My weird brain on crohns

[Buttofthejoke]

Hey guys! My name is Ethan and I'm a newbie to the forum. I am 19 and I was diagnosed with Crohns Colitis at 5, so I am a veteran crohnie. K through 5th grade was not normal experience. I had a buffet of liquid medications arranged for me every morning and every night. The only problem was, I couldn't even down half the of the vile stuff without gagging out. Ever taken sulphasalazine? Just thinking about it makes my tongue shrivel up to my uvula in fear.

I was always a shy kid growing up, pooping yourself 4 times a week as a toddler is a little terrifying and had me locked away in my head most of the time. I countlessly tried to convince myself I was okay, plead with my conscious to give me the Sphincter strength for another 5 minutes before reaching the bathroom. I played games in my mind, the prize would be not going in my pants, but I would lose half the time anyways. Eventually I turned the conscious thoughts in my head into a person, similar to a fairy god mother (I loved watching the fairly odd parents as a child).

On top of the relentless pooping, the pufferfish like effect prednisone had on my face, my bony frame, were all subject to bullying. The fairy god mother like creature that resounded in my head acted like a crutch to all my stresses and I would envision her waving her wand towards my stomach and make all the intestinal woes go away, of course it didn't really help but it would bring me some comfort.

This god mother would finally leave my head halfway through high school when I stopped taking hospital medication (except pentasa) and started taking nutritional supplements, switching to a gluten free diet. My accidents lessened to once a month, eventually to maybe twice a year.

I'm not sure if there is crohns induced psychosis, but I was mentally fogged for most of my toddler/tween years.

 

[Buttofthejoke]

I had to get that off my chest. I had hobbies throughout school. I got into soccer when I was in 6th grade, this helped get my mind off my disease, I found a knack for goalkeeping, my tall lanky structure and reflexes I had acquired through ping pong and video gaming definitely helped. Now I am in college I'm trying to expand my horizons by getting into ultimate frisbee, healthy cooking, dancing and improv.

 

[Grumbletum]

Hello and a big, warm welcome to the forum. I am not surprised you had to get that off your chest. What a difficult childhood you must have had :-( I know severe Crohn's can have an effect on your mental state and drugs like Pred certainly don't help.
Good on you for sorting out what works for you med and diet wise, and for getting through high school and going on to college. We have quite a few people of your age group and other students too who I am sure will be along soon.