Talking about my condition

[Elektrikhd]

I have found in my short experience so far with Crohns that I like telling people about it. Am I weird for this, or being somehow needy or something? As best as I can guess, te psychological function for me is probably for my own clarity...kindof reminding myself what's going on, what I have to do. I'm sure it relates to some other issues but I'm not really looking for pitty...I just feel like I want people I have some sort of regular contact with to know. Is anyone else like this, or have you been in the past?

 

[Beach bum]

I think it helps to talk about it, after all it is a massive part of your life and on your mind alot now , like it or not.
Plus it is hard not to mention it if someone asks "So how are you ?" or "Why aren't you aloud to eat popcorn ?"
Everyone is different , I don't think wanting to talk is being needy.

 

[Price]

Nah it's definitely not needy at all mate. It helps letting people know so that you don't have to answer a lot of questions all the time (like the popcorn one above). If it helps you then do it, it'll make you feel a lot comfortable in the long run. It's difficult trying to answer these questions while trying to not talk about the crohns that's for sure!

I'm completely the opposite. I don't tell anyone, only one person outside of family knows, and nobody can tell I'm ill since I'm currently in remission. Exactly how I like it.

 

[motheroftwins]

I think it helps to talk about what is going on in your life. For Myself i don't talk about much except with my husband and kids because they are around me the most.

 

[Tesscorm]

I think everyone's different and there is no wrong or right. My son has never hidden it from anyone at all... when he was diagnosed, he told his friends and hockey teammates why he was in the hospital (some even wanted to watch him insert his NG tube and he was fine with that! :ybatty. I don't think he's ever felt it was something he couldn't talk about. I think his friends have accepted it all very casually as he has talked about it very casually???

But, at the same time, he only brings it up now if there's a reason, ie if someone asks why he can eat popcorn...

Whatever makes you feel good is right for you!

 

[Calamity Moo]

I can tolerate popcorn no problem, it's pistachio nuts that are the killers!

 

[Misty-Eyed]

No it's a not a bad thing at all. I think it's healthy for your psychological state to not keep things bottled up and it also raises the understanding and profile of Crohn's for other people who may not know much about it

 

[sneezey]

Everyone's different. Some people need to in order to keep on top of it. Others find it too embarrassing. You never know. Don't worry and just go with it.

PS - Is that Washington NJ Warren County? If so I go to the CCFA chapter meetings there.

 

[723crossroads]

I talk about it if it comes up as to why I am running to the bathroom till my meds kick in or if I'm having side effects of crohn's. I talk to people about it like anything else. If I have a headache or if I'm having a flare. What's the big deal? So many have health problems and maybe you can help them share theirs and lend some compassion when noone else cares....

 

[Elektrikhd]

@sneezey - That is Warren county. I haven't been to any CCFA meetings yet--I thought about going, but then forgot about it. I think I'll check it out, though.

 

[sneezey]

@sneezey - That is Warren county. I haven't been to any CCFA meetings yet--I thought about going, but then forgot about it. I think I'll check it out, though.

Small world. Washington Diner, 3rd Wed of the month at 7:00PM.

We're very small, just 3-4 people each time. We just chat like friends, not what you typically think of as "support group". PM me if you want more info. I'm in Hackettstown.

 

[723crossroads]

Small world. Washington Diner, 3rd Wed of the month at 7:00PM.

We're very small, just 3-4 people each time. We just chat like friends, not what you typically think of as "support group". PM me if you want more info. I'm in Hackettstown.

Sounds like the perfect support system to me!

 

[sanni]

If someone asks me about it I will tell them. Sometimes I try hold back with new people and just say I have a Inflamatory bowel disiese and generally this means this and that. I dont always tell about my own personal medical problems since they have been so extreme people tend to freek out. So basically I only do it if I want to shock people. Or shut them up for whining about things. For my frinds and family I will be honest since they know me and if they ask I assume they will want a true answer too.

 

[723crossroads]

Yes, that's the best way to handle it. Play it by ear. If people immediately look at you with horror, change the subject:lol2::lol2::lol2:

 

[Price]

Or shut them up for whining about things.

I've done this plenty of times too heh. "Oh you had to wait 20 minutes past your appointment at the doctors for your cold? That's terrible! I remember having to wait for a month before I could leave hospital!"

I probably shouldn't do it but when people complain about a 20 minute wait it drives me mad

 

[sanni]

I've done this plenty of times too heh. "Oh you had to wait 20 minutes past your appointment at the doctors for your cold? That's terrible! I remember having to wait for a month before I could leave hospital!"

I probably shouldn't do it but when people complain about a 20 minute wait it drives me mad

I agree. A friend of mine was complaining about having sickleave from work cus her leg is sore. And she was saying "what bad have I done in a former life to have deserved this".. I just replied reminding her she was talking to someone with only about 1/3 of her intestines left. Shut her up a bit. :eek2: