I am a 40 year old female diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. I started having problems in my early teens, and was quite often told that there was nothing physically wrong with me, but that it was all in my head and I wanted to be sick. It took a total of 9 years for my diagnosis to be made, even though my father and one of my sisters had already been diagnosed, and we all shared the same specialist. I was relieved to finally have a diagnosis, confirming that I wasn't crazy, but at the same time scared, as I had watched my father become gravely ill prior to his diagnosis.
In the end, my father, myself and two of my three sisters were all diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. While I understand heredity plays a factor, I have been told the disease is unusally strong in my family. Thankfully, it would appear we may have stomped it out from further generations, as none of our children have been diagnosed.
In 1997, I spent seven weeks in hospital with a TPN Treatment. At the end of the treatment, I underwent a bowel resection to remove scar tissue and inflammation and had just under 12" removed, I believe. At the same time, a fistula was discovered that had allowed the Crohn's Disease to pass through my intensines and completely destroy a falopian tube, which also had to be removed. (I had never heard of this before). That surgery also left my stomach wall weakened, leading to several hernias requiring additional surgeries (7 in total).
Often times I have felt like an experiemenal patient for my doctors, and have in the past taken over 60 pills a day. I have found some medications that work and some that I have been allergic to. The most important thing that I belive I have learned is to stand up for myself when it comes to my medical care. No one knows my body better than I do.
I wish a forum similar to this had existed when I was first diagnosed. Hopefully, the experiences we have shared with this disease will help someone else find comfort. Thank you for creating such a forum to help and heal.
In the end, my father, myself and two of my three sisters were all diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. While I understand heredity plays a factor, I have been told the disease is unusally strong in my family. Thankfully, it would appear we may have stomped it out from further generations, as none of our children have been diagnosed.
In 1997, I spent seven weeks in hospital with a TPN Treatment. At the end of the treatment, I underwent a bowel resection to remove scar tissue and inflammation and had just under 12" removed, I believe. At the same time, a fistula was discovered that had allowed the Crohn's Disease to pass through my intensines and completely destroy a falopian tube, which also had to be removed. (I had never heard of this before). That surgery also left my stomach wall weakened, leading to several hernias requiring additional surgeries (7 in total).
Often times I have felt like an experiemenal patient for my doctors, and have in the past taken over 60 pills a day. I have found some medications that work and some that I have been allergic to. The most important thing that I belive I have learned is to stand up for myself when it comes to my medical care. No one knows my body better than I do.
I wish a forum similar to this had existed when I was first diagnosed. Hopefully, the experiences we have shared with this disease will help someone else find comfort. Thank you for creating such a forum to help and heal.
