Life Expectancy

I wouldn't think that way at all, I've had this disease for 39 years, had surgery 16 years ago. Our life expectancy with Crohn's is no different than the normal population.
If you're thinking of the risk of colon cancer, though it is slightly higher than the general population (3-5 percent on average), long as you're under the care of your GI, getting the regular tests and check ups, I wouldn't worry about that either.
Think of it as being at 1/4.

I was worried about cancer for a bit but klonopin and nicecupoftea beat that out of me a month back. Reason I was interested was that odd study suggesting median death was 58 if diagnosed before 29. Ive had my valve removed between large and small combined with low dose imuran has put me in remission for six years. Only symptom is the D...stupid iliatic valve...

Nice to know ill live a long miserable life :)

lol Will & pb4, at least we're all in it together. There's one thing about life that goes for everyone, we're not getting out alive.

Hi i have had Crohns since i was 17 and i am 51 now. I battled this disease all these years i have had flare ups and the meds i was put on helped periodically. From sulfur to steriods to flagyl to pentasa. I am now on Cimzia injections 2 every month i also have COPD, amxiety amd recntly diagnosed with arthiritis in spine, knees, elbows. I have never been told tp tale foloc acid or other supplements. I have only noticed i get fevers after taking cimzia. And very fatigued. I also have an ulcer in ilieum
I had H Pylori too
Im scared i will need surgery. Im glad i signed up so i can read thT this disease is treatable and you cam live a long happy life. If anyone can help with what supplemts one should take while on cimzia i would sure bring it up at my next visit to dr. My family dr says he knows nothing about cimzia.
Thanks!!

The bowells are not critic organs... but they make you miserable :).

You can die of a perforation (infection/sepsis) or a hemorragy (bleed to death). But I'm not very creative.

But I think most people die of meds or surgery consequences. I just talked with a friend who lost her mother (Rheum. Arthtritis) to a emboly after a orthpedical surgery (had many) after osteoporosis after too much and long term pred and here you go...

You see that Cancer is NOT one of these cases, but it scares some people. Fear is not often rational, but is real all the same.

Hope I'm not giving anybody nightmares....

My Dad had colon cancer. The thought of it does scare me to death but not as much as it scared him. He eventually committed suicide when I was 11 because he was sure it was back. There was none found during an autopsy. So, now if I do happen to test positive for blood in the stool I begin to sweat it until I am scoped.
I agree with the others here though, my doc's told me when I was diagnosed it is a terminal illness but a treatable one... you can live with it.

Yes i know this feeling!! Today is a bad day for me. I have been to bathroom already more times than i can count on both hands. Ugh!! Im week. I have COPD as well and having a hard time with breathing today. I do not sleep well anymore. Maybe 4 hours a night. Husband tells me i stop breathing and he wakes me up just to make sure... This has been vety hard on my family too. Just grateful i have them.

Gotcha Lynn. Was looking at it from another angle.

COPD. That's a bummer. Luckily it looks like Chrons is linked from COPD not the other way around. Looks like you got unlucky :(

Well im glad i spoke to Gastro dr he tells me that i SHOULD NOT get the flu shots as i normally do every year cause i have COPD but because im on Cimzia injrctions of course it breaks down immune sysyem and i would most likely get the flu if i get the vaccine. Glad i called dr office this morning

To be cometely fair. I believe after looking our life expectancy is one year fewer than average.

Will,
Get off the life expectancy gig. That can be a mental self fulfilling exercise. yeah, Crohns is a pain, but getting your head wrapped around the negative sure is not going to help. My dad had kidney, colon and myeloma for history. I have Crohns, its not an ideal situation. But over 39 years ago I had a nasty brain tumor removed. What I read back then was life expectancy was about 2 years. My Dr. at the time said this to my parents. it would be a life time friendship for us either I or he would die first. I was told not to do many many things. Last week I tried to contact him to let him know that I was still around and brag about my kids. long story short. He passed five years ago, per his wife. My only viable remark was I was one of his successes. I so far have beat the odds. https://www.healingwell.com/community/posticons/icon9.gif

My point being. You never know, could have, should have, would have Take life by the horns, kick it in the butt and control it, not it control you. If It doesn't kill you, it will make you stronger. Hey we are not 100%. Who is?

I do admire others here, you are super men and super women.

I wasn't doing the woe is me I'm dying speech. I was simply fact finding but if ibd everyone's responses great and informative. We shall all live to our old age and die there of something probably not all that interesting. I think I forget most of you have 20 year or so on me diagnosis wise.