May 9th, 2012

On May 9th, it will be 1 year since I heard those words that would change my life forever, while sitting in the ER with my Mom.

"Mrs. Schlaht, from the CT Scan results, you have what I believe is Crohn's Disease. You will need to see a GI to do further testing ASAP."

Those words hit me hard and put my life into a spin that had yet to slow down.

I have gone through many types of medicines: Pentasa, Prednisone, Potassium, Entocort, Humira, 6mp, and many anti-biotics.

I have learned to give myself injections.

I have had my first over night hospital stay, which last 3 nights/4 days.

I have been to the ER more times than I can count.

I have had blood work done 2-3 times a month.

I have had multiple testing done.

I have had complications due to the drugs: sinus surgery; 3 root canals and crowns; nausea; vomiting; bleeding; pain - physical and emotional.

I have had partial obstructions.

And most recent, it was confirmed that my stricture in my ileum is scar tissue. We had hoped for inflammation instead, but there was very little.

I have some more testing on the 20th of this month, and then my follow up appointment with my GI on the 30th. From there we will determine the next step. Re-sectioning surgery is VERY VERY VERY high on that list.

It's been a rough year for myself and for Ben, as well as the rest of my family.

I have become an admin on a great FB group. IBD Journeys http://www.facebook.com/groups/ibdjourneys/

I have made some amazing friends that share my same disease of IBD.

I have done the Take Steps for Crohn's and Colitis Walk.

I have learned a lot about myself and my strengths.

Please continue to pray as we pursue the next step in this process.

Thank you to everyone who has been an amazing support system for myself and others with IBD.

And just like that……a decision is made.

After lots of thoughts, research, prayers, asking other’s opinions, etc…..I have decided to add the 6-MP (talked about in my previous post) to my list of drugs.

After talking with the GI’s office some more, I feel like I can add this in and give it a try. (anything to avoid surgery at this point).

If I don’t like it, or I feel it isn’t working, or my blood/lab work gets crazy…..I will discontinue it.

So please keep me/us in your prayers.

Crohn's/Health Update

I feel like all I post on this blog now is about my health, and to be honest, that is what my life revolves around right now. It’s fun times for sure (insert sarcasm here).

I have had a few setbacks lately.

I am awaiting appointments from a few GI doctors for a 2nd opinion on my condition as my current GI has requested this. Hopefully those will come soon.

On Friday, Feb 22, I started experiencing some extreme pain and ended up with vomiting and a fever.

I had an appointment with my current GI doctor yesterday, March 4th.

I am still have a lot of lower right abdominal pain (which is mainly where my Crohn’s is and where my stricture (narrowing) is located). I am on 2 different types of steroids (currently 15mg of Prednisone and 9mg of Entocort), 8 anti inflammatory pills (Pentasa, each pill is 500mg), potassium (20mEq), and multiple supplements (6 multi-vitamins, 4 GI vitamins) a day, plus my Humira injections every 2 weeks. This is not helping the pain.

My current GI believes that my stricture (narrowing) is getting smaller, which makes it difficult for anything to pass through, thus a blockage in my small intestine could occur at any time. If this were to happen, it would result in emergency surgery to remove the narrowed part of my small intestine. This is something we obviously would like to prevent for as long as possible. When a surgery takes place like this with Crohn’s…..normally the Crohn’s just comes back in a different place, thus requiring multiple surgeries.

My current GI also believes that although the Humira worked almost immediately the first time I took it; it is not working as well this time around. He asked me to research and think about and pray about adding another immuno suppressant to the Humira. This one is known as 6-MP or Mercaptopurine. (you can read more about it here: http://www.gihealth.com/html/education/drugs/purinethol.html )

While Humira already has black box warnings from the FDA on the side effects, 6-MP would increase my risk of getting lymphoma. I have accepted the risks with Humira and know that the benefits for now, outweigh the side effects or potential risks. Adding another immuno suppressant to this makes me more nervous.

So I need advice, prayers, thoughts.

Do you take 6-MP? Have you ever taken it with Humira? What side effects have you had? What are your thoughts on it?

Please, please keep myself and Ben in your prayers as we pray, research, and think about this next step.

root canal and GI visit

Well today was definitely an exciting day. (insert sarcasm)

The tooth that was giving me problems a few weeks ago, well it requires a root canal and crown. Today was the first step of that process. Root canal is complete, I have a temporary filling until I go back for the crown fitting and placement.

Anyone that knows me, knows I would rather have my head cut completely off than even step into a dentist office. However, I must admit, I think I found a great dentist this time. He is so understanding to my fears and worries. It didn't hurt at all today. If anyone is looking for a good dentist in the DFW area, look up Sam Koo in Irving. I highly recommend him.

After spending an hour or so at the dentist, it was time to head over to my GI specialist.

It was decided that now that all my infections are cleared up, I am able to go back on Humira. I will start my injections again this Sunday. I am honestly excited to get the ball rolling. I know that I will be down and out for a while, but I have to look at the big picture and pray for remission.

We also decided to go from 20mg to 10mg per day on my Prednisone. This makes me SUPER happy. In the 2 weeks that I have been back on 20mg, I have gained probably 10 pounds and have not been sleeping AT ALL.

I did also learn from some blood work done recently, that my Hepatitis B vaccination is NOT active. The Hep A vac is active, but apparently the Hep B didn't work with me. So I will be doing the 6 month series for the Hep C vac again. How strange!!!

So, that's where I am at today. Fun stuff, right? :)