- Location
- Massachusetts
I have experienced GI symptoms over the past thirteen years. In 2003, at the age of 22, I started having my first symptoms. I was finally referred to a GI doctor in 2006 after symptoms worsened. The GI doctor ordered blood work, a CT scan, and an Upper and Lower Endoscopy. The results from the testing came back "suggestive of Crohns". The CT scan showed inflammation and scarring in the terminal ileum, and there was some inflammation noted in the small intestine. The GI doctor began treating me for Crohn's Disease. I was put on Pentasa 500 mg four times daily and Prednisone. After about a month of treatment I had noticed a huge improvement. When I went back for my follow up appointment, the GI doctor took me off of all my medications and told me that he "didn't believe that it was really Crohn's Disease, and gave me a diagnosis of IBS." I was upset by this because I was crushed to have been told that I had Crohn's Disease, and now I was being told it was a mistake and just to "just take some Immodium and change my diet". So, I went on with my life and accepted the fact that I had IBS and it was something that I would have to just deal with.
In 2009 I developed severe upper right abdominal pain, and on CT scan it was shown that I had gallstones. My gallbladder was removed that next day. My symptoms started improving after my gallbladder was removed, so I thought that maybe it had been a cause of the GI symptoms I had been experiencing. I was wrong, the symptoms returned after a month.
I finally made the decision three weeks ago to see a different GI doctor for a second opinion. After experiencing severe pain in my lower right abdomen, weight loss, nausea, fatigue and continual loose stools and missing work, I knew it was time to do something. My GI doctor was amazing, and after obtaining my past GI records, repeating blood work, doing another CT scan and another upper and lower endoscopy...the diagnosis of Crohn's Disease was finally made. This time the colonoscopy showed ulcerations in my small intestine along with inflammation. I was started on Pentasa 2000 mg daily, and it was increased to 4000 mg daily last week due to continual pain in my abdomen and nausea. The past few weeks have been miserable. I have been constantly nauseous, and without any appetite. I weighed 150 lbs in January, and I am down to 130 lbs today. I have adjusted my diet, and when I do eat it is usually bland foods like bananas and toast. I'm a vegan, and I have no idea what to eat at the moment. I saw my GI doctor today due to my weight loss and lack of appetite, and pain in my lower right abdomen. I was started on Budesonide 9 mg daily for the next two months to reduce the inflammation. I am really hoping that it helps.
I have just been feeling a little depressed over the whole thing, I don't think I have fully accepted it yet. And I don't feel like friend's and family understand, even though they are trying really hard to understand what I am going through. But I am hopeful that this medication will work and that I can get back to feeling like myself again.
I'd love any advice regarding what to do when you are newly diagnosed, any tips or suggestions? Especially concerning diet during a flare up, are there any other Vegan's out there?
In 2009 I developed severe upper right abdominal pain, and on CT scan it was shown that I had gallstones. My gallbladder was removed that next day. My symptoms started improving after my gallbladder was removed, so I thought that maybe it had been a cause of the GI symptoms I had been experiencing. I was wrong, the symptoms returned after a month.
I finally made the decision three weeks ago to see a different GI doctor for a second opinion. After experiencing severe pain in my lower right abdomen, weight loss, nausea, fatigue and continual loose stools and missing work, I knew it was time to do something. My GI doctor was amazing, and after obtaining my past GI records, repeating blood work, doing another CT scan and another upper and lower endoscopy...the diagnosis of Crohn's Disease was finally made. This time the colonoscopy showed ulcerations in my small intestine along with inflammation. I was started on Pentasa 2000 mg daily, and it was increased to 4000 mg daily last week due to continual pain in my abdomen and nausea. The past few weeks have been miserable. I have been constantly nauseous, and without any appetite. I weighed 150 lbs in January, and I am down to 130 lbs today. I have adjusted my diet, and when I do eat it is usually bland foods like bananas and toast. I'm a vegan, and I have no idea what to eat at the moment. I saw my GI doctor today due to my weight loss and lack of appetite, and pain in my lower right abdomen. I was started on Budesonide 9 mg daily for the next two months to reduce the inflammation. I am really hoping that it helps.
I have just been feeling a little depressed over the whole thing, I don't think I have fully accepted it yet. And I don't feel like friend's and family understand, even though they are trying really hard to understand what I am going through. But I am hopeful that this medication will work and that I can get back to feeling like myself again.
I'd love any advice regarding what to do when you are newly diagnosed, any tips or suggestions? Especially concerning diet during a flare up, are there any other Vegan's out there?