Anyone have a child with crohns?!
Question:
Anyone have a child with crohns?
My daughter's father has it and I'm so afraid she does as well (she's 8). I asked her pedi when she was 5 about testing her and they said it was very invasive and we should wait. What do they do for testing and is there much they can do for it if she does? She seems to have stomach issues a lot but her father was in remission from it when we were together and is MIA so I don't know what it was like for him but I know it can be genetically passed on.
Answers:
hi pookie, I am a female & was diagnosed with Crohns at the age of 12. I've had it for 27 yrs. now. There is a blood test that can determine if your child has CD. It's through Prometheus but some insurance companies won't cover it so you would have to check. Another way would be via a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.
There are many newer treatments out now for Crohns for children such as Remicade (IV infusion).(check out CCFA's site for more info). Steroids tend to be a thing of the past due to the life long side effects such as bone loss. Surgery is ALWAYS a last option since it's not a cure for crohn's but it can used if the quality of life of the patient is to the point where they can't lead a normal life. That happened to me at age 17 but now, I am much better.
If you go the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America's website, you can download information on CD regarding medications, latest treatments, medical terminology, women's issues, coping with IBD, how to tell the teachers at school, diet, exercise, and where to find a local chapter so you can meet other parents like yourself who has a child with IBD. They also have an 800 # that you can call M-F 9 am - 5 pm (EST) 888.MY.GUT.PAIN (888-694-8872). CCFA. It is run by professionals who are very familiar with IBD.
Dragonpack is also a website for children and parents dealing with IBD. You may want to look into that as well.
I know it's difficult living with an illness, but we've come along way from when I was dxed with it. CCFA's goal is to find a cure so they can go out of business one day.
Good luck to you and your daughter.