Advice: Letting Your Symptoms Control Your Life

[Sea_Star]

Hi all,
Can you relate?
I think i've struggled with this even before I had Crohn's, but I tend to be hyper-focused on what's wrong symptom-wise (abdominal pain, etc.) cutting out "living" and I kinda dwell on the "problem" until it gets resolved. For the last year since moving back home from college, I've wanted to meet new people, have a few guy friends to hang out with, but I told myself I'd lose my weight first (self confidence issue lol ). Right as I'm really enthusiastic about adopting a better diet and exercise, I was found to have inflammation again (after being off meds the past 1.5 years and have felt great) but I haven't felt well the last month(abd pain).
So I feel like I don't even want to meet guys (25 and never dated!) when I'm "flaring"....I think it's a flare. Abd pain is my only symptom thus far. But it's like my whole world revolves around my body's signals and until I deal with them, I can't live! I'd feel guilty faking "feeling fantastic." I was fantastic last year -_-

How many of you ignore what your body is telling you, and put on a mental "armor" and do what you need to do? Do what you want to do?

I'm starting the SCD diet which is another reason I feel like I can't go out I was fine, I could've gone out and lived last year....but....*sigh* I'm such a sheltered person lol!

Sorry for this rant, just wondering how all you strong-minded people deal

 

[Axelfl3333]

I try to suck it up,it's just the way I was brought up if it's not broken,bleeding and hanging off get to work!by the way I,m no longer working 13 hand operations,2 elbow operations and crohns ended my career as a gas engineer it's no loss.
If your only 25 and let this pain of a condition define you as a person it,ll create serious personal probs in the future as the world goes on your friends eventually get fed up and move on and you get left behind not a happy prospect.
The pain thing you can compartmentalise with practice,if you,ve got the trots there,s no choice you need to stay in.
You are more than a health condition!all the best good luck

 

[sassym]

Hi Sea_Star!
Living with Crohn's and it's multitude of symptoms can, frankly, suck. I am by no means recommending what I do, but I choose to try and hide as much of my discomfort as I can. It's draining for my family and friends to hear how much pain I'm in all the time, or how I can't eat this or that at the moment. I don't mean that to sound like people aren't understanding; I truly think that most are! I'm just afraid of wearing out my loved ones too early.
That being said, you don't want to let the disease control your life. Like Axelfl3333 said you are more than a disease! Crohn's is not who you are, it is a part of you. Part if living with Crohn's is just that; living WITH the disease. If you can get through the worst of this flare and start feeling a little bit better, then maybe you should think about going out, trying something new, and having a little fun. These symptoms can really suck the fun out if life if you let them. Hold your head up and be proud to be who you are! You deal with more everyday than some people do in months, or ever! That takes strength and resilience! Don't let Crohn's beat you because you are bigger than this disease!
Feel free to pm me anytime. I'm always willing to lend an ear and send some support