Welcome to the group for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis

Hi just joined I'm Erin, have had crohns for 15 years, happy to join a group with others in the same boat.

Hi Erin, welcome :) 

I have only had Crohn's for 3 years and still getting used to it. In the beginning I had very long remission periods, but now experiencing more flare-ups, so I am still working on adjusting my life to this. Currently doing a food diary to see if there are specific foods that affect me specifically. Do you have other good ideas to learn how to manage it (at least somewhat).

Thanks

Hello all, I'm new here, but not new to Crohns. I started getting Crohn's symptoms at the age of 15 but wasn't diagnosed until I was almost 20. I had a laperoscopic resection (key hole bowel removal and reconnection) six months after diagnosis and have been in a new flare since June. I am currently coming to the end of a course of steroids and take 4g of pentasa daily. We have been trying to get me onto an immunosuppressant, I started with Azathioprine but I had a reaction, so we tried mercaptopurine. At first things looked good but a recent blood test showed my white blood cells had dropped too low and we've had to pause them. i'll see my specialist nurse on Wednesday and do a new blood test and if things are back to normal we'll try to re-introduce it. 

I have found Crohn's has greatly affected my life so far, I had to leave university because I was frequently being admitted to hospital ( I was doing a nursing course ) and have not been able to return as occupational health have declined me clearance two years in a row. I get tired very easily and have lost friends because they got bored of me being sick and not being able to go out. I do however have a very supportive boyfriend who has stood by me through everything. I think I relapsed so soon after surgery because the consultant I was under at they time didn't give me proper follow up or maintanence treatment. I am now under a new team who are working with me to get things under control. 

I look forward to getting to know some people here and seeing how you manage your condition and hopefully I will be able to give some help and support too. 

Hello guys!

Don't forget this conversation! It is really helpful for all to see your advice and opinion. I invite you to keep sharing :)

All the best,

Gilda 

Hi , my sister has chrons disease for 3 yrs , she has learning difficulties, we are finding it very very hard for her. . Any help please she has diarrhoea most of the time , she is on octasa , steroids for 8 weeks second time this year . Any help please ......

Hi Christina have Distel Colitis but 20 years ago it was thought I had Chrons then Chrons/Colitis now Distel Colitis. Was very ill 20 years ago my mum & i believed I had Cancer but was lucky to have the marvelous Speciaist that I saw the other week he saved my life! (Said I have been with him 20 years nearly replied you had hair when I first came here lol) He put me on drugs to suppress my Immune System which helped to dampen my symptoms. Been on Asacol ever since flare ups rare so maybe I am fortunate in having an excellent Specialist XC