OMG I've just read your poo poem and it had me in stitches!  What a story, my Crohn's started with a huge abscess on my bum and it was horrendous but the thought of a doctor looking at your bum at such a young age is awful, at least as you get older and more used to this the embarrassment goes a bit x

Hi Oli,

I'm sorry I've not had chance to thoroughly read everyones replies, so I'm not sure if anyone has already asked - but have you tried other kinds of treatment such as Infliximab or Humira? Or would you not consider another long term course of steroids? Also please look at this website and use google to learn about this medication, it has definitely given me hope! It's just difficult to find a GP who will prescribe, as I'm finding out, but still worth learning about: http://www.ldnnow.co.uk

Keep your chin up http://crohns-disease.org.uk/forum/Smilies/smiley.png

Nicole

Hi new here
Had a hell of a year n a bit started offshore with appendix took 5 days to get me back which in this day and age is unbelievable after serving 18 years as marine with out a scratch lol I had the appendix removed but still in pain so after bevvy of scans etc they found a constriction in the bowel I was then sent home to get strength back for 2 weeks then back in to hospital for Right hemi  after the op was hell vomitting facel matter and feeling that was it this carried on for 12 days Istarted slowly feeling better was in for further 18 days due to complication which set me back  Ithen returned home weak and 3 stone lighter which being gym nut was hell its self lol Iwas offwork for 5months feeling guilty as hell then returned on pt time basis which to say the least was tiring started getting back to fitness passed offshore medical ready to go make the money again  then BBBBOOM  another damn attack more tests more being starved another 2 ops to see if anything and again the post op vomitting and pooing bed which I felt disgusted with self Ieven changed it myself as so disgusted with self  kept in for 3 weeks home for xmas right here we go again stated back at work Feb getting on great tired but happy  till bbbbbbbboom again 3 weeks ago ended back in to be practically be told nothing wrong ust constipated enemas etc nothing so sent home now in utter agony after eating starting to lose weight again off work acid n stomach noises along with nausea  saw GI doc hes recommended scopes n biopsies was speaking admitting me again I am getting to end of teather Icant sleep or nothing   some one help !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

well, after really stuggling to get up out of bed this morning, I have read the poems and had a laugh, through the tears that is. I've been on the Crohns Journey for nearly 6 years, 2 re-sections and pretty much all the drugs they can throw at me, I'm now not taking anything and feel as low as you could possibly feel, last night, yes, I really did think, well, if I was dead I wouldn't be going though all this!!!
My biggest struggle is the lack of understanding, being told its my own fault for eating food I know I shouldn't eat. How do you explain to those around you who don't have this to carry around all day every day, how it feels to be deprived of the foods you love, to only be able to tolerate Fortisips. Some days I get very rebellious and throw a chippy tea down my neck, to then spend the whole night in the bathroom.
Whilst I was on Infliximab I initially felt great, over time though I began to pick up every virus, infection etc...... that was going, so consultant wants to clear my system of all the drugs and re-test me, to see if the Crohns has become 'Live' again.
My experience of the Gastro consultants in the north west has been a positive one, with me having access to a gastric nurse daily. I used to live in Dorset and even after a MRI scan they failed to diagnose me.
I've got another consultant appointment next week, so hopefully a light may get turned on at the end of the very long tunnel i'm currently in.
I've stopped thinking 'why me?' but it doesn't stop me getting angry and frustrated at what I've been dealt, one doctor was very shocked when I said I would rather lose a limb than live with this disease, I've even asked for a bag, as it would be more tolerable than the daily restrictions, pain, embarressment etc...
Feeling very sorry for myself!!!!