Did you know that Crohn’s Disease can affect your teeth? Crohn’s causes vomiting and acid reflux, which is when your stomach acid comes up into your esophagus and sometimes your mouth. Aside from being very painful, all this acid can wear down the enamel in your teeth.
This is a flashback to the flare I had when I was 18. As you know, I’m currently 35 and in the midst of another flare, which is the basis for the ongoing series The Crohn’s Saga. However, the flare I had when I was 18 was the most painful I’ve had by far. It started normally with fatigue, nausea, and stomach pains. Unlike most Crohnies, I rarely experience diarrhea as a symptom (I’ll take luck where I can get it). But then, after a few weeks, I entered the house of pain. I ended up with arthritis in my hands and knees, 2 fissures, thrush (a nasty version of strep throat), and over 30 sores in my mouth and esophagus. All the pain meant I couldn’t eat, so I dropped down to 98 lbs, which is dangerously underweight for my 5’11” height.
It was during that period that I fell in love in Now and Laters. They are a sort of taffy candy if you’ve never heard of them. I liked them because I could suck on them, so I could have something sweet without the pain. And then this happened. I haven’t had once since.
This was really well done! I love the cartoon image 1st, then the reality of what this does to us! I had the same thing happen, each flare up 1-2 teeth gone. By 37, dentures. I lost all my hair just about the same time (my colon ruptured, just gave out from all the years of Crohns.) But I don’t have a creative way to get thru these things, I love people who can write, like you, with out it sounding like a pitty party or for sympathy. But just to get the awareness out there.
Thanks so much! I hope this finds you in better health!