Diagnosis Survey
What is your diagnosis?
- Crohn’s Disease and arthritis.
What year were you diagnosed?
- 2012
What medications do you currently take?
- Remicaid,vitamins plus immune system support, and calcium supplements.
What medications have you taken in the past?
- Every medication for IBS, Lialda, iron supplements, calcium supplements, prednisone, anti-biotics,etc.
Do you take any vitimins/suppliments?
- Vitamin plus immune system support and calcium supplements
What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you because of your disease?
- Having accidents while driving or being out in public, vomiting without warning.
What is the best thing that has happened to you because of your disease?
- I have gained strength, wisdom, and courage from my disease. I’ve also become more knowledgeable about this disease and have helped many people in my community with knowing about this disease and the fact that they might also have it.
Do you have any friends in real life who have crohn’s or colitis?
- Yes, but they live far away. :(
During your worst flare-up how many times a day did you go to the bathroom?
- When I was at my best I went 15 times a day, at my worst, about 30.
Have you ever seen blood in your bowel movements?
- Yes.
Have you ever had to have blood transfusions?
- Yes.
If you’ve been on steroids what side effects do you experience?
- Insomnia, anxiety, moodswings, bloatedness, weakness in my muscles, some kidney issues, and dry mouth.
Do you have any extra-intestinal symptoms such as joint pain, skin rashes, other auto-immune diseases?
- Joint pain/ Arthritis and skin rashes from time to time.
What is your favorite brand of toilet paper?
- Cottonelle
Would you consider yourself in remission currently?
- Definately!
Do you keep things with you for emergencies like extra underwear, wet wipes, etc?
- Yes, at all times.
Have you been hospitalized because of your IBD?
- Yes .____.
If you have been hospitalized how many times?
- About six times in a seven month period of time.
Have you ever had a colectomy?
- No.
Do you have an ileostomy currently?
- No.
Do you have a colostomy currently?
- No, but the surgeon thought of giving me one.
Have you ever had an ostomy in the past and had it reversed?
- No.
If you have/had an ostomy was it easy to adjust?
- -
Do you have a j pouch?
- No
Have you had part of your bowels resectioned?
- Yes.
Have you ever had strictures?
- Yes.
Have you ever had a fistula?
- I had 3 fistulas.
Do you follow a certain diet or avoid specific foods?
- I try not to eat as much dairy since that seems to set me off pretty bad.
Have you ever had fissures?
- Yes.
Have you ever had problems with adhesions because of surgery?
- Yes, my right ovary adheared to my intestines. My right ovary does not funtion anymore.
Are you able to hold a job or go to school?
- I was fired from my job because I was too sick…and going to school was out of the question but I hope to start having those things now that I’m feeling 1,000% better.
Have you ever had drains in for fistulas or absesses?
- No, they didn’t know I had those until surgery…and they were severe.
How often would you say you are fatigued?
- Every day, all the time.
Have you ever been on TPN for nutrition?
- I had a PICC line in for nutrition.
What is your least favorite procedure you have had to have?
- Colonoscopy,MRI’s,my numerous blood tests, barium tests, CAT scans, and the capsule test.
Are you embarrassed to go to the bathroom in other places besides your home?
- Yes, I try to avoid that. But I don’t leave my house much anyway. I used to be more embarrassed and picky about where I would stop to use the bathroom in emergencies, but now I don’t care, when you gotta go, you gotta go…
Do you miss social events because you’re afraid you’ll have to use the bathroom?
- Yes, very much so. I’ve lost so many friends because I was SO sick and couldn’t go out anywhere. I was so miserable and depressed and so scared that I was going to be in so much pain and embarass myself with accidents.
Do you experience urgency?
- All the time.
Have you ever not been able to control your bowel movements?
- Yes.
Have you ever had a central line like a picc line?
- Yes.
Have you ever had an abscess?
- Yes.
Do you ever feel depressed because of your IBD?
- I used to be VERY depressed. I cried myself to sleep most nights and since my mother couldn’t handle it and she would say very mean things to me that were SO insensitive. I felt like a huge burden to everyone because I was also reminded about how much my care cost…
Do you take any pain medication?
- I have gone through sooooo many pain medications it’s not even funny.
Does anyone in your family have IBD?
- No.
Does anyone else have an auto-immune disease in your family?
- Yes, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis
Does your disease scare you?
- Yes, it really scares me. It’s so unpredictable and there is NO CURE. :(
Do you find it hard to start dating/form new relationships with your disease?
- I’ve been lucky enough to be in a relationship with someone who has been there since the beginning and has been supportive of me. He isn’t grossed out or freaked out by my disease. He is very understanding and thoughtful of me and I know that I am VERY lucky to have him because I know other’s have difficulty with this area. And if someone can’t accept that you have this disease than you don’t need them in your life.