My run in with crohn's disease began around September of 98.. I was in my 2nd year of active duty in the Army and on tour in Bosnia when it all began.. All the typical symptoms... runs, nausea, stomach pain, and severe weight loss. By the time I was finally and correctly dx'd I had went from 188lbs to a frail 123lbs. I am 6'3 so I looked like a skeleton walking. The usual meds were then started ie.. prednisone, asacol, folic acid, 6-mp, and tons of vitamins. I was extremely lucky to be in service when I was diagnosed, because I don't know how most make it without some glorified insurance package.. The pred put the weight back on, but it made me a zombie. I was on a 60mg taper which meant going days without sleep even with sleep meds. I was medically retired in Jan of 00. Crohn's not only affected me physically, but mentally.. I was put on zoloft and prozac for severe depression.. I had always been healthy and in top physical shape, so when I was finally labeled with a chronic disease that I would have for the rest of my life it really took the wind out of my sails for a bit. Then came the denial phase of having crohn's. I was in remission, so it made it a good bit easier to pretend that it wasn't happening.. It only lasted a few years. On Jan of 02' I was rushed to the er after having a severe gi bleed. My illeum had ruptured and they had to do emergency surgery to save my life. I had lost over 4 ounces of blood by the time i had reached the operating table. So sections were done and meds where perscribed[ at this time I was taking over 90 pills a day] and I hate taking pills. At the time my diet was horrible. I was eating fast food everyday, I was smoking 2 packs a day and i was drinking like a fish. I really don't think I cared if I lived or died at that point in my life. On top of it all i was unmedicated for everything. After my surgery i began looking at crohn's alot more seriously. I stayed on my meds for about three years and then I was intruduced to the wonderful world of herbal remedies or so i thought. They did work for a while probably because my body was back in remission. Then Feb of 06 hit. Back to the hospital I went. This time I had stricture in my colon. They removed 27 inches of colon and my disease had another title added. Fistulizing crohn's disease. The surgery went well, but I haven't been the same since. I have had 8 rectal fistula's drained since then and two hernia operations since the removal of my sigmoid colon. Now my current situations really sux. My current gi is sending me to another gi for second opinion. He believes the remainder of my colon is shot and needs to be removed asap. I basically have to where a diaper, cuz I have lost all spincter control and I can't maintain a livable weight. I am at 115 right now. I have crohn's of the digestive tract from my throat to my potty. And I have crohn's of the skin, muscle, and eyes. Crohn's is a very serious disease and should never be dealt with lightly. I pray that anyone that is on this forum never loses sight of that. When first diagnosed I used to post topics on this forum everyday. I wanted to learn as much as possible about this nasty disease, then like an idiot i just gave up for a while.. Please don't ever ever give up. I am fighting for what life I have because I believe that there will one day be a real cure for crohn's.. May god bless each and everyone of you and if you have a story that you would like to share... post away!!!
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Dianosed with cd JAN 00
Sections in 02 and 06
Fistula's at 8 and possibly 9
Current meds: Immuran, Humira, Ciprofloxacin, Metronidazole, Calcium Carbonate, Vitamin D, Folic Acid, Loratab, Analpram, steroid injections, magneseum injections, and prayer.