I'm a 40-year-old wife and mother of two young boys who was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in September of 1993, while my husband was stationed in Austria. The best way I could describe my symptoms was that food was POISON to me. When I ate or drank ANYTHING, within 5 minutes I was on the toilet bent over in severe pain and experiencing hot flashes. I spent more time in the bathroom than any other place in my home. I was very weak, nauseated. With every bowel movement there was much blood and mucus, and I became seriously depressed. It was very difficult for me to care for my children.

At this time, not knowing what was wrong with me, I could only think that I was actually going to die. My abdomen felt bruised all the time, and the last thing I wanted to do was eat. I then began what seemed a roller coaster ride of seeing different doctors and having different tests done, which to say the least made me in more pain than ever. The doctors told me the small bowel series revealed findings consistent with Crohn's disease. I was still not prescribed any meds for my symptoms. The doctors felt it was better to give me a consult to see a doctor for further testing, and to begin my treatment after our return to the States.

I then was introduced to marijuana before leaving Austria, and within 1 hour I could not believe that the pain, bowel movements and ALL my other symptoms were relieved. Now my major concern was the illegality of marijuana, and putting my husband at risk in his military career. I had serious thoughts of getting busted and my children being taken from me. I quit the marijuana after a week of smoking it, only to have all those terrible symptoms return.

Once we returned to the states I began taking 750mg of flagyl,1500mg of azulfidine, and 1mg of folic acid per day. My life started to turn for the better. But after two years, I began experiencing migraines and feeling as though I was going to pass out at times. I then chose to try smoking marijuana.

I felt no one could know I was smoking, not even my husband. I wanted to so badly tell my doctor how much smoking marijuana had relieved my symptoms, but knew I couldn't. I will never forget my last visit to my doctor, telling him that my symptoms were gone and I wanted to quit the meds. He agreed with me that the migraines and dizzy spells were a side effect of the meds. I have not taken any prescription meds for my Crohn's since 1995.

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