Hi Everyone,
Pleased to be here. I'm hoping to find comfort in being surrounded by fellow crohn's sufferers. Hopefully we can all help each other
So my story...
I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in 2001 at the age of 17. At first I was prescribed a number of different treatments, including steroids but with no real effect and my weight dropped 3 stone.
In the Summer of 2002 I underwent surgery to remove a 100cm portion of my small intestine.
Apart from a brief flare up in May 2010, I have been symptom free since. So I guess you can call me a success story.
However, the after effects of my surgery have been the biggest issue I have faced.
After my surgery, I had very loose bowels and would be going around 3-4 times a day. Causing me to fear being away from a bathroom/toilet for any length of time.
My doctor, 2 years down the line, prescribed me Questran (Cholestyramine) and for the majority of the time, my BM are normal. Once a day 99% of the time.
The problem I have is psychological. I still fear being in a situation where a toilet is not reachable.
I still do a lot of things in my life and travel (but only when I have 'prepped' my stomach by not eating for 12+ hours).
When I am relaxed due to alcohol, my fear disappears and I don't concern myself at all, which makes me realise it is completely in my head.
My question to you all is what do I do about it? I tried private hypnosis for a while, but to little or no effect. Would anti-anxiety medication help?
This has caused limitations on my life for 12 years now and I want to get rid of it completely so I can live a full life.
Thanks for reading!
Dan
Pleased to be here. I'm hoping to find comfort in being surrounded by fellow crohn's sufferers. Hopefully we can all help each other
So my story...
I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in 2001 at the age of 17. At first I was prescribed a number of different treatments, including steroids but with no real effect and my weight dropped 3 stone.
In the Summer of 2002 I underwent surgery to remove a 100cm portion of my small intestine.
Apart from a brief flare up in May 2010, I have been symptom free since. So I guess you can call me a success story.
However, the after effects of my surgery have been the biggest issue I have faced.
After my surgery, I had very loose bowels and would be going around 3-4 times a day. Causing me to fear being away from a bathroom/toilet for any length of time.
My doctor, 2 years down the line, prescribed me Questran (Cholestyramine) and for the majority of the time, my BM are normal. Once a day 99% of the time.
The problem I have is psychological. I still fear being in a situation where a toilet is not reachable.
I still do a lot of things in my life and travel (but only when I have 'prepped' my stomach by not eating for 12+ hours).
When I am relaxed due to alcohol, my fear disappears and I don't concern myself at all, which makes me realise it is completely in my head.
My question to you all is what do I do about it? I tried private hypnosis for a while, but to little or no effect. Would anti-anxiety medication help?
This has caused limitations on my life for 12 years now and I want to get rid of it completely so I can live a full life.
Thanks for reading!
Dan
Mandy
