Hi all, I'm glad to have come across this forum, as I've found out a lot of information already about what's going on with me.

I'm 37, just diagnosed with Crohn's.  I have had gut problems since July 2008.  My mum and dad died only a couple of months earlier (my dad was very ill and kind of expected, my mum totally unexpected, they died 2 weeks apart).  I got ill with stomach pains while on holiday in Bristol, the food was richer than normal and I don't know if maybe something I ate wasn't cooked properly.

I had initially been diagnosed with IBS, as they did all the normal blood and urine tests and they came up negative.  I've always had a bit of trouble with wheat, but more so since the problems started.  I'm not Coeliac though because I can drink barley based beer with no problems.

In May 2009 I realised the IBS tablets, mebeverine, weren't working so well any more.  I gave it a couple of months then went to see the doctor.  I asked to try different tablets but he sent me for a colonoscopy and barium.

I had the colonoscopy on 12 Oct and he immediately said I had colitis.  I didn't realise at the time what that was.  He sent me to the IBD team that afternoon, who explained some more.  It hit me then.  Fortunately my husband was with me.  

My dad had Crohn's, nearly died of it in his mid 20's as they didn't know what was wrong, and he ended up with an ileostomy and diabetes also.  Plus my mum's sister fell ill a few years ago and she has Crohn's, again with an ileostomy.  I was prescribed prednisolone and given a pack of info from the NACC, who I have since joined.

I got the biopsy results 2 days ago and I was disappointed that they couldn't pinpoint, it says Crohn's is a possibility.  Although I don't want this illness, I would rather have a definite diagnosis so I know what's going on.  I asked the IBD team and they said they are treating it as Crohn's.  I'm due the barium on 10 Nov but they said it probably won't prove any more conclusive.  They say they won't do more tests unless something changes to make them think it's not Crohn's.

I go on holiday to Egypt in January and was concerned about travelling and getting travel insurance.  I was assured that my condition is mild, I guess it helps that it's been caught early.  I called Baskeyfield, the NACC recommended insurance company, who refused to insure me, and wouldn't tell me why or what I could do to change that.  I tried a couple more insurers and fortunately both would cover me - massive relief!

I've been referred to the IBD team in Leeds, who are apparently very good, with a dietician and a holistic approach to the whole condition.  In the meantime, the predisolone is screwing with my emotions, I feel totally alone with no support, and am still panicking that I might have to have an operation.  I can't eat my favourite foods as I am on a very low fibre diet until my system calms down and even when it does I shouldn't eat my fave veggies.  I never lost my appetite and am already overweight, so I need to be really careful with what I'm eating.

I also have asthma, eczema, rhinitis (near constant hayfever, plus post nasal drip), migraine, bilateral sacro-iliac joint inflammation and joint pain generally, stress and depression on and off, am double jointed...  I have had all of them from infancy/childhood, except the asthma that came on when I was 18 and depression since early 20's (not because of the illnesses though!).  Fortunately they are mild and/or well controlled by medication and have never stopped me working full time.  I already take quite a lot of complementary treatments, including vits, minerals, calcium etc, which seems like it's done me a favour in many ways.

Reading people's experiences on these sites makes me realise the Crohn's is tied into pretty much all of these conditions as well and things are making a lot more sense, like the tiredness I've had the past year.  I know it's not helped that I've been depressed due to my parents dying, but I'd have thought I should have started feeling a little better by now, so at least things are clearer in that way.

People may be thinking I've divulged too much there, but I'm one of these people who tell the truth and am not ashamed of what's wrong with me.  I must though really stop answering honestly when people ask me how I am, and I say "not good" - and remember that sometimes they don't actually want to hear it!

Hi magpie,welcome to the site.My god you have been through it havnt you.I and these
dear friends on here,hope your life turns around,and things heal soon for you.There are
so many stories on here of people coming to grips with things in their lives,that it overwelms me,how strong people are,and how they manage to overcome the pain in their
bodies and in thier hearts.I feel for you in this difficult time,and hope you can become
strong again,and you come to terms with your illness.We are here for you.
Dont be afraid to ask anything.

regards David.

Welcome Magpie!  You do have a multitude of things don't you.  I am hoping that the Prednisolone is also going to help control your joint inflammation and asthma.  After a few months I seemed to get a grip on the Prednisolone weirdness.  I just kept telling myself, "At least I have something that should help me".  I'm sorry to hear about your parents.  It also must be hard knowing that you may be following in their footsteps, healthwise.    I'm glad that some of the supplemental treatments are helping you too.  It seems that you know more than you may realize about IBD and that is a good start to helping yourself get better.   I'm glad that you are extroverted enough to speak out about your disease and symptoms, that is a big plus for your total health care.  I'm that way too.  It's amazing that sometimes I have been more up to date than my own physicians.  I've got an upcoming dr appt in November and I plan to 'educate' my physician about calcuim.  ha ha .    

Keep us posted on your progress.

Hi Magpie, I'm new to this too. Its pretty intense. I was only diagnosed with crohns Sept this year but was ill from april. I was on prednisolone for about a month but it seems the steroids caused me more problems and i had to have an emergency operation as i had perforated bowel. Bad times but living with the stoma is easier than i thought. Hopefully the doctors will put you on the right medication and you will feel better.
Its best to stay positive and talking about it helps alot.

Well hi all newbies, im also a person that doesnt hold anything back, has u can see by my posts, to much information most of the time helps others and they see it actaully happens to us all, so dont hold back hun spill the beans and get it off your chest. Tc xxxsuexxx