UPDATE 9(Oct, Nov & Dec 2001)
OCTOBER
I'm Still feeling bad effects from the Remicade. My doc's told me they think I have chronic pancreatitis. Another great thing to add to the list. My lipase has been elevated now for more than a few weeks. I really think the Remicade caused it. I was hospitalized a few times from the effects it had on my stomach. I still have my PICC line and getting fluids at home for now so that I don't have to worry about getting dehydrated.
I'm scheduled for another Ultrasound in November to see if the Cyst is resolving. As for my hernia the surgeons don't even want to touch me for now. They will have to fix it sometime!
NOVEMBER
I finally got rid of my PICC line because my lipase is normal, and because there is a risk of it becoming infected after having it in for over a month. Some people can have them in for a year! It was nice not having to get stuck with a needle everytime the Doc's wanted to check my lipase. The lab would just take it from one of my ports. It was also used for IV lines. Only about 1 week after they took my PICC line out my lipase elevated again to 500, but it was back to normal within a week. I had my ultra sound done to check on the cyst and its completely resolved. I've been trying some different kinds of anti-acids to see if any works better, but no luck so far.
DECEMBER
My Doc's put me back on Imodium because I've been having alot of problems, and bleeding alot. They've checked my blood and they really don't think the Crohn's is back. It could be from the IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). They explained it to me in a very good aspect. You have 2 nervous systems, one for your body and one for your intestines. When the nervous system of the intestines gets out of whack from IBS or what not, then you get motility problems and it can really mess alot of stuff up. They are going to monitor me for now, and get a SBS (small bowel series), and endoscopy done in a few months if things aren't getting any better.
If you'de like to read the first Update page for 2002, continue on to update 10 Read update 10
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