IBD sucks

[AbdoAlien]

Hey we all know IBD sucks, and no one really knows how you feel unless you have it. Everyone keeps saying oh it'll get better, it won't last forever, blah, blah.but they don't have it, they don't live in constant pain or constant fear of a flare or an unepected embarrassing moment..but it's not just the diarrhea, it's the pain, the joint pain, the terrible skin, the chronic fatigue, the aniexty and so much more. i wish they would hurry up and find a cure. I never used to worry about anything, now my anxiety level is tenfold if any of my plans change even slightly! How can you get over the anxiety or the fear that if your out in public you may embarass yourself? Does any one else feel this way?

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

I know what you mean about high anxiety. I've been really working lately on trying to lower my level of anxiety. I'm a natural worrier and I worry about every little thing, but it does take a toll on my gut so I'm trying to be more relaxed. I try to alleviate some worries by being prepared - I keep a little emergency kit in my car, with moist wipes and spare underpants and stuff like that, just in case. And everywhere I go, I bring a few safe snacks with me, just in case I'm there longer than expected. Stuff like that seems to help me feel a lot more relaxed. I know there are some things I can't control, so I have been trying not to worry about those things and instead focus on positive things. It's been an adjustment, but overall I do feel happier and less worried, even on the not so good days. I hope you're able to find a way to deal with the anxiety too.

 

[AbdoAlien]

thanks Cat...I thought I was the only one running around with spare clothes in my truck!! I am getting a bit better, but I still cannot go in the vehicle with someone else, I am just so paranoid about an "accident", so I make sure I can drive myself in case I need to fly. My boyfriend thinks it's a bit extreme with him, but I can't help it!!!(he's been great thru this though I was just diagnosed at the end of may '10, so it's all still new to me and I was so bad, I literally could not take my dog outside to the bathroom, was homebound for 2 1/2 months!! Unbelievable your body can have a mind of its own!! I am 32 yrs old and felt like I had a body of a 90 year old, because I could not control any functions!!! Such a crappy disease...literally!!!

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

I know what you mean, I'm 31 and I always say I feel like an 80 year old. I have a friend with Crohn's who is 28, and she and I always joke that we're the oldest young people we know. When we make plans, we always joke that we're going to do old lady things like go to the old folks' home and play Bingo. I guess we have to have a sense of humor about this, otherwise we'd cry all the time (oh wait, I do that too...).

 

[MADiMarc]

The anxiety has been increasing for me. Like Cat I am a natural worrier but sometimes I think I will just simply loose it, ya know? Like you all I keep extra clothes in each car. I also have a bag with emergency supplies like about 10 pair of underwear and 1 or 2 pairs of jeans, wipes, a towel. It helps me feel more in control. Okay, no one knows this but my husband and now you all. When we go out or have to make a road trip, we have come up with what we call the EPB...emergency poop box. Sounds silly but it has really saved the cars seats when we get stuck in Houston traffic. As for feeling 90 when I am really only 44, yeah it blows.
Feel better,
Michele