Crohn's Humor

After months or research and years of experience, I have FINALLY figured out what I can eat and drink without any them causing flares, pain or bloating.....

water and ice cubes

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Crohnie Quote of the Day

I am NOT defined by my illness. 

I am WHO I am because of my illness. 

I am WHERE I am because of it..

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Step Up For IBD

World IBD Day

Bringing awareness to Crohn's and Colitis around the world

*picture from Crohn's and Colitis Canada

You Might Be a Crohnie

If you're up all night with your mind racing with strange things like, "why do we park in driveways and drive on parkways"....
you might be a Crohnie

Humira: Day 136

Humira has been an interesting adventure to say the least.
Oh, don't get me wrong, it's still doing the job, but I've had some weird "reactions" these past few injections and other IBD'ers I've talked with say it's strange as well.
So, let's back up...

I started Humira January 2 of this year without any fan fare, all good, pretty boring. Everything was pretty easy and no problems. Since then, I've had what I would call "reactions" after injecting.
Now, I don't know IF it's related to the Humira, but it's too much of a coincidence.
I do my injections every two weeks and I alternate between my left and right side of my abdomen.
Back in April, on back to back injections, I had Rigor attacks. A sudden, and I mean sudden, feeling of cold and chills, uncontrollable shaking and fever. The difference for me though, is I'll keep up with the shaking until I throw up and it slowly eases. It takes several throwing up episodes and hours later, it's gone.
What I'm left with though, is massive joint pain in my knees, hips, neck and jaw from the shaking.
It takes several days to fully recover.
My last two injections I have put in my thigh and no reaction, so I'm wondering if injecting into my abdomen is causing a reaction with my Crohn's. The throwing up makes me believe its causing a "blockage" type scenario.
I usually get Rigor attacks one a year or more before these last episodes. Now I've had two in as many months...weird to say the least. The only common factor is the Humira.
I have an appointment with my gastro soon, I'll talk with her more about it and hopefully I'm not the only one. Wouldn't be the first time.

But hey... it's always nice to be first at something....right?!

You Might Be a Crohnie

If no one knows by looking at you, you're flaring, in pain and really have to go to the bathroom...
you might be a Crohnie

Chronic and Invisible Illness Awareness

Please see this video from Jade Russell she put together featuring a wide variety of us that have a chronic and invisible disability. Supporting and bringing awareness to the large and every expanding community.

"I have a voice, I am visible"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kMRhQ-UFOQ&feature=youtu.be

Thanks Jade for your hard work

2020 Crohns and Colitis Canada Gutsy Walk

In the next hour, someone in Canada will be diagnosed with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Then someone else in the hour after that. And someone else in the hour after that. Canada has some of the highest rates of Crohn’s and colitis in the world.

These diseases cause the body to attack its own digestive tract, leading to intense abdominal pain, nausea, exhaustion, and frequent, urgent trips to the washroom. We still don’t know exactly what causes Crohn’s or colitis, and that makes the diseases difficult to treat.

Taking on the challenges of Crohn’s or colitis takes courage, community, and you. 

On Sunday, August 23, 2020, I’ll be taking part in the 25^th annual Gutsy Walk so that Crohn’s and Colitis Canada can fund the most promising research into these diseases, and continue to offer essential patient support programs. I’m here to ask you to please donate to my walk and help me reach my fundraising goal.

Your contribution will help uncover better treatments, help people with Crohn’s or colitis live fuller lives, and ultimately lead us to cures.

Please visit my personal fundraising page to make your donation to my virtual walk: 

https://crohnsandcolitiscanada.akaraisin.com/GutsyWalk2020/vernonlaine

Thank you for supporting me, and everyone who’s taking on Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

You Might Be a Crohnie

If you look at a small roll of 1-ply toilet paper and giggle...
you might be a Crohnie