Yes it is, it's like ulcerative
colitis, commonly known as IBD or IBS, (inflammatory bowl disease,
or inflammatory bowl syndrome) in as much as it effects the intestines.
Different, in that is it terminal. However, you may die long before crohns kills
you. with many other things. You have it from birth, the doctors are not sure
just how you get it, genes or from some child hood disease, that then screws up
you immune system. Most every one who has it, has been dig. since they are
between 7 to 17, after that they consider you old, if you haven't had an attack
an/or been dig. This disease causes you to bleed from your intestines when you
are in an attack, because the antibodies your system makes to fight off any
infection or virus, go then an attack all bacteria in your system, even the ones
you need, like what's in the intestine, causing the bowl to be eaten into. There
is where the blood comes from, the irritation in your intestine. Allot of
people have had to have surgery to remove that part of the bowl that
seems to stay irritated more that the rest of the intestine, and also have had
to remove it completely, attaching a bag instead. It is a very painful
disease, I've had to go on disability (doctor made me), but then I was so
very sick, because of the last attack. It lasted for 5 1/2 years. I have
small attacks allot, but not as bad as the last long one. I have to take
allot of medicine when this happens. Or should I say you are suppose to. I try
an use as much natural thing to keep me in remission as I can. Reason
being, the medication makes me crazy, not that I'm not already, lol,
but....
When I do have to go on the meds, I take Ascol,
prednisone, flagyl, pain meds, folic acid, have also taken imnran (sp)...you
have a problem absorbing the things from foods that help you keep from getting
anemic. It can be a very dreaded disease, but I try and keep myself well, with
eating right, taking injectable vit., and trying to stay stress free. I was
doing good at it also until Michael got sick, then of course it reared it's
ugly head...Oh yes you can't get more that feet away from a
bathroom either, because to say you make at least 10 trips a day to the
potty is putting it mild!! If it's not bad enough from the disease, the side
effects from the meds. are a joy as well..lol. Oh well I'm still going strong
even with every thing, because I really do rely on GOD, because knowing that if
I didn't, heaven knows what state of mind I would be in by now. I do have a
great web site/support group, similar to this one, that I visit quite often,
keeps me up dated on the latest going on with this. If any one else has crohns
then they know what I'm talking about...it is not a nice thing to have. Here is
the web site, if any one does have it, and/or wants to take a look. http://qurlyjoe.bu.edu/cduchome.html,
http://qurlyjoe.bu.edu/FanMail/IBDSucksArticles/CROHNSILIEOCOLITISCOLOSTOMY.htm Anyway I hope this helps you understand what I have. xo
Dean
The alert is very much appreciated, I copied it and have
it hanging right in front of my nose. Thanks and hope you are doing all
right. By the way, what is chrons disease? I assume this is an
auto-immune disorder? Your friend, lillian
