Reply #230: Crohn's Disease for 21 years

[cpompilo]

I'm new to DU and just found this forum yesterday while searching for info on SSD. I applied for SSD and was denied - SSD says I'm not disabled, however, I had to quit my job because I couldn't handle the physical work anymore. I intend to
appeal with an advocate or lawyer. I found lots of great info in a thread yesterday about applying for SSD.

My life was a living hell - I was finally diagnosed in 2001 - my specialist said I was one of the worst cases he'd ever seen. I did the standard medical treatment (steroids, 16 pills of Pentasa/day) for 3 years, none of which did much good. After 2 hospitalizations and near death after taking 6-MP (an immuno-suppressant)I found the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. www.BreakingTheViciousCycle.info The diet saved my life. I've been on it 4 1/2 years now. I rarely have diarrhea anymore and haven't had pain since starting the diet. I take no medication. Perhaps that is why SSD rejected me. I do however have dehydration problems - the Crohn's Disease is mostly in my large colon where water is absorbed. My colon looks like it was hit with buckshot - full of scar tissue now. I still have fatigue issues too. Crohn's is called the Wasting Disease and I can attest to that! I weighed 87 pounds for a long time. I'm now 92 pounds, sometimes more. My goal is to reach 100.

I read through everyone's post here and I feel very fortunate as some of you folks have much worse problems than I. Thanks for this thread, I appreciate it very much.