My battle with Crohns

Exactly when it started, I don't know. It was pain, it kept me from eating right and as a partial result I lost about 45 pounds in 2 months. This was finally enough for me to schedule an appointment with my family doctor, Dr Welty. I put it off so long because I don't have health insurance. It started April 14th with my first visit to Dr. Welty. He was concered with the amount of weight I had lost in a short time. He ordered a full chem panel and CBC, along with a stool sample and CT Scan. Luckily mom being a nurse she had me fast the night before so we could do the blood work the day of the appointment with Dr. Welty.

After the tests ordered by Dr. Welty the CT scan showed focal enteritis and inflammation. He referred me to Dr. Mustapha, a gastroenterologist April 28th 2008. Again Dr. Mustapha was worried about the weight loss and ordered a colonoscopy and gastroscopy, he also put me on antibiotics and an anti-inflammitory for Crohns called Pentasa(mesalamine).

May 9th 2008.
Gastroscopy showed some mild inflammation, but nothing that worried Dr. Mustapha. However, on the colonoscopy they were able to get through the first parts fine until they reached the start of the small bowel which is ulcerated and severly inflammed and shows Crohns. Dr. starts me on Prednisone and continues Pentasa.

May 12th 2008.
Consult with Dr. Mustapha. Since I don't have insurance and Pentasa costs about $300 for a month's worth(I'm allergic to the generic), Dr. suggests Bowel Resection surgery to remove the section of my bowel which is inflammed and ulcerated. I will have to continue taking Pentasa even after the surgery. He gave me a schedule to wean off of the Prednisone(a steroid). Refers me to a Surgeon, Dr. Khawja on Friday.

Today(May 14th) I have a Small Bowel Follow-through. Where I drink a barium shake and x-rays are taken at 15 minute intervals and the progress of the barium contrast material makes my intestines show up on x-ray. That is at 10am.

So, thats my story thus far. I left small details out that I couldn't fully remember. It should however be enough to give friends and family an idea of whats going on.



Tags:	crohns, ibd, colitis

Posted By:

Tricky1

Posted 4 Years, 3 Weeks, 2 days ago

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