23 year old NJ Crohnie

[Rugrat]

Hey everyone,
My name is Lauren and I'm a 23 year old girl resting my head in the state of NJ. I am a longtime lurker but new member here. I was diagnosed with Crohns my senior year of high school in 2006, and it has really changed my life for the worst. I used to be a very social person, but now I always sit at home, paranoid about my next flare. It's so embarassing, and none of my old friends seem to understand what I'm going through. While they go out having a great time, I stay at home, researching new ways to help me since none of the drugs I've been given seem to really help at all. I feel like my social life has completely flew out the window.
Lately, I've been looking into more natural methods but those seem to not help as well. I don't know what I'm doing wrong, it's so frustrating!

 

[Sha0913]

Hi Rugrat, sorry to hear about your situation, I too am from NJ, southern nj, where are you from, I have been where you are just take things in stride, keep up with searching for drugs, keep on your GI, sometimes drs dont listen and think that you should just wait it out, Coming from someone who has had crohns since i was 10, you have to fight for yourself. I have been on different medicines but now am on Remicade and it has made a huge difference in my life. Hope you find some relief and get your life back. If you get the right treatment then you will be able to go out and hang with you friends again, things will always be a little different but you don't have to change your life totally. And give your friends the benefit of the doubt, Crohns is a hard disease to understand even for us who have it and have had it a long time so for them its going to be even harder to grasp. Hope this helps a bit Shannon

 

[xJillx]

I am a Jersey girl, too! I grew up in rural Monmouth County right near Six Flags. But I now live over the bridge in Langhorne, PA as the cost of living is much less, but my parents are still there.

So, what current medications are you taking? If they aren't helping, perhaps it is time to come up with a new treatment plan. Keep on top of your doctors and don't give up. Unfortunately, it can take people awhile to figure out what works best for them, because no two Crohn's cases are alike. Hopefully, you will soon find the right medication for you and start feeling better! Good luck!

 

[f_else]

Hi Rugrat,
I'm pretty new to the crohns scene, but I can understand where you are coming from, being a 21 year-old girl myself. I haven't shut myself away yet, but I do find myself leaving parties early, turning down invitations and finding myself resenting the sort of carefree lives my friends can lead.
I know its scary and embarrassing but you shouldn't drop your social life because of this stupid condition. Maybe you can't go out clubbing or for weekends away but try to meet up with your friends occasionally because you'll feel better and more connected for it. Choose a place close to your home, which you know has an accessible bathroom - maybe a nice cafe or something (where you can just order a tea or cold drink, without the pressure or eating)? I also carry around a little container filled with pain, cramp and nausea meds so that I can take something instantly if I start to feel ill. I find that the faster I act, the less severe the consequences.
Anyways, I hope you find something soon that helps with your symptoms, I'm still in the process of finding something effective myself.
Good Luck
p.s. I also take a lot of flaxseed oil as a natural supplement (or you can take fish oil, but flaxseed tastes better), the high levels of omega three in these act as a natural anti-inflammatory and can promote anti-inflammatory responses. Its no miracle cure, but is a super healthy way to support your diet and keep inflammation down naturally.

 

[Jer's Girl]

Hi Rugrat! I used to feel the way you do, and I shut myself away for a long time thinking no one would understand, and I regret it now. Once I stopped feeling embarrassed about my disease and started really opening up to people and being honest about it, my life got a whole lot better. You might not be able to do everything you used to, but try not to let fear stop you from doing everything you love. I still have trouble with this after many many years with the disease, but we are works in progress! Good luck to you and welcome to the forum!