How do you live with crohn's?

[Txgirl]

Just tired of reading how crohn's affects everyone's lives in such negative ways just thought I'd start a post about how you get on with your life with crohn's.

For me I try to get out of the house as much as I can. I go outside and visit my dogs or horses, ride around the farm on the 4 wheeler, water the grass etc.

I find myself going into town to eat with my hubby on his lunch break when I'm really feeling down. Even just that hour out of the house and around other people helps me.

Going camping with friends is always a pick me up as well.

I still try to ride my horses as much as my butt will allow. Although it starting to get hot here in TX so horse back riding is less and less. During the hot summer we usually ride our wave runners but with gas prices this high we probably won't do much on the wave runners.

So anyway, what do you do to have fun or help you forget your crohn's ???

 

[Molechaser]

I just remember that there are a lot of people who have it worse than I do. Crohn's disease sucks, but it's (probably) not going to kill me. When people ask how I can go on living with a chronic disease I'll never shake, my response is that you have to play the hand you're dealt, and going on living with this is a whole lot better than the alternative.

Also, I've found the very best way to feel better is to play the ukulele. You cannot help but smile when you're doing something so patently ridiculous.

 

[kiny]

I do painting. I also play video games and when I'm ready I'm going to buy one of those cute small kitties to take care off.

 

[tflock]

I try to do activities whether it be hanging out with friends, going to sporting events, and lately now have finally been able to resume playing soccer. I feel better whenever I am out of my house doing things. There are plenty of times when I dont want to but it seems whenever I do things, it just gets easier to life with.

 

[clearwell]

I take each day as it comes.When I can get out of the house I do all the normal things I love doing.If I am having a down time and I want to feel sorry for myself I do that to.Each day is different.I am on the dreaded pred at the moment so I can eat what I want when I want .Bliss.....

 

[Astra]

I go to work and run round like a bee on acid after kids with ASD.
No time to think about Crohn's!
Then I get home and slip into a coma til the next day!

 

[ekay03]

I spend a lot of my time with my dogs. No matter how crappy I feel my dogs always make my smile and laugh. No matter how sick i feel I will not make them suffer. They are sweet lovely creatures. And when I d feel to sick to play with them they always forgive me. They never judge me. My dogs are how I survive this crappy painful disease!

 

[Crohns08]

I just try to act as normal as possible, as if I didn't have a disease. I do my work, I go out with friends; whatever it takes to feel normal.

 

[vickyhunter]

totally agree with crohns08. I live my life as though I didn't have Crohn's and always stay positive I agree with molechaser too, it could be so much worse!
I'm at uni so I focus on work, spend time with my lovely boyfriend, go out with my friends, and eat healthily but don't deprive myself of treats
You seem to have a brilliant attitude, I love animals too! I live on a lake and I could just watch the birds for ever! They're so cute, they cheer my day up no end I'm sure you feel the same way about your dogs and horses
xxxxxxxxxx

 

[aliciars]

I have 2 small children than need me. I don't have time to sit around and let this disease get me. I try to go about my day as normal as possible. Pain killers are my friends.

Now don't get me wrong, in my head I'm wishing for a nap and a day off from laundry and meals and all that part of life...but as others have said, it could be worse - a whole lot worse. I hate this disease. I hate that I have to think about it all the time but my doc promises me it will get better....I'm holding her to this.

 

[ameslouise]

I just remember that there are a lot of people who have it worse than I do. Crohn's disease sucks, but it's (probably) not going to kill me. When people ask how I can go on living with a chronic disease I'll never shake, my response is that you have to play the hand you're dealt, and going on living with this is a whole lot better than the alternative.

Yep. Swing or duck. And I swing every time!

 

[Cookie]

Has anyone heard Paul Simon's new song "So Beautiful or So What"? The chorus is perfect... "Life is what you make of it...so beautiful, or so what". I find that so inspirational. Although having a chronic illness means that sometimes you have to dig a little deeper, I refuse to let my life be a " So What". I try to do everything I would want to if I didn't have Crohn's. And when the going gets tough, I try to remind myself that it just makes me stronger.

 

[vickyhunter]

Brilliantly said Cookie

 

[micjac]

I really can't say it anything better than was already said. I take it one day @ a time, talk to myself like the "little engine who could." There are days when I don't want to get out of bed but force myself to get up and move on... Things could be lots worse... this is a crappy disease, but there are so many worse. Fight back, get your head in a good place even if your body feels like it wants to be left behind (oh, my another pun...) Best wishes and you've come to the best forum there is.
Oh, and as far as work... I had to switch careers and had to make the best of it... needed the $$$ and the benefits.

 

[MissMandy]

I take it day by day. Right now I am having a hard time because I am facing the possibility of surgery if the Humira doesn't work for me. I am terrified of having my colon removed and having a colostomy bag. everyone keeps telling me that I shouldn't worry about that happening until it happens, but I was blindsided by this. I had no idea that surgery was so close. I figured that eventually years down the road I would get to the point of needing surgery but didn't realize it could happen NOW. So I feel like I need to prepare myself for the possibility now.
I was fired from my last job in 2009 because of CD and haven't worked since. I was doing ok with no flare ups until now. I am going to look into applying for disability because stress is a huge trigger for my flare ups and I stress out when I work.