Hello everyone! - Crohns Disease Forum - Support group and forum for IBD, Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease

schnicken · 06-20-2009, 12:36 AM

Hello everyone,

I was diagnosed when I was 15 in 1985. Admitedly, I don't think I've had such a rough time as some others, but things haven't been a breeze either.

Sometimes it's b*tch
Sometimes it's a breeze.

I only had one surgery and that was to see if the chrons would recess. It didn't work, so I've been on meds.

Originally, I was on prednizone. I had a discussion with a guy I knew who had chrons who referred me to a new DR, saying that this guy could get me off pred.

My issue was that I was going from 5mg to 0mg and flaring every time.

The new guy suggested I try 5,4,3,2,1,0,1,0 etc., I knew just sitting there in his office that it would work. And it did. I have only been on pred once since then and that was 1991.

Unfortunately, the pred had already done it's damage. I woke up one day to intense muscle spasms in my back. I think the pain was worse than any cramp I had ever had.

I went through a couple of DR's there who told me I had rheumatoid arthritis (extremely scary as my nannie had that) and wouldn't let me up the meds despite the fact that I was in pain. So I had my gastro get me a new one stat! The new guy sent me or an MRI, gave me valium for the spasms so that I could do some exercise, and then sent me for a bone density. I had an 80 year old spine and 60 year old hips. Thank you prednizone and old DR.

Since then, I started working out and that has become my medication in addition to 6MP. My bone density has gone up, still not enough to be normal, but better than it was!

While I love the weight gain and the fact that I never felt hungry that I had with pred, the side effects are just not worth it.

Let's add to the fact that I'm already very small boned. I look to menopause with mixed feelings. Glad because I may gain some weight and afraid because I may end up with broken and stooped bones before my time.

I'd also point out that the rheumatologist that I had ended up moving to the US, and then unfortunately having a stroke and dying

He did refer me to another great guy who put me on what is now deemed to be the proper amount of vit. D that folks in my situation should be taking. Apparently medical articles are only now bringing this to light. He was also Joe Weider's doctor.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it

(my friend's daughter would love this icon)

misscris · 06-20-2009, 05:39 AM

Hi Schnicken. Welcome to the forum.

kello82 · 06-20-2009, 11:16 AM

hi schnicken!

i like how you put it--sometimes its a b*tch, sometimes its a breeze.
thats an accurate description if ive ever heard one lol!

we feel where youre coming from with the love/hate of the pred. it seems to do wonders at reducing inflammation, upping the appetite etc, but the slew of side effects is just too much
there are also many of us on here that suffer from rheumatoid arthritis or arthritis symptoms. another lovely effect of crohns.
so, as you can see, you are among family here!
we all understand your pain, literally, and try to answer any questions.
hopefully give you a laugh when you need one too

welcome!!

oh p.s. your name is really fun to say. schincken!! as in rhymes with chicken?

schnicken · 06-20-2009, 12:54 PM

Thank you both. It's been a while since I was on a forum/chat. I found one years ago, 1995, on AOL and enjoyed it immensely. I'm already reading alot of posts on here.

There just are certain jokes that others don't get. I saw Joe's Beaker signature and thought it was great lol.

Schnicken is actually my cat's name and yes rhymes with chicken, and she actually is very timid (a chicken), I bought her at a pet store and there was a crate of chicks beside hers!

The name actually comes from a band called the Fu-Schnickens.

Cheers.

06-20-2009, 07:50 PM

Welcome to the forum Schnicken!!! We're glad to have you!

06-20-2009, 12:36 AM	#1
schnicken New Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 20	Hello everyone! Hello everyone, I was diagnosed when I was 15 in 1985. Admitedly, I don't think I've had such a rough time as some others, but things haven't been a breeze either. Sometimes it's b*tch Sometimes it's a breeze. I only had one surgery and that was to see if the chrons would recess. It didn't work, so I've been on meds. Originally, I was on prednizone. I had a discussion with a guy I knew who had chrons who referred me to a new DR, saying that this guy could get me off pred. My issue was that I was going from 5mg to 0mg and flaring every time. The new guy suggested I try 5,4,3,2,1,0,1,0 etc., I knew just sitting there in his office that it would work. And it did. I have only been on pred once since then and that was 1991. Unfortunately, the pred had already done it's damage. I woke up one day to intense muscle spasms in my back. I think the pain was worse than any cramp I had ever had. I went through a couple of DR's there who told me I had rheumatoid arthritis (extremely scary as my nannie had that) and wouldn't let me up the meds despite the fact that I was in pain. So I had my gastro get me a new one stat! The new guy sent me or an MRI, gave me valium for the spasms so that I could do some exercise, and then sent me for a bone density. I had an 80 year old spine and 60 year old hips. Thank you prednizone and old DR. Since then, I started working out and that has become my medication in addition to 6MP. My bone density has gone up, still not enough to be normal, but better than it was! While I love the weight gain and the fact that I never felt hungry that I had with pred, the side effects are just not worth it. Let's add to the fact that I'm already very small boned. I look to menopause with mixed feelings. Glad because I may gain some weight and afraid because I may end up with broken and stooped bones before my time. I'd also point out that the rheumatologist that I had ended up moving to the US, and then unfortunately having a stroke and dying He did refer me to another great guy who put me on what is now deemed to be the proper amount of vit. D that folks in my situation should be taking. Apparently medical articles are only now bringing this to light. He was also Joe Weider's doctor. That's my story and I'm sticking to it (my friend's daughter would love this icon)

06-20-2009, 05:39 AM	#2
misscris Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Washington Posts: 2,059	Hi Schnicken. Welcome to the forum. __________________ Crohns Diagnosis: March 2009 Resection and Abcess March 2009 W.C.C.....Charter member Facebook: www.facebook.com/misscris214 Myspace: www.myspace.com/misscris214

06-20-2009, 12:54 PM	#4
schnicken New Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 20	Thank you both. It's been a while since I was on a forum/chat. I found one years ago, 1995, on AOL and enjoyed it immensely. I'm already reading alot of posts on here. There just are certain jokes that others don't get. I saw Joe's Beaker signature and thought it was great lol. Schnicken is actually my cat's name and yes rhymes with chicken, and she actually is very timid (a chicken), I bought her at a pet store and there was a crate of chicks beside hers! The name actually comes from a band called the Fu-Schnickens. Cheers. __________________ I've run through rainbows and castles of candy I cried a river of tears from the pain I try to dance with what life has to hand me My partner's been pleasure, my partner's been pain There are days when I swear I could fly like an eagle And dark desperate hours that nobody sees

06-20-2009, 11:16 AM	#3
kello82 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,567	hi schnicken! i like how you put it--sometimes its a b*tch, sometimes its a breeze. thats an accurate description if ive ever heard one lol! we feel where youre coming from with the love/hate of the pred. it seems to do wonders at reducing inflammation, upping the appetite etc, but the slew of side effects is just too much there are also many of us on here that suffer from rheumatoid arthritis or arthritis symptoms. another lovely effect of crohns. so, as you can see, you are among family here! we all understand your pain, literally, and try to answer any questions. hopefully give you a laugh when you need one too welcome!! oh p.s. your name is really fun to say. schincken!! as in rhymes with chicken?

06-20-2009, 07:50 PM	#5
JillianB82 Guest Posts: n/a	Welcome to the forum Schnicken!!! We're glad to have you!