A Crohnee Story – Melanie |
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I'm 28, married with a 4 yr old son. I first started experiencing problems 2 yrs ago, mainly bloating, constipation and general fatigue. This led me to go back and forth to the doctor, who put it down to IBS. I tried various anti-spasmodic medications such as Colpermin and Mebeverine, but these did nothing for my symptoms. Over the next year the bloating and pain increased, I become constantly tired and lost my once healthy appetite.
I continued in my job at a bank, but found myself taking more and more time off, I even used to sit at my desk with a hot water bottle pressed against my belly! Eventually I decided enough was enough and went for a second opinion. The new GP was fantastic, after listening to my symptom's he immediately referred me to a specialist for a colonoscopy. Ironically the day before the appointment with the consultant, I woke in the night with violent bloody diarrhea and was taken to A&E.
Obviously I was terrified and thought the worst, but to my initial relief a colonoscopy showed 2 ulcers on the large bowel and which suggested Crohn’s Disease. Further test's ensued, including x-ray's CT scans and barium follow through which revealed a stricture in my small bowel, where it joined the large bowel.
I started Pentasa and Budesonide immediately and followed a low fiber diet; all was well for 2 months until the pain started creeping up again. I ended
up in hospital again where they changed my steroid to Prednisone. Once home I began vomiting, after everything I ate, even after the liquid meals. I was advised by my IBD nurse to come back into hospital immediately.
So back I went, where the CT scan showed that the stricture was not responding to the steroids. I have been told that I will need surgery to remove the stricture, which I'm told is relatively small at 12cm!?! Which is where I am now: awaiting surgery in four days? I am told that I will not need a bag and that I will be hospital for 1 week. I'm nervous about the surgery but looking forward to being able to eat a proper meal again!
I know that surgery only provides a short term solution to the problem, but feel more positive that I now know what I am dealing with.
Kind Regards
Melanie (Plymouth, UK)
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