New to this kind of thing!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-17-2005
New to this kind of thing!!
3
Fri, 03-18-2005 - 6:50pm

Hello Everybody!

My name is Gretchen and I am a 24 yr old Oregon resident. I had been having some problems with bleeding while going to the bathroom and also having horrible stomach pains while and after eating. My mom told me to immediately to go to my doctor about the bleeding. From my family doctor I was sent to a gastroeneurologist. A couple to be exact. I went through all of those lovely tests I'm sure all of you are familiar with. The colonoscopy was horrible because of the pains to follow immediately that night and the taste of the barium. Yuck!! Well it all turns out in the end that I have crohn's disease. Then to top things off I also have "too many ulcers for somebody my age." Whatever that means.

I have been put on Entocort, Pentasa and now recently prednasone. I am getting every single side effect that has been listed on the pamphlets that the pharmacist gives you. My doctor also keeps changing my dosage on me which with I think it is the prednasone is making me gain weight. I am hating this whole thing so much that I feel very depressed, I cry a lot and sleep a lot. Is this normal or is it my meds?

My doctor says I need to stay stress free for awhile until I get over this flare up because it is a bad one. My only problem with that is that my job is the main source of stress. I work in the telephone communication business. We all know how much we hate our phone bills sometimes. So needless to say I've had to take short term disability which makes me nervous about job security and keeping my benefits for my meds and doctor visits. I guess I am just looking mainly for words of encouragement and maybe some advice of coping and about how others feel about the medication.

Can't wait to meet you some of you. Have a great day!
Gretchen

Community Leader
Registered: 10-01-2002
Fri, 03-18-2005 - 7:21pm

Hi Gretchan, and Welcome to iVillage

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-17-2005
Fri, 03-18-2005 - 9:25pm

Thank you so much for your response and information Wren.

When I had my colonoscopy, yeah it was up that end and even though I was out it was very embarassing for me. About 1 week later is when they did the barium ex ray. A journal is a great idea. My mom suggested that too. My boyfriend and I go walking every morning just about. Even though I am getting a good work out in, I feel as though I am still eating more than I burned off. Maybe it is psychological. Who knows. Anyways, thank you again for writing me back with some encouragement that I am not totally a mental case. Have a good night!

Gretchen

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-14-2003
Sat, 03-19-2005 - 10:38am

Gretchen, Never ever think you are nutty or confused

thflowers-hahd23222.gif picture by Wren53B