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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 3/30/2014 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hey! I am 17 years old and was recently diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. For about a year I have struggled with ulcers and my weight and eating habits have been a roller coaster. about 3 days ago I went to see a doctor after starting new ulcer medication that was making me very fatigue and I had dropped 6 lbs within a week and a half. I was told I had Crohn's.
Since I am new to this information I have no idea what to expect in the long term and if anyone out there has Crohns would be so willing to give me a little info that would be great!!
For the duration of 3 months I am on a very strict diet and medication routine until my ulcers heal and my colon has had time to recover from being inflammed. After that, what is and is not ok for me to eat?

Thank you!
Posted 3/30/2014 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome Nana. You say that you have been struggling with ulcers - do you mean peptic ulcers in your stomach? Or ulcers in your bowel?

How were you diagnosed with Crohn's?
Posted 3/31/2014 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
Crohns is most often a fall back diagnosis when colitis is severe. Please make sure that all biopsies are cultured for herpes, and Titer tests run to rule out CMV Herpes Colitis. GI doctors can be skeptical on this, but more are understanding that you don't have to be immune compromised. I was misdiagnosed with Crohns based on a pathologist's biopsy observation. When I continued to relapse, I insisted on the cultures and tests. Bingo!! With the proper antiviral medication therapy, I'm able to control the flare ups properly and save my eyesight, all without the damaging immune suppressants.
Posted 3/31/2014 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Nana...it's a little hard to give you a summary of CD here as you will find that there are many ways it impacts each person differently. I can say that it is very wise to read up on all of the med options and try dietary options (i.e. some diets work for some folks and not others). Unfortunately, it all seems like a giant experiement when you are starting out. 23+ years later and I am still figureing out new things...but I am still fighting it well.

ps....the post about fall back dx appears to be spam as they are posting it on multiple threads. The lesson I want to say here is take what you read with many grains of salt and get to learn the more reputable posters on this site (like kazbern!)
Posted 3/31/2014 11:38 PM (GMT 0)
Crohn's disease affects everyone differently so only you will know what you can eat and what you can't by how it affects your body. I personally avoid fiber and foods that are tough to digest like popcorn and whole grains. I also avoid refined sugars (soda, cookies, syrups, etc) because sugar causes inflammation and is bad for the gut. You will learn which foods you can and cannot tolerate.

I was diagnosed when I was 16. There have been a lot of ups and downs, but I have managed to find decent doctors and good meds. I hope that you can do the same. This site is a great place for good information and support. Sorry you had to come here, but we welcome you!
Posted 4/4/2014 3:48 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much everyone for your helpful info!! I have been taking my medication now for about 3 weeks for peptic ulcers and CD they seem to be helping. I stay away from most sugary foods, things that are fried, spicy and highly seasoned and seem to manage well. All the tips from everyone are extremely helpful, I find myself relating to some and not to others.
The doctors have done many many tests form ultrasounds, MRIs, blood work, urine samples, and biopsys and they seem to strongly think I do have CD. IBD runs in my genetic line on both my mother and fathers side. They are strongly convinced that my peptic ulcers along with a fatty liver (I am neither obese or a drinker) and family history are definitely point to and prove it is CD.

Also if anyone knows any info. I am looking to join the army and physical activity does not cause flare ups or more symptoms I find that exercise helps me in large, by letting me sleep through the night without sweats (symptom of CD according to my doc.) and giving me some extra energy I lack due to just a simple diet and strong medication, but will the military even consider and enlist someone who has had CD?
Posted 4/4/2014 1:48 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not familiar with military rules on chronic illness. I will say that there have been a few military folks on here who got diagnosed while in the service and it was not a good situation. You might use the search tool at the top of the forum and search on the term "military."
Posted 4/4/2014 6:45 PM (GMT 0)
i don't think the military will consider you. i was diagnosed at 16, and at the time had no interest in the military. any time the recruiters would call, after polite introductions I'd say "I have Crohn's Disease." and they'd thank me for my time and hang up.

But you could call a recruiting station and ask. They'd know better than I would.
Posted 4/5/2014 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Nana,

Have you been tested for H-pylori? It can be nasty, and have similar symptoms to IBD.

To confirm the Crohn's diagnosis, you should have a colonoscopy. They will take biopsies to be tested for Crohn's. You should also consider a SBFT to check the most common area for Crohn's, the Terminal Ilium.

THere are several blood markers to check as well. White blood cell count, CRP, Sedimentation rate, and iron stores.

Your GI should be well versed in all of this. Be as proactive as you can. It's tough for someone so young. Hopefully your parents can go with you to your next appointment.

Tom.
Posted 4/8/2014 9:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Nana!
I'm 17 too man!!
Welcome to the forum and Wishing you all the very best :-)
Posted 4/8/2014 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi  Nana,  I was 15 years old when I was diagnosed and am over 50 now. Doing well and you will to.  When I was diagnosed they did not know a lot about crohns and not many people had it.  I watch what I eat,  stay away from nuts, popcorn, have broccoli, cauliflower, peas, beans in small amounts.  Lettuce is hard to digest. I have tomatoes, cucumber, no celery. Eat potatoes, carrots, turnip, squash, pasta,  apple sauce, jello, pudding, chicken, fish, turkey, ham, and ground beef. Peel off skin from apples, pears, eat grapes.  Hope this helps a bit. But everybody is different.  I keep a journal of what I eat and if something bothers me I stop eating it.  Take care and you will be fine.  Sue
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