Hello, Like you I suffer daily from this crummy disease. It is such a shock to me in every way as it gets worse and I struggle with treatments and medication, side effects and some depression.
I think though, I have am still learning some subtle things that really help. Mostly - staying true to myself now and not being forced into living one way or another. Sometimes I simply have to stop - listen to my body - rest, balance, and somehow find peace.
Friends and family can be a great source of support but no one else knows what it's like to live inside MY body and the only one who can make positive changes in my life is ME!
Lately I focus greatly on comedy and music. Both of those areas distract me from pain and misery!
I find sometimes even objects give me comfort. A shirt that smells good...the ladle my mom gave me, the plants in my garden that endlessly fruit and flower and gives me a little hope for life continuing to spring forward!
Exercise also helps when I am physically able to do it, trying different kinds - walking, stretching, weights, sports, dance, it's so much fun to move and also distracts you from all the negative emotions of being debilitated. So when you can, move!!
Finally I am trying to embrace changes in diet but finding foods that won't harm me also taste delicious! It's quite a challenge but it's the challenge I face and I'm trying to enjoy being creative and trying foods that will help and not harm.
Hope this helps and would love to hear what makes you feel good each day too!
Raphi :D
Reply posted for raphi.
I was diagnosed with Crohns in 2014 at 18 years old.
I have gone through all of the rough patches and emotions and I still never know what lies ahead.
I have been using the elimination diet since I was diagnosed and at first it seemed like a chore to be cutting out so many things, but now I have turned it into a hobby. I now view food as an experiment, like what can I make today? and see what turns out and what doesn't. I have found so many delicious foods that I would have never found if I didn't have crohns. I feel so healthy now from the way that I am eating and exercising. Like you, I am trying to look at all of the positives. :)
Thanks for posting this!