New here; My story.

First off, hello everyone. I'm glad to have found a community that understands my daily struggles and is supportive as a whole. Most people don't know what Crohn's or UC are, so when I tell them I have special needs and dietary restrictions, I'm usually frowned upon.

I'm 21 and currently serving as a paratrooper in the 82'nd Airborne Division. As you can imagine, these illnesses have put a damper on my effectiveness as a soldier and I'm currently being referred to the MEB process for medical retirement. I was diagnosed with Crohn's and UC April of last year. I initially started feeling symptoms November of '08, but passed it off as a stomach flu. In January of '09, I noticed that I was only eating once a day with a whole lot of pain and losing weight rapidly. From 176lbs to 123lbs at my worst. I visited my PA several times that month with the same complaints and he suggested that it may be C-Diff, though he never administered any tests. I was put on an antibiotic (I forget the name) and returned to duty. The antibiotic didn't do a thing for me and I was hospitalized early February after puking large amounts of blood and passing out from dehydration due to chronic diarrhea. I spent four days in the hospital on morphine and was given an upper endoscopy, colonoscopy and CT scan. I don't know why they couldn't diagnose it then, but I was returned to duty again and referred to a specialist who told me it was due to several ulcerations in my stomach and small intestine. Fast forward to early April where I was hospitalized again for the same problems. After a few more scopes and several scans, I was diagnosed with Crohn's and UC.

Since then, I have been treated with Asacol, Entocort, Pentasa, Aprisio, Prednisone, 6-MP, and Bentyl. I'm currently taking the latter four. My symptoms have finally been manageable for 3 weeks without a flare-up as I'm following a super-strict diet and taking my medication. I'm hoping that I stay symptom free for at least a few months, as I've had non-stop symptoms since I was diagnosed. My weight is up to 137lbs now and slowly climbing. I'd like to get back to my original weight, but don't see that happening anytime soon. Haha. Oh well, such is the nature of this disease.

Anyway, thanks for reading. I look forward to being a part of this community and learning from anyone who has advice to offer. Lord know's Crohn's can be tricky!

Hi and welcome! Glad you're finally feeling better and have a dx...it sometimes takes a while to get one! Hope the meds continue to work for you and that you gain that weight back

Hi Kegsworth! I am a military wife...hate to see that you are possibly going to be MEB - I know that can be difficult. I too had to deal with Army care and it took a while for them to figure out I had CD...I am not sure if it is military care or the fact that CD is difficult to diagnose (could be a little of both). Like you, I am dealing with the possibility of having to find a new career...I currently teach school and it is getting very difficult (can't leave the kiddies to go potty and the pain makes it difficult to be on my feet long periods of time). Unfortuantely this comes at a bad time, because my hubby just retired and our income has changed - I am not sure what kind of job to pursue at this point. What do you think you might do after the army?

If you feel like your other meds stop working, you might want to try one of the TNFs (Cimzia, Humira, Remicade)...I know Tricare pays 100% (thank GOD!).

Hi Kegsworth
and welcome

sorry you're a crohnie, but glad you found us! Hope the meds work for you and you start to gain that weight back soon
we're here to support and advise, see you around the forum
lotsa luv
Joan xxx

btpingrey said:

What do you think you might do after the army?

Click to expand...

To be quite honest, I don't know yet. I'm going to use the Post 9/11 GI Bill to finish school, but haven't figured out what career field I'm going to choose. A lot of options have closed for me considering I was heading for an active (and very physical) position with the FBI with the experience and training I've gained through the Army. Now that I'm slowing down and am limited physically, I don't know what the best decision career-wise would be with this condition. I know I have surgeries to look forward to in the future and something that high-speed/high-stress just wouldn't work for me.

I figure I've got the first two years of college to figure it out anyway.

Also, thanks for a warm welcome, everyone.

Hi Kegs and welcome!

Hope you're on the track to recovery with the meds. So sorry that your DX has derailed your career plans. IBD doesn't have to stop your life, but until you get things under control, it's probably good to have a back up plan. It may take a while to figure out where you'll end up - but hopefully you will look back on it someday as a blessing in disguise.

Hang in there and hope you get to feeling better soon! - Amy

Hi! I'm new too but welcome!! It stinks that you went through such a hard time getting diagnosed, but I'm thankful that you're getting to feeling better. I look forward to hearing more good news from you soon. Thanks for your service!

Melinda

Good luck with whatever you decide to do! I know it's a difficult time for your right now...I am here if you need to sound off!

Hi Kegsworth,

I am in the Aus army and up for MEC review shortly. Had an emergency laparotomy while on exercise June 2009, no diagnosis was made. Got an abscess in my stomach as a result of that surgery which needed another emergency laparotomy and drainage in Aug 2009. Still no definite diagnosis so still no treatment at that time although Crohn's was suspected. Was flown 4 hours away in Dec 2009 to see a specialist and have a capulse endosopy which confirmed the Crohn's. As I was feeling so well even though the damage to my bowel was quite bad GI didnt feel the need for pred instead prescribed Imuran at 25gm per day. I didnt start that until Feb 2010 and due to no specialist to monitor me I am still on 25mg per day. I feel great but have managed to get a re-post back to the city where my GI is so I can continue to receive medical treatment. Unfortunately there is no guarantee that the army will keep me on although I have requested a skills waiver if I am found medically unfit at my MEC board. I really want to stay in and feel great heath wise. Annoyed that I have now had 3 ops (had a hernia repair last week and my original scar cut our and re-done as it was such as mess) as if I hadnt had the original laparotomy I wouldnt have got the abscess or the hernia. I can also eat anything, have no diarrhea, pain or anything so am hoping the board will grant the waiver. will let you know how I go. Any chance of you getting a waiver?

No, I requested an MMRB to reclass to soft skill MOS but since doing daily PT has been a chore and exacerbates my symptoms, my only option is MEB. Plus, being non-deployable in the 82'nd alone is enough to merit being put out of the service.

Let me know what they decide for you!