Hi everyone, I've been reading this forum for a long time and occasionally commenting but I figured it was time to introduce myself! My name is Kiera and I'm currently in my second year of university in New Brunswick.
I was diagnosed with Crohn's in 2008, although I think I had it for a few years before that. I had been anemic on and off since I was probably 12, and would often get sick for a few weeks at a time with unexplained stomach pain.
The reason I was finally diagnosed is because the pain was so bad that I went to emerg. Because I don't have a lot of typical symptoms (no blood, d, not much nausea), they thought it might be appendicitis and decided to do laprascopic surgery. Instead they found a lot of inflammation in my small intestine and I was diagnosed soon after.
I was initially started on Entocort, Imuran and Asacol, which helped while I was on Entocort. As soon as I went off that though I slowly started getting worse and worse, and eventually was on a liquid diet for 6 weeks (NOT fun for a girl in Grade 9/10).
Soon after that my parents took me to an osteopath who basically did massage techniques on my stomach and gave me some natural remedies and a strict diet. Surprisingly this helped a lot, and I went off all medication and stopped seeing any specialists. This wasn't the greatest idea but my GI was not a nice guy and didn't support any kind of alternative therapy, and seeing as I've always had a horrible fear of doctors/needles/hospitals, I was happy not to go!
I would say I was in remission for probably 2 years, but since I've gone to university (I'm in my second year now) it's been a lot more on and off. This winter was definitely the worst and I finally gave in and now have a GI here in New Brunswick - it's a little complicated as I'm from British Columbia but go to university way out here.
My GI now wants to start me on Humira - I'm just trying to get all the tests and insurance organized and will hopefully be on it in a couple weeks. I'm really looking forward to hopefully feeling better, right now I can barely eat. I hate missing out on so many fun events at university as well, and keeping up with my classes has been so difficult when I'm always tired and in pain. I love being at university and really want to be able to come back next year, but I'm a little scared that I won't feel well enough.
Anyways, sorry for the novel, but I just want to say this forum is SO helpful even when I don't comment! I've learned so much and realized how much I need to fight for myself - especially because my parents aren't here to argue with the doctors for earlier appointments or more tests!
I was diagnosed with Crohn's in 2008, although I think I had it for a few years before that. I had been anemic on and off since I was probably 12, and would often get sick for a few weeks at a time with unexplained stomach pain.
The reason I was finally diagnosed is because the pain was so bad that I went to emerg. Because I don't have a lot of typical symptoms (no blood, d, not much nausea), they thought it might be appendicitis and decided to do laprascopic surgery. Instead they found a lot of inflammation in my small intestine and I was diagnosed soon after.
I was initially started on Entocort, Imuran and Asacol, which helped while I was on Entocort. As soon as I went off that though I slowly started getting worse and worse, and eventually was on a liquid diet for 6 weeks (NOT fun for a girl in Grade 9/10).
Soon after that my parents took me to an osteopath who basically did massage techniques on my stomach and gave me some natural remedies and a strict diet. Surprisingly this helped a lot, and I went off all medication and stopped seeing any specialists. This wasn't the greatest idea but my GI was not a nice guy and didn't support any kind of alternative therapy, and seeing as I've always had a horrible fear of doctors/needles/hospitals, I was happy not to go!
I would say I was in remission for probably 2 years, but since I've gone to university (I'm in my second year now) it's been a lot more on and off. This winter was definitely the worst and I finally gave in and now have a GI here in New Brunswick - it's a little complicated as I'm from British Columbia but go to university way out here.
My GI now wants to start me on Humira - I'm just trying to get all the tests and insurance organized and will hopefully be on it in a couple weeks. I'm really looking forward to hopefully feeling better, right now I can barely eat. I hate missing out on so many fun events at university as well, and keeping up with my classes has been so difficult when I'm always tired and in pain. I love being at university and really want to be able to come back next year, but I'm a little scared that I won't feel well enough.
Anyways, sorry for the novel, but I just want to say this forum is SO helpful even when I don't comment! I've learned so much and realized how much I need to fight for myself - especially because my parents aren't here to argue with the doctors for earlier appointments or more tests!
