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On Advocating For Yourself (Even if You’re a People Pleaser)
What you probably don’t know about me, because, well, you don’t know me, is I’m a chronic people pleaser. It comes out often in social settings, but, surprisingly (or maybe unsurprisingly) it comes out in medical settings too. The first doctor I saw who diagnosed me with Crohn’s laughed at me when I asked him a question. I never asked him a question again. I often walk in with a list of questions, but feeling the rush of the doctor who is already ten or twenty or thirty minutes behind, I chicken out of asking. I am too embarrassed to… Continue reading
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My Introduction to Inflectra
Well, long time no talk. There’s a lot to catch up on. So, let’s jump in! After my last Humira dose on Christmas day, the welting persisted. I reached out to my doctor’s office to let my gastro know I still had the issue even with the dermatologist’s prescription and she immediately put in a referral to insurance for Remicade. While I was daunted by the idea of switching meds again, I was reminded once again how lucky (and grateful) I am to have a responsive doctor who replies to every message, silly or not, often within minutes. No forced… Continue reading
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Book Review: Crohn’s and Colitis for Dummies by Tauseef Ali
Title: Crohn’s and Colitis for Dummies, Second Edition Author: Tauseef Ali Publication Date: September 19, 2022 Great for: Newly-diagnosed, friends/family, reference Here’s something you don’t know about me yet: I love to read! And to review books! And, now, apparently, I love to learn more about my diagnosis! So, combine all of those and out comes the idea for a new little book review series. I’ll be reading and reviewing books about Crohn’s disease and IBD in general. While the nonfiction books are easy to find on the topic, I’d also like to seek out some fiction featuring characters with… Continue reading
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Trouble in Humiradise
Okay, I’m back with a three-month update since starting Humira. I’ve got good news and bad news. First, the good news! Humira is working! My inflammation markers are all down into the normal range except calprotectin which is much, much lower than it was before. So, yay! I’m feeling better, eating more, and gaining weight. All great things. However, the bad news. I’ve been getting red, raised welts after my injections since I started doing them three months ago. At first, the welts were small and flattened out in a day or two. I tried taking antihistamines, cortisone cream, ice,… Continue reading
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On Well-Meaning Friends and The Diets They Recommend
I’m not exactly shy about telling people, friends or less-than, that I have IBD. I’ll talk and talk about my colonoscopies, my stool tests, and my symptoms because I don’t see it as something to be kept secret. There’s nothing wrong with keeping medical issues close to your chest, but I choose not to because it’s something that’s happening to me, something that takes up a lot of my time and mental space. I find value in talking about my experiences, even if some would consider them TMI, if not for their benefit then for mine. To vent, to share,… Continue reading
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The Humira Road So Far
It has been seven weeks since I started Humira and I’m finally noticing some changes. To catch you up, here’s what has happened since my first dose. For my second dose around a month ago, a nurse with Humira scheduled a video call with me to go over tips and tricks with me. I prepped my injection and answered her FaceTime. I was expecting some introductory chit-chat, but she jumped right to it, asking if I was ready to do my injection. She proceeded to, essentially, nicely but quickly talk me through the same instructions as those on the lid… Continue reading
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My First Thursday with Humira
Welp, I’m officially immune suppressed. Yay! My experience with starting Humira was a bit of a whirlwind, a mostly administrative one. I went for a follow-up with my doctor after my last colonoscopy in July where we saw continuing inflammation in my esophagus, stomach, and colon despite taking Mesalamine. So, after waiting six weeks for a follow-up, I went in and was given, essentially, two options: Humira or Remicade. My doctor recommended Humira, mostly because it allows a little more flexibility to travel than Remicade due to having to go to an infusion center. The doctor touched on the possibility… Continue reading
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My Diagnosis with Crohn’s Disease (Probably)
Before I get into the nitty gritty, just a warning at the front: I don’t believe in TMI. Not really. At least, I don’t anymore. Maybe I did before all of this, but I’ve had enough conversations about the consistency of my stool, driven one too many times with a container of it to the lab, and vomited next to many a coworker to feel embarrassed anymore. I’ve also sort of just decided not to be embarrassed. This is something happening in my life, whether I like it or not, and being ashamed of it will only make an unpleasant… Continue reading
- Book Review (4)
- Fiction (1)
- Medical (12)
- Personal (6)
My Crohn's Diaries 