I was diagnosed late 2011 and I don't think I've fully accepted what Crohn's means for my future. Every time I get a flare it's devastating to me and it crushes all of the hope I had built up. What I'm wondering is if anyone has fully accepted crohn's as a part of their life, how that came to be, and how long it took to come to that?
How long did it take you to accept Crohn's as a part of your life?
- Thread starter kmole
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Was told that I have Crohns in 2007, it took year to process information that I had Crohns but it take took 3-4 years to really accept facts that I changed way I look after myself and diet habit.
Good luck.
Good luck.
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Can I start by saying "Waaaayy too long?" I lost probably 10 years feeling sorry for myself. Diagnosed at 18, and by 28 started getting back into the real world. 15 years later, I have things working pretty well for me and have learned that there are many things that can still be done during flares. It ain't always easy, but they can be done.
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Hi i was diagnosed in 1999. it took a couple of years for me to come to terms with Crohns Disease. I lived a totally normal life on no medication from 2003 - 2012. My symptoms started again last year and I was put on Budesonide for 6 months then came off that and started Remicade and Methotrexate. My life is totally normal again. I feel like a normal person without Crohns Disease.
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I was just diagnosed last month. So now I have an answer for all my past illness BUT I am still going thru testing and trying to wean from Prednisone. I just don't know what to expect next. Will I be able to wean off the prednisone? What will the next test show? What is the next drug? Will I be able to tolerate it? What can I eat while I'm figuring this all out? Will I ever feel normal?
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I think it's extremely different for everyone!
As I was young when I was diagnosed in '06 I accepted it quickly, whether this was due to naivety or otherwise I couldn't tell you to this day! I think because I knew how ill I was before with no diagnosis, I was ready to start whatever it took, already quite mature & smart for my age I understood a lot more then people perhaps thought.
I've had to change my entire life plans & goals because of this, I was an A* candidate aiming to become a doctor myself who fell into completely failing my A Levels for reasons relating to my illness as I became very anxious around that many people, particularly teenagers as they can be terribly insensitive & not particularly good at accepting things from the outside. BUT this has not stopped me having a life, I worked in a very well known company's head office for a while & after this little stint of problems I aim to get back into college/uni and study nursing, it's not what I initially set out to do but it's a very very good compromise!
Upon leaving that kind of scenario I am fully confident and happy with who I am and that does include this illness.
I've never felt moping & feeling sorry for myself & asking 'why me?' was the right route for me, it feels like even now it'd be a downward spiral, mine was always almost a revenge tactic, a bit of a I WILL do this just to stick my fingers up to these difficulties & show that I am as good if not better than a perfectly healthy counterpart.
It is tough & everyone deals with it personally in their own way so I really do wish you the best.
You have Crohn's, Crohn's does not have you!!
As I was young when I was diagnosed in '06 I accepted it quickly, whether this was due to naivety or otherwise I couldn't tell you to this day! I think because I knew how ill I was before with no diagnosis, I was ready to start whatever it took, already quite mature & smart for my age I understood a lot more then people perhaps thought.
I've had to change my entire life plans & goals because of this, I was an A* candidate aiming to become a doctor myself who fell into completely failing my A Levels for reasons relating to my illness as I became very anxious around that many people, particularly teenagers as they can be terribly insensitive & not particularly good at accepting things from the outside. BUT this has not stopped me having a life, I worked in a very well known company's head office for a while & after this little stint of problems I aim to get back into college/uni and study nursing, it's not what I initially set out to do but it's a very very good compromise!
Upon leaving that kind of scenario I am fully confident and happy with who I am and that does include this illness.
I've never felt moping & feeling sorry for myself & asking 'why me?' was the right route for me, it feels like even now it'd be a downward spiral, mine was always almost a revenge tactic, a bit of a I WILL do this just to stick my fingers up to these difficulties & show that I am as good if not better than a perfectly healthy counterpart.
It is tough & everyone deals with it personally in their own way so I really do wish you the best.
You have Crohn's, Crohn's does not have you!!
SarahBear
Moderator
I never had any issue accepting Crohn's. I started showing symptoms at age eight, and my mother refused to believe me. I was finally diagnosed at sixteen, and the diagnosis was nothing but a relief (and a big "screw you" to everyone who insisted I'd been faking it). By that point, I couldn't remember feeling healthy and symptom-free; it already seemed like a part of my life.
I'm sorry to hear what you're dealing with, LodgeLady. Unfortunately, it's a lot of trial and error at this point. I do suggest you try a food journal if you haven't already - be as detailed and consistent as possible and you'll be able to better determine what foods / drinks set off your symptoms. I hope things get better for you soon!
I'm sorry to hear what you're dealing with, LodgeLady. Unfortunately, it's a lot of trial and error at this point. I do suggest you try a food journal if you haven't already - be as detailed and consistent as possible and you'll be able to better determine what foods / drinks set off your symptoms. I hope things get better for you soon!
nogutsnoglory
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I was diagnosed years ago and have accepted that ill always have to alter my lifestyle to accommodate this illness. What I don't accept is the disease controlling me, it can be part of me but I won't let it take center stage.
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I had a bit of a breakdown about 4 months after my diagnosis. I was a junior in college with dreams of joining the Peace Corps and going to med school. One day after talking to my advisor about my plans I started to think about how my disease would affect my future. I realized exactly how hard medical school and the Peace Corps could be with my disease. The next day I called a Peace Corps advisor and they told me that I would get an automatic denial from the program. After hearing the news I cried all night. When I woke up in the morning, however, I felt calm. I think some time that night I realized that I have to work with, not against, my Crohn's to be who I want to be.
I have found alternatives to the things Crohn's stops me from doing. For example, I spend a month teaching in a rural village in Ecuador this summer, and I am considering graduate school or PA school instead of medical school. I just know that I will probably be happiest if I am healthy and unstressed, so I am willing to give up a few ambitions.
I have found alternatives to the things Crohn's stops me from doing. For example, I spend a month teaching in a rural village in Ecuador this summer, and I am considering graduate school or PA school instead of medical school. I just know that I will probably be happiest if I am healthy and unstressed, so I am willing to give up a few ambitions.
