New here, and I need to blow off steam!

Hey britt and welcome to Healingwell. Sorry you are having to join our club though:) Many of us suffer with some IBS along with our Crohns. I also developed anxiety related to my Crohns after having the disease for over 30 years.

What really helped me was to figure out what foods bothered me and which ones didn't and avoiding the ones that gave me problems. I now live on a modified low residue diet, and it works great for me. Also, once I figured out that I was suffering with anxiety and dealt with it thru therapy and the occasional Xanax, I have been able to stop the anxiety in its tracks. I don't have that many bad days anymore. I can remember times that I would be down for 3-5 days at least 4-5 times a year. But because of the changes I made, I no longer have them.

Hope I was able to help a little.

Hugs
Gail *Nanners*

One of the reasons we have avoided surgery is because loss of the ileocecal valve can cause diarrhea.

Thanks so much everyone! lamb61- I have definitely made a list! It seems to get longer everyday, as I am continuing my research about CD. I have an appt. next week, so I am prepared to ask a lot of questions. Thanks again!

britt1449 said...
I am a 24 year old who's been living w/Crohn's since 1994.  My disease has been managable until my third trimester of pregnancy over 2 years ago.  I started experiencing intense abdominal pains and ended up having a resection about a month and a half after giving birth.  I had 4 fistulas and an abscess, resulting in an ileocecotomy.  This was May 2007, and I have not been "myself" since.  I lost a lot of weight, and have not been able to get back to my pre-surgery, pre-pregnancy weight. I am 5'7" and about 112 lbs., but my ideal "normal" weight is about 122 lbs.  I may gain a couple of pounds and then have a bad day with a lot of restroom-runs, and lose those couple of pounds.  I have been through just about every type of medications there are out there with the exception of clinical studies. 

There are many things medical doc's fail to explain to patients (they just don't spend the time to really know you and inform you).  I found a great doc, but he doesn't listen like he should.  I've been on Humira since November 2008, with no real change in my symptoms.  First of all, I started seeing an herbalist/PA who started me on a diet similar to the SCD diet along w/various herbs/supplements, and it's been somewhat helpful. Well, he informed me that since I had my ileum and part of my secum removed, that I no longer have an ileocecal valve (I didn't even know what that was!) and that this valve plays a very important part of the function of your bowels.  So, although my GI just assumes I'm in a flare when I'm not doing 100%, I attribute it to this problem, or the possibility of having IBS AND Crohn's... anyone have these issues?  Also, I have extreme low back pain and muscle and joint pain in my legs.  My symptoms always get worse when I'm on my period... ugh, like it's not bad enough!  And I have been dealing w/anxiety & depression since the surgery almost 2 yrs ago.  I started Zoloft approx. 2 months ago, and felt much better (another link to IBS) but a few weeks later, started becoming more depressed.  I guess I need to adjust my dosage.  My husband and I would like to have another child, but I cannot seem to get my symptoms in check and gain some weight, so I don't even know if it's possible.  This makes me feel hopeless, thus increasing my depression symptoms. :(  It's wierd, because I will have one day where I feel really good, and I don't go to the RR once, then the next day I may go once or twice, then the next I go like 4-5 times!! This seems very different than a "flare".  That's why I'm wondering about IBS, etc.

I would appreciate any and all advice or words of encouragement. Thanks, and I'm glad to have found this outlet!

Hey Britt your having a hard time but you have been blessed with 1 child and thats great i dont know alot about IBS i have crohns disease for 17 years now and been tring to have babies since the past 12 years and still tring ,tring wont kill us will it but no luck i guess my body just isnt well enough to have babies and i am fine with that i have 2 step kids but its never the same as your own.I am on Humira now for my disease and not having alot of luck but i am hopefull someday something will turn around.By the way i go like that to sometimes i run to the bathroom non stop some days are better than others maybe your having an of day see what your doctor thinks or is he useless like mine.Good Luck Britt Your Bowel Buddy Jenn

Welcome to the forum this is the best place ever :)

I think depression is something a lot of us are going through these days :(
I have been feeling really blue myself I am usually a very happy person.

I am also 24 and waiting for my crohn's to go to "sleep" so i can have my first baby, and having to wait for something that you have no idea on how long you have to wait for is really hard. I also have endometriosis. But i try just to make the most of the time i have while i am still "free" hehe..
We are both young so we have good time i hope.


Hope you feel better soon.

snohare said...
Great answer snohare taken alist to the doctors is a great idea and half of us think it but never remember to so thank you i will begin my long list i hope i have enough paper or dont run out of ink.