Health Check-In :: Shingles

I recently posted about some of my health stuff, and I have had some updates. There is a reason this is a chronic illness and it is considered a health journey. Because there is always something, and it's never settled. So I take a deep breathe and get ready for the next round of whatever comes next. And while that can be overwhelming and frustrating at times, I am thankful the Lord walks with me in every part of the journey.

MR Enterography Results

Even though all of my blood test inflammation markers from earlier in the month were within normal range, the MRE showed mild active inflammation at the terminal ileum. In other words, my Crohn's is likely active again. There was a mild luminal narrowing noted {most likely caused by scarring, which we were aware of}, but the good news is that my bowel is not obstructed.

The MRE also showed small benign hepatic cysts, as well as a gallbladder polyp. My GI wasn't concerned about these, and they are consistent with abnormal growths that I tend to have within my body. {Isn't that lovely?}

I will need a colonoscopy so that my GI can further evaluate and take biopsies at the inflammation site. It will be interesting to see if he can even reach the site to biopsy, because he wasn't able to last time, due to the scarring. My hope is that, because the inflammation is milder this time, that will allow easier access.

Sigh. Definitely wasn't expecting that. It brings up SO many questions, but I am trying not to let my mind run ahead until we have more information. 

And so much for avoiding a colonoscopy haha!

6-Month Skin Check + Shingles

I had my normal skin check last week, and thankfully all looked good from that. But a week prior to that appointment, I had an itchy spot on my back. I had just assumed it was an intense bug bite. When the dermatologist asked about it, I told him just that, but he said that no, it was Shingles {!} He asked if I had had any recent stress {ha!}, which is what probably brought it on. I am so thankful I had this appointment already scheduled, because I would have just ignored the spot, still thinking it was a bug bite. So we caught it early, and I was able to start an anti-viral {Valtrex} right away.

When I first started the Valtrex, my ears were clogged for several days, and it kind of felt like I was in a tunnel {super strange}. It also has not been kind to my GI system. It has caused off and on dizziness and my insides have not been happy all week. But the worst part is that I had to stop taking my Stelara. I was due for my shot the day I was diagnosed with Shingles, and I was not able to take it. My GI wants me to wait until I am cleared of the Shingles before I resume taking Stelara. Both medications suppress the immune system, so taking them at the same time would significantly increase my risk of developing serious infections. It would be very difficult for me to beat Shingles if I continue taking Stelara. I hate missing doses, especially knowing that I have active inflammation right now, but I need to get rid of the Shingles.

I followed up with my GP yesterday, and unfortunately, it's not clearing up in the way they would hope. Thankfully, it's not getting worse or spreading, which is a huge praise. And I am incredibly lucky that I am not experiencing any pain. But even though I stopped taking the Stelara, I am still immunosuppressed, so it's likely taking my body more effort to fight off the Shingles. So she extended my treatment, and I will go back next week to see if there's any more improvement.

In the meantime, I will fight through another week of feeling yucky and praying that the Shingles starts to heal so I can avoid another extension and get back on my Stelara treatment.

We're just going ALL IN on this old lady thing, huh? ;)