The Life and Times of EcoGeek

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EcoGeek

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Hey,

I have been recently diagnosed with Crohn's. After the initial shock, I started reading about the disease, and it all makes sense now.

I started losing weight around May 2005. I didn't really think too much of it, because of my new active lifestyle. I was walking a lot more, and eating healthier. I dropped 40 pounds between that Mat and September. I didn't realize I had lost so much weight until I was in the GAP changeroom trying on a new pair of jeans. I pulled them up, and fell right back down again. Also during this time, I was becoming irritated with my buttocks, but didn't really think twice about it.

Next was last summer, I was in the middle of the bush with no running water, and no electricity for 4 months for Fleming College's Sustainable Building Design and Construction Course. It was AMAZING! Cut off from mass junk media, and the sorts, but I digress... During this, I was living with all my classmates in our own little community. We had a vegan cook, but they had no problem with cooking meat. I am a huge meat eater, so switching my diet to more of plant based foods, and little meat was an interesting challenge. Again, I lost some weight, and was having diarrhea every now and then. And again, I didn't really think about it. I attributed the weight loss and the runs to my new diet, and construction labour.

I have gone from being 220lbs (before Summer 2005) to around 150lbs.

Fast forward to the holiday season. I started experiencing abdominal pain like never before. It would last for only a couple of minutes, and usually included cold sweats. I didn't think much of it, until the 29th of December, when I had a pain in the lower abominal/upper pelvic area, that just would not go away. I went to work anyways. I felt weak the whole time, and decided to leave early. On my way home, I finally decided to go to the hospital to figure out what was wrong. They did and examination, including making me jump up and down with this pain, then asked me if it still hurt. "No, I'm making it up Doc, Of course it f****** hurts you fool!" is what ran through my head at this point, but didn't say it and just answered yes.

Then, I'm sitting waiting for my bloodwork to come back, and getting tired of waiting, 1.5hrs at this point, was supposed to have it back aournd 45min-1hr. I go talk to the nurse, and she says that I'm booked for a CT Scan. Now I start to worry, out of the blue, this scan comes up. They do the scan, and about another hour passes before I find out from the ER Doctor that I have either Crohn's or Colitis. He then refers me to a Gastroendologist.

I go to the appointment set out, and the doctor says that he is almost certain it is Crohn's. And does an initial exam there (there's a first for everything, just a little uncomfortable, haha), and books my colonoscopy.

Prep for the colonoscopy...definitely not fun. I ended up having to do 4L of Colyte. The first litre went down like a breeze. The 2nd litre was a little tougher. I start the 3rd Litre, and my body starts gagging. I ended up throwing up. At this point, I was really worried. I had never had an colonoscopy before, and was worried about the prep. So, I started making phone calls, Telehealth Ontario, the hospital, the doctors office. After being reassured that I should be ok, and that I didn't have to take any more, I relaxed a little.

The colonoscopy went by really fast. It was actually really coll to watch the scope on a big screen as it went through. Boy, was the inflamed area not pretty. After the procedure, I was given a prescription, and asked how much it was going to be. The doctor told me $80US/month. So I figured around $180CDN for my first dose, seeing it was for two months. I'm still pretty easy going after all is said and done, as I know there are people in the world suffering a lot more than I am. Shock of having the decease hadn't set in yet, until I got to the pharmacy. I was handed the Pentasa, and was asked for $350. I started laughing hysterically.
Now, I was worried. That's a lot of dough. I have no coverage myself, and am too old to be covered under my parent's.

I am not too worried about it now. I am paying the $175/month for it, until my followup with the doctor, when I can talk to him more about it. I also, have a followup CT scan booked in the beginning of March, where I have to drink some radioactive liquid. I have always been a treehugger. I guess now I will be green, inside and out. Let's just hope I don't pull a Bruce Banner.

I have now been taking Pentasa for a month. It has been a learning curve to what I can and can't eat. I have to say that since being on the drug, life has been easier. No sudden running for the closest washroom 3-4 times a day.

I guess that is it for now, I will post updates as they happen,

See you on the flipside,

Kiel
 
Welcome

Hello Kiel..
I just wanted to say welcome to the forum!
Hope we see more posts from you.

Nancy:)
 
Welcome Kiel from another Ontario resident! I am glad that you find life easier with the treatment you are taking, and I hope things continue to work out for you. You should ask you doctor about getting the medication at a reduced price, as sometimes the hospital/government have special programs that allow people who are not insured to get treatment at a reduced cost. I remember with Remicade whenever I was being told about the possibility of taking it the doctor said "No matter what you can or can't afford, we make sure that everyone who needs it, gets it".
 
From one tree hugger to the next, the radioactive barium & GI series isn't that bad. Mine took 6 hours but it's painless compared to the colonoscopy. Also-- if you thought the colonoscopy was cool, wait until you see that radioactive s*** moving through your GI! Awesome. LOL. Glad we can all talk about these experiences together ;)
 

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