Sunday, February 21, 2010

The Good and The Bad

Doctor was good and bad ...
GOOD in was GREAT to see a doc who I LOVE and who remembered me after ELEVEN YEARS ...she is remarkable. She listened to me ...and fully agrees SOMETHING is going on and she wants to find out what. She ordered a CT entrogrpahy (which 2 other gi's wanted to do - I told them I vomit the contrast if it is oral and all of them said no choice) she thought for a sec and asked if a small NG tube and have the contrast done that way - and I was like YES!!!!!!!!!! I don't mind NG tubes esp. if it will get ALL the contrast in my gut so they can get a GOOD view of what is going on ...plus CT entogrpahy is one of the best ways to get an image of the small bowel (they don't do the pill cam with crohn's patients cause if it gets stuck THEY HAVE TO GO IN and get it ...) She is also doing an endoscopy. She did a rectal exam also - something the last two GI docs I had seen NEVER DID and found a new fistula and essentially a tear/open wound which I had NO IDEA I HAD cause I can't see my ass ...and I'm on pain management so I didn't feel it. Explains where the bleeding was coming from ... I feel so good in her hands - and feel like something finally is going to come of this.
OK THE BAD -
I have been on pain management for about 5yrs now - plus I am nauseous EVERY DAY ...not a matter of if I am nauseous it is how bad is it. The combo made it worse ...so docs prescribed me phenergan - and kept increasing till I was taking 100mgs a day for almost THREE YEARS NOW. I have been experiencing hand tremors at first ...and then noticed just was getting restless. It progressed over the years the doctors said it was anxiety...even though what I was experiencing was nothing like an anxiety attack ...never felt like I was going to have a heart attack chest pressure or shortness of breath. My sleeping got really bad - as the restless feeling progressed. Eventually it got so bad I was barely sleeping - my legs were always moving and restless...sometimes my arms and neck. Was having twitches and spasms sometimes - ESP when I had to go to the ER and they would give me IV Phenergan, Reglan, or Compazine. AGAIN they thought it was anxiety ...and tried giving me adavain but never helped. It NEVER hurts was more of a feeling of energy building up in my arms, legs, and neck and if I didn't move them it would just get worse - and sometimes like my head would jerk to the left ..or my leg .. or arm. I spoke to a wonderful new member who shared with me HER experience with Phenergan and restlessness. Looked into it and sure enough it and sure enough there is absolutely a connection between Phenergan, Reglan, and Compazine. I talked to my surgeon about it - and she knew of it ...and agreed that phenergan is not a good drug, and she feels not even good for managing nausea - ZOFRAN is the way to go.


I have nerve damage - as basically my nerves have been firing non stop and they are fried. The question now is it permanent? I am off phenergan and on zofran now. The Klonopin has helped a great deal with the restlessness...for the first time in almost three years I feel calm. Saturday and Sunday have been amazing for me. I have slept almost 16hrs now – when in the last week I was lucky to get that. I actually feel GOOD!!!


It is ridiculous what exhaustion can do to someone. I didn’t even realize how tired I was since it had been going on for years now. That is what has been going on.... I am so relieved to finally have a doc who is willing to help me - especially one who did my surgery and has SEEN inside me and removed the damage. I have hope - it is wonderful Regardless of what happens - I FEEL pretty good right now and embracing that.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

My Thoughts - An Update

Hi! I haven't written a blog in a few weeks now. I've been preparing gathering medical records and what not for my appointment with my new GI on Feb 8th. I am optimistic about seeing him, as he comes highly recommended from my counselor/social worker.

My health has been it's ever joyful Crohn's joy - HA. I have to say though, being off Humira has actually helped me in feeling back to "normal" for me. The dehydration issues I was having are gone - as is the insomnia. Dehydration was causing other fun complications - which have all passed. I am always feel run down, but on Humira I felt even more so. I am a firm believer though that just because a medicine doesn't work for ONE person - doesn't mean it's a bad medicine. For all those taking Humira - I don't think it's a bad drug ...just wasn't right for me.

CDSN everyday amazes me! From the members and their stories, the content being shared - the pictures and videos, the support being offered from one member to the next. My hope for CDSN is becoming a reality - to aid people whose lives have been effected by Crohn's and to spread as much awareness possible for Crohn's Disease and IBD in general. I know I've said it many times, but truly I am so humbled by the feedback, comments, and response that CDSN has generated. There are MILLIONS of websites - I never imagined people would find and respond so positively...THANK YOU! People helping people...education...awareness ...that IS CDSN and it wouldn't be what it is w/o all the members.

As 2010 continues I hope to continue with my goals of helping and awareness also to end the question "What is Crohn's Disease?" THE WORLD WILL KNOW! I have some very simple ideas for spreading awareness - the first being a Crohn's Disease "Trending Topic" day on Twitter. I will of course update when more information is laid out.

CDSN has reached 341 members in just over 4 months on January 24th, 2010. Crohn's Disease Support Network - CDSN
The CDSN FaceBook Group has reached almost 225 members!
Lastly, the CDSN Twitter Account @CrohnsDiseaseSN is just about to cross 1000 members!

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR ALL THE CROHN'S DISEASE SUPPORT, AWARENESS, AND TAKING THE TIME TO READ MY BLOG :)

OK - I will stop rambling now - All my best to everyone, Jason