I was told at one point most teens go thru a "non-compliant" phase. We did--son diagnosed at 9--now 20 and doing extremely well on a combination of drug therapies...He did come to the realization on his own that the meds made the difference...he has some extra-intestinal manifestations--pyoderma type sores, head psoriasis, eye inflammation--funny but those things, "evidence" that he was different than other kids, so to speak, got him to take his meds. that control--its just so important when they have NO control when they flare-its so understandable, isn't it? -I will pray that she learns on her own that its important. the medication, the monitoring of her own disease activity, the advocating for herself about treatment. Let her take the lead with the doctor, keep her own diary of disease activity, anything that helps her realize she has some control....Good Luck and I hope you can use a little bit of this--we too had long months of exactly what you are going thru (periodically).

Hi,

My son is 17 also (diagnosed at 15). Being so sick just 2 years ago is, I think, fresh enough in his head that he will do just about anything to keep the pain away. He's on remicade at the moment and it does give him a decent remission. We recently tried humira, which didn't work (lots of nausea), and now he's back on remi.

Deerev---glad to hear that your son is thriving in college. I hope your son's other symptoms are under control. How did he control his diet in the dorms? That's been my next worry. The college apps are out now, and because of our particular HMO health insurance, the schools all have to be somewhat centered withing 30 miles of a UC in California. Sigh....

Our kids are smart and strong. They have to be, and they will figure out what they need to do. I admire their courage.

Have a wonderful Christmas everybody!

HI Kate62--
Jeff is a pro :) After almost 12 years with CD he has managed to figure out what he can and can't eat….He's really doing well….lucky for us we found a great doc who lets me co-patient (is there another word?) Long distance! I actually drove the 5 hours for the first year of his infusions to make sure they got his protocol right (silly mom).It's very specific and I was concerned a rural hospital wouldn't have many infusions--I was right. when I actually let go and he went on his own he checked--the premeds, the infusion rate, the extra liter of fluids (they help; with headaches). I was proud of him! the second time, a nurse forgot to hang any fluids with the remi--he called me! scares me still to think what would have happened if he hadn't learned to advocate for himself. It's a tough transition, if I can help at all let me know! Enjoy your New Years everyone!

In a way, it may better to go through the non-compliant phase now as opposed to once they are in college. Often I see the young adult pts flare in October / November. They go off to college, stop taking meds, flare prior to finals (sometimes midterms). Often these kids were not really given the chance to take over until they left the nest. This is a humbling and delicate process. Hopefully, the non-compliance is part of the path to owning their own responsibility to health care.

My son is pre-teen - he knows his meds/doses/schedule (Currently MTX/SSZ. Was on Humira in years past). He seems to hate the arthritis more than the meds, so he is willing to take them, but has mentioned how sick he is of taking pills. So hard. We just take it day by day. Best of luck to everyone. :)


(Son dx with Crohn's/juvenile arthritis at age 6. Uveitis at age 10. Mom is MD.)

Hi All,

I know we don't converse often, but we are ALWAYS constantly aware of our child's Chrones issues. IDK. Yes, our tweens and teens do have to learn to take charge of this, for sure. It is their bodies---they know more than we what they are going through. We just guide, I guess---and hope they come out emotionally (and physically in one piece).

My son, Will, (diagnose 3 years ago and on Remicade) is now 18 and going off to college next year. Sometimes fate plays a good hand because we happen to live in the same town as a University of California (Riverside). He really didn't want to go there because it was too close to home, but they made an offer we couldn't refuse. He is going to live in the dorms and see the same doctor. Whew........ he's probably a little relieved, but life does go on.

They will find their way.