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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Gaffers on 12 May 2011, 18:55:01

Title: Diagnosis confirmed
Post by: Gaffers on 12 May 2011, 18:55:01
Well it's official now.  I have been diagnosed with mild crohn's disease following more than a year of being symptomatic pretty much everyday, although it would appear that it started many years ago.

It has taken an ultrasound, several blood tests, several x-rays, colonoscopy, capsule camera and an MRI and they have finally found a 5cm section where I have damage caused by crohn's.

The worst part is that because the body thinks it is fighting an infection I feel the same as I would if I had the flu constantly due to the chemicals that the body emits into the bloodstream.  Until I get it under control I'll be falling asleep from 9/10pm every night, which is pretty much how I feel now.

So I have been set on a course of steroids to see if that helps but the most interesting thing the doctor said to me was:

"Cut down on the fruit and veg"

My wife nearly had a heart attack.  We cook with a lot of veg and I normally eat about 3-4 pieces of fruit a day as well as some raw veg.  To quote her "You mean you're going to have to eat a more british style diet?"  I was laughing my head off at that one  ;D ;D

Having kept a food diary for the past few weeks it would appear that garlic seems to cause some symptoms which is a real bglow as I love the stuff and it is present in almost every meal.  I have yet to find a correlation between alcohol and symptoms though which is a bonus at least  :y
Title: Re: Diagnosis confirmed
Post by: Lazydocker on 12 May 2011, 18:57:20
Sorry to hear it's been confirmed but at least you know what's going on now :y :y

I know a few people with Crohn's and now that it's (reasonably) under control they're fine :y
Title: Re: Diagnosis confirmed
Post by: Phil H. on 12 May 2011, 19:00:40
That's put my day into perspective. chin up old bean, i'm sure you'll get through  :y :y :y
Title: Re: Diagnosis confirmed
Post by: Gaffers on 12 May 2011, 19:05:16
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That's put my day into perspective. chin up old bean, i'm sure you'll get through  :y :y :y

It's actually a good day for me.  I have been undiagnosed for a year, several companies have refused me travel insurance because I did not have a diagnosis. 

I am actually quite happy now  :y
Title: Re: Diagnosis confirmed
Post by: PhilRich on 12 May 2011, 19:11:28
I thought you had to be female to get old crones disease? :D
Perverse as it sounds, it must be a big relief for you Guffer, at least now you know for sure and can begin to deal with it in earnest! Hope you get one up on it soon & begin to feel a bit more like the real you  :y
Title: Re: Diagnosis confirmed
Post by: Phil H. on 12 May 2011, 19:16:55
It sounds similar to coeliac disease that swmbo, our eldest daughter and father-in-law have, took ages to diagnose, but now can deal with it and avoid the food & drink that contains the gluten they are allergic to.  :y :y
Title: Re: Diagnosis confirmed
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 12 May 2011, 19:17:01
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That's put my day into perspective. chin up old bean, i'm sure you'll get through  :y :y :y

It's actually a good day for me.  I have been undiagnosed for a year, several companies have refused me travel insurance because I did not have a diagnosis. 

I am actually quite happy now  :y


Good  :y Just wear a mask butt breath at the Meets  ;D :P
You need to put some weight on eh slimfast  ;D ;D ;D ;D :P :P :P :P :P :P
Title: Re: Diagnosis confirmed
Post by: Amigo on 12 May 2011, 19:28:45
Seems unfair to me. you're a rough tough healthy squaddie who'se lead a healthy & productive life only to get struck down while lazy tinkers like me carry on regardless. Are you still serving or able to maintain a career in the forces?

   Wishes with you matey! Guy. :y
Title: Re: Diagnosis confirmed
Post by: Gaffers on 12 May 2011, 20:12:33
Daz I will always keep my smelliest crohn's farts just for you  :y

And I can hopefully keep on serving as long as I keep the symptoms under control.  I am supposed to go and have a play in the Sand box in April so I need to get a hold of this by then  :y
Title: Re: Diagnosis confirmed
Post by: TheBoy on 12 May 2011, 20:54:36
I'm glad you have a diagnosis now, at least it gives you a course of action to make things a bit more pleasant and comfortable.

Title: Re: Diagnosis confirmed
Post by: Del Boy on 12 May 2011, 20:59:32
Hope you're ok with it mate, and hope it makes you more comfortable  :y :y
Title: Re: Diagnosis confirmed
Post by: Martian on 12 May 2011, 21:08:12
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The worst part is that because the body thinks it is fighting an infection I feel the same as I would if I had the flu constantly due to the chemicals that the body emits into the bloodstream.  Until I get it under control I'll be falling asleep from 9/10pm every night, which is pretty much how I feel now.
Chemo does the same Guffer, except the lethargy comes on any time it feels like it. Just for good measure they are starting me on radiotherapy on the 23rd and that is 5 days a week alongside the chemo.

I've already been told the radiotherapy is the one that will kick the crap out of me, so I guess with the chemo on top as well that's going to be me pretty much on my backside watching retard TV inbetween sleeping and puking.
All that aside though, a few months of being proper ill is still better than being 6ft under.
Title: Re: Diagnosis confirmed
Post by: Gaffers on 13 May 2011, 11:25:24
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All that aside though, a few months of being proper ill is still better than being 6ft under.

You are very right there Martian  :y

As I have said in my PMs, if you need anything just shout.
Title: Re: Diagnosis confirmed
Post by: I_want_an_Omega on 13 May 2011, 18:19:19
Good luck Guffer ...........
Title: Re: Diagnosis confirmed
Post by: Martian on 14 May 2011, 05:21:38
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All that aside though, a few months of being proper ill is still better than being 6ft under.

You are very right there Martian  :y

As I have said in my PMs, if you need anything just shout.
Cheers for that Guffer, much appreciated  :y

Had a phone call yesterday fom St Luke's to say I can skip next weeks chemo session (result!), and I'm off to see Lt Col Edwards on Tuesday at Frimley to discuss my "post op lifestyle" amongst other things.

Feeling quite energetic today, so I'm off to sort out a friends small PBX in his office and get his phones working properly for him, and then more than likely spend the afternoon in Manor Park with the offspring to see how many injuries I can inflict upon myself when they let me ride their BMX's over the stunt ramps  ;D