DS is hospitalized with Crohn's colitis.

[DawnCt]

My oldest DS was hospitalized last night with Crohn's colitis. At first there was concern of a bowel obstruction but the iv antibiotics and steroids seem to have addressed that. He will be "progressing" to the next level of treatment which is of concern, steroids and 6mp, immunnosupressant drugs. This of course is not what we wanted but it is better than surgery. Anyone else have crohns? I would appreciate any insight into your response to these drugs...and of course your prayers for a quick recovery. His name is Chris. Thanks, Dawn

 

[Lanshark]

Dawn

I'll keep Chris (my son's name too) and your family in my prayers

 

[GailT]

Chris will be in my thoughts. I have founf out through my own health prayer works and CHRIS, you are in my prayers. Get better soon

 

[poohbear1029]

I dont have Crohns, but have suffered on and off from colitis. THe Crohns & Colitis foundation has a great website.... www.ccfa.org Try them for the latest in treatment and information.

I know many people with Crohns who live healthy, active lifestyles and no one around them is the wiser!

Best of luck to your son.

 

[momof3disneyholics]

I watched my best friend suffer through it. She went through 2 surgeries last year and now she is cured. The surgeries were pretty extensive, and she has to wear an illeostomy (spelling?) bag for a couple of months, but she said she would change anything because she is much better now.

 

[DawnCt]

We are grateful that he didn't have to have surgery. He would have a really tough time accepting an illeostomy and that was my fear last night.

 

[floridafam]

Best of luck to him. He will be in our thoughts.

 

[ead79]

Chris and your entire family are in my prayers. {{{HUGS}}} for you all.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Best wishes for Chris, Dawn. Hoping he does well, he and all of you will be in my prayers.

Dan

 

[DawnCt]

Thank you everyone for your good thoughts and prayers. Most sincerely, Dawn

 

[chrisney]

Hi Dawn,
My son has Crohns, was diagnosed just before his thirteenth birthday. Had a bowel perforation last June, on his 21st birthday, spent 7 1/2 months with a colostomy and had it repaired in January. So, we've been where you are right now.
My son is on Asacol, along with 6MP. It seems to be effective for him most of the time. He doesn't seem to be triggered by foods, but most certainly is triggered by stress. The only big concern with 6MP is to have periodic bloodwork done to keep an eye on liver function. He's had no problems.
Steriods are definately a mixed blessing. People with Crohns often refer to prednisone as dreadnisone because of the mood swings that it can cause. It is also important to realize that it can retard growth and leech calcium from the body if used on a longterm basis. On the other hand, it helps to get them back in to remission, and does wonders for their appetite and weight gain. So, it's very much a two sided weapon in the fight with this disease.
As far as the colostomy...my son was 6 hours away when he had his emergency surgery. He's a camp councellor during the summer, and was rushed into a regional medical center. While flying down I-95 on four wheels at 3 a.m. I begged the surgeon to avoid doing a colostomy. Said I was afraid that he wouldn't be able to cope. No colostomy wasn't an option, but it also turned out that I was wrong. He coped amazingly well. He said that it was almost a relief, and that he actually felt much better than he had in a long time. That he didn't realize how terrible he felt until he had the opportunity to feel better. He was not in a rush to reverse the colostomy, and waited until he was really ready.
Best of luck to you and your son. Be sure to keep up with the research on Remicade--lots has changed in terms of the frequency with which it can be infused. I'm sure that the next flare will find my son being infused for the first time. I just wish he'd listened to his body before he got to the point where he was last summer. It's a rotten disease, but as I told my son...either he can have the disease or the disease can have him. He's opted for the former, and after a year off from school in order to recover from the first surgery and have the second, he'll be back in school next September.

 

[Serena]

Chris is in my prayers.

 

[Mickey's sunshine]

Unfortunately I can not offer you any information on this but I can keep Chris in my thoughts. {{hug}}

 

[damo]

My neighbour's daughter has Crohn's. She was diagnosed when she was about 11. She also has other autoimmune problems but has gotten them under control with drug therapy. There was a lot of concern about her growing properly and puberty but she has come through wonderfully and is doing great. She is now 16.

 

[DawnCt]

Chrisney, thank you for the information on your son. My DS tends to put on weight so that is a concern that we have about the steroids. I guess that is unusual, a crohn's pt who is slightly overweight. His primary symptoms with his crohns has always been abdominal pain, bleeding and severe fatigue. I hope that he doesn't have to stay on the steroids very long. I am not sure when he is going to be discharged but I want the dietician to meet with him before he is. Best wishes to your son.

 

[Lorix2]

Dawn - my DH was diagnosed when we were 18, he's 36 now.

All I can say is that I know how heartbreaking and scary this disease is, it robs everyone of the opportunity to live normally at times. My husband will not seek treatment unless he's the worst he's ever been, he won't stay on maintenance meds and you will never hear him complain, most people don't even know he has it because he'll just "work thru" his pain and discomfort, his drive is unbelievable. The kids know when he's in and out of the bathroom constantly and in for a long time, that it's not a good day...but that seems to be the norm for him. He will walk around holding his abdomen, it's just a habit now.

I'm not sure what 6mp is...but he's turned down Remicade. He will take Asacol though.

I really hope your son will recover quickly and stay well. ((HUGS)) to you and Chris...he'll be alright.

 

[Tina]

My DH has Crohn's but has been symptom free for nearly 10 years now. He was diagnosed when he was rushed into surgery for what they thought was Appendicitis. He was lucky enough that his Crohn's only affects a small portion of his illeum. He spent more than 2 years on both 6mp and prednisone. He also completely changed his diet. For him, complex vegetables, seeds, nuts, etc were a problem. He ate nearly the same meal everyday for several years. He stuck with chicken with rice or potatoes. After being weaned off the drugs, he stuck with a very careful diet and always avoided raw or steamed veggies. Its only in the last couple of years that he has returned to eating things like broccoli and asparagus, but he always overcooks them for fear of his Crohn's symptoms returning. He LOVES that he can once again eat popcorn. Best of luck to your son.

 

[browneyes]

Just said a prayer for Chris.

One of my SO's cousins was diagnosed with Chrohn's in his late 30's. He had so many complications from it, but he never complained. Good luck to your son.

 

[Big V]

Saying a prayer for Chris. I hope he feels better soon.

 

[KiminChicago]

My DH was diagnosed with Crohns in his mid-30s. He's actually had a few infusions of the Remicade and it really does help him quite a bit. Stress is definitely a trigger for him, so we always know when we as a family are trying to do to much and have to cut back on some of our activities. One thing my husband's doctor told us is that the typical Crohns case is not typical, everyone reacts slightly differently, you just need to figure out what triggers a flare-up.

One interesting thing I read lately is that some scientists think that there might be a bacteria in milk products that causes Crohns, sort of like the bug they found recently that contributes to ulcers. I keep praying that someday there will be a complete cure, not the maintenance steps we take today.