New Member -- Currently admitted to hospital

Hi everyone,

New user here! I'm a 23 y/o female with Crohn's disease. A little about me: Within the past year, I graduated from graduate school with my Master's in Occupational Therapy, started working, got married, bought a house, and a new car... Its been a whirl-wind year! As one can imagine, the stress of learning how to balance all of my new roles has been difficult, and my CD has been creeping back into the picture ever since.

I was diagnosed with CD in 2007, after months of mis-diagnosis and misery. Immediately, I had a small bowel resection (18") secondary to semi-complete obstruction. Appendectomy at that time as well. Was treated with 6MP for one year, and upon follow up scope, active Crohn's had not only returned but had spread to large intestines as well. Switched to Remicade infusions, every 8 weeks, at that time, and have been on them since. At scope in August, '09, I was given wonderful news - - there was NO signs of active CD at all! Symptoms were pretty well controlled, and diet was starting to be able to be expanded. Symptoms began increasing in frequency, most noticeable around the time I was due for next infusion. Bumped frequency to every 7 weeks for infusions.

Just got back from vacation in Napa Valley... and found myself in the ER Monday afternoon. I was admitted for what I thought was my first 'real' flare.

Currently, CT w/contrast showed active inflammation at prior resection site, as well as in proximal large intestines. Had a enteroscopy and colonoscopy today -- both showed no active inflammation of CD. For the first time, I will be having a capsule-endoscomy (picture/video capsule that I swallow, and takes pictures throughout GI tract till I pass it). This test is scheduled for tomorrow a.m.! I'm nervous - but they are unable to see the inflammation from the upper or lower scope equipment. GI is thinking I am having a partial obstruction, stricture, active inflammation, or adhesions separating from abdominal wall -- in any case, doesn't sound overtly surgical.

I've never used forums, so bare with me please as I "learn the ropes". My husband uses forums for everything - from deciding between brands of tvs, to models of cars, to self-help, so I thought...why not try it, too!

I'm looking for support now more than ever, as I am nervous for what these tests results might show, and for a possible second surgery... Nervous to be told perhaps Remicade isn't "the" answer... Nervous that my CD may begin to get out of my control again, and begin controlling me...

Thanks to all who are reading this, and I look forward to getting into this network of support!

Good luck - hope it's non surgical and you find the right treatment plan.

I was also diagnosed in 2007 but very unwisely left this forum and my CD treatment for several years. In the middle of a very uncomfortable flare right now. Having learning my lesson will stay with the program this time. (My current post is on the board now -- "Flaring after 2 years...."

You sound like you have a good support system and a good attitude -- welcome, and I wish you all the best.

Just try to wait until you find out what's going on, then deal with it then. I know it sounds easy, and I know it's really hard to not worry, but stress isn't good for any of us, and you can't do anything until you find out the results. Hopefully it doesn't mean surgery, and maybe it just means you have to have infusions a little closer together. Please let us know how the test goes and what they find.

Glad you found this forum. It is helpful and more supportive than anything else I've found. There's nothing like having input from people who have been where you are.

Good luck tomorrow! :)

Thanks everyone! Its great to hear the support already! The capsule swallowing went okay - they doctors will read the results in the morning. There was a little scare that it got stuck, but the xray looked like it was where it should be... no passing of the capsule yet, but just had food and water for the first time since Monday morning! Hopefully that will get things moving along. Here's hoping for no surgery.... and that I can be discharged tomorrow with prednisone and pain meds. I'm allergic or intolerant to so many pain meds... so any good recommendations for meds that help with pain that I'd be able to take? I can't take: asprin, ib profen, tylenol, percocet, dilaudid, or toradol. To my knowledge, that pretty much leaves vicodin, but i'd prefer not to have a narcotic... thoughts?

Welcome to the site. This site is great for support and any type of questions you may have. You will find alot of experience here when it comes to Crohns. Hope you feel better and find resolution to what you are going thru now.

JAB

I have always wondered - what happens to the pill cam after the test? Do they reuse it? Does it get flushed down the toilet? Or is it disposed of as medical waste? Seems like an expensive thing to not reuse, but I'd want some pretty thorough sterilization procedures if I'm about to swallow a used pill cam...

LOL Jonny. Hey, when I had the camera pill, it NEVER came out. I was terrified 'cause I never managed a bm. What eventually happened was that during surgery, they removed what didn't fall apart from the constant medicine at that time. But that was my case. It went into a fistula and got caught.