Crohn's Disease

PissBottleMan · July 2006

http://www.relix.com/coverstory

"Inside Job"
It's said that religion is for people who are afraid to go to hell and spirituality is for people who have gone there and lived to tell. If that's the case, then Mike McCready is a humble spirit living in the material world.

He's endured a serious entanglement with Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disease that causes swelling in the intestines. It is one of the most painful ailments the body can endure and it can strike without warning. He's stopped smoking in the past year and now is in full freak-out mode aerobically on stage. But it took work, inside and out.

"When I start complaining about my situation, I have to know that people are in far more painful situations than I am. They are stronger than I am in many situations, like a fifteen-year-old kid in a wheelchair."

The emotional track "Inside Job," from Pearl Jam, is the first song to which McCready has penned lyrics.

"'Inside Job' was searching for some type of spiritual solution. To be able to write that song and then have everyone in the band want to do it was fucking awesome," he relates.

But first he had to give it to Vedder. Despite their longtime friendship, McCready was nervous that Ed wouldn't approve. "I was nervous because I had written the lyrics out, knowing that he had a lot of shit on his plate," he laughs. "It was like I gave him a full dinner, another extra course."

McCready then did something he rarely does. He sang to Vedder. "It was pretty nerve wracking," he confesses. "But he was into it. It was cathartic to actually put some lyrics down and not feel self-conscious or embarrassed by it."

Today, he knows that whether he'll have a good or bad day is dependent on him and part of ensuring a good day is by helping someone. "It's important that these issues are talked about. These are very embarrassing issues for someone who is 15 years or 40, when you shit yourself. And it really fucking hurts right before it! And it gets worse than that," he says candidly.

"If my coming out and talking about it helps anybody, then it's all in a day, even more so than the band. It's more important."

"I think we have an example of a musician who exorcises some demons on a nightly basis," says Vedder. "In a way, it allows anyone who attends the performance to do the same. He's channeling things that are positive and he's channeling things that are negative. It's fairly deep what he's doing, considering his back story and what he has overcome."

Jeff Ament, who has shared a side of the stage with McCready since the beginning, marvels at McCready's complete transformation. "A lot of it was us not giving up on him. We knew what a special talent he was and what a great person he was. It's amazing how much further he has taken it, beyond getting sober, beyond dealing with Crohn's. He's totally gone beyond all that stuff," says Ament. "He's a big part of why it's a totally different band: It's because he is 100% there and has been for the last couple of records for the first time. There is a complete connection in the band now. All the time."

PBM

FiveHorizons74 · July 2006

Here is a website that walks you through surgical options in relation to various diseases of the colon.

http://www.colonsurgeryinfo.com

Although many people are afraid of surgery, it is an option that allows you to regain control of your life and not plan everything around the availability of restrooms etc...

Krohn · July 2006

PissBottleMan wrote:

http://www.relix.com/coverstory

"Inside Job"
It's said that religion is for people who are afraid to go to hell and spirituality is for people who have gone there and lived to tell. If that's the case, then Mike McCready is a humble spirit living in the material world.

He's endured a serious entanglement with Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disease that causes swelling in the intestines. It is one of the most painful ailments the body can endure and it can strike without warning. He's stopped smoking in the past year and now is in full freak-out mode aerobically on stage. But it took work, inside and out.

"When I start complaining about my situation, I have to know that people are in far more painful situations than I am. They are stronger than I am in many situations, like a fifteen-year-old kid in a wheelchair."

The emotional track "Inside Job," from Pearl Jam, is the first song to which McCready has penned lyrics.

"'Inside Job' was searching for some type of spiritual solution. To be able to write that song and then have everyone in the band want to do it was fucking awesome," he relates.

But first he had to give it to Vedder. Despite their longtime friendship, McCready was nervous that Ed wouldn't approve. "I was nervous because I had written the lyrics out, knowing that he had a lot of shit on his plate," he laughs. "It was like I gave him a full dinner, another extra course."

McCready then did something he rarely does. He sang to Vedder. "It was pretty nerve wracking," he confesses. "But he was into it. It was cathartic to actually put some lyrics down and not feel self-conscious or embarrassed by it."

Today, he knows that whether he'll have a good or bad day is dependent on him and part of ensuring a good day is by helping someone. "It's important that these issues are talked about. These are very embarrassing issues for someone who is 15 years or 40, when you shit yourself. And it really fucking hurts right before it! And it gets worse than that," he says candidly.

"If my coming out and talking about it helps anybody, then it's all in a day, even more so than the band. It's more important."

"I think we have an example of a musician who exorcises some demons on a nightly basis," says Vedder. "In a way, it allows anyone who attends the performance to do the same. He's channeling things that are positive and he's channeling things that are negative. It's fairly deep what he's doing, considering his back story and what he has overcome."

Jeff Ament, who has shared a side of the stage with McCready since the beginning, marvels at McCready's complete transformation. "A lot of it was us not giving up on him. We knew what a special talent he was and what a great person he was. It's amazing how much further he has taken it, beyond getting sober, beyond dealing with Crohn's. He's totally gone beyond all that stuff," says Ament. "He's a big part of why it's a totally different band: It's because he is 100% there and has been for the last couple of records for the first time. There is a complete connection in the band now. All the time."

PBM

PBM, thanks for posting this! I love the first paragraph of that article, really says a lot

Ryan

PissBottleMan · July 2006

Krohn wrote:

PBM, thanks for posting this! I love the first paragraph of that article, really says a lot

Yeah, I thought that was a great line as well.

PBM

PJfanFORlife · October 2006

Just wanted drop an update. i have been doing well. i had surgery back in March and my wife and i seperated around the same time. I was a mess there for a while but i have turned it around and am doing well now. I have been exercising regularly and eating as best as i can(i am still human

) Got off my ass and started going out and meeting women again. it's hard being 30 and single but i am in no rush. i just want to do my own thing for a while. I hope all is well with everyone. much love

PissBottleMan · October 2006

PJfanFORlife,

Glad to hear things are getting better for you. I've had numerous down-times over the past few years and it seems that dealing with stomach problems tends to intensify things.

I'm doing well too. Other than not getting the best of sleep (seems like I'm up twice a night going to the bathroom), things are going great.

PissBottleBoy will be here in a few months...that has really inspired me to get off my butt!

Cheers,

PBM

AllNiteThing · October 2006

Hope you all are doing well, PBM and everyone else. I just found this thread and have read a lot of the posts. It is great to hear everyone's inspirational story of dealing with these problems head on, and the inspiration Mike has given everyone.

I've had some as-yet undiagnosed medical problems as of late, going on 8 months now. They've finally manifested in some kind of intestinal/abdominal problems, as far as I can tell. I'm going to a GI doctor and getting an ultrasound next week. I've been having many of the symptoms of this disease, so I'm pretty nervous about the next few weeks. I just want some answers, one way or another.

That said, I envy all the courage you all have and I hope to hear more about your progress in the future. Best wishes and good health to all!

PissBottleMan · October 2006

AllNiteThing,

You might suggest a colonscopy. I had no idea about anything realted to Crohn's prior to my diagnosis. A co-worker suggested that I see a gastroenterologist...I'm glad I did...he was able to diagnose my problems after having an endoscopy and colonscopy.

Just something to think about. Keep us updated on your progress.

PBM

nowayimfaithfull · October 2006

Thanks for posting that it was very cool. Mike is great.

AllNiteThing · October 2006

nowayimfaithfull wrote:

Thanks for posting that it was very cool. Mike is great.

Mike is god. :cool:

Seriously, he is an inspiration story and hero-worthy. After the substance issues he's overcome, the band turmoil and then Crohn's. Being able to raise awareness and have control over it in his personal life, while rocking out in the best band in the world. Just wow. The man has the strength of many. He is to be commended and appreciated.

AllNiteThing · October 2006

PissBottleMan wrote:

AllNiteThing,

You might suggest a colonscopy. I had no idea about anything realted to Crohn's prior to my diagnosis. A co-worker suggested that I see a gastroenterologist...I'm glad I did...he was able to diagnose my problems after having an endoscopy and colonscopy.

Just something to think about. Keep us updated on your progress.

PBM

Thanks man. Hopefully the digestive doc will set up a game plan for me on what I need to do. I'll definitely keep you updated. Hopefully it's nothing too serious, but I've got guns blazin', ready to take on whatever I have. :cool: How's your status?

Mali40 · October 2006

Hi all,

I'm new here but just stumbled upon this thread which caught my eye. My son was diagnosed with Crohn's three years ago. He ended up having blood transfusions from blood loss (didn't tell me what was going on - embarrased I'm sure) and has been doing okay since. He has had a few relapses but nothing as bad as it was to begin with.

PJfanFORlife · December 2006

Mali40 wrote:

Hi all,

I'm new here but just stumbled upon this thread which caught my eye. My son was diagnosed with Crohn's three years ago. He ended up having blood transfusions from blood loss (didn't tell me what was going on - embarrased I'm sure) and has been doing okay since. He has had a few relapses but nothing as bad as it was to begin with.

I did something similar. I was 14 when i first got sick. Didn't say anything to anyone. Ended up having blood tranfusions when it finally caught up with me. I hope things are going well for you and your son. It is a hard disease to have when you are young(or old for that matter)

take care

PissBottleMan · March 2007

I'm not sure how many folks take Remicade, but PBW and I came across some handy information on Friday.

Each time I get a Remicade treatment at the hospital, I am charged $1600 for the medicine.

However, if my insurance company purchases the medicine directly, then it's only $60. I just have to let my insurance company know the date of my next treatment so they can make sure to have it at the hospital for me.

Considering that I've been getting Remicade for the past two years now (every 8 weeks), this is going to be quite a relief to us.

Again, it's something to look into if you take the treatments.

Cheers,

PBM

Foxy Mop · March 2007

PissBottleMan wrote:

I'm not sure how many folks take Remicade, but PBW and I came across some handy information on Friday.

Each time I get a Remicade treatment at the hospital, I am charged $1600 for the medicine.

However, if my insurance company purchases the medicine directly, then it's only $60. I just have to let my insurance company know the date of my next treatment so they can make sure to have it at the hospital for me.

Considering that I've been getting Remicade for the past two years now (every 8 weeks), this is going to be quite a relief to us.

Again, it's something to look into if you take the treatments.

Cheers,

PBM

It's disgusting what ridiculousness the hospital charges for even the simplest of items like an aspirin ($25). I'm glad you found a way to go around them and work with the insurance company to get your medicine.

PissBottleMan · March 2007

Foxy Mop wrote:

It's disgusting what ridiculousness the hospital charges for even the simplest of items like an aspirin ($25).

I don't understand why there is such a discrepancy in price. If the medicine can be obtained at a cheaper price, then why is it marked up so much.

The sad part is when I make a valid attempt to pay my bill monthly...they want a bigger payment.

There is a problem with the system.

PBM

PissBottleMan · April 2007

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-04/16/content_5985053.htm

BEIJING, April 16 (Xinhuanet) -- Researchers scanned the entire genome of 6,000 people and identified a handful of genes that increase the risk of developing Crohn's disease, according to a report Sunday in the journal Nature Genetics.

The study confirms the often debilitating inflammatory bowel ailment has a strong genetic component. Previous studies had identified two genes involved in the disease.

"I think at this point we have probably up to about eight or nine genes, depending on how you define it," said John Rioux of the Montreal Heart Institute and the University of Montreal, who led the team of Canadian and U.S. researchers.

The researchers said the findings showed genetics play a crucial role in the disease, although environmental factors also are involved. For example, smoking raises one's risk.

Pinpointing the genes that predispose people to Crohn's disease, the researchers said, could help lead to new ways to treat it.

The disease can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, weight loss and arthritis. It is commonly diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 30.

"We have been working toward this for over 10 years to try to put all the pieces together," Rioux said in a telephone interview. "To finally get to this stage where we can look at the entire genome and actually discover a handful of genes, it's very, very gratifying."

Scientists previously had some indications of a genetic component to Crohn's disease. It tends to run in families and is more common in certain ethnic groups, especially people of central and eastern European Jewish descent.

PBM

PissBottleMan · April 2007

Ken Griffey sidelined by colon problem.

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Ken Griffey Jr. was expected back in the Cincinnati Reds' lineup Tuesday after recovering from diverticulitis.

The right fielder was out of the starting lineup for the last four games of a homestand last week. He pinch-hit in the ninth inning of a 9-3 loss to Philadelphia on Sunday.

Griffey confirmed that he was diagnosed about six months ago with diverticulitis, or inflammation of the colon.

"It's just a condition that I have," Griffey said. "I've got to watch everything that I eat. There are certain foods that I have to stay away from. It's something that a lot of people have, and it's uncomfortable."

Griffey expects to be back in the lineup for the start of a series Tuesday in St. Louis. Griffey is batting .275 with seven RBIs and no homers. He missed most of the Reds' spring training games while recovering from a broken left hand, an injury sustained in December.

PBM

PissBottleMan · April 2007

I've been writing some emails to various folks within the CCFA to try and get some local chapters set up in smaller communities across the country.

I live in western Kentucky and sadly there is no local chapter in Kentucky...the Kentucky chapter is based out of Indiana.

Most of the events the CCFA hold are in larger cities and would require travel for many folks in rural places.

I would like to see CCFA events become similar to what Relay For Life has for the American Cancer Society.

It's something I'm trying to work on...hopefully, we can spread awareness and create support for those in smaller communities.

PBM

emeraldkity · April 2007

Ken Griffey Jr. was expected back in the Cincinnati Reds' lineup Tuesday after recovering from diverticulitis.

Oh I miss Griffey
Those were the days

Crohn's Disease

Comments

Categories