man, it's been a while

Quote:
Crohn’s disease is an ongoing disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive tract, also referred to as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Crohn’s disease can affect any area of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus, but it most commonly affects the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum. The swelling extends deep into the lining of the affected organ. The swelling can cause pain and can make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea.
Digestive Diseases

Posted: 10 May 2008 05:08 Last Edited By: Aerolectric
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For an avid site go-er like me, staying off of here for over 3 weeks was tough! I have yet to see the Smallville's or the LOST's from the past 3 Thursdays so don't expect me to be on too much till I catch up. On May 17th, 2008 I woke up around 3am in horrible pain. My abdominal area was killing me it quite literally felt like a volcano. Cramps, gas, burning and a severe soreness indescribable to anyone who hasn't felt it. About 3 hours later my parents found me out cold on the bathroom floor and rushed me to the hospital. They shot me up with morphine and transferred me to Children's Hospital (I'm still 4 months shy of being 18). A couple days later I was diagnosed with an IBD (Inflammatory Bowl Disease), more specifically; Crohn's Disease. For those of you who don't know what it is, I'll put it as simply as I can. Quote: Crohn’s disease is an ongoing disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive tract, also referred to as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Crohn’s disease can affect any area of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus, but it most commonly affects the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum. The swelling extends deep into the lining of the affected organ. The swelling can cause pain and can make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea. Digestive Diseases Crohn's is pretty complex in that it affects every person differently. For me, my colon or Large intestine is the one that’s inflamed. When I first arrived at the hospital my Colon and bowls were approx. 2-3 times the original size. As of now, they're around .5 times original size-a very good drop. I'm currently on a special medicine to reduce and keep down the inflammation. Periods that the symptoms become mild or disappear are called Remission and I sure hope to be in one of these for a long time. I was on a special diet: IV fluids the first week, clear liquids the second week and so forth working my way back up. The 3 weeks I was in the hospital I lost 15 lbs. and became incredibly weak from where I was originally in good shape. I could bench my weight (135 lbs) and could squat more (155 lbs). As of now, just walking around tires me out. So just letting you all know this is a pretty big deal to me. To answer a few questions, there is no cure for Crohn's Disease, but the symptoms can be greatly reduced in frequency and severity by medication. No one knows where it comes from either; there are theories here and there but nothing definitive. The most widely accepted theory is that the immune system malfunctions and sees good bacteria and food as foreign invaders and attacks them in the gut causing inflammation and other pretty disgusting things. The site I gave you above is the best I've seen for explanations. Also, if you have any questions-feel free to ask me. Man it's good to be back. [super] __________________ “Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.” ~ Garfield Road of Lightning

Posted: 10 May 2008 08:31
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Welcome back. I know what you're going through. I too have Crohn's Disease. I've had it since I was 8 years old. It's no picnic, but I'm doing well. If you need to talk, let me know. __________________ "Here comes the (BOOM!) Here comes the (BOOM!) Here comes the Ya'll don't really want it now (BOOM!)" _____________________________________________________ Here Comes the Boom-Nelly-The Longest Yard

Posted: 10 May 2008 16:00 Last Edited By: Aerolectric
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Really? Wow. I had never heard of it since I got it and now it sems almost everyone I know either knows someone close who has it or has it themselves. It's just popping up everywhere. I do have a few questions: How long have you been in Remission, and what are some of the foods you find you can't eat anymore, and what do you think the trigger of the disease was (i.e. Stomach flu, stress, a combination, etc.) __________________ “Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.” ~ Garfield Road of Lightning

Posted: 10 May 2008 17:43
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I've never heard of it before today. __________________ Find great deals at Shoppingland.us Help build the Superhero Wiki at Superherouniverse.com

Posted: 10 May 2008 22:26
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My girl's mother's cousin has that stuff. __________________ The MAN Rox and I stand with everything he stands 4, but I gotta have my girl Angelina wherever I go. http://imdb.com/gallery/granitz/6624/AngelinaJ_James_14637943_400 ... If you need a good laugh, watch The World's Angriest Cat LOLRH you will laugh your head off. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0omjqLTZGU

Posted: 11 May 2008 00:05
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I have heard of Crohn's Disease before, but did not remember what all in entailed. Man, it sounds like you've been through a real ordeal!!! I'm glad to hear you are out of the hospital my friend!! Best wishes on your recovery!! __________________ The Bible is so powerful. It's not to be left on your shelf. It's to outline even the simplest scriptures that can mean so much in building yourself up. "I am God's workmanship." (Ephesians 2:10) "I have been redeemed and forgiven." (Colossians 1:14) "I am the salt and the light of the earth." (Matthew 5:13-14) David Harvey Morrisville, NC davidharvey25@nc.rr.com

Posted: 11 May 2008 00:55
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I've got 3 smallvilles to catch up on...movie night tonight __________________ “Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.” ~ Garfield Road of Lightning

Posted: 11 May 2008 03:30
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Quote: I do have a few questions: How long have you been in Remission, and what are some of the foods you find you can't eat anymore, and what do you think the trigger of the disease was (i.e. Stomach flu, stress, a combination, etc.) I can't eat any food that has nuts in it (popcorn, some candy bars, etc.) raw veggies. As far as triggering it, I think its a combination of stress and/or not taking your medicine. What meds did the doc give ya?? __________________ "Here comes the (BOOM!) Here comes the (BOOM!) Here comes the Ya'll don't really want it now (BOOM!)" _____________________________________________________ Here Comes the Boom-Nelly-The Longest Yard

Posted: 11 May 2008 06:27
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right now I'm on Asacol, and this other one that begin with a P. :P I'm too tired to go downstaires and look at it. __________________ “Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.” ~ Garfield Road of Lightning

Posted: 11 May 2008 07:09
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I was on Asacol a long time ago, but got taken off it. I on Flagyl, Immuran, Prednizone (only taking it till my flare up dies down), iron pill & multivitamin. It'll get easier as time goes on. __________________ "Here comes the (BOOM!) Here comes the (BOOM!) Here comes the Ya'll don't really want it now (BOOM!)" _____________________________________________________ Here Comes the Boom-Nelly-The Longest Yard

Posted: 11 May 2008 16:52
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whistles Yeah that's what I've heard. They give you pils to control it and after a while your body gets used to them and stop working. That's when they have to bump up to the next stage of meds. thx for the mattro, I got a pretty good idea about how this heading now. (got to get back to Smallvile....) __________________ “Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.” ~ Garfield Road of Lightning

Posted: 11 May 2008 20:18
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Yeah. The prednizone is in case you have flare ups. Enjoy your Smallville. __________________ "Here comes the (BOOM!) Here comes the (BOOM!) Here comes the Ya'll don't really want it now (BOOM!)" _____________________________________________________ Here Comes the Boom-Nelly-The Longest Yard

Posted: 20 May 2008 05:20
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How are you doing, Aero?? __________________ "Here comes the (BOOM!) Here comes the (BOOM!) Here comes the Ya'll don't really want it now (BOOM!)" _____________________________________________________ Here Comes the Boom-Nelly-The Longest Yard

Posted: 20 May 2008 23:14
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Not bad, my lower back however is killing me if I sit or lay in one position for too long--prolly cause of the hospital bed. I also get some bad headaches everyone once in a while--usually around 9 PM for some odd reason. Doc said it might be to dehydration so I've been drinking more. Good news is I got bumped to Stage 3 of the IBD diet a couple days ago. Orange Roughy and Rice krispies never tasted so good __________________ “Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.” ~ Garfield Road of Lightning

Posted: 21 May 2008 01:24
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Try porcupine meat patties, made with rice and whipped egg white + ground beef and BP, Have rice pudding for dessert. Rice is your best friend. I have a good buddy with the same thing. (K.D.) My back is bothering me again, so I gotta go for the cortisone shots right into the painful area. I am off work awhile. I had the same thing last summer. Dang!

Posted: 22 May 2008 00:13
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Tai chi chuan is classified as Wudangquan or an internal Chinese martial art. Tai chi is typically practised for a variety of reasons: its soft martial techniques, demonstration competitions, health and longevity. Consequently, there exist a multitude of training forms, both traditional and modern, which correspond to those aims. Some of Tai chi chuan's training forms are well known to Westerners as the slow motion routines that groups of people practice together every morning in parks around the world, particularly in China. Today, tai chi has spread worldwide. Most modern styles of tai chi trace their development to at least one of the five traditional schools: Chen, Yang, Wu/Hao, Wu and Sun. For more information, click here. __________________ “Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.” ~ Garfield Road of Lightning

Posted: 21 May 2008 01:56
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thx itzabird, but I have a strict diet that the doctor has me on. anything not on it I can't have. you're right about the the rice though, White rice is ok but too much is binding and that could be a problem bowls. __________________ “Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.” ~ Garfield Road of Lightning

Posted: 21 May 2008 03:49
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I thought "binding" was the goal. But stick with what the doc says. Hopefully you'll lose the backache! I have 2 ruptured discs and they flare up about once a year and totally put me down. They can hear me yell from across the street!It just goes thru me like a hot sword when I move to certain positions that one assumes naturally, After about 6 weeks I can be sort of myself as it heals with the shots to the area. ( Gotta have them twice a week , and 2 shots each visit) I have to give up a lot of stuff now that I enjoy for awhile back to the books, thank God I have a ton of them.

Posted: 21 May 2008 04:49
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well it some cases yeah. But my colon is inflamed not my small intestine, as of now I don't have to worry about diarrhea. A hot sword...yeah, that's pretty close to what I feel during a flare up. My abdominal area feels like a volcano and in certain areas it spikes like a dagger. __________________ “Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.” ~ Garfield Road of Lightning

Posted: 21 May 2008 05:19
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One thing though===there are medical advances and you are young. Keep positive that a cure will be found--an soon. Try not to let it get you down, and never lose hope.No matter what, there is good in the day. That is what keeps me going thru the pain right now. I can see that light at the end of the tunnel. There is a end in about 5 more weeks, God willing. What about your martial arts? Do you have to end that or find some alternative training that is less aggressive? Which way are you headed with that?

Posted: 21 May 2008 07:17
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I always keep hope. as for m martial arts, my doctor doesn't want me doing any physical activity for a while, but I can go back to it later. I'm thinking of dropping some things and starting up Tai Chi. __________________ “Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.” ~ Garfield Road of Lightning

Posted: 21 May 2008 14:38
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I would definitely keep some form of exercise going as long as it was ok with your doctor. I wouldn't give up martial arts if it wasn't necessary. What form of martial art is Tai Chi? __________________ Find great deals at Shoppingland.us Help build the Superhero Wiki at Superherouniverse.com

Posted: 22 May 2008 14:24
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Ok, now I recognize tai chi. I've seen people doing that kind of martial arts on television. Sounds like a good thing for recuperation from sickness or injury. __________________ Find great deals at Shoppingland.us Help build the Superhero Wiki at Superherouniverse.com

Posted: 22 May 2008 16:24 Last Edited By: itzabird
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Even so, it does build up some muscle by lifting , stretching and holding. Many swear by it. And I have never tried, but after my back heals it may be a good way to go for me too.

Posted: 22 May 2008 17:38
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Yeah, it's very good for all sorts of health issues, including weakness and back problems. Everyone I know who pacrtices it says it's almos like a medicinal martial art. __________________ “Growing old is inevitable, growing up is optional.” ~ Garfield Road of Lightning

Posted: 22 May 2008 23:18 Last Edited By: itzabird
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I am anxious now to give it a try. I saw a lot of people doing it when I was running along the ocean (San Diego) at dawn;over a year ago. The movements were very fluid-like. You are supposed to channel energy, I think. I like that concept. I am depressed now because I have this d--- back thing going on again.