Scientists Discover New Drug Targets for Crohn's Disease

Crohn's - I have it

Hello,

I see the posts are of people who know of another who has the disease. Well, I have it! I was diagnosed in 1976 when I was just 13 years old – I had lost more than half my normal body weight. I was literally a walking skeleton at this time. I had taken steroids (prednisone) up till I was 17 to suppress the disease. I was normal weight, and normal behavior, however, I was operated on at that time. I had to have a bowel resect - about 12 centimeters - not bad. After a year or so post-op, I had to start taking steroids again and stayed on them up through my 20's. Through my 30's I did not take a lot of steroids.... I was much stronger and knew how the disease impacted me – and I was rebelling against medical treatment. I watched my diet and just took it on the chin for the most part. Had trouble with fistulas, the works ... many local operations to lance cysts, and I took lots of antibiotics because of infections. Then in 2004 I was operated on again .... another bowel resect. I did pretty good between surgeries. My number one concern for others is the approach doctors take, given their philosophy. Jokingly, a surgeon approaches curing a headache with the scalpel. My second surgeon wanted to remove my entire large bowel. I refused because I knew only part of it was affected with disease. His philosophy was to remove all of it and the disease will go away. That is not necessarily true. This in my eyes opens the opportunity for the disease to start attacking my small bowel and other areas of my body. About 4 years ago after the second surgery I went on immune-suppressant drugs (viz, Remicade). Worked wonders for me. I hated going to the clinic for infusions though. About two months ago I started Humera, a self injection treatment program. I am doing well. I am a Doctor of Education now, and I have studied Medical Anthropology over the years also. I know this disease and doctors from my own experiences. There is no cure at the moment … but you can productively live with it …. even forget you have it if you treat it right. My best to everyone battling this disease. If you have any questions please write.

Dr Marc

Dr Marc Debiase of WV @ Sep 14, 2009 11:13:44 AM