Is There a Light at the End of the Tunnel?

Introduction:

Hi! I am Mom:) I enjoy family, friends, the outdoors and a good book! I have a habit of trying to “fix it” and I can’t fix this!

Is There a Light at the End of the Tunnel?

My son Brandon was diagnosed in 2010 at age 26. It is quite a long story which seems to be the norm, but I would like to cut to the present. Brandon was taking lialda, prednisone & azathioprine. He lost his job, lost insurance; as the lialda is so expensive we decided to try Sulfasalazine…He had an allergic reaction at a very young age to sulfa for an ear infection, but it was so long ago we thought it wouldn’t hurt to try. He has been on it for 3 weeks now; for the last 7-10 days he has not been able to keep anything down, feverish, achy, just not feeling well. Thinking flu…now I just don’t know. I am very concerned right now, but don’t know how much is due to ulcerative colitis, depression (He developed steroid induced depression for being on prednisone for over 2 1/2 years so he also takes lithium and abilify) flu or the meds. I am trying to encourage good eating, some exercise…there is no motivation…I think i t would be beneficial to read your web site, but no go…It is very hard to stay positive when he doesn’t seem to care, no fight left…there has been other issues because of all of this, so I know it is a difficult time for him, but we know he can have a good life if he chooses to make it so. I don’t know how far to push, it seems that it doesn’t matter whatever we say or do, we seem to be stuck! Wondering about a new doctor, but we have to wait on employment & insurance. I have been trying to learn whatever I can about this illness, I can’t begin to imagine how it really feels and I am trying to understand. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated….I can’t give up on him!

written by Mom B

submitted in the Friends and Family Venting Area