Obsessing
Wed, November 14, 2018 4:03 PM
I guess I should start with a brief background. I was officially diagnosed with Crohn's of the upper and lower intestines with fistula in May. I had surgery the same month to remove and re-sect portions of the upper and lower intestines as well as my right ovary and appendix (encompassed in two large masses related to fistula). I had a severe infection as my abdomen and pelvis was filled with pus and infected fluid. My surgeons said it was one of the worst cases they had ever seen and were shocked I was even able to stand. It was mostly due to my age that I was not in the ICU. After 18 miserable days in the hospital, I was sent home with outpatient IV antibiotics for three weeks and various other medications. I started taking Humira injections in July and have been on that ever since, taking one shot every other week.
I suffered through horrible abdominal pains, cramping, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation for so long (at least three years) that I have no idea what "normal" is anymore. I'm so paranoid about every little pain that I have. What if it is coming back? I'm terrified that I'm going to ignore something that seems like nothing, but it is really something and end up back in the hospital.
And I never was very keen on monitoring or talking about my bowel habits, but now I’m constantly worrying about it. I keep a log if it actually. How do I determine what is “normal” and what is an issue? If my stool is super soft and burns, is that the same as diarrhea? Is it okay to have some blood and mucus on the surface of my stool and/or when I wipe? Should I be concerned if I feel bloated or do not go to the bathroom for two days in a row? Is all diarrhea a concern or only if it is in a high frequency? These are just a few of the many questions running through my head night and day.
Does anyone else feel like this? I realize that I may be a bit of an extreme case; I was diagnosed with OCD in my early teens, but I just had to ask if I’m alone in this.
Joined Nov 14, 2018
Wed, November 14, 2018 7:01 PM
Reply posted for Mattison30.
I think you’re fairly normal, and I think over time you will learn what is the new normal for your body dealing with this disease. I’ve had a lot of things I’ve gotten used to over time. Blood in the stool doesn’t bother me unless it’s persistent. But in the past I had to get blood transfusions, a lot of them. Once for a bowel obstruction and twice for fistula complications, I knew I needed to see a doctor right away and had surgery almost immediately. You learn to read your body over time.
charbsJoined Oct 31, 2016