Hi!
I was diagnosed with Crohns/Colitis in 2000, but I suspect that I have been suffering with it most of my life as some of my earliest memories are of "tummy troubles". I have a second cousin with very severe Crohns (maybe it is genetic?)
I have been on Mercaptopurine and Effexor in the past. But now I'm on Balsalazide only. Since going off the Effexor in 2010 (which was the hardest thing I have ever done) I have been plagued by low-grade consistent flares for over a year. Prednisone helps but as soon as I drop the dose below 7 mg, it's right back to the symptoms.
I used to :heart: my gastroenterologist. But recently I feel that he is not taking me seriously or helping my situation. When I do manage to see him it's a quick 10 minute appointment where he seems to laugh at my questions and just prescribes an increase in prednisone and/or Balsalazide. He then tells me to come back if it doesn't work. After suffering this roller coaster of prednisone and mild-flares for over 6 months, I'm really just sick of it. I don't want to go back on Effexor after the horrible process of getting off of it. But I do want my remission back- desperately!
Right now my symptoms are bleeding and mucus every day and several bouts of diarrhea daily. Mornings are the worst. No one at my work knows what I am dealing with, as it is very important to me to not seem 'disabled' or 'sickly'. But each morning I suffer multiple trips to the toilet and varying degrees of pain. For the past two days I have been feeling 'shaky' and light-headed with some sensitivity to light, so back on the prednisone am I. Usually this will stop the above symptoms in a day or two, but bring along with it the nasty side effects that only prednisone can bring.
I have an appointment with my gastro for March 7th (his first available appointment) and I know that I'll have to be more forceful with him this visit. I have 'fired' two gastroenterologist already and really don't want to begin again with a forth doctor. All the gastroenterologist in this town work together and I fear I am developing a reputation for being 'difficult'. You should see the size and notes in my file! :ytongue:
Anyway, I'm really happy that I found this board. It's been a great help this morning reading everyone's stories and questions. It makes me feel not so alone. Thanks!
I was diagnosed with Crohns/Colitis in 2000, but I suspect that I have been suffering with it most of my life as some of my earliest memories are of "tummy troubles". I have a second cousin with very severe Crohns (maybe it is genetic?)
I have been on Mercaptopurine and Effexor in the past. But now I'm on Balsalazide only. Since going off the Effexor in 2010 (which was the hardest thing I have ever done) I have been plagued by low-grade consistent flares for over a year. Prednisone helps but as soon as I drop the dose below 7 mg, it's right back to the symptoms.
I used to :heart: my gastroenterologist. But recently I feel that he is not taking me seriously or helping my situation. When I do manage to see him it's a quick 10 minute appointment where he seems to laugh at my questions and just prescribes an increase in prednisone and/or Balsalazide. He then tells me to come back if it doesn't work. After suffering this roller coaster of prednisone and mild-flares for over 6 months, I'm really just sick of it. I don't want to go back on Effexor after the horrible process of getting off of it. But I do want my remission back- desperately!
Right now my symptoms are bleeding and mucus every day and several bouts of diarrhea daily. Mornings are the worst. No one at my work knows what I am dealing with, as it is very important to me to not seem 'disabled' or 'sickly'. But each morning I suffer multiple trips to the toilet and varying degrees of pain. For the past two days I have been feeling 'shaky' and light-headed with some sensitivity to light, so back on the prednisone am I. Usually this will stop the above symptoms in a day or two, but bring along with it the nasty side effects that only prednisone can bring.
I have an appointment with my gastro for March 7th (his first available appointment) and I know that I'll have to be more forceful with him this visit. I have 'fired' two gastroenterologist already and really don't want to begin again with a forth doctor. All the gastroenterologist in this town work together and I fear I am developing a reputation for being 'difficult'. You should see the size and notes in my file! :ytongue:
Anyway, I'm really happy that I found this board. It's been a great help this morning reading everyone's stories and questions. It makes me feel not so alone. Thanks!
