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   Having an IBD and reading the multiple stories in this forum about people that suffer from anxiety to depression I have decided that people with an IBD have little reason to be positive. I am sure all cases are different but the stories I have heard in this forum tells me there is some real suffering going on. People try to write about the way this changes the way they live. I get sad hearing symptoms that just bring people down to a really low place.
   Family is supposed to be your support structure but mine is not. They think I just make up symptoms. I do out of fear sometimes I am so scared of symptoms that I do not socialize very much. I have been told if I change my attitude things would be all better. I have tried but with daily symptoms that have worsened lately and another doctor visit in the near future my attitude is not the greatest.
   I have Doctor's tell me this person did this and they are doing great. I guess everyone has a little different type of the disease. I think everyone with a bad case of Crohn's fights its in a different way. This disease is a big tease for one day you feel better get ready for the five days you feel bad. Cannot wrap my head around it.

 Reply posted for nath.

Hi nath,
I have been diagnosed with UC  two and half years ago. It took over one year to diagnose,for at first Doctors thought I had Rheumatoid Arthritis. In fact I had to change Rheumatologist for I did not feel I was getting any better. When I went for my second opinion this doctor ran more tests and felt it was not RA but helped with my joint pain. 

I would say six months later I had what I thought was a intestinal bug but, when my diarrhea lasted six weeks and my weight went down 10 to 15 pounds I went to my family doctor. They made me give a stool sample which came out negative. They refer me to a gastroenterologist for my colonoscopy and found the ulcers throughout my entire large intestine.

I went back to my Rheumatologist and told her about it and that's when everything fell into place. She told me I have Peripheral Arthritis. It's only one of the types of arthritis that can ride along with UC in some people ( around 10 percent of UC patients ).

My energy level is day by day during a flare up. I'm into about the sixth week of this flare up and starting to feel a little better each day. I try and make sure I get at least eight hours of sleep and find on weekends I nap this helps too. This disease at time wipes me out emotionally and physically at times of flare ups. I'm learning to address  my symptoms sooner understanding that as soon as symptoms persist I call my doctor to up meds. ( I found out the hard way by ignoring them thinking they would go away ).

Well I'm pretty long winded I hope this helps anyone reading this with their personal struggles. It makes me feel good just to share and hope that it may help some people.
Pammielou

 Reply posted for pammielou1960.

Good evening Pamilou,   I to just coming out of a very bad flare up now back to work and new treatments,  how long have you had the disease?  How is your energy?  Mine is so so .    Yesterday I went to a seminar for the first time I got myself  proactive with my disease it felt great!    Hopefully you will be able to go see your family .   Tell me your disease and how it affects you?   Nath

 Reply posted for sawedoffmick.

I agree, these IBD's can really put a person down. I'm starting to spring back from a UC flare up that was pretty bad. It always amazes me on how all of us with similar disease can have different problems. I have peripheral arthritis which gives me more problems (this time anyway) than the pain in the lower left big intestine. Humria is starting to work again another long story with insurance companies. 
Anyways my goal now is to get even better so my husband and I can make a car trip to New Hampshire to see my daughter son in law and granddaughter by the end of April.
That is my goal I'm setting and think of most when I have bad days which was yesterday and today which is a better day. 
There are days we all know are bad and days we feel real good - I'm beginning to understand that this will be the way of the beast. 
I will have to continue to make new goals for myself as the months and years go by its how we survive and we find out life can still be good.
Would love to form a support group too I work second shift and cant go to Cleveland support group meetings for they are in the evening. It's wonderful to talk to people that understand.
Pammielou

 Reply posted for hiflyer57.

Good morning!  Let see if we can start some chat buddies @this forum any one who want to come and chat share reply to this message and maybe we can get thing going 
  Got to go for now I will be checking in later today!   By for now nath

 Reply posted for vonachens.

I too, have been looking for a way to communicate with others about this disease. We need some kind of support, like A.A. or something like it. Not many people understand what it's like to suffer from crohn's.

 Reply posted for vonachens.

Good morning everyone's,   I ,    Liike you guys is looking for a group support after 8 1/2 yrs of active UC I am able and want to reach out  for any kind of connections.   I  just one month ago found this Forum , also I wrote but no one replyed  (the treatment  subject).  Waiting for anyone who want to share any stories events and treatments.  
     Till next time Nath

 Reply posted for vonachens.

There is no question, that life with this disease can be an uphill daily battle. I was diagnosed with CD in 1978 at the age of 13. Not much known about the disease way back then, so I had some major uncertainty ahead of me. Today after 4 resections, 1 colonoscopy perforation repair, and other various hospital stays, I'm currently in a flare. This one hit me particularly hard and I'm not sure why. However with that said, try not to let it get you down. I am a firefighter, hockey player, tap dancer and dad. I make sure I know where bathrooms are, but don't let it stop me. I travel. I have been on 9 cruises, and looking forward to my tenth coming up. I do take Lexapro and it seems to help. I had been on Vicodin for my diarrhea which I also think helped my anxiety, but now I'm on Tylenol with Codeine. I've even gone to many Jimmy Buffet Concerts and brought my own Porta-potty. (Which in itself brings much enjoyment when  people want to use it) So to you all that suffer with depression, try and keep your head up. It will pass!!!!!

 Reply posted for vonachens.

I know what you mean! I try to be positive and in general, I am. But when I have days that I hate my life with a passion, no one gets it! My husband just says "you'll be fine, just stay positive" and asks me to stop...i know he means well but I feel like I can't talk about what I'm going through without everyone thinking I complain too much or I'm weak or whatever.

Email me: shortjen04@yahoo.com  we can email and text..maybe it'll help to have someone who knows what the other is going through

 Reply posted for eric2009.

Eric I am here for you! Plus that pic of you is super cute!

 Reply posted for vonachens.

I hope you can find a support system! If not I hope I can be your buddy on here! I want everyone to be proud of who they are and be able not feel shame about his or her personal condition.

 Reply posted for vonachens.

 Reply posted for vonachens.

Someone posted the advice to "take it one day at a time".  That is definitely true. 

I have another piece of wisdom to offer you.  "Just do the best you can do every day".  YOUR best will not be the same every day, and it will not be the same as someone else's best.  So, as long as you try YOUR best, that's all you can do.  That helps me deal with the ups and downs and not get upset with myself. 

I have tried to be positive, but I'm not very good at it!  There's a lot to be negative about, and that's what your post made me think of.  Maybe the "best every day" can help you too.

 Reply posted for IndeaSkye35.

IndeaSkye35, I'm still unfamiliar w/ this forum so how do I search for the story you posted?  Thanks

Vonachens, I hear your frustration.  I was very upset too.

My profile picture was taken two months after I had called home and told my folks that the GI doc was speaking rubbish, and 12 months later I was malnourished, hungry and still stubbornly trying to get well on my own.  Had I taken the time to search for this place (which you have!) then I’d have suffered far less and wouldn’t be in between surgeries, hoping that my inflammation would stop so I can move with my new life.  I’m in search of a support group myself so I hope you’ll find one soon.

I don’t know how your condition is but it’s important to try keeping your attitude buoyant.

Isn't great to hear from folks like j513 and IS35 who are both so very positive and supportive of you and gave good advices?

Stay strong, my friend!

 Reply posted for vonachens.

It can be hard to stay positive, but the way I look at it is that everything happens for a reason and I wouldn't have this disease if I wasn't strong enough to fight it. Just try to take it one day at a time. I also know that many people benefit from going to support groups to talk to other people with crohn's/UC because they can share experiences with others going through the same thing. Don't give up hope, and if you are feeling very low for a long time it may be helpful to talk to a doctor and counselor about what you're going through. Living with a chronic illness is often very difficult, and it can cause depression and anxiety, but therapy is a great way to work towards feeling happy and optimistic again. Try to remember that tomorrow is another day :)

 Reply posted for vonachens.

Then you should read my comments on these forums. There is a positive way to look at it. I know these stories are sad but mine might lift your spirits.