Our friend would like to remain Nameless and Faceless. With Iowa's current bill only covering those with intractable epilepsy, it leaves out so many of Iowa's sick and suffering. We get messages every day from people who need help and are scared to come forward, due to fear of arrest for doing what is best for their medically complex health condition. My story begins six years ago, when I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. My gastroenterologist told me then and has said since that mine is the most severe case he's ever seen. Nothing seems to be able to help very much, only prevent this progressive disease from getting much worse. I am considered disabled because of it, and spend a lot of time in the restroom despite being on steroids (prednisone), an infusion biologic therapy (entyvio), and immune system-suppressants (azathioprine).
I have tried changing my diet, even meeting with a registered dietitian for an extended period of time, to no avail. I have been hospitalized for Crohn's complications more times than I can count, with ER visits and urgent care visits becoming more and more frequent. I have learned that hospitalization does not even improve my condition but can only treat the symptoms such as dehydration and vitamin deficiencies, as even in the hospital my symptoms are severe and the doctors seem to be at their wit's end. I get extremely painful abscesses and fistulas as well, and the doctors do not even try to fix these with surgery any more since they seem to just come back eventually, and I am told with Crohn's Disease they won't heal correctly with surgery either. I have read a great deal of the research and anecdotal evidence of successfully treating Crohn's Disease with a plant, success beyond the reach of current pharmaceutical interventions such as immunosuppressants and steroids. I know that Crohn's Disease is currently incurable and can only be managed, but it is very frustrating to me that I must suffer and continue to get progressively worse because a plant is illegal that can help cause healing from this inflammatory condition. I read with great hope, for myself and others, the success stories of others in other states who have been lucky enough to receive treatment currently deemed illegal in Iowa. I believe it is unethical to withhold this potentially life-changing treatment from myself, fellow Crohn's sufferers, and other Iowans who are suffering and not able to live up to their full potentials. Thank you for reading my story.
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Patient & Caregiver StoriesThese stories represent real Iowans suffering from complex medical conditions that need access to medical cannabis right here at home. Archives |