Well, my writhing intestines calmed down shortly before basketball. Unfortunately I was still a bit crampy and had no energy what so ever at basketball. I also had a harder time than usual catching my breath. I did not play very well, but it was a good workout anyhow. While I am in one of these mini flare-ups it never ceases to amaze me how my body becomes weak, sluggish and fragile. I guess it makes sense since my body is essentially fighting itself inside, but it still surprises me every time it happens. In fact, after doing some research around Crohn’s complications in the previous blog entries, I am now noticing that the post-basketball soreness I have been feeling may be related. All this time I have just been chalking it up to being out of shape, age and simple post-basketball soreness. Hmmm… now what else can I blame on Crohn’s?
“Cheese and Rice!!!” (a.k.a. Jesus Christ) I can feel my intestines writhing around today! Not good! I am counting the days until my next Remicade infusion. (4 days) Friday cannot come soon enough. I am tempted to call and try and get the appointment moved sooner, but for now I have halted all eating and I am restricting myself to drinking only water. I can usually get things to calm down rather quickly when I take this approach. I only hope things slow down before basketball this evening. It is really the only real exercise I have time for and I hate to miss it.
I should buy stock in Cottonelle after the amount of Flushable Wipes I have gone through today. Anyone who has Crohn’s or IBD might want to look into trying them.
http://celebritydisease.blogspot.com/2007/10/list-of-celebrities-and-famous-people_20.html
I found this list at the site above – I did not compile it. So, I don’t know how accurate it is. I did find it interesting though. Enjoy!
-Benner
It is a short list, so I will just put it here too…
* Alfred the Great
* Anastacia, an American pop singer
* Claire Chitham, a New Zealand actress.
* Chris Conley, lead singer and guitarist of the band Saves The Day.
* Lew DeWitt, an American country music singer and composer.
* Kevin Dineen, a former professional ice hockey player.
* Shannen Doherty, an American actress. (my previous post. Read it here.)
* Dynamo, an English magician.
* Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States.
* David Garrard, an American football player.
* Carrie Grant, a British celebrity vocal coach.
* Theoren Fleury, a professional ice hockey player.
* Nicky Hopkins, an English pianist and famed session musician
* Derrick Jensen, American author and environmental activist
* Jeremy Mansfield, a South African radio host.
* Mike McCready, the lead guitarist of the American rock band Pearl Jam.
* Thomas Menino, the current mayor of Boston, Massachusetts.
* Mark Millar, a notable Scottish comic book writer. Best known for the Marvel Comics series The Ultimates and Civil War.
* Mary Ann Mobley, was Miss America in 1959.
* Daryl Palumbo, the lead singer for the bands Glassjaw and Head Automatica.
* Beth Orton, an English singer-songwriter.
* Joe Rogan, an American Comedian and Actor.
* George Steele, an American professional wrestler.
* Mieczysław Weinberg, a Polish Jewish composer.
Crohn’s Disease Complications.
The compilcations of Crohn’s Disease can fall into 3 categories: Intestinal, Extra-intestinal and Nutritional.
Intestinal complications of Crohn’s disease include obstruction (blockage) and perforation of the small intestine, abscesses, fistulae, and intestinal bleeding. Massive distention or dilatation of the colon, and rupture of the intestine are potentially life–threatening complications. Both generally require surgery, but, fortunately, these two complications are rare. Recent data suggest that there is an increased risk of cancer of the small intestine and colon in patients with long–standing Crohn’s disease.
Extra–intestinal complications involve the skin, joints, spine, eyes, liver, and bile ducts. Skin involvement includes painful red raised spots on the legs (erythema nodosum) and an ulcerating skin condition generally found around the ankles called pyoderma gangrenosum. Painful eye conditions (uveitis, episcleritis) can cause visual difficulties. Arthritis can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness of the joints of the extremities. Inflammation of the low back (sacroiliac joint arthritis) and of the spine (ankylosing spondylitis) can cause pain and stiffness of the spine. Inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) or bile ducts (primary sclerosing cholangitis) also can occur. Sclerosing cholangitis causes narrowing and obstruction of the ducts draining the liver and can lead to yellow skin (jaundice), recurrent bacterial infections, and liver cirrhosis with liver failure. Sclerosing cholangitis with liver failure is one of the reasons for performing liver transplantation. Sclerosing cholangitis frequently is complicated by the development of cancer of the bile ducts.
Nutritional complications are also common in Crohn’s disease. Deficiencies of proteins, calories, and vitamins are well documented. These deficiencies may be caused by inadequate dietary intake, intestinal loss of protein, or poor absorption, also referred to as malabsorption.
Stay tuned for yet more info soon…
* Treatments
* Diet and taking care of your self
* Alternative Medicine
* Resources
