#goodandbaddays

Here's my pictures of good and bad days! Crohn's and colitis UK are running this campaign to help raise funds!!

MRI scan

So just had a scan of my small bowel, the preparation drink consumption is really the longest part! You have to drink it slowly over about an hour. It's neither pleasant or horrible, it makes my teeth feel odd and when it hit the bowel prepare to run!!!
Laying in the machine is uncomfortable as boobs and arms seem to get in the way. But 20 minutes of breathing in, holding in then relaxing as instructed isn't too bad if I get some answers!!

Throw back Thursday

So I thought I dig out my photo of my sticture, to do so I had to rammage around in my appointments folder. I found quite a few letters in there. I can't even begin to think how many appointments I have attended in total over the last 18 months.
On top of that the infliximab has meant countless trips to the Gp due to infections and mouth abcese. I got so fed up with feeling consumed by it all I went to the doctors, I informed them I had had enough of it, I was knackered and sick of it all, so the sent me to 'LIFT' which meant attending a weekly appointment to help LIFT my mood!!! Umm not helping!!!
At least the infusions cleared that sticture up tho because that pain was next level.

Exercise.

So I failed on the coffee ban, but I did manage a short run. It's been months since I had the energy to get out and exercise.
Got to say it feel good to get my body moving but it's also good mentally so get some fresh air and time by myself.

Will power

So last night I decided to give up coffee as I drink loads and I'm sure it's not good for my stomach!! I ask my other half to inforce the ban and help me stay away from it.
This morning started well 1st drink of the day I had a cup of decaf tea, then some hot lime juice which was vile but still at least it wasn't contraband.

Inflectra treatment

Today was my 10th infusion, the 1st 8 where infliximab but the Nhs swapped to the cheaper brand inflectra.
Today I was unsure weather or not to have the treatment as I doesn't seem to be working, after speaking to the lovely nursing staff in the medical day care unit, decided to go ahead and wait to till I see my Consultant before coming of it completely
As it was my 10th treatment I only had to sit for 30 mins for the infusion to be completed, bit of a shame as missed the free lunch!!!

Results!?

So here's my latest Colonoscopy results taken on 12/9/2015. I have no idea what this means, so I will look forward to finding out if these picture explain why I feel like I've been kicked up the arse and knackered all the time!!

Rectal foam!!!

My back side is in ribbons 😐
Not sure this rectal foam is helping, but never mind it's always a joy administering an enema!!

So today has been a great day, I have listened to Bill withers, played pop up pirate, and cos I knew I wasn't leaving the house I thought eff it I'm going to eat a whole meal!!
Even better it was made by my partners mothers, so it was a roast with some ackee and salt fish, I have only needed to run to the bath room 6 times today which is better yesterdays grand total of 15 times, with every time being dramatic and painful.

Tomorrow I hope to leave the house so that means I can only eat yogurt. last week I made a huge mistake and ate a small bowl of chilli for lunch then popped to Lidl. I got held up in the check out and started to feel my guts turn, the very real fear that I may shit myself or vomit or pass out from the pain kicked in to the point I thought all 3 where going to happen at once. I don't think I hid the fear very well, as the lady/ space invader that was stood inches away from me started to eye me up and back away slowly.

That little incident prompted a call to the IBD nurse, only to find her job post is vacant. So I went Back to my GP  to chase up a consultant appointment to discuss  my colonoscopy finding. GP explained my stool sample showed that inflammation markers where very high at 600 rather then under 100, in a way that's good cos now its a case of finding out where the problem is.

Hello!! My name is Ria I am 33 and live with my 2 children and partner. I was diagnose with Crohn's disease in 2010. Up until that point I just thought I was really unlucky and got the shits every few weeks, and in an other way I thought I fairly lucky cos I never really got fat.

Any way now I know what my condition is I feel some relief and some disappointment. Relief that I wont waste away with others thinking 'why doesn't she just eat something' and disappointment because now I have to deal with all that comes with having an live long illness. For me its been loads of appointments, lots of things up my bum, discussing my bowels movements with my boyfriend and strangers, needles and not for ink and medications.... I no longer stay 'skinny' due to the lovely meds. although my weight is really the least of my worries it was a sliver lining this Is now no more.

I have decided to write this as I have felt awful now for 12 months while using infliximab, and feel like I cant really explain what life is like with Crohn's, I find it hard to not sound like I'm moaning or being negative. I even feel like this while talking to medical professionals so I thought sod it I'll write it down. I don't expect to be inspirational or really very interesting but I just want to be honest so my head is not also full of shit as well as my life.