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 Bear w/me, Im feeling pretty emotional right now. Ive officially been diagnosed w/Crohns for about 7 weeks now after my hospital visit & my symptoms have definitely subsided or at least become more mild but the thing thats still hitting me is how tired I feel all the time. Im only 27 & (forgive me) I feel like an old lady!! I get tired so easily & it feels like it takes so much out of me w/just my ordinary schedule & sometimes I feel jealous of other people my age that seem to be moving & doing more things than me. I dont feel like other ppl/friends my age understand. I think its a cycle- I dont feel "up for it" so I stay home but then I beat myself up about it.

Im really trying to respect and honor my body more, but its hard and I feel frustrated a lot. On top of that, I have so much other stresss in my life b/c I just got a job a month ago (after having moved back to Chicago 4 months ago from San Diego) but Im still supporting my husband, whos having a hard time finding one,too which, in turn, is putting pressure on our relationship, AND were still broke! What else is new! lol



But, in all seriousness, I feel like my crohns suffers b/c of the stress in the rest of my life, ya know? I feel like Im more susceptible to getting things-am just getting over a cold I got from work where a few ppl were sick. Plus, havent recovered as fast as I thought I wouldve from my hospital stay over Xmas. Its just frustrating. My husband has so much more energy & doesnt need as much sleep as I do & I sometimes feel like a party pooper or something. Its not that I dont want to go out (dont laugh, I have a wish list right now), its just that I get pooped out easily. Its like Im the tortoise, everyone else is a hare. Does that make sense?



Im babbling here, sorry, thats just where my mind is right now. Thanks for listening, I welcome any thoughts you have, too, if you can relate to anything.

 Reply posted for aking3.

Hey just so you know, you are NOT alone! I'm 17 and was dignosed a year ago last month. In dealing with my disease I have arthritis, I eat mostly soft foods, I have more pills than a pharmacy, I sleep like 10 hours a day plus like 6 hours of naps during hte weekend, and my friends and family make fun of me constantly cause I sound like an old lady.

Really like there will be lots of ups and downs trust me. I am going through a down right now, but hey I promise you will learn more about life being sick! Really it leaves deep impressions on you about details of life everyone takes for grantited.

 Reply posted for aking3.

Hi there,

I know it seems easy for me to say it, but take it all in stride. There WILL be times that you feel better, and there will be times that all you can do is feel like a bum cuz your illness takes you over. I have NO energy to do anything whenever I'm having a flare, and I've had a pretty bad bout for the past year. So, some things have to be sacrificed. Just surround yourself with family, friends and co-workers who understand and are willing to be patient. And if you find someone that is not those things, then EDUCATE them. The most important thing you can do is educate those who don't understand, and open their minds to the possibility that their life is pretty good when they don't have to live with a debilitating and somewhat embarassing chronic illness.

I was diagnosed w/ UC when I was 15 and have been living with it for 10 years now. I've been struggling lately with a lot of the emotions that I have about living with it, so those feelings will never go away (unfortunately). But, as I was going through the difficult first years of feeling "wrong" and not being able to do all the things I used to do as a kid, I never stopped educating those around me, even if they didn't understand or care, I felt they NEEDED to know. And, that was especially a hard time going through it, because teenagers don't really like to talk about stuff like that. Learning all that you can about your illness, going to a support group, feeling comfortable with your dr, and just taking one day at a time are very important steps to jumping the first hurdles.

I'm there with ya each and every day :)

Kristi

 Reply posted for aking3.

Diagnosed Dec. 2005; rollercoaster ride since then as with everyone.  Had always been in good health and extremely active (rode horses competitively and ran agility dogs), but haven't had nearly the energy or motivation to do either for years.  And taking 10s of pills a day doesn't do much for the psyche either!

Some things I've found helpful:  I've learned to 'give myself up' to a flare to the extent that I accept I'll feel lousy at least in the short term, and that I won't be able to do some things at all, and normal chores will take a lot longer.  So I plan to sleep a bit longer when I need to, build extra time into my schedule for the things I need/want to do and lower my self-expectations a bit, so I don't beat myself up any more than the disease is already doing.  We have 2 large dogs that have to be walked because we're in a large city.  If I "just can't" my husband steps up without any complaint, but I find if I can motivate myself just enough to get dressed and out the door with them, a brisk-ish 10-20 min. walk helps my appetite and long-term energy (even if I crash immediately after the walk).

It's draining, no doubt.  But try to find something that you CAN do, even if it's just writing a letter, because it really can give you a little energy to build on.

Hang in there -- we're with ya!

 Reply posted for aking3.

I can relate as well.  Diagnosed with UC in 2005, I have had problems with fatigue off and on.  Recently started on prednison for flare and feel the best I have in years.  I did not realize how old I was feeling prior to starting the prednisone.  Just initiated imuran for my colitis and hoping the fatigue will not return once the prednisone is tapered off.  I try to be optimistic and believe that things will eventually return to "normal".  If you were just recently diagnosed than I believe once your flare has truly subsided then hopefully you will feel well again.  Hang in there, and try to remain optimistic.  I concur that friends and family probably do not truly understand how you feel and degree of your fatigue.  Unless someone has a chronic illness, then it can be difficult to relate to your symptoms and your concerns.  Fortunately, this website exists and provides a forum to discuss our problems with other people with similar symptoms.

 Reply posted for aking3.

I know exactly how you feel.  I am older but I feel alot older than I am.  I too get soo tired- and miss the days where I could get up and just run around all day and do stuff.  Now I find it a major accomplishment when I get out and do 1 thing.  I feel like I hold back my family....  I try to remember that for us any accomplishment is an accomplishment. 

 Reply posted for aking3.

I can definitely relate.  I'm a little older than you are (38, okay a lot older) but I had been feeling tired and depressed so often.  It's been a year since I was diagnosed with UC and only now am I feeling better, and I'm getting my energy back.

 Life's hardships take a toll on the mind and body.  I, too, am supporting our household.  I work full-time and we have a 2 year old.  Focus on getting better and all the positive things in your life.  I'm sure you'll be back to yourself again soon.