WeAreCrohns.org - The Social Support Network for People Living with Crohn's Disease and Colitis

I have been suffereing with Crohn's symptoms since I was approximately 10 years old. I went from doctor to doctor being told that it was growing pains, the stomach flu, my gallbladder needed to be removed..oh btw there was never any stones in it or anything. I was 17 when they took that out. At 19 they said I needed to have my uterus removed that they thought I had cancer..I lost my insurance and didn't have that removed I have three beautiful healthy babies that I wouldn't have had if they had taken a perfectly fine uterus out. Just recently 1-14-08 I was having the intense stuff again so I said enough is enough they are going to listen to me or ELSE! I just couldn't take anymore. I went to a gastroenterologist where I saw a physicians assistant and said look Crohn's disease is in my family my cousin had it could you PLEASE do something to check I am almost positive this is whats wrong with me. I had an upper GI and small bowel study on 1-7-08 sure enough it showed very bad narrowing of the ileum. Then on the 14th the gastroenterologist decided it was time for a colonoscopy which confirmed the Crohn's disease. He could not believe how long I had been suffering with this when no one would listen to me. I'm finally being treated but its so severe that I need the surgery. :-(

In March I will have been married for 6 years to my husband Joseph. I have three wonderful children Kirstiana 5, Savannah almost 2 and Halen 3 months! My two girls and my baby boy. I was on birth control when I got pregnant with the oldest and the youngest so the drs are amazed that they are actually here and healthy. I was told that its often hard to have babies with Crohn's let alone healthy ones.

Pentasa 500mg tablets 2 tablets 3 times daily,

Prednisone 60mg to decrease by 10mg weakly until down to 20.

Ranitidine 300 mg 2 tablets 2 times daily

GNC womens bone density multi-vitamin/mineral 4 tablets daily

levoxyl 200mcg 1 tablet daily

darvocet as needed for pain (can't take because of my kids..it makes me sick and sleepy)Started my first dose of Remicade IV today at the drs office on 1-31-08. Dr says i'm going to need surgery soon and wants this in my system first. oh yippeee

GI : Dr. Mandetta or physician assistant Lemly.

General Practitioners: Krisi Barr physicians assistant and Rick Pasqueriello my md

For now. Going to be losing insurance in a few months...should be some nice upcoming bills that I won't be able to afford!!