"Crohn's Disease Ate My Colon" - My story (Part One)

We all know that Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and IBD in general, affects us all differently in one way or another. The common denominator is the disease itself, that's it. There are slight variations in symptoms and how it affects us, but we all deal with it in our own fashion.

Me? Well.... here's my story.

June 1988 is when I was finally diagnosed with Crohn's Disease, symptoms came suddenly just 6 months prior, I had just turned 20.  I was the two sport athlete, ate "normally", no family history of Crohn's or any IBD.

Not always a good thing to be first.

I was born in a small town in the interior of British Columbia. We moved a few times, finally settling in Surrey, BC, Canada. I think my childhood was about as normal as the next kid, father went to work every morning (he was a teacher) and my mum stayed at home watching us kids. I was a pretty active kid growing up, always outside or doing something. I was introduced to ice skating when I was 8 years old after my parents took us to a local skating event. We signed up for lessons soon afterwards and quickly discovered I had a knack for skating. One of the coaches took notice and I joined the figure skating club at 10 years old. I enjoyed the quietness of tracing figures on the ice, over and over and over again. I remember how calming it was after a day of school. I loved the freedom of the free skating, the jumps, spins, artistry... the falling wasn't pleasant but it was all part of learning, which I think I've taken with me throughout my life. If you fall, get up as quick as you can, brush it off and try again. Repeat.
By the time I was 12 I was rising though the ranks, placing and winning in competitions and enjoying skating. I was teased in school which was hard, but back then you had two choices, let it bring you down or do something about it. I chose to do something about it and one day after some on going teasing about being a male figure skater,  I hit him and got into a fight. It was quick, but I stood up for myself. Things changed after that and once some of them came to see me practice, they noticed I was the only guy among 25 girls on the ice.
My life changed a few years later when my dad left us. Just like that, no clue as to why, just left. He left us each a letter and once I read it, I threw it out. I don't remember today what it said, but I remember that it made me angry and changed me. I went from being the nice kid, to being the angry kid. It affected my skating and I ended up leaving the sport in 1985 after attending our Provincial Winter Games. I had been playing soccer for a few years at the same time and started to concentrate on playing as I could take my frustrations out on the pitch.
It is at this point in my life, I personally think, that maybe Crohn's started. Not necessarily any symptoms showing, but the anger, anxiety and keeping everything in, contributed to the Crohn's gene starting it's life. It might not be the reason, because there is no known cause yet, but for me, I think it's a contributing factor.
It's birth inside me so to speak, even though symptoms won't show for another 4 years.....

Next: Part Two

You Might Be A Crohnie

If reviewing your medical records takes more than a week
... you might be a Crohnie

Crohnie Quote of the Day

source: worklad.co.uk

You Might Be A Crohnie

If you have ever rolled your eyes at someone who has told you "I know how you feel" and they DON'T have Crohn's
...you might be a Crohnie

Have You Ever Been Let Go...?

With this recent story out of the U.S. and accusations against Amazon, click here

Fired Amazon employee with Crohn’s disease files lawsuit over lack of bathroom access

It begs the question, has anyone else been discriminated at work because of their illness or condition?  I know I have and it got to the point where I was fired so I filed a Human Rights complaint against the company because they knew about my Crohn's Disease when they hired me AND it was actually my second time round with this particular company.
But after many, many months back and forth with lawyers, with the he said, she said, the case was finally dropped....only because the company closed its doors and no longer existed. I had no case if there was no company.
The point is, if this happens to you AND the employer knew about your condition, don't let it go.
You have to FIGHT for your rights !!

You Might Be a Crohnie

If you can go through a whole roll of toilet paper in just one day
...you might be a Crohnie

Remicade : Day 2384

Second infusion at the higher dose. I don't notice any difference, other than it really knocks me down after. I was very tired the next day and now this is the second day and I feel drained. Could be something else maybe, but we'll see after the next one in March.
I don't know about anyone else, but when I go for my infusion, I like it a bit quiet. This last infusion, some 20 something came in near the end of mine and sat in the chair next to me, which is all fine and dandy, but then proceeded to Facetime his buddy, without headphones and without turning the volume down. Like it was it house, or standing outside, or something. His mum came in to ask if he wanted anything and he basically ignored her and kept talking to his friend. They were both swearing back and forth, etc.
The lack of consideration and the utter rudeness to his mum I think is the sign of the times for 20 somethings. Not all, but a good many. It's not the first time I've experienced this.
My kids won't and aren't brought up that way. Have some respect.

Crohnie Quote Of The Day

You Might Be A Crohnie

If you need a rest after having a rest
... you might be a Crohnie

Vitamins and Minerals

One of the problems with having Crohn's Disease (one of many), is the fact that you have problems absorbing the necessary vitamins and minerals your body needs.  Over the years, and alot of trial and error, I was finally able to find a multi vitamin that does not cause me pain and discomfort. I think the Remicade (Infliximab) has alot to do with it. The over the counter multi's have too many "fillers" which I think was causing all the problems. Of course the one I find that works, I have to get from a doctor friend as they are only available through health practitioners. What I found interesting was that these multi's have zero fillers and are derived directly from fruits and vegetables.... that's it, which in a way, makes lots of sense.  They are hard to get and cost more, but they work....for me. On top of the multi's, I also take other supplements. I take B50 complex, D, B12, Magnesium, Iron and Omega 3.
As a Crohn's patient, we need these supplements, but everyone is different so it will take a while to find what works for you. It's taken many many years to find what combination works. I dont take all of them at once, I take some one day and some the next day. I found that it I take them all each day, I get some pain and discomfort.
Even if you think they arent working, still take them, you never know.