Happy Holidays in advance to my MC Family

[Joefnh]

Hi Rich, it really sounds like you are doing better emotionally with MC, for most, it takes time to accept that this is what we will be dealing with for quite a while. I loved your story about the surprise gift, you are so right, it really is better to give than to receive

I had to re-read your opening sentence a few times as I kept reading the statement gluten-full as gluten-free.... Its been a long day LOL...

Gabes your statement about mixing elements of our pre-MC life is a very important one. For me it helps maintain a level of 'sanity' that I haven't completely changed with MC. Certainly less stressed due to controlling perfectionism is very important and an area I struggle with every day. The problem for me being in the sciences, perfectionism is necessary, the trick is knowing when to turn it off and not let it control me.

Rich as far as dealing with both Crohns and MC, the symptoms are quite similar so it can be hard to differentiate. In listening to the members here and talking to 2 co-workers who have Crohns, I have been able to draw the following conclusions:

-Crohns can cause quite a bit of very intense localized pain that tends to happen much sooner after eating, if something is causing a reaction. This would make sense as the Crohns affects the small intestine. The pain tends to be located in the lower left quadrant and sometimes the middle of the abdomen. keep in mind that is for me, as I have Crohns Jejunum. With Crohns in the Ilium the pain tends to be in the lower right quadrant.

-In MC the pain is more diffuse and covers a large area it is also intense but more in the way of a large muscle spasm.

-Both MC and Crohns cause D. Crohns is through a secretory mechanism and MC is through an osmotic mechanism.

-When the Crohns is acting up, it does cause a regular and moderate fever. I have heard that MC can as well, but is not the normal situation.

-MC is far more restrictive in the dietary aspect as most of us react to wheat, soy and potentially dairy. Not to mention the other members who have a very wide range of things they cannot eat. In Crohns some do have these restrictions but that tends not to be the normal course.

-Crohns is considered a pre-cancerous condition and its effects if left untreated will cause permanent damage. From what I have read MC does not have the same tendencies.

These are the conclusions I can make through personal observations but when you have both, figuring which is which with the symptoms can be tough.

Gloria thanks for the kind note. I can only say I am doing this well due to the support of yourself and the many others on this board. I am a member on several of the other Crohns boards and can say this really is a unique place. The sense of family and the quality of people here is amazing.

Merry Christmas to all...

--Joe