hey all

Was first diagnosed as the tender age of 7. Now 23 so have lived with the condition for around 16 years.
Spent most of my early days going to hospital a few times a week for blood test etc etc. Missed alot of school. Lost tonnes of weight.
My consultant and doctors at the time couldnt make up their minds whether it was CD or UC. IT must of only been about 12 years ago they finally decided it was Crohns.

Iam by no meens lucky but my condition wouldnt be classed as the severe type. I had my first flare up when I was diagnosed and since then (touch wood)

Ive found many people do not understand the disease let only even heard of it. It stopped me following my dream of joining the RAF which still sucks to this day.
you can tell by pictures at the time I became ill just how much weight I had lost, and still find it hard to gain weight to this day.

It was my own choice back in 2004 to stop taking the medication I was on (ascol) if my memory is correct. The reason I did this was to try to prove to the medical officer for the RAF that my condition would not affect me.

I find I can eat almost anything I want or drink anything I want, the one thing that gets my crohns playing up is stress.

Obviously my story is alot more in depth, but first time on a forum so not excatly sure what to write etc I just thought it was about time I maybe contacted and spoke to other people who have gone through this condition. I have maybe only told two previous ex girlfriends about my condition and obviously my family know. Apart from that its the one thing about me I dont share with people....why I dont know.
My family have been the best support since I was diagnosed though it would be interesting and I suppose nice to share and talk to other people in my (your) situation as people dont understand what its like. When you need the toilet so bad, when you get the most horrendous stomache pain.


My mum is a nurse and she has encountered many people who have been diagnosed with crohns, and she tells them about me and how Ive learnt to deal with the disease. So atleast some good is coming from it.

Im a very active individual and play alot of sports. so yeah thats a brief story about me, lived with the disease since I was soo young so dont know life without it to be honest.

cheers all