I've been researching Healing foods (foods that promote healing throughout the body from ingestion) because I love to eat food, and diet is arguable the most important element of battling Crohn's. So here is some of the information I've found out.
Fruits
Papaya - Papaya may be the best whole food for me. It helps with diarrhea and constipation. The papain in unripe papaya is great if you are deficient in gastric juice, have excess of unhealthy mucus in the stomach, dyspepsia and intestinal irritation. And it is anti-inflammatory.
Apricot - Before a meal an apricot will aid in digestion, as it has an alkaline reaction in the digestive system.
Banana - Potassium and iron. helps with constipation and diarrhea, good for ulcers, and it neutralizes over acidity.
Cranberries - Iron. Aid in digestion, ease constipation
Guava, orange, Kiwi - Good against stomach ulcers do to high vitamin C. Also the Kiwi is a good source of iron.
Pineapple - Aids in digestion, especially of meaty things.
Persimmon - Stress
Vegetables
Beets - Helps heal gastric ulcers (which I have), detoxifies the body, and eases constipation.
Beansprouts - Stress, iron
Cabbage - Iron, and cabbage juice is a digestion aid.
Capsaicin (chilis!) - Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, relieves indigestion, ulcers, headaches, and migraines.
Leeks - Help repopulate the colon with good bacteria.
Daikon (raddish) - Helps with low appetite. Detoxifies, helps with digestive disorders
Romaine Lettuce - Iron, water,
Potatoes - Help with gastric ulcers, has iron, helps with joint pain.
Spinach - High in iron (Popeye), also helps with ulcers, and other digestive tract issues.
Watercress - High vitamin C and fiber, good for digestion.
As with the Foods that bother me. post I will update as I find out new things, I may combine the two, but for me keeping them separate is important right now, because where the other is things I have noticed, this one is purely research, hopefully will be tested soon.
One last tidbit: I have found a couple foods that help with diabetes! I am excited because my father has diabetes and I hope that possibly eating more of these foods can help him. These foods are Sweet potatoes, garlic, and onions, all easy to find and not too exotic.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Sweating in the night
I've been really tired lately. Exhausted, I'd even say. Kit tells me I'm pushing myself too far and hard, which is probably the truth. The way I see it, I have a limited amount of energy, but it is SOME energy, so take it and do what I can with it. Unfortunately, my attitude of "get stuff done while I can" may be hurting my body more than it is helping my mind.
My tummy has been in knots since the day before thanksgiving. Heavy medication on the strict orders of the lady-wife kept me able to be able-bodied enough to be around people without them noticing my pain too much on the holiday itself. We did 2 thanksgiving dinners, one with each of our families, we made the same thing for both dinners, because we are thinkers, Broccoli Salad, Hot & Sour Soup, and Jasmine Rice. Just after dinner was over at the second I crashed. I probably slept a total of 3-4 hours at Kit's grandparents' house, which they were more than happy to let me use. I kept waking up to grandma or grandpa tossing another blanket on a part of mine that had escaped, and Kit would come check on me to make sure I hadn't fallen too deep into turkey sleep.
I awoke, and Kit began the drive home until I was able to settle my stomach enough and gain my senses back from my 4 hour fore into dream land. I took over around HQX and we got home safe around 10:30pm. I didn't fall back to sleep however until 2:30am.
Then up again at 6am. I tried to take it easy, but that seems to be hard me. I went Black Friday shopping with Kit, at Sears we got overcharged. I showed the sign that priced the items, and I was told "It doesn't matter." and the employee threw the sign away in front of me. I lost my temper, got my stress levels rising, and shocked the store into near silence. I realized I was going to get no where with this ridiculous woman, so I went to sit in my car so to not cause any further embarrassment to Kit. I should add at this point that I was not properly medicated. Let that illustrate whichever picture you want.
We drop me off at home, and Kit goes back to shopping (Not mad at me by the way! She was pretty angry at Sears too. Just wanted to clarify that we were not fighting when I was banished to the car, it was a "better for everyone" situation") I played video games, guitar and watched movies, only a little activity in the early afternoon. I ended up sleeping for 2 hours right after the afternoon delight, then more guitar, video games and TV until 7:30 when I simply just sunk into the bed.
I had nightmares, woke frequently, and sweat so much, probably will need to change the sheets today. You'd think for being so tired... Whatever. I'm up now, it's cold, my stomach still hurts, and I don't enjoy the prospect of doing even less than I did yesterday in order to feel better tomorrow. And I don't enjoy not knowing if it will even work. I want to do things beyond sitting here, or there, or standing momentarily, or brief walks where i can find reason enough.
I feel like I am capable of so much more, but I'm not allowed.
My tummy has been in knots since the day before thanksgiving. Heavy medication on the strict orders of the lady-wife kept me able to be able-bodied enough to be around people without them noticing my pain too much on the holiday itself. We did 2 thanksgiving dinners, one with each of our families, we made the same thing for both dinners, because we are thinkers, Broccoli Salad, Hot & Sour Soup, and Jasmine Rice. Just after dinner was over at the second I crashed. I probably slept a total of 3-4 hours at Kit's grandparents' house, which they were more than happy to let me use. I kept waking up to grandma or grandpa tossing another blanket on a part of mine that had escaped, and Kit would come check on me to make sure I hadn't fallen too deep into turkey sleep.
I awoke, and Kit began the drive home until I was able to settle my stomach enough and gain my senses back from my 4 hour fore into dream land. I took over around HQX and we got home safe around 10:30pm. I didn't fall back to sleep however until 2:30am.
Then up again at 6am. I tried to take it easy, but that seems to be hard me. I went Black Friday shopping with Kit, at Sears we got overcharged. I showed the sign that priced the items, and I was told "It doesn't matter." and the employee threw the sign away in front of me. I lost my temper, got my stress levels rising, and shocked the store into near silence. I realized I was going to get no where with this ridiculous woman, so I went to sit in my car so to not cause any further embarrassment to Kit. I should add at this point that I was not properly medicated. Let that illustrate whichever picture you want.
We drop me off at home, and Kit goes back to shopping (Not mad at me by the way! She was pretty angry at Sears too. Just wanted to clarify that we were not fighting when I was banished to the car, it was a "better for everyone" situation") I played video games, guitar and watched movies, only a little activity in the early afternoon. I ended up sleeping for 2 hours right after the afternoon delight, then more guitar, video games and TV until 7:30 when I simply just sunk into the bed.
I had nightmares, woke frequently, and sweat so much, probably will need to change the sheets today. You'd think for being so tired... Whatever. I'm up now, it's cold, my stomach still hurts, and I don't enjoy the prospect of doing even less than I did yesterday in order to feel better tomorrow. And I don't enjoy not knowing if it will even work. I want to do things beyond sitting here, or there, or standing momentarily, or brief walks where i can find reason enough.
I feel like I am capable of so much more, but I'm not allowed.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Giving thanks
Sitting in my mother's bathroom, of my parents' house, in Central park, using the restroom, naked with my laptop, and thankful to be so (Note: Don't use my laptop.) I fell asleep, around 11:30. Kind of crashed, from getting worn out from all this Thanksgiving prep. Some good friends decided to stop by on their way from Seattle to HQX (Abbriation for Hoquiam, a town named after the Quinault Native Armerican word for "Hungry for wood" that some people use to save space.) The roads are slow going and icy, and we were so thankful to be able to spend part of the holiday with people that we love that don't share our blood.
Having a very soft movement right now. Like warm squished cake, now being followed by melted chocolate. Sounds delicious by I implore you, stay away. (I'm so thankful that this is my spot and I can describe this however it is. I stopped taking my multi-vitamin pack. My last day was monday. Reason being because peeing started to hurt, especially the few right after taking the vitamins. This may be the cause for the loose stool.
I am still evaluating all the prescriptions I was written recently, I will make a specific post for them entailing cost, effects, negative effects and so on. Without a "clear diagnosis", and the doctor who came up with that unclear diagnosis only seems interested in writing me prescriptions and not discussing what they will do to me, and he's to busy to do so until January 7th. So I'm seeking help elsewhere. I just hope they give a shit.
For today, Kit and I have prepared, that's right, Hot and Sour Soup and jasmine rice! Enough for 2x Thanksgiving and last night for our friends (and possibly for breakfast this morning.) Also making broccoli salad, and gluten free biscuit rolls. I am thankful I have a wife who will share my journey with me, even when I'm a monster. She makes this all worth it. Despite being terribly depressed, weak, soar, angry, and just sad, I am thankful.
Having a very soft movement right now. Like warm squished cake, now being followed by melted chocolate. Sounds delicious by I implore you, stay away. (I'm so thankful that this is my spot and I can describe this however it is. I stopped taking my multi-vitamin pack. My last day was monday. Reason being because peeing started to hurt, especially the few right after taking the vitamins. This may be the cause for the loose stool.
I am still evaluating all the prescriptions I was written recently, I will make a specific post for them entailing cost, effects, negative effects and so on. Without a "clear diagnosis", and the doctor who came up with that unclear diagnosis only seems interested in writing me prescriptions and not discussing what they will do to me, and he's to busy to do so until January 7th. So I'm seeking help elsewhere. I just hope they give a shit.
For today, Kit and I have prepared, that's right, Hot and Sour Soup and jasmine rice! Enough for 2x Thanksgiving and last night for our friends (and possibly for breakfast this morning.) Also making broccoli salad, and gluten free biscuit rolls. I am thankful I have a wife who will share my journey with me, even when I'm a monster. She makes this all worth it. Despite being terribly depressed, weak, soar, angry, and just sad, I am thankful.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
The news I've been fearing the most.
I just got a call from Dr. Merryfield's office, he is the doctor who did my colonoscopy, and took biopsies. I have been told that it's not clear if it's Crohn's disease, but he called in a prescription for me.
So after 12 years of being sick, thousands of dollars put into the "health care" world, thousands of hours of school and work lost and opportunities thusly lost, procedures, pills, diets, pain, stress, fatigue, disappointment, and fading hope... I know nothing.
I am a wreck.
Update: Kit was the best wife ever and made an appointment for me, soonest that Dr. Merryfield can see me is January 7th. So I get to NOT KNOW why I'm sick for another month and a half minimum.
So after 12 years of being sick, thousands of dollars put into the "health care" world, thousands of hours of school and work lost and opportunities thusly lost, procedures, pills, diets, pain, stress, fatigue, disappointment, and fading hope... I know nothing.
I am a wreck.
Update: Kit was the best wife ever and made an appointment for me, soonest that Dr. Merryfield can see me is January 7th. So I get to NOT KNOW why I'm sick for another month and a half minimum.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Caffeine DOES hate hate me. Stop asking me to drink it.
Since I have decided to be caffeine free, I have found an alarming amount of opposition. "Did you know that caffeine is ACTUALLY good for your digestion?" or "Caffeine is great for skin/mind/erections." usually followed by, "You should just have some." Mostly from people I like, and I don't get it. I mean, I do understand that the drug caffeine was around before I existed, and I know I am not the first person to start or stop doing caffeine. But why is it such a big deal to other people that I am not doing caffeine? I've heard more disgust over this than about the other foods i'm not consuming, like beef or alcohol. Not one person has exclaimed "OH NO! YOU CAN'T EAT A HAMBURGER OR DRINK A BEER?" But I've heard it about all the caffeine. And it isn't a matter of I "can't" I DO NOT WANT TO.
Okay let's tackle the core of my problems with this little stress.
I, from the time I was a young boy, have done caffeine nearly every day, soda, coffee, tea, energy drinks. Most of it is tasty and makes you feel perky and alert. I love the taste of a cold cola, I could drink 6 in a sitting if you let me. All the while drinking the other hot and iced beverages loaded with the drug. I would bargain I was putting away anywhere between 300mg to 500mg of the milder coke into my body each day.
When we began seriously considering Crohn's as a possibility for my health, the fact that caffeine can be a tremendous trigger alarmed me. When I actually looked for uncaffeinated beverage options, the problem became much larger to me. The problem isn't that caffeine negatively affects my health, but that I don't have much of an option besides, soda, coffee or tea while driving. Water is even kind of hard to find and they give it in such tiny cups and get indignant if you ask for larger ones.
So when I stopped doing caffeine, I threw up, A LOT!. I had cold sweats, anxiety attacks, and pain everywhere, it felt like I was sweating pain, all on top of the the discomfort that the unknown Crohn's had been bringing me. Basically I had the flu for 3 days, hallucinations and all, not fun ones, just crazy stressful ones.
Yet through this terrible discomfort, and personal hell, I woke up on day 4 and instantly knew it was worth it. The urgency in my movements had become minuscule, I could HOLD IT! That was an incredible feeling, to have some sort of control over the waste depository of your body. Despite the days taking about 4 times as long without caffeine, I feel multitudes better without it.
Last night my in-laws were bringing my wife into town, and we went to dinner at ACE BBQ. My head was hurting pretty bad yesterday, more than it has in a while, and even more right now. I had two cups of tea hoping to deal with the head pain, didn't really touch it. But something that has happened and I believe it to be a direct result of the caffeine is that I was up before 3AM this morning with a movement in the chamber and the gunpowder starting to ignite. I was able to hold it and make it, but it was the most explosive, loose, gross feeling stool I've had in over half a month. This worries me. I have racked my brain, and the only things I did different yesterday, were no milk, and I had 2 caffeinated drinks. Since milk is also a possible "trigger" I don't think it's absence would cause this. Also the pain that I feel in my gut is a stabbing pain, not a dull roar.
So to all of you who have kind words of caffeine, about how it will make life so much better. The truth of how I feel about it is this, I don't care. Caffeine is pure hell for me. I feel pretty well versed in the effects, benefits, and negative side effects of caffeine. I'm sorry if you can't take my word, that it's bad for me. I'm well past the point of making shit up to be cool.
After coming off caffeine and this brief experimentation with it, I have come to the clear conclusion, it is terrible for me, and I have a sinking feeling it's not really good for anybody. Think about it, the only reason we need caffeine today is because we've had it in the past. Don't stop doing it though, not because of my words.
It is also clear to me that we are all addicted to caffeine, the way people have pleaded with me to put it to my lips is almost as if they are trying to convince themselves that it's okay and good to do. It seems that caffeine has no negative hype, (which is good for soda companies, and Tarbucks.) The other people who have quit this drug are very anti the drug (because they like the way the feel off it,) but they get all soap boxy and preachy about why no one should do caffeine. Screw that, do all the caffeine you guys want, if it makes you feel like you have a quality of life you can sustain while on it, AWESOME! I'm not here to change you, I'm here to figure out me. If it helps you too? Then bully for you.
We are all functioning addicts. What we are addicted to is our choice.
Okay let's tackle the core of my problems with this little stress.
I, from the time I was a young boy, have done caffeine nearly every day, soda, coffee, tea, energy drinks. Most of it is tasty and makes you feel perky and alert. I love the taste of a cold cola, I could drink 6 in a sitting if you let me. All the while drinking the other hot and iced beverages loaded with the drug. I would bargain I was putting away anywhere between 300mg to 500mg of the milder coke into my body each day.
When we began seriously considering Crohn's as a possibility for my health, the fact that caffeine can be a tremendous trigger alarmed me. When I actually looked for uncaffeinated beverage options, the problem became much larger to me. The problem isn't that caffeine negatively affects my health, but that I don't have much of an option besides, soda, coffee or tea while driving. Water is even kind of hard to find and they give it in such tiny cups and get indignant if you ask for larger ones.
So when I stopped doing caffeine, I threw up, A LOT!. I had cold sweats, anxiety attacks, and pain everywhere, it felt like I was sweating pain, all on top of the the discomfort that the unknown Crohn's had been bringing me. Basically I had the flu for 3 days, hallucinations and all, not fun ones, just crazy stressful ones.
Yet through this terrible discomfort, and personal hell, I woke up on day 4 and instantly knew it was worth it. The urgency in my movements had become minuscule, I could HOLD IT! That was an incredible feeling, to have some sort of control over the waste depository of your body. Despite the days taking about 4 times as long without caffeine, I feel multitudes better without it.
Last night my in-laws were bringing my wife into town, and we went to dinner at ACE BBQ. My head was hurting pretty bad yesterday, more than it has in a while, and even more right now. I had two cups of tea hoping to deal with the head pain, didn't really touch it. But something that has happened and I believe it to be a direct result of the caffeine is that I was up before 3AM this morning with a movement in the chamber and the gunpowder starting to ignite. I was able to hold it and make it, but it was the most explosive, loose, gross feeling stool I've had in over half a month. This worries me. I have racked my brain, and the only things I did different yesterday, were no milk, and I had 2 caffeinated drinks. Since milk is also a possible "trigger" I don't think it's absence would cause this. Also the pain that I feel in my gut is a stabbing pain, not a dull roar.
So to all of you who have kind words of caffeine, about how it will make life so much better. The truth of how I feel about it is this, I don't care. Caffeine is pure hell for me. I feel pretty well versed in the effects, benefits, and negative side effects of caffeine. I'm sorry if you can't take my word, that it's bad for me. I'm well past the point of making shit up to be cool.
After coming off caffeine and this brief experimentation with it, I have come to the clear conclusion, it is terrible for me, and I have a sinking feeling it's not really good for anybody. Think about it, the only reason we need caffeine today is because we've had it in the past. Don't stop doing it though, not because of my words.
It is also clear to me that we are all addicted to caffeine, the way people have pleaded with me to put it to my lips is almost as if they are trying to convince themselves that it's okay and good to do. It seems that caffeine has no negative hype, (which is good for soda companies, and Tarbucks.) The other people who have quit this drug are very anti the drug (because they like the way the feel off it,) but they get all soap boxy and preachy about why no one should do caffeine. Screw that, do all the caffeine you guys want, if it makes you feel like you have a quality of life you can sustain while on it, AWESOME! I'm not here to change you, I'm here to figure out me. If it helps you too? Then bully for you.
We are all functioning addicts. What we are addicted to is our choice.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
the double douce.
This is the first day i have had multiple movements since the colonoscopy. It wasnt diarrhea, but it wasnt completely solid. Just something i felt worth noting.
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Depression & Crohn's
Happy 4am again. Its been a week since i had my colonoscopy and started steroids and vitamins. I am feeling better. My attitude is picking up, life seems a little sunnier even in these stormy times. My pain still exists, usually a dull roar but spikes with gas or as food is just traveling. My lack of motivation and energy makes my pain feel insignificant.
Feeling as if i have little to no worth or value will kill me i think. I have great friends and family, which i hoped would be enough. Though it does definitely help to have these people i still dont feel like living my life each day i wake up. Half the time i want to curl up in the fetal position and cry. I feel trapped by this pain, by these limitations on my life, there are things i can no longer do to their fullest.
I need prayer and kind words each day to help keep me on the road to feeling better. Thank you to everyone who's stood by me so far it melts my heart and i hope someday i can be there for you.
Ps about to shower.
Feeling as if i have little to no worth or value will kill me i think. I have great friends and family, which i hoped would be enough. Though it does definitely help to have these people i still dont feel like living my life each day i wake up. Half the time i want to curl up in the fetal position and cry. I feel trapped by this pain, by these limitations on my life, there are things i can no longer do to their fullest.
I need prayer and kind words each day to help keep me on the road to feeling better. Thank you to everyone who's stood by me so far it melts my heart and i hope someday i can be there for you.
Ps about to shower.
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Monday, November 15, 2010
Foods that bother me
Here are some of the things I eat and what noticeable effect on my body and/or attitude, positive negative, or if my health is noticeably unaffected. Textures play a very large part in good and bad.
The Good - foods that it make it easier to have movements, give me noticeable energy and so on.
WATER - This is the most important thing I consume, copious amounts of water. I am a thirsty dude. I drink water, when I am thirsty, hungry, bored, eating, smoking, walking, driving, I have bottles of water stored everywhere. Diarrhea causes so much nutrient and liquid loss. Drinking water makes me just feel better.
Bananas - Contain potassium which is one of the big nutrients I lack. Also the texture is something I wouldn't mind coming out the other side as is.
Rice - Goes with many types of food, Asian, Mexican, European, and can be a dessert. There are many varieties of whole grain rice out there. Versatility and texture make this a great food for me.
Raisins - Coated in chocolate these are one of my favorite snacks. The texture does not seem to upset me.
Gatorade - Even though it is a high source of corn syrup, I do find that when I am having a flare up that a bottle of Gatorade mixed in with copious amounts of water, that it helps me stay a bit more alert.
The Bad - If I feel significantly worse after consuming.
Caffeine - More movements, more urgent movements, accidental movements.
Alcohol - Sore stomach, nausea (about 1/4-1/2 through a beer), dehydration.
Animal Fat - Beef and pork, bacon - I feel very bogged down after eating red meats, steaks and roasts. I am still experimenting with ground meats and cured meats. Though deli meats seem to affect me less.
Corn - Very little nutrition, and does not digest fully in people with working digestive systems.
Nuts - Though High in great things that would aid in digestion, the nuts are so hard to digest that they don't do well. I have had experiences where it felt like I was being cut while having a movement.
Grapes - The skins do not digest and have uncomfortably slimy movements.
Carbonated Beverages - Even drinking caffeine free soda, I have noticed that my stomach turns sour about 10-15 minutes after only a few drinks. This could be the sugar or the carbonation. I believe it is a combination. However Mug Root Beer seems to go down and stay down well. No serious adverse effects.
The Neutral/Unknown - This last one may really seem like an odd one to document, but at the time of writing this, nearly everything I eat hurts about 15-30 minutes after so things that make me feel not noticeably different than before eating. Also I will add things I want to test on here.
Breads - Seems to be okay, but can soemtimes cause knots in my stomach.
Chicken / poultry
Deli meats
cured meats
Capsaicin (Oil from chilis - Jalepeno, serranno) - other than burning my backside on the way out, I do not feel that my stomach hurts any worse when eating things containing capsaicin
onion
bell peppers
carrots - raw carrots do come in chewed up bits. Cooked carrots seem to be fine
garlic
tomato - the acid may upset my stomach
milk - Whole milk makes me feel nauseous
Yogurt
Cheese
Ensure / Slimfast - Diet or protein drinks are something I want to try to drink as snacks. I have yet to do so. Will update when I do.
The Good - foods that it make it easier to have movements, give me noticeable energy and so on.
WATER - This is the most important thing I consume, copious amounts of water. I am a thirsty dude. I drink water, when I am thirsty, hungry, bored, eating, smoking, walking, driving, I have bottles of water stored everywhere. Diarrhea causes so much nutrient and liquid loss. Drinking water makes me just feel better.
Bananas - Contain potassium which is one of the big nutrients I lack. Also the texture is something I wouldn't mind coming out the other side as is.
Rice - Goes with many types of food, Asian, Mexican, European, and can be a dessert. There are many varieties of whole grain rice out there. Versatility and texture make this a great food for me.
Raisins - Coated in chocolate these are one of my favorite snacks. The texture does not seem to upset me.
Gatorade - Even though it is a high source of corn syrup, I do find that when I am having a flare up that a bottle of Gatorade mixed in with copious amounts of water, that it helps me stay a bit more alert.
The Bad - If I feel significantly worse after consuming.
Caffeine - More movements, more urgent movements, accidental movements.
Alcohol - Sore stomach, nausea (about 1/4-1/2 through a beer), dehydration.
Animal Fat - Beef and pork, bacon - I feel very bogged down after eating red meats, steaks and roasts. I am still experimenting with ground meats and cured meats. Though deli meats seem to affect me less.
Corn - Very little nutrition, and does not digest fully in people with working digestive systems.
Nuts - Though High in great things that would aid in digestion, the nuts are so hard to digest that they don't do well. I have had experiences where it felt like I was being cut while having a movement.
Grapes - The skins do not digest and have uncomfortably slimy movements.
Carbonated Beverages - Even drinking caffeine free soda, I have noticed that my stomach turns sour about 10-15 minutes after only a few drinks. This could be the sugar or the carbonation. I believe it is a combination. However Mug Root Beer seems to go down and stay down well. No serious adverse effects.
The Neutral/Unknown - This last one may really seem like an odd one to document, but at the time of writing this, nearly everything I eat hurts about 15-30 minutes after so things that make me feel not noticeably different than before eating. Also I will add things I want to test on here.
Breads - Seems to be okay, but can soemtimes cause knots in my stomach.
Chicken / poultry
Deli meats
cured meats
Capsaicin (Oil from chilis - Jalepeno, serranno) - other than burning my backside on the way out, I do not feel that my stomach hurts any worse when eating things containing capsaicin
onion
bell peppers
carrots - raw carrots do come in chewed up bits. Cooked carrots seem to be fine
garlic
tomato - the acid may upset my stomach
milk - Whole milk makes me feel nauseous
Yogurt
Cheese
Ensure / Slimfast - Diet or protein drinks are something I want to try to drink as snacks. I have yet to do so. Will update when I do.
Finding out
It is 4am Monday morning. I am up because I had to go to the bathroom and am too sore to go back to sleep. I am medicating with the only medicine on the market that takes care of all of my pain and discomfort and even gives me an appetite (of which I have none most of the time.) This near amazing cure-all is marijuana. I was once ashamed to admit I smoke this taboo herb, but I have come to accept that it helps me tremendously in this fight against Crohn's, even before I knew the cause of the majority of my pain. And if I am not honest about what helps me get through some of the hardest times of my life, then why am I bothering to write about it?
I have dealt with migraines and chronic headaches since I was 12 years old, I am 24 now, so 12 years, also muscle, joint, stomach, general discomfort and pain that the level raises and lowers on a daily/weekly/monthly basis (UNPREDICTABILITY). I am now finding that these are most all caused by the Crohn's itself. My parents tried very hard to heal me of my headaches when I was a child. I was taken to all sorts of specialists, that studied the brain, stress, etc. Nothing was ever found to be wrong despite crippling headaches, because we were looking a few feet too high. I have come to find out that my mother feels extremely guilty as if I am mad at her for not finding this out while under her care, I do not blame her, I do not blame anybody, myself is the only person I can blame and that is for giving up on seeking treatment for constantly being in pain. But I refuse to blame myself because it will end no where good. Instead I am going to focus on what I can do to feel better.
My wife, Kit, has been the best thing in my life, without her, I'd be dead. I wouldn't have gone to the doctor that started this journey to my colonoscopy and to the findings, I would not have kept it up, if I had started it, I would have just quit and said "screw the world" and hid under a blanket for days. She is my motivation, my strength, my comfort (hugs and back-rubs are always being offered.) She is everything that makes me worthwhile as a person. Kit, and all my other friends and family that haven't offered blame and disappointment in me because of what I am capable or incapable of because of this ailment, they have made this all worth it, they make me so fortunate I am on the other side of this with direction now. I have so much love in my life.
Now onto the more recent story. 2 months ago, I had some bad belly aches, I stopped being able to control when I had bowel movements sometimes, and when I was in "control" It was like driving a race car. I was having what I like to refer to as "bowel sprints". I had to call into school a few days in a row. (at the time I was training to be a chef at SPSCC in Olympia, WA) Eventually I had to drop from my classes, which I loved. I did get into see an amazing urgent care doctor at Seamar in Olympia, named Michael Stinson, who documented that I had lost 70 lbs over the course of the previous year, he ran a myriad of tests that included my blood, feces and urine, and wrote me a referral to see gastroenterology Associates of Olympia Urgently, while still seeing me twice more because he wanted to monitor me (Kind of rare from an urgent care Dr. It confused to receptionist everytime I called for him, but It was worth it, he made sure I got taken care of.)
Around early October I got a call from the GA saying since I as marked "urgent" I could take consult with a doctor the following day that was canceled by someone else. I would have had to wait over a month to get one otherwise (THANK YOU MICHAEL STINSON). I took this apt talked to the dr there. Dr. Merryfield, again a nice man, who realized there was indeed a problem with me and wanted to get me fixed ASAP, he even complained about the old people he sees often that are not sick, but just wasting his time, and raising insurance prices for other people. I ended up paying 300$ for this chitchat with him, but we scheduled a colonoscopy for November 11th (that's earlier than I would have had a consult with him!)
I get my colonoscopy. Dr. Merryfield played Regina Spectre for me, it was a very sureal experience, and my butt is still tired. It doesn't hurt, it's just worn out from the robot snake doing it's thing to me. What the robot snake found was that nearly my entire lower intestine is inflamed, and covered in ulcers and black spots. And it is most likely Crohn's. I was prescribed some prednisone (a steroid to help with the ulcers), and another drug I will get in here later, Prodnosone was 15$, Drug B was 1300$. and drug B has been linked to cancer so NO THANKS. But I did get the prednisone.
I am currently waiting for the results of the biopsies that were taken from my intestines, it still may not be Crohn's Disease, but it certainly seems to be. I plan to document any "abnormal" bowel movements, and possible relations to foods I have eaten, also document my drug and nutritional intake, because diet and a good attitude are the only ways I'm going to be able to live any better than I am right now. marijuana can be assumed, if there is some big break where I don't have to toke to be comfortable enough to walk, drive, fall asleep or anything aside from moaning crying, I will be sure to let the world know, because that sounds thrilling.
As of 11-14-10 I am taking:
Prednisone: 40mg - http://ibdcrohns.about.com/cs/prednisone/a/prednisonedrug.htm
Potassium: 700mg $ 600 mg time released - http://www.rxlist.com/micro-k-drug.htm
Vitamins: GNC joint multivitamin pack (A-E, Zinc Iron, Flax seed, Fish oil (with omega 3 fatty acids). And extra Vitamins B and D
All of the vitamins I take are nutrients that come from food, and holding food inside my body is a real problem with all this. I am wary of processed pills, though I am taking some.
PS. "colonoscopy" is not understood by spell check. nice.
I have dealt with migraines and chronic headaches since I was 12 years old, I am 24 now, so 12 years, also muscle, joint, stomach, general discomfort and pain that the level raises and lowers on a daily/weekly/monthly basis (UNPREDICTABILITY). I am now finding that these are most all caused by the Crohn's itself. My parents tried very hard to heal me of my headaches when I was a child. I was taken to all sorts of specialists, that studied the brain, stress, etc. Nothing was ever found to be wrong despite crippling headaches, because we were looking a few feet too high. I have come to find out that my mother feels extremely guilty as if I am mad at her for not finding this out while under her care, I do not blame her, I do not blame anybody, myself is the only person I can blame and that is for giving up on seeking treatment for constantly being in pain. But I refuse to blame myself because it will end no where good. Instead I am going to focus on what I can do to feel better.
My wife, Kit, has been the best thing in my life, without her, I'd be dead. I wouldn't have gone to the doctor that started this journey to my colonoscopy and to the findings, I would not have kept it up, if I had started it, I would have just quit and said "screw the world" and hid under a blanket for days. She is my motivation, my strength, my comfort (hugs and back-rubs are always being offered.) She is everything that makes me worthwhile as a person. Kit, and all my other friends and family that haven't offered blame and disappointment in me because of what I am capable or incapable of because of this ailment, they have made this all worth it, they make me so fortunate I am on the other side of this with direction now. I have so much love in my life.
Now onto the more recent story. 2 months ago, I had some bad belly aches, I stopped being able to control when I had bowel movements sometimes, and when I was in "control" It was like driving a race car. I was having what I like to refer to as "bowel sprints". I had to call into school a few days in a row. (at the time I was training to be a chef at SPSCC in Olympia, WA) Eventually I had to drop from my classes, which I loved. I did get into see an amazing urgent care doctor at Seamar in Olympia, named Michael Stinson, who documented that I had lost 70 lbs over the course of the previous year, he ran a myriad of tests that included my blood, feces and urine, and wrote me a referral to see gastroenterology Associates of Olympia Urgently, while still seeing me twice more because he wanted to monitor me (Kind of rare from an urgent care Dr. It confused to receptionist everytime I called for him, but It was worth it, he made sure I got taken care of.)
Around early October I got a call from the GA saying since I as marked "urgent" I could take consult with a doctor the following day that was canceled by someone else. I would have had to wait over a month to get one otherwise (THANK YOU MICHAEL STINSON). I took this apt talked to the dr there. Dr. Merryfield, again a nice man, who realized there was indeed a problem with me and wanted to get me fixed ASAP, he even complained about the old people he sees often that are not sick, but just wasting his time, and raising insurance prices for other people. I ended up paying 300$ for this chitchat with him, but we scheduled a colonoscopy for November 11th (that's earlier than I would have had a consult with him!)
I get my colonoscopy. Dr. Merryfield played Regina Spectre for me, it was a very sureal experience, and my butt is still tired. It doesn't hurt, it's just worn out from the robot snake doing it's thing to me. What the robot snake found was that nearly my entire lower intestine is inflamed, and covered in ulcers and black spots. And it is most likely Crohn's. I was prescribed some prednisone (a steroid to help with the ulcers), and another drug I will get in here later, Prodnosone was 15$, Drug B was 1300$. and drug B has been linked to cancer so NO THANKS. But I did get the prednisone.
I am currently waiting for the results of the biopsies that were taken from my intestines, it still may not be Crohn's Disease, but it certainly seems to be. I plan to document any "abnormal" bowel movements, and possible relations to foods I have eaten, also document my drug and nutritional intake, because diet and a good attitude are the only ways I'm going to be able to live any better than I am right now. marijuana can be assumed, if there is some big break where I don't have to toke to be comfortable enough to walk, drive, fall asleep or anything aside from moaning crying, I will be sure to let the world know, because that sounds thrilling.
As of 11-14-10 I am taking:
Prednisone: 40mg - http://ibdcrohns.about.com/cs/prednisone/a/prednisonedrug.htm
Potassium: 700mg $ 600 mg time released - http://www.rxlist.com/micro-k-drug.htm
Vitamins: GNC joint multivitamin pack (A-E, Zinc Iron, Flax seed, Fish oil (with omega 3 fatty acids). And extra Vitamins B and D
All of the vitamins I take are nutrients that come from food, and holding food inside my body is a real problem with all this. I am wary of processed pills, though I am taking some.
PS. "colonoscopy" is not understood by spell check. nice.
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