Masters and PhD now, and just got a new job and am going to relocate to Holland. The early years of the disease have left their mark. I have early signs of osteoporosis and have been for a few bone density scans due to the high amount of fractures I have experienced, especially in my hands. It doesn't help that I continue to play cricket and guitar, but I'll keep doing both those things until I cant anymore. I really believe it was mind over matter that helped pull me out, as well as some good books and computer games!
Anyway, I've not really known anyone else personally with the disease, although I have good friends who understand it, but it's always nice to share things with others that have been there.
