I have been through the gauntlet with Crohns. I was officially diagnosed in January of 2006, but have been dealing with abdominal issues since I was a child. My doctor put me on 100mg of Imuran, 1g of Pentassa 4 times a day, and 40mg of prednisone when I was first diagnosed. I was off and on the prednisone over the next few months. When that didn't help he put me on Remicade. Of course, I have to be one of those patients that no matter what he tried the Crohns just wouldn't go in remission. I thought things were getting better until January 2009. I ended up getting admitted to the hospital for a two-week rest for my bowels and then more steroids. My doctor decided to try Cimzia but I ended up back in the hospital in June for another 2 week stay. They found a fistula that was connecting my lower small intestines to my sigmoid colon. My doctor was concerned because I should not have developed this while on Cimzia. This meant another round of steriods to tey and shrink it. However, in September 2009, I was back in the hospital. This time they decided to do surgery. I had 10 inches of small intestines, the fistula, and my appendix removed. I also have a beautiful 8" scar down my abdomen to prove it. I have been dealing with diarrhea and an average of 6-8 bowel movements a day since the surgery. I have been on the cimzia and the imuran only since the surgery. I battle with often being tired and my muscles and joints hurting. However, through all of this I have managed to maintain my job and attend college. I will be graduating in December with 3 Bachelors Degrees. It has been a hard and long road but I do not regret a minute of it. Although there are days when I just break down and cry because it's just that bad, I have to say that overall I have decided that I am going to win and that Crohns will not get the better of me. Thank you all and my heart goes out to all of you.
Reply posted for fombyf.
Good for you! I admire your courage. I also have treatment resistant Crohns and have had multiple surgeries, but made it through college and residency relatively okay. If you want to talk more, email me at nickrystal@hotmail.com.