Anyone here battle with Crohn's Disease?

Not Crohn's, but I've got a 15 year history of ulcerative colitis. There was a thread just a few weeks ago asking about this...

In any case, for me it was a matter of figuring out my triggers, and getting my meds ironed out to where I can deal on a daily basis. I had LONG courses of prednisone, because I'd have a flare-up every time I tried to taper off per the "normal" course. I'm rid of pred for about 5 years now, but I'm on an immuno-suppressive that has to be monitored for toxicity (periodic blood draws).

It can be managed and dealt with, so don't get discouraged. And it does take a lot of understanding on the part of others. Be supportive -- it's not something they can control all the time.

I have it,

it's a real pain in the butt sometimes.

But in all seriousness it has it's ups and downs.

Diet is crucial to keep an eye on. I've gotten used to it, but it sucks feeling like you have to pass gas 24/7 and never knowing when you actually need to go or not. It's embarrassing when you're a full time student and your part time job is in a social setting. 

Ask the doctor about a medication called Asacol. If you're consistent with it it really helps.

but it's a corticosteroid, topical, I think.  Maybe not the best first step.

Asacol??

It's an orally administered anti-inflammatory pill. Nothing really major about it.

You're right, I think it's one of the ASA-5 pills (like Pentasa).  Some of them have other forms of deleivery, and they do have risks, although not as many as the corticosteroids or the biologics.

Thanks all!  I'm keeping up with your discussion.

Yes, I used to be on Pentasa, wasn't very effective on me. Now my Asacol is starting to lose it's effectiveness and it's not reducing my flare up so I'm actually going to my Gastro next Tuesday and we're going to discuss alternatives.

We hope to get the biopsy results back today and get the definitive word.