T
theatherly
Guest
Hi everyone. I first want to say thanks to Michael for inviting me over.
My name is Tonya and I just turned 26 on 9/6. I was diagnosed with Crohn's 12 years ago. It was found by accident. I had been having alot of abdominal pain and went to see a gyn doctor. They found endometriosis and a ovarian cyst. I went in to have surgery for that and they discovered a adhesion in my abdomin that was 8 inches long and 1/2 inch thick. The doctor said it was like a piece of wood in my stomach and that if I had been punched in the stomach it would have caused serious damage. During that surgery they noticed the inflamation on my intestines.
I went for more of your standard diagnostic test and was confirmed for Crohn's after a colonoscopy. I had my first bowel surgery shortly after that and had 12 inches removed including my terminal illeum, some large and some small intestine.
I did great after the surgery. All of my pain and symptoms went away completely without the need for any medications. Then in 2002 I went on vacation to California in October. I started feeling bad but still doing ok. The day after Thanksgiving 2002 I was doing the mad dash Black Friday shopping when suddenly I couldn't move without excruisating pain. I went to the ER and was treated for a blockage. I had more testing done and in Jan 03 I started Remicade.
I went and had my first Remicade treatment and several hours after coming home I began vomiting uncontroably. I was rushed back to the ER and admitted to the hospital. My GI said that my body was rejecting the Remicade and that I needed surgery. Two days later I had my second bowel resection this time removing 15 inches. I stayed in the hospital for 2 weeks. I went home and was there for 2 weeks when I became sick again. I was admitted to the hospital again and had my gallbladder removed. After another 2 week stay I was sent home.
I started taking Remicade regularly and was doing great. In June of 03 I found out I was pregnant with my first child. My pregnancy went great and I was able to continue to take Remicade treatments. My son was born 4 weeks early in Jan 04. Within weeks of him being born the Crohn's flared with a vengence. I have been sick ever since.
I took 15 vials of Remicade every 4 weeks from Feb 04 till April 06. The hospital over charged for the treatments ($50k each) so I have maxed out my medical benefits. The insurance company will not investigate because its not higher than "usual and customary charges". The hospital recieved almost $800k in insurance payments for my Remicade in just over 2 years!
I'm still having alot of trouble but with no health insurance I'm unable to seek treatment. I need to have surgery again because I didn't get to properly heal due to becoming pregnant .. so it's like I never had the surgery to begin with.
I have a port a cath in my chest that I am trying to learn to flush at home too. I know that I've left alot of info out but thats a great overview of whats happened with me. I have dificulty keeping a job because of the constant bathroom trips.
I'm glad to be here and I look forward to getting to know everyone!
My name is Tonya and I just turned 26 on 9/6. I was diagnosed with Crohn's 12 years ago. It was found by accident. I had been having alot of abdominal pain and went to see a gyn doctor. They found endometriosis and a ovarian cyst. I went in to have surgery for that and they discovered a adhesion in my abdomin that was 8 inches long and 1/2 inch thick. The doctor said it was like a piece of wood in my stomach and that if I had been punched in the stomach it would have caused serious damage. During that surgery they noticed the inflamation on my intestines.
I went for more of your standard diagnostic test and was confirmed for Crohn's after a colonoscopy. I had my first bowel surgery shortly after that and had 12 inches removed including my terminal illeum, some large and some small intestine.
I did great after the surgery. All of my pain and symptoms went away completely without the need for any medications. Then in 2002 I went on vacation to California in October. I started feeling bad but still doing ok. The day after Thanksgiving 2002 I was doing the mad dash Black Friday shopping when suddenly I couldn't move without excruisating pain. I went to the ER and was treated for a blockage. I had more testing done and in Jan 03 I started Remicade.
I went and had my first Remicade treatment and several hours after coming home I began vomiting uncontroably. I was rushed back to the ER and admitted to the hospital. My GI said that my body was rejecting the Remicade and that I needed surgery. Two days later I had my second bowel resection this time removing 15 inches. I stayed in the hospital for 2 weeks. I went home and was there for 2 weeks when I became sick again. I was admitted to the hospital again and had my gallbladder removed. After another 2 week stay I was sent home.
I started taking Remicade regularly and was doing great. In June of 03 I found out I was pregnant with my first child. My pregnancy went great and I was able to continue to take Remicade treatments. My son was born 4 weeks early in Jan 04. Within weeks of him being born the Crohn's flared with a vengence. I have been sick ever since.
I took 15 vials of Remicade every 4 weeks from Feb 04 till April 06. The hospital over charged for the treatments ($50k each) so I have maxed out my medical benefits. The insurance company will not investigate because its not higher than "usual and customary charges". The hospital recieved almost $800k in insurance payments for my Remicade in just over 2 years!
I'm still having alot of trouble but with no health insurance I'm unable to seek treatment. I need to have surgery again because I didn't get to properly heal due to becoming pregnant .. so it's like I never had the surgery to begin with.
I have a port a cath in my chest that I am trying to learn to flush at home too. I know that I've left alot of info out but thats a great overview of whats happened with me. I have dificulty keeping a job because of the constant bathroom trips.
I'm glad to be here and I look forward to getting to know everyone!