When were you diagnosed?

Wait a minute all you youngsters - I think I take the prize for being the oldest on this site with CD.  I'll be 71 in a month and was diagnosed after emergency surgery in 1993.  Like many others, I had symptoms for more than 10 years, but my doc said I had irritable bowel and too much stress.  Since then I found a new GI doc and a new reg. doc -  and over the years have taken Prednisone, Asacol, Pentasa, Remicade, Imuran etc.   Have had 3 surgeries and been hospitalized for strictures.  After my last hospitalization, my GI doc switched me to Humira and am tapering off all other meds.   Aside from too much gas and having to take Questran to control diarrhea, I feel pretty good.  Tried the SCD diet but found that too much fiber causes havoc with the bowel I have left after the surgeries.   I asked my GI dr. if I wasn't too old to have CD, but he said you're never too old to have it.   Anyway, I'm taking one day at a time, enjoying my kids, grandkids, and my cats and thanks to Humira I feel great right now.  I hope for the best for all you youngsters and let's hope someday there will be a cure for this dd.

I am a 32 yr old Mother of 4: daughter-16, daughter-12, son-4, son-2.....makes for a busy day everyday!

I was dx with UC in 2001 - I thought I had developed a serious allergy to food in general! I'm fortunate to control my symptoms through diet for the most part. Honestly, I don't remember not having tummy troubles. Stress, however is my worst enemy as I don't know how to control that.

My oldest daughter, has crohn's and was dx last sept. She has had quite a struggle and continues to. She is my main concern and I am desperate to help her!

My "job" is the most rewarding there is! It brings great joy but has it's moments of pure chaos! Especially with the lil guys!

Much love and laughter to you!

Hi! This is my 1st post!

I am 50+ and I have had crohn's for many years. I have had one surgery (jan2008). Name a medicine and I have been on it. Now I am predisone dependent but I may try Humira (one of few left to try)

I maintain a positive attitude and I try not to let crohn's dictate my life. Sounds easy but you all know it certainly is a struggle every day.

I no longer work outside my home, but I am fortunate to sit with my grandchild from time to time.

I love this site and I am so glad that I finally got up the nerve to share my story. Thank You Healing Well.

Hello,

I am 52 (this November) and have had crohns for almost 10 years.  If you read the fiorst line of all the responses it sound like we are all at an AA meeting. 

I was dx'd as UC for several years...things only got worse and after finally find a doctor that would include me in all decisions I was dx'd with crohns.

I was in the initial study of Tysabri (it only had a number, not a name when I first tried it).  It worked very well for me but then folks died while on it and the test was scrubbed.

I have had little to no response to any and all other drugs including Humira....my Doctor says remicade is next, but he thinks I only have about a 15 to 20% chance of that working for me.

Married for 28 plus years.  I could not have gotten through this with out the help of my wonderful wife and two wonderful and fully grown sons.  One just got married this last April...I performed the ceremony (while experiencing my first full blown blockage).  LOVE THIS DISEASE!!!!!

I live in the Tampa Bay area of Florida (GO RAYS!!!!!!) and work in Sales and Marketing.  I travel a lot for my job and when my wife and I vacation we do it in Costa Rica (more travel)

The worst part of this DD is not the 15 to 20 trips a day to the john...or the agony of holding and rushing to the bathroom in a strange town or airport....but...I am a trained chef....I love food, all food (except beets) and I have the weakest will power known to man...so much of my pain and agony I probably bring on myself.

But without a quality of life....there is no life....so I do what I can to enjoy life and this disease be darned!

Hello! I am 24 dx at 22 and I live in Wisconsin. I haven't had too many flares yet (I'm still pretty new) but I did get to have some abscess and fistula fun this year. I'm currently on asacol, pred, and entocort but have also tried sulfasalasize and 6mp (couldn't handle that one). Doc is talking about Humira now, but I'm resisting. I just recently visited a naturopathy doctor and am about to start an elimination diet. Fun!

I am 43 soon to be 44, how did that happen? Self diagnosed at 13, officially diagnosed at 23. My Mom had CD so I was pretty sure I knew what I was looking at, but the doctor basically thought I was crazy. I have led a pretty good life despite all the crap CD has thrown my way. My husband and I found out we were expecting just after I finished college, so I was only working part-time at a low stress job, (not the high stress job I went to college for, did I mention, she was a "surprise") when I was diagnosed and I continued to work and do volunteer work at my daughters schools. Now my daughters are both in college and I work one day a week at an office and 2 days a week watching a friends 1 year old. The other 2 days are reserved for doctors appointments, errands and me time. I have found that if I take care of "me" then everyone is happier. As far as the disease getting better or worse as I get older, I think it just throws more complications at me. My disease is actually quieter, but I more side issues. I have developed several allergies to medicines, joint issues, GERD, Osteoporosis (from the prednisone), Migraines, and just random stuff that seems to be harder to figure out for the doctors because there is the underlying issue of an auto immune disorder.i

And to hspenser, Go Sox

I'm 27...had problems since I was 17 but wasn't diagnosed with Crohn's until I was 25.  I'm in the middle of what is my third flare up since being diagnosed.  I do human resources.  I quit my last two HR jobs because the stress of what went on in those companies made me sick.  I like what I do in my current job and really like my boss, but don't like a lot of the other people.  Not sure if that is what is causing the current flare up or not.  I have definitely given up my old dream of being an HR Manager one day...I definitely do NOT want that stress and honestly don't even know if staying in HR is the best thing for me.