Stressed newbie.

[Ness1993]

Hi im new to the forum
I am 21 and was diagnosed with colitis about 3 weeks ago and finding it a bit scary. To see a specialist i have to travel 200 miles. Its been a very long journey as it took 4 years to find out what was wrong. Just looking for some advice and stories of it getting easier.

Does anybody have any advice for sleeping? Only getting a few hours sleep due to back and stomach pain.

 

[theOcean]

Welcome to the forum! I know that getting a diagnosis is a bit scary, but our illness is at least treatable and people on this forum are always willing to give advice and share their experiences. So you're not alone.

We have a success story section you might be interested in looking at! I've also been in remission finally for the past year and been feeling excellent, even after being diagnosed with severe Crohn's disease and suffering for awhile -- so you will get better, and hopefully find a treatment that works for you. I've been doing so well that it really doesn't feel like I have an illness anymore, other than the fact that I take medication.

 

[Ness1993]

Thank you

I have been on pentasa since been diagnosed but feel i am getting worse. I was then given prednisone for a week (6 tablets a day). Did it take you a while to find the right medication?
Also i have been suffering with really bad indigestion for years and was given omeprazole. Just wondering if steriods can make this worse? Sorry i am asking 101 questions :lol:

 

[Orchid]

Indigestion is one of the few things I wouldn't accuse Prednisone of doing, but it could be why you're feeling worse. The side effect list is quite long and ghastly, but it's one of the best drugs for getting you into remission.

 

[theOcean]

Thank you

I have been on pentasa since been diagnosed but feel i am getting worse. I was then given prednisone for a week (6 tablets a day). Did it take you a while to find the right medication?
Also i have been suffering with really bad indigestion for years and was given omeprazole. Just wondering if steriods can make this worse? Sorry i am asking 101 questions :lol:

I was originally put on Pentasa, but it turned out it wasn't actually effective for me because my Crohn's was so severe. See how you do on prednisone, and if you feel you get worse again when you are off of it, then talk to your GI about trying stronger medication. They will likely try to put you on an immunosuppressant like Imuran, 6mp or Methotrexate. If that still doesn't help, then you may want to consider a biologic, like Remicade or Humira, which has worked very well for many members on this forum. (I'm on Humira, myself!)

Also agreed with Orchid: I don't think that prednisone is likely to make your indigestion worse.

 

[FrozenGirl]

Welcome! I had really bad indigestion and acid reflux for a while and was on pantoprazol. I found I had to learn to sleep basically sitting up otherwise my stomach was not happy.

 

[CrohnsNewbie2]

Hi Ness! Yeah I've been getting a lot of pain and its been very uncomfortable to sleep. My doctor suggested if I was going to take anything for pain to try Tylenol however I have been using a heating pad only for a few minutes though. It helps a little. I also hear that using an ice pack is good too. I hope you feel better soon!