College and Crohns = stressful and emotional
Sat, February 01, 2014 7:50 AM
I am an almost 21 year old undergraduate student, diagnosed in 2003 with Crohns Disease. originally placed on 250mg Pentasa capsules (9 per day) in 2003 but my pediatric GI changed my dose to 6 of the 250mg Pentasa capsules/daily in 2010. I was hospitalized for 11 days between June and July 2013 after losing 52 lbs in a month, getting sick with the stomach virus, abdominal pain, fatigue, etc. when a catscan revealed an abscess in my ileum. I was treated with antibiotics and prednisone because the abscess was too small to drain by needle and catscan. After starting to feel better I started experiencing symptoms around Christmas/New Years. I was placed just hospitalized in Philadelphia after I went to the E.R. and a catscan revealed another abscess in my ileum and a most likely functional cyst in my right ovary. The GI doctor has suggested switching to Humira or Remicade, but I felt it was best to exhaust all other options first because I’m unsure what's covered by insurance. So she adjusted my Pentasa from 1500 mg/day to 4000mg/daily and has me on 2 antibiotics
I have been attending classes but haven’t been able to return to work yet. I have been very depressed and emotional but have been able to see a therapist one-on-one for free at school. My boyfriend, roommates, and family have been supportive but I am scared, stressed, and unsure of what to do next. They’re talking possible surgery as soon as the semester is over to scrape the intestine or remove the infected portion and reattach the good parts…but this is a last resort option.
I have a recheck catscan in a few weeks but if anyone could offer advice or suggestions to help me manage my symptoms (nausea, fatigue (I am anemic but I take iron supplements), abdominal pain, constipation/frequent usage of bathroom) and feedback on treatments. Also if anyone knows of great ways to manage stress or good diet ideas, they’d be greatly appreciated.
Joined Jan 31, 2014
Thu, March 20, 2014 7:14 PM
Reply posted for templeugirl32.
Ah sorry! Just realized I messed up the numbers for the cancer risk thing for humira. I think instead of 1,000, everything is out of 10,000. Sorry! 1,000 isn't right.
kro1019Joined Feb 24, 2014
Tue, February 25, 2014 1:32 AM
Hey, I honestly don't have a whole lot of advice for you but I am also an undergrad in college. I have had Crohn's for about 3 years and I know how stressful it can be balancing school, work, relationships and your own health. I am currently on Humira and methoretxate, which control most of my Crohn's symptoms but do have some nasty side effects (psoriasis with the Humira, and decreased immune system function, and nausea and dizziness with the methotrexate). Humira is the only medication that has worked to control my symptoms so far but I know it is pricey. Sometimes ginger tea will help with the nausea. I try to get lots of sleep and do yoga to reduce stress, which really aggravates my symptoms. Sorry I'm not more helpful, just wanted to let you know you aren't alone.
Joined Feb 25, 2014