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i dont know how much more of this i can take. it seems like one thing after another.  my dream was to go to a university. i wanted nothing more. i moved in, & the first night i was sent straight to th er.  now my mom, & all my family arent even letting me consider going. my mom has been nothing bt good to me & this disease, bt its still very difficult.

i take about 50 pills a day.  i just dont underst& why all this is happening to me while all my friends are out having the time of their life in college, w/ bfs, jobs, schoolwork, dorms, & everything else.  i hate my life.  i hate UC & Crohns.

 Reply posted for kg.

i got diagnosed my sophomore year of college, but i was sick my entire freshman year, too. it sucked really badly because i was always sick and sleeping and never doing anything with my friends. i actually had to stop school early with just my associate's degree because i kept being hospitalized. but seriously, it does get better. i'm 23 now and i'm married and we have a crazy kitten, and i'm thinking of going back to school. it sometimes bothers me on what i missed out on at college with my friends, but at the same time this whole messed-up journey made me who i am now.

the prednisone face has got to be the worst part of being really sick. i was on prednisone literally this whole year and i can deal with the weight gain i guess 'cause you can hide it easier than you can hide a pufferfish face! i look at pictures of me a few years ago and then at the beginning of this year when i was on 50mg and i look like *** , but not that i'm finally going down off the prednisone i'm looking human again and not like a balloon head!

it will get better! :)

 Reply posted for kg.

I was diagnosed at 15 too and I know how hard it is to be that age with such an embarassing disease.  Over time I realized that I did not know when to say that I could not handle it and I pushed myself so hard to be "normal" that I always felt depressed and anxious that my symptoms could ruin the way I wanted things to be.

The best thing you can do is find a therapist that you can talk to about the emotional aspects of your disease.  A good positive state of mind will help you realize that Crohns will not hold you back from your dreams, it may change the path you take or put some hurdles on the road.

Lastly dont get down on yourself about what this disease takes from you because in the long run it will give you strength that most people will never have.  Communicate openly with your parents, docters, and close friends about even things that seem the most embarrassing because they can help you feel better if they know EVERYTHING that is going on and the love and support family and friends give you will be the best medication of all.

 Reply posted for princess.

yeahhh. i'd like to hear your tricks. :]]

 Reply posted for kg.

hi princess here,

I was 15 when I was diagnosed with Chron, It was the biggest blow to me But I knew I was'nt Crazy.  when I returned to school and because of the moon face, and the fact when i left I only weighed 75lbs and returned at a chunky 120 My classmates did't even know who I was  But the boys and the girls did say I looked so much better.  during  the High school years I never let anything stop me and my parents let me do any activity I wanted to try vollyball, cheerleading, KEG parties, I even Left the Hospital to go to my Juinor prom and outher activities. then yes College came I choose to stay local only because my Drs where all here. But even with all the annoying symptoms I really tried to stay Normal as possible and only my close good friends have been with me since the age of 15 ,I am now 42 , yes there have been people that just did not understand and you will experience through out you life. What got me through the 9 surgeries and life threatening miss happs was I always found some humer in every situation that was related to my illness ya see this is the cards we have been delt and if we fold every time we wont know what our futar has in stall for us. Also I always know there is someone in this would sicker them me. I really truly understand  I wish there was sites or outher teens when I was going through all those life experience But there was none I had to fiqure it out myself with alot of screwups along the  way you to will find your way through this illness.  And when you do you too will be 42 talking to a teen with the illness.

please write back if you want to know the tricks as I once called them

Bye for know

princess  

 Reply posted for atruelove.

thank you for the prayers, and support.

 Reply posted for kg.

I know that things seem absolutely horrible right now, but honest to goodness I promise they will get better.  Remember, you are still the same person that you were before you were diagnosed with this disease.  I will not lie and say that it is easy.  I was 21 when I was finally diagnosed.  I had a fistula the size of a baseball that could visibly be seen when I wore pants.  Not only was it extremely painful with a long, long recovery but very embarrassing.  I had never even heard of Crohn's at that time and had no idea what was going on.  When my family and I found out what it was I was devastated, but I come from a family of faith and had many people praying for me.  Not only that, but my best friend let me cry on her shoulder and I was able to just let things out as I needed.  I was on Prednisone, Flagyl (sp?), and Pentasa.  I was taking about 30 pills a day and it was not any fun.  But the more I learned about the Crohn's and how my body was reacting to it, the better I learned to cope.  Just always be honest with your doctor and keep them informed of everything.  It is a long road, but one well worth traveled.  Just do not keep things bottled up.  Reach out to family, friends or here.  Make it through your bad days and your good days will come.

It has been 14 years since that diagnosis, and yes the bad days still come, but so do the good.  You are in my prayers and thoughts and I know that God will stengthen and comfort you on this journey.

This forum is a great place to start and release when you need to.

 Reply posted for kg.

Believe me, I hear you.  Been there and done all that.  I know you feel bad now, but try to remember that you will have good days and you will get through this.  You are not defined by your disease and you can choose not to let it get you down.  Allow yourself a set period of time to have what I call a "pity party", then get up, brush yourself off, and keep going.  It's a roller coaster.