very new at this!!

very new at this!!

by Jenna
(Canada)

I am 20 years old and just found out 3 months ago that i have crohn's ..i am just really confused about this whole disease i feel like it is taking over my life, I have my good days and my bad days which is causeing me to take medical leave from work which we all know does not pay you very much. The doctor has me on immuran and i am not sure if it is working.Im just wondering if im causing it not to go in remission or if there is anyother medication i can take that really works for other people.The other question i wanted to ask was...what are the symtoms of mini flare ups and how bad do they have to get befor going to emergencey or contacting your doctor. It would be really nice to talk to somebody with crohns thats knows what i am talking about and knows what i am going through.

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very new at this!!

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Feb 06, 2010

New diagnosis
by: Della

Hi Jenna

I've only had Crohns for six years and am
fortunate to be in remission from diarrhea
for five years. It was slow starting with
different medications, but my doctor finally
put me on prednisone and also Imuran
(Azathioprine). Imuran is a powerful drug
and is one the worst immunosuppresant drugs
you can be on.

I have had three staph ear infections, an
abscessed tooth, multiple basil cell and
squamous cell skin cancers, plus two
melanomas. Granted I had many sun burns
when I was young and am fair skinned. My
dermatologist advised me last year that I
needed to have Imuran replaced with another
suppressant. Finally I am totally off after
a long period of reducing dosage as directed
by my GI doctor.

Imuran takes about five to six months to
really be effective. So give it time, but
just be aware of possible side effects.
Bless you Jenna.
Della

Mar 02, 2009

.
by: Anonymous

I've had it for about 10 years, I haven't been through nearly as much as the two posters before me. Bottom line, it effects everyone differently. Mess around with your diet, see what works, what doesn't, so on. Don't be afraid to try new things. I hear good things about probiotics. I picked up a bottle of that primal defense during my last flare up, I'm still getting over that and haven't started on them yet. As for contacting your doc, if it gets bad, make the call. That's what doc's are there for. As hard as it may be to believe, not all doctors are evil, even though what they do to you can be down right torture. They'd rather hear from you and catch any problems early, I assume everyone would want to catch it early with this stuff.

Jan 13, 2009

I know how you feel
by: Tod

I, unfortunately am an old pro. I have had Crohn's for 38 years and have probably been on every imaginable diet, treatment and therapy known to man and animal alike.
A flare up, to me, feels like a constant punch in the lower right side of my abdomen. Along with that, I never feel like i empty out completely when using the bathroom and never stop feeling the urgency to go. Sometimes it feels like the punch is being directed squarely in my midsection as well.
Now for the good news.
Two years ago I started Remicade infusions and I now feel better than I have felt since I was eleven( before I started having the symptoms).
i thank God for this amazing treatment( along with 6mp "Mercaptopurine) It truly has been a lifesaver for me!

Jan 12, 2009

not new at this
by: Dan

I've had crohns for 35 of my 40 years ,when my bowels stop moving and i have severe stomach cramps,I go to the emergency room,Ive had surgery 6 times so far.
I know how you feel.

Prednisone always worked wonders for me,
Immuran seemed to cause me some problems ,butI know others had better luck with it.

Dan

dhenry351@gmail.com

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very new at this!!

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