Hey guys sooooo... I have crohns disease and I was diagnosed at the age of 16. I had symptoms from abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, and even complications outside of the GI tract such as skin rashes, arthritis, and inflammation of the eye. I was always the healthy child growing up; then at the age of 16 I began to notice some changes, changes that were not of the norm.
These changes have affected my life drastically. At the beginning, I was frightened to eat any foods due to the sharp pains it would cause in my abdominal region. I had to quit my job, because I felt like I could barely walk. I went from being athletic to a couch potato and even then I was still losing weight! My parents could not understand why their daughter was wasting away.
We went from doctor to doctor and had tests done galore in search for answers and found nothing. In one month alone, I had lost 60 lbs. I wanted to just give up. Then in November of 2003 I was admitted into the hospital, something in which was a routine for me. I knew the hospital from top to bottom. I was now under the care of a GI Specialist from Nemours Children's Clinic. His team ran many tests and about 3 to 4 weeks later I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease! Soon after, I was put on hospital home bound (during my senior year) to complete school. It was my senior year of high school and I wanted to do nothing more but graduate with my class! Back in school I was questioned by teachers and friends asking me if I needed help. They all thought I had an eating disorder! I was scared to tell people about my disease, just because I knew it could disgust many; not so much the adults but even they sometimes are immature. How would they take it? It was just too hard. I ended up asking the dean of girls (who knew of my problem) if there was any way I could possibly use a private restroom because it was too much of a risk to use the girl’s restroom. I barely could stay in class due to the sense of urgencies I would get. I did, however; graduate class of 2004! Excited to begin college.
During my first year of college as a full-time student I tried my hardest to stay in class and hope that I would pass, but the pain was unbearable. I couldn’t control it. One day I would be fine but the next day I could barely make it to the parking lot without having to turn around and go back home because I had an accident on myself. I even started traveling with an extra pair of clothes but my nerves would get the best of me. I would call my mother crying asking her why this had to happen to me. I received a full paid scholarship and lost it. I would treasure anything in the world to have kept it or even get it back! I have been under many meds and still take Remicade Infusions every six weeks. Remicade has been the answer to my crohns for quite some time. I am now 25 soon to be 26 and It is no longer working! I have a beautiful daughter who is now 3 and she has pushed me to be the best I can be for not only myself but for her as well. No matter how hard it gets I will never let this disease control my life. I start a research study soon with my doctors at Borland Groover on Tuesday I hope it goes well!!! :ybiggrin:
These changes have affected my life drastically. At the beginning, I was frightened to eat any foods due to the sharp pains it would cause in my abdominal region. I had to quit my job, because I felt like I could barely walk. I went from being athletic to a couch potato and even then I was still losing weight! My parents could not understand why their daughter was wasting away.
We went from doctor to doctor and had tests done galore in search for answers and found nothing. In one month alone, I had lost 60 lbs. I wanted to just give up. Then in November of 2003 I was admitted into the hospital, something in which was a routine for me. I knew the hospital from top to bottom. I was now under the care of a GI Specialist from Nemours Children's Clinic. His team ran many tests and about 3 to 4 weeks later I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease! Soon after, I was put on hospital home bound (during my senior year) to complete school. It was my senior year of high school and I wanted to do nothing more but graduate with my class! Back in school I was questioned by teachers and friends asking me if I needed help. They all thought I had an eating disorder! I was scared to tell people about my disease, just because I knew it could disgust many; not so much the adults but even they sometimes are immature. How would they take it? It was just too hard. I ended up asking the dean of girls (who knew of my problem) if there was any way I could possibly use a private restroom because it was too much of a risk to use the girl’s restroom. I barely could stay in class due to the sense of urgencies I would get. I did, however; graduate class of 2004! Excited to begin college.
During my first year of college as a full-time student I tried my hardest to stay in class and hope that I would pass, but the pain was unbearable. I couldn’t control it. One day I would be fine but the next day I could barely make it to the parking lot without having to turn around and go back home because I had an accident on myself. I even started traveling with an extra pair of clothes but my nerves would get the best of me. I would call my mother crying asking her why this had to happen to me. I received a full paid scholarship and lost it. I would treasure anything in the world to have kept it or even get it back! I have been under many meds and still take Remicade Infusions every six weeks. Remicade has been the answer to my crohns for quite some time. I am now 25 soon to be 26 and It is no longer working! I have a beautiful daughter who is now 3 and she has pushed me to be the best I can be for not only myself but for her as well. No matter how hard it gets I will never let this disease control my life. I start a research study soon with my doctors at Borland Groover on Tuesday I hope it goes well!!! :ybiggrin:
