I don't have time to be sick...

Hi there,
My name is Jen. I'm 32 and live in Northern California. I was dx'd with Crohn's last year, but looking back I've had sx for several years. I have a cousin who also has Crohn's. My sx are usually diarrhea and abdominal pain. Right now I'm in the middle of a flare with joint pain, low grade fevers, fatigue, and SEVERE constipation. I've never had any rectal bleeding which I guess must be unusual because my doc is always surprised I haven't. Because I have diabetes my GI doc is reluctant to put me on prednisone because of its affect on blood sugars, I would probably have to go on insulin.

When I initially went to my local GI doctor with sx of abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting he did a colonoscopy, dx'd me with Crohn's, and put me on Apriso. But I was still having a lot of problems with vomiting. I would throw up food 8-10 hours after eating it. It's like my top half was moving too slow and my bottom half was moving way too fast. The GI doc said once the inflammation in my colon settled down the food would start passing. After 6 months of no improvement I went to a Crohn's specialist at UCSF. He found me to have an unrelated condition of delayed gastric emptying, probably related to my diabetes. I've had 2 botox injections in my pylorus to help food empty from my stomach. It sucks to have two different GI problems. Right now I'm on Lialda for my Crohn's. I have an appt with my GI in a few weeks and am going to ask about being put on something different because I feel like I've hit a plateau.

Outside of my GI issues, I've been an ER nurse for the last 12 years. I love what I do and work with a great group of people who are very understanding about my health problems. I definitely have much more sympathy now when I am taking care of an IBD patient in my ER. I love to travel and have frequently volunteered in third world/developing countries as a nurse. Traveling to third world areas with Crohn's can definitely be a challenge. I am always VERY careful about what I eat and have evacuation insurance in case I need to get home quick.

HI JenJen, Welcome to the forum, I am sorry about your diagnosis. and the recent pain and problems you've been having too. I am also a diabete and was put on predisone but, my sugars never have been out of wack much. Did he put on anything for the nausea and pain. Maybe for the short term you should just stick to liquids for a while til things settle down a bit. Stuff like ensure and boost. There is no crohn's diet as per say. so, it's all trial and error. If i were you i would get a diary of journal which ever is easier and write down the foods that cause you grief and the one's that don't. and stick to the one's that don't that is my suggestion. It's great you are a nurse my wife is a nurse also. Small world isn't it. She use to travel but, with me being sick and all. She gave it up and became a occuptional nurse here in the province. I hope your pain will end soon and get on the right medication to put yourself in remission. Best wishes.

I've found that fresh cucumber celery juice helps when I'm constipated. Not too much at once if you're not used to how your body reacts to it, but if I'm backed up and drink some in the morning I'm usually ready to go within an hour.

For the juicer: 1 bunch of organic celery. 2 organic cucumbers.

Hi JenJen and welcome! I am sorry about your recent flare. I am battling one at the moment, too. I hope you and your doctor can come up with a better treatment plan during your upcoming appointment.

What countries have you travelled to volunteering as a nurse? I think it is awesome you are out helping others when you are struggling yourself. You are one of a kind!

Thanks Jill. So far I've traveled as a nurse to Haiti (3 times), Egypt, and Ghana. It's so rewarding.

Wow! Amazing, Jen! I would love to visit Egypt.