Hey guys and gals.
This disease sucks.
I was diagnosed six years ago when I was 18. Was at work one day and I was rushed to hospital because of big bad stomach pains, very painful bowel movements and D. My stools were tested, I had a colonoscopy, endoscopy, all the usual scans and I was eventually diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. It is very mild. That day at work was the only time I had stomach pain, even up until today. I went from 85kg of pure muscle to 60kg within two weeks. And now I struggle to get above 70.
The last five years have really knocked me to the ground. Emergency rooms, bathrooms, hospitals. I have been on all the steroids and pills and nothing has worked out for me. Three colonoscopies later I am very blessed that my condition is very mild. I have about about 20cm of Crohn's in my small intestine. It has only grown 7cm in 8 years. I very rarely have any pain in my stomach or any pain in general. My symptoms are usually just the D, fifteen bathroom visits a day, sore bottom, nausea, loss of appetite, depression anxiety and just recently mouth problems.
Taking the usual medication did my body no good. In fact it got so bad I had to have a blood transfusion in Feb 2011. The 6mp was preventing my body from making blood. Ever since then my doctor and I have decided to take a break from medication as it was doing more harm then good. And I could prepare for Remicade. I passed all the tests with flying colours but I was not sure I wanted to be on Remicade as I was scared of the side effects. So since February 2011 I have been completely drug free. And my blood tests were so good that my gastro kicked me out of his office. He said he could never tell I had Crohn's by looking at my bloods. The look on my mum's face was absolutely priceless. I will never forget it. They were so good that the Crohn's was practically gone. I felt great, my poos were great, I was eating great. I was loving life. Even my most recent blood test says my Crohn's activity is very low, perhaps even non existent.
Recently I started to develop the symptoms again. The D, the weak poos, no appetite, bloody stools,mucus, weight loss. This was when I found out my parents might be splitting up.
I'm stuck with these oral issues and I can't get away from them. Ulcers on my tongue, the roof of my mouth, all around the inside of my mouth, swollen lips, which get so dry they crack. Very sore throat, its hard to swallow, waking up with a thick white paste on my tongue every morning. It makes eating and drinking so painful to the extent that I don't. I brush and mouth wash twice every day. And it does not help at all. The mouth wash seems to help with the pain. But not for very long. I saw one dentist about them and he said it was my Crohn's. But I am getting a second opinion tomorrow. As it has gotten out of control.
I strongly believe that Crohn's disease is stress related.
As for the mouth ulcers I have no idea what to do about them. Neither does my gastro, and family doctor. They both think its Crohn's related, even though my latest blood test is showing very low Crohn's activity and that I'm very healthy. I am almost 85% sure my Crohn's is all stress related, as I only get sick when I am upset or worried. I'm hoping the mouth problems will go away and that they are just something as small as a vitamin defect.
At the end of the day I'm just glad that it is me going through this horrible disease instead of my two beautiful sisters. I thank god everyday that my condition isn't as severe as others. And I hope one day that they will be able to treat Crohn's effectively.
This disease sucks.
I was diagnosed six years ago when I was 18. Was at work one day and I was rushed to hospital because of big bad stomach pains, very painful bowel movements and D. My stools were tested, I had a colonoscopy, endoscopy, all the usual scans and I was eventually diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. It is very mild. That day at work was the only time I had stomach pain, even up until today. I went from 85kg of pure muscle to 60kg within two weeks. And now I struggle to get above 70.
The last five years have really knocked me to the ground. Emergency rooms, bathrooms, hospitals. I have been on all the steroids and pills and nothing has worked out for me. Three colonoscopies later I am very blessed that my condition is very mild. I have about about 20cm of Crohn's in my small intestine. It has only grown 7cm in 8 years. I very rarely have any pain in my stomach or any pain in general. My symptoms are usually just the D, fifteen bathroom visits a day, sore bottom, nausea, loss of appetite, depression anxiety and just recently mouth problems.
Taking the usual medication did my body no good. In fact it got so bad I had to have a blood transfusion in Feb 2011. The 6mp was preventing my body from making blood. Ever since then my doctor and I have decided to take a break from medication as it was doing more harm then good. And I could prepare for Remicade. I passed all the tests with flying colours but I was not sure I wanted to be on Remicade as I was scared of the side effects. So since February 2011 I have been completely drug free. And my blood tests were so good that my gastro kicked me out of his office. He said he could never tell I had Crohn's by looking at my bloods. The look on my mum's face was absolutely priceless. I will never forget it. They were so good that the Crohn's was practically gone. I felt great, my poos were great, I was eating great. I was loving life. Even my most recent blood test says my Crohn's activity is very low, perhaps even non existent.
Recently I started to develop the symptoms again. The D, the weak poos, no appetite, bloody stools,mucus, weight loss. This was when I found out my parents might be splitting up.
I'm stuck with these oral issues and I can't get away from them. Ulcers on my tongue, the roof of my mouth, all around the inside of my mouth, swollen lips, which get so dry they crack. Very sore throat, its hard to swallow, waking up with a thick white paste on my tongue every morning. It makes eating and drinking so painful to the extent that I don't. I brush and mouth wash twice every day. And it does not help at all. The mouth wash seems to help with the pain. But not for very long. I saw one dentist about them and he said it was my Crohn's. But I am getting a second opinion tomorrow. As it has gotten out of control.
I strongly believe that Crohn's disease is stress related.
As for the mouth ulcers I have no idea what to do about them. Neither does my gastro, and family doctor. They both think its Crohn's related, even though my latest blood test is showing very low Crohn's activity and that I'm very healthy. I am almost 85% sure my Crohn's is all stress related, as I only get sick when I am upset or worried. I'm hoping the mouth problems will go away and that they are just something as small as a vitamin defect.
At the end of the day I'm just glad that it is me going through this horrible disease instead of my two beautiful sisters. I thank god everyday that my condition isn't as severe as others. And I hope one day that they will be able to treat Crohn's effectively.
