Hi guys,
My name is Sam and I'm 14... I was diagnosed with Crohn's three years ago after suffering from tummy aches since about age nine. I was originally put on prednisone and methotrexate, which worked for a while for me. Two years ago I came down with the Swine Flu shortly followed by Mono. I had to stop playing soccer and had just earlier quit dancing. Whenever I tried to do some kind of physical activity once I got back to school I had trouble breathing, so I was taken off of the methotrexate with fear that it was damaging my lungs. After many tests we realized that my lungs were fine, but I had already been switched to 6MP which I stayed on until just recently. About a month ago I went into my worst flare yet. For me, it's never been the diarrhea that has been a problem and I consider myself very lucky. Only a couple times since I was diagnosed have I had to literally run to the bathroom in order to make it (when I was in public). I have never vomited because of my Crohn's or lost mass amounts of weight. Once I recently started to get sick again, I went for a colonoscopy/endoscopy. My doctor said that if we had waited any longer I most likely would have had to undergo surgery. Instead, he put me on Remicade that I have unfortunately had reactions to during my second infusion, so we're not sure if we are going to try to continue or just try something else. I wanted to join this forum because I have been reading it since I went into this flare and some of the stories have made me cry and some have made me smile, and I thought it was important to have somewhere to turn when I had questions. To be honest, I know I could be suffering much worse than I am and I know that I am blessed. But sometimes the pain is unbearable. School is very hard. Very recently the disease has had more of an impact on me mentally than ever before, and sometimes I feel very alone. However, I have a great support system from two of the most important people in my life.
Also, just a side note... I hate prednisone. A whole lot. :thumleft:
My name is Sam and I'm 14... I was diagnosed with Crohn's three years ago after suffering from tummy aches since about age nine. I was originally put on prednisone and methotrexate, which worked for a while for me. Two years ago I came down with the Swine Flu shortly followed by Mono. I had to stop playing soccer and had just earlier quit dancing. Whenever I tried to do some kind of physical activity once I got back to school I had trouble breathing, so I was taken off of the methotrexate with fear that it was damaging my lungs. After many tests we realized that my lungs were fine, but I had already been switched to 6MP which I stayed on until just recently. About a month ago I went into my worst flare yet. For me, it's never been the diarrhea that has been a problem and I consider myself very lucky. Only a couple times since I was diagnosed have I had to literally run to the bathroom in order to make it (when I was in public). I have never vomited because of my Crohn's or lost mass amounts of weight. Once I recently started to get sick again, I went for a colonoscopy/endoscopy. My doctor said that if we had waited any longer I most likely would have had to undergo surgery. Instead, he put me on Remicade that I have unfortunately had reactions to during my second infusion, so we're not sure if we are going to try to continue or just try something else. I wanted to join this forum because I have been reading it since I went into this flare and some of the stories have made me cry and some have made me smile, and I thought it was important to have somewhere to turn when I had questions. To be honest, I know I could be suffering much worse than I am and I know that I am blessed. But sometimes the pain is unbearable. School is very hard. Very recently the disease has had more of an impact on me mentally than ever before, and sometimes I feel very alone. However, I have a great support system from two of the most important people in my life.
Also, just a side note... I hate prednisone. A whole lot. :thumleft: