My story of how I was diagnosed with Crohn's started in early 2011, where it began with pains when I was on the stool. These pains were almost unbearable. A little while later, I began to feel sharp pains in my lower abdomen and many harsh bowel movements, in which I would get goosebumps and feel extremely cold. I saw the doctor and he told me to keep track of what I eat to see if it hurt me, but no food stood out in making me feel pain. I struggled through these symptoms, and saw the doctor again. He then suggested it was Crohn's disease. I was relieved that there was an explanation for my pains, but my parents did not believe it.
My first flare up was in early August 2012. It first started when the doctor noticed two large ulcers in the back of my mouth. This, along with acid reflux made it uncomfortable and hard to eat. I had a national lacrosse tournament in Orlando on the weekend, and played in 10 games in the extremely hot sun. I must have lost about about 10 lbs that week, due to the intense exercise and the fact that I could barely eat. My weight dropped from 145 to 127 in the course of two week, and during this week I experienced intense chills and shivering that lasted for an hour, followed by sweating. A couple times I had a 104 fever, even with the chills. I should have gone to the hospital, but we were on vacation. When I got home, I had numerous blood tests and doctor visits, along with a colonoscopy and endoscopy. When the results came back, the doctor said it was clear that I had crohn's. He also found extremely low levels of some sort of protein in my body, so I drink a protein supplement now. Also like most people who have crohns I have a calcium deficiency. And lastly, I found out that I was lactose intolerant, which is weird because most people who have a lactose intolerance have a reaction every time time they eat lactose, and I do not.
My crohn's disease has been mild so far, and I am lucky it has been. I have not had any surgeries, and hopefully I will not have to have any. I take six pentasa pills a day along with one calcium supplement. Pentasa has definitely made my crohn's less severe, but I still have harsh pains daily.
Crohn's disease has forced me to eat healthier and live a better lifestyle. I have had a loss of energy and mood swings because of Crohn's, but I am learning to overcome it. I will not let Crohn's become who I am or defeat me. I will overcome it. If this is the worst thing to happen to me in my life, I will be very lucky.
Crohn's forum has been a huge help so far. I'm glad to have found this community.:biggrin:
My first flare up was in early August 2012. It first started when the doctor noticed two large ulcers in the back of my mouth. This, along with acid reflux made it uncomfortable and hard to eat. I had a national lacrosse tournament in Orlando on the weekend, and played in 10 games in the extremely hot sun. I must have lost about about 10 lbs that week, due to the intense exercise and the fact that I could barely eat. My weight dropped from 145 to 127 in the course of two week, and during this week I experienced intense chills and shivering that lasted for an hour, followed by sweating. A couple times I had a 104 fever, even with the chills. I should have gone to the hospital, but we were on vacation. When I got home, I had numerous blood tests and doctor visits, along with a colonoscopy and endoscopy. When the results came back, the doctor said it was clear that I had crohn's. He also found extremely low levels of some sort of protein in my body, so I drink a protein supplement now. Also like most people who have crohns I have a calcium deficiency. And lastly, I found out that I was lactose intolerant, which is weird because most people who have a lactose intolerance have a reaction every time time they eat lactose, and I do not.
My crohn's disease has been mild so far, and I am lucky it has been. I have not had any surgeries, and hopefully I will not have to have any. I take six pentasa pills a day along with one calcium supplement. Pentasa has definitely made my crohn's less severe, but I still have harsh pains daily.
Crohn's disease has forced me to eat healthier and live a better lifestyle. I have had a loss of energy and mood swings because of Crohn's, but I am learning to overcome it. I will not let Crohn's become who I am or defeat me. I will overcome it. If this is the worst thing to happen to me in my life, I will be very lucky.
Crohn's forum has been a huge help so far. I'm glad to have found this community.:biggrin: