9/19 – Cholestyram Info

My name is Dave and I have Crohn’s Disease. This means a few things. One, my shit stinks and I know it does. My family and close friends know it does. Because the severity of the disease can vary from person to person, so do the medications that help alleviate symptoms. I’ve been pretty lucky with my Crohn’s. Even though I was diagnosed almost 23 years ago, I have only needed one surgery. And, I’ve only been hospitalized twice (my initial diagnosis and April 2008).

Still, I have my bad days. There are days when I have no energy and days when I have no energy and need to use the bathroom 8 times. There are cramps, bloating, and aches. I stopped drinking coffee and eating fast food, and that helped cut down on the number of “bad days” I experience.

No matter what I do, I usually experience symptoms at least a few times a week. I’ve never tried Cholestyram (or Cholestyramine as I found it), but I’m willing to give it a try to see what happens. Not that I need it, but it should lower my cholesterol. And I think the common side effect is desirable. Just ask anyone who has had to use the bathroom after me…

Crohn's Disease (IBD) Questionnaire from Remicade

If you don’t have Crohn’s Disease, you probably don’t have to ask yourself questions like this on a regular basis.

I think questions 2 and 6 are my favorite ones, and I feel lucky that for the most part my Crohn’s doesn’t get in my way of my social interactions. If anything, it has provided my family and friends with comedy material to add to all the things they make fun of me for.

Even though this questionnaire was sent to me as part of a big ad for Remicade, keeping track of symptoms and experience is really important to most people with Crohn’s. Factors like diet, stress, exercise, and weather all can play a role in a “Good Crohn’s Day” vs. a “Bad Crohn’s Day”, and keeping track of it all helps with knowing specifically what sets the disease off.

Crohn’s and Me used to have a tracker you could print and mark off, but I just found out they updated and there’s a smart phone app – just search for Crohn’s and Me Wellness Widget, and you can have a tracker with you wherever you go.

If you have Crohn’s, I hope you are having a good day and whatever plan (diet, medication, exercise) you’re using is helping to keep your symptoms to a minimum. I know Crohn’s affects everyone differently, but knowing exactly how much, how often, and what circumstances your CD is flaring up is a good tool in fighting back.

If you don’t have Crohn’s, be happy you don’t have to ask yourself all of these bowel-related questions!

Worcester Telegram, May 11th, 1970

It’s really not a matter of opinion: My mom is awesome. Not only did she take care of 5 kids, she helped each of those kids through some tough medical issues. There was Diabetes, Asthma, dog attacks, bike accidents, climbing tree falls, Crohn’s Disease, cysts, brain cancer, rehab, surgeries, broken bones, and ER visits.

My mom and dad are also the two biggest hockey fans that I know. Once when I lived in Waltham, I got back to my apartment and my roommate told me my mother had called. He also added that he talked to her about the Bruins for about a ½ hour. I wasn’t surprised.

I was thrilled when my mom gave me this issue of the Telegram from when the Bruins won the Cup in 1970. Bobby Orr scored his famous goal on May 10^th that year. You’d think that two huge Bruins fans like my parents would have been thrilled with just this Boston sports feat. That might have been true if their first child (my older brother) hadn’t been born just 6 days earlier. May 10, 1970 also happened to be Mother’s Day – her first of many.

My brothers, sisters, and I really can’t thank our mother enough for all she has done to help us through life. She helped with the simple things like getting us to places and homework, and the less simple things like Insulin injections and chemotherapy. She has also continued to support us in our adulthood.

Thanks for everything Mom, I love you! Here’s to the Bruins winning another Cup and a celebration we can share!

CVS Receipt

I’ve been feeling like crap the last couple days. Hope this helps. I’m off to lie down…