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Hey y'all im becka I'm 19 and was just diagnosed with crohns in July  and it has been really hard on me with my relationships  in my life and trying to get back to a normal life again ....I would love to talk to all y'all about this cause I feel very alone! 

 Reply posted for becka_haynes.

Hi Becka!

First of all, I am very sorry you have had to join our community, but I am glad it didn't take you long to seek support. I am 24 years old and have been living with severe Ulcerative Colitis for almost exactly a decade. High school, college, and the beginning of my working career have all suffered from this invisible illness. The only thing that keeps me going is knowing that I am not the only spoonie out there, and I have worked to help my supporters understand. That being said, it is still hard because they never will really know what it is like to live like this day in and day out, knowing there is little or no permanent relief. You are in the right place to find people that are like you, and I encourage you to reach out whenever you need it! Welcome to the community. We are here for you!

- R

 Reply posted for becka_haynes.

Hi Becca and other responders: 
My name is Kristi.  I got diagnosed in 2007 at the age of 20 while in grad school (I'm now 27).  I have had several surgeries and have run the gambit in regard to medications.... I'd love to join an email group if you all get one started!  This is a tough disease for us young people (I still consider myself young - I hope you all agree!) especially when family and friends don't quite get it.  My BIGGEST pet peeve is when someone says to me (even 7 years later) "BUT YOU DON"T LOOK SICK"... It makes me want to scream! I'd love to share what works, what doesn't, and just have a place to vent... Count me in! Kristi.H.Lang@gmail.com

 Reply posted for becka_haynes.

Hey Becca,

I feel you. I'm 21 and I was diagnosed last year. It sucks having noone to talk to about Crohns. I have loving friends and family but it's still quite hard for them to understand, and I don't want to make them worry too much either. But life is manageable, and I KNOW there are ways for you to manage your pain too :) 

Hit me up @ nn0984a@student.american.edu if you wanna talk :)

-Nick 

 Reply posted for becka_haynes.

ive had crohns since i was 16 and now im 25, haha so i know how annoying it is right after hs.  if you wanna email me my email is kirklandmj@gmail.com

 Reply posted for becka_haynes.

Hey Becka, my name is Myles. I've been going through Crohn's since I was 16. Now I'm 22. If you have any concerns or questions email me anytime! myles2jones@yahoo.com

 Reply posted for becka_haynes.

Hi Becca, I can understand your frustration with needing someone to talk to.  I have struggled with my crohns since diagnosis in 2008.  When you are first diagnosed, it is extremely hard because you feel alone and most people do not understand what crohn's or colitis truly are.  If you have a GI doc, make sure you write down all questions you have for them, this will help you to make them answer your questions and it will help you to not forget anything you wanted to discuss.  Secondly, start a journal of your symptoms, how you felt that day, medications/herbal supplements and what you ate that day. Hopefully this will help you and your GI doc to understand what causes increase in symptoms versus what works for you.  The main reason I say this is because everybody is different.  I have a friend with crohn's and she can eat salads, whereas I touch any fresh fruit or vegetable and I will be in bathroom and in pain for a minimum of a week.  Be careful of the IBD diets that people will tell you about.  I went to the GI doc this week and he handed me a list of do's and don'ts to eat with IBD, of course I laughed at him and gave the sheet of paper back because all the things it said I could eat, I cannot eat that stuff.  Unfortunately it is going to be trial and error with you as it is with everyone.  So far I have not found a diet that truly works 100%, but I know of others that have. Many suggest the SCD diet (specific carbohydrate diet) but have found that this does not work for me either.