I have had Crohn's disease for about 36 years. Have had everything you can imagine with it. Obstructions, adhesion's, strictures, fistula's, bowel resection and a 2 1/2 year time with a temporary colostomy bag. According to the doc's I got a pretty "tough" case of it, and it seems to run in the family ( Mom, Grandmother and some 2nd cousins)
I have been on every medication out there with little or no results. Gone from hospital to hospital - doctor to doctor, suffering in such pain I could barely stand it. Either sleeping due to sheer exhaustion, or running to the bathroom to poop.
I spent so much time on the toilet, I started developing brown spots on my rump cheeks where the bones are. I was under nourished because everything I ate went right threw me !
My life existed it seemed solely for this stupid, nasty, painful, embarrassing illness.
THEN, finally !!! A doctor that had heard of The University of Chicago - Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, and he suggested I go there.
I went. The Gastro doc's quickly figured out my problems and got me on an immune suppressant. One that actually worked ! (Purnithol).
I finally started to have something that actually resembled A LIFE !!!
After several years a new problem arose. GAS. horrible, frequent, embarrassing, unexpected, foul odored gas.
I have tried to figure it out..a particular food/drink ? There is no rhyme or reason and it's getting worse. Especially at bedtime.
I feel all I do from the time I hit the sack till morning is pass gas ! It's crazy. There are times my children will walk in and go, Oh Man, it reeks in here Mom....and it does !
I have asked the doc's...no help.
I have tried every over the counter medication I can think of...nothing. I'm divorced and would like to "move on" with my life...start dating, but this problem is not something you can hide, if you know what I mean !
There has to be a reason and a solution. I'm just hoping and praying someone out there knows it.
Thanks,
Kim