Hello,
A little over three years ago, I had a follow-up visit to the doctor's office. He confirmed what I dreaded to hear. After months of sleeplessness, irritability, thirst, and dramatic weight loss, I knew something wasn't right. At first I was in denial and rationalized that my weight loss was due to my new liquid diet; my increased desire to drink cold water was suppressing my appetite. The first 20lbs I welcomed, the next 10lbs was fine, but the last 20 lbs was alarming. I lost over 50lbs in 6 months and weighed less than I did as a freshman in high school. From the symptoms, you can figure out I didn't have Crohn's or Colitis. It was October of 2009 when I was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes (aka the silent killer).
So why am I writing my story on a Crohn's forum?
The day I was diagnosed, I left the doctor's office with nothing more than a pamphlet and a few prescriptions. I was confused, depressed, and unprepared on how to treat and live with this condition. After a visit to the Diabetes clinic, a nutritionist, and lots of reading and research, I gradually learned how to treat my disease. What I struggled with was how to personally cope with a life-long health issue. How do I deal with the emotions of being afflicted, of feeling different, and the social stigma. I turned to the internet to find personal videos (You Tube), blogs, and forums (like this one). This helped me build a better support system to deal with day-to-day emotional struggles. In your head, I knew that I wasn't the only one managing life as a Diabetic. But hearing others stories of realization, struggles, and success makes it truly feel like you are not alone; you are part of a community.
A few months ago, I went to a Team Challenge seminar organized by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. I met some great people who suffer from these disease and their relatives that provide them emotional support. I walked away wanting to learn more about Crohn's and Colitis and wanting to help. Its important that everyone becomes aware of these diseases regardless of whether you are afflicted with them or not. While my symptoms and treatment for Diabetes differs from those that suffer from Crohn's and Colitis, sharing personal experiences, advice, and empathy are extremely beneficial for coping with the emotional and physical aspects of both medical conditions.
I wish you all strength and good health.
Shaun
A little over three years ago, I had a follow-up visit to the doctor's office. He confirmed what I dreaded to hear. After months of sleeplessness, irritability, thirst, and dramatic weight loss, I knew something wasn't right. At first I was in denial and rationalized that my weight loss was due to my new liquid diet; my increased desire to drink cold water was suppressing my appetite. The first 20lbs I welcomed, the next 10lbs was fine, but the last 20 lbs was alarming. I lost over 50lbs in 6 months and weighed less than I did as a freshman in high school. From the symptoms, you can figure out I didn't have Crohn's or Colitis. It was October of 2009 when I was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes (aka the silent killer).
So why am I writing my story on a Crohn's forum?
The day I was diagnosed, I left the doctor's office with nothing more than a pamphlet and a few prescriptions. I was confused, depressed, and unprepared on how to treat and live with this condition. After a visit to the Diabetes clinic, a nutritionist, and lots of reading and research, I gradually learned how to treat my disease. What I struggled with was how to personally cope with a life-long health issue. How do I deal with the emotions of being afflicted, of feeling different, and the social stigma. I turned to the internet to find personal videos (You Tube), blogs, and forums (like this one). This helped me build a better support system to deal with day-to-day emotional struggles. In your head, I knew that I wasn't the only one managing life as a Diabetic. But hearing others stories of realization, struggles, and success makes it truly feel like you are not alone; you are part of a community.
A few months ago, I went to a Team Challenge seminar organized by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. I met some great people who suffer from these disease and their relatives that provide them emotional support. I walked away wanting to learn more about Crohn's and Colitis and wanting to help. Its important that everyone becomes aware of these diseases regardless of whether you are afflicted with them or not. While my symptoms and treatment for Diabetes differs from those that suffer from Crohn's and Colitis, sharing personal experiences, advice, and empathy are extremely beneficial for coping with the emotional and physical aspects of both medical conditions.
I wish you all strength and good health.
Shaun
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