I LOVE to travel. I love it so much. I love seeing new places. I love experiencing new foods. I love experiencing new things. I love trying things outside my comfort zone.
A big fear or mine whenever I travel is if I will have access to restrooms when I need them. I can't even begin to count up the times I have had to slip into a coffee shop and order a small mocha or hot cocoa or smoothie or whatever because I needed to use their restroom, but I didn't want to use it without ordering something. It has happened multiple times. Traveling multiplies that fear by about 50. I don't know what I'm going to face. I don't know when I will find public restrooms. That crippling fear in a way makes it worse because I am worrying about it.
Exhibit A: Road trips. I love road trips! I take an annual road trip with my BFF's to go camping. Typically I drive so I have control over where we go and when, plus they know about my Crohn's issues. It really isn't a problem...until we are in the middle of nowhere with no rest area, grocery store, or coffee shop in sight and I need to use the restroom in a dire situation. This has happened a couple of times. Fortunately gas stations have become a saving grace, but this is definitely a real fear. Oh how many times I have had to stop yet again at a rest area when I just wanted to drive.
Exhibit B: Plane rides. I love long distance travel too. We tend to take a big trip every summer and we fly to save time. Airports and planes fortunately are well-equipped for Crohn's patients with bathrooms available. Yet you get out of the airport and voila! I'm in a new area where I have no idea what the availability of restrooms is. It causes anxiety for me every time no matter what. I hate that. Fortunately there is typically a Starbucks or something nearby and again, I purchase -- or my husband purchases -- a small coffee, tea, whatever, so I don't feel bad about using their bathroom...
Exhibit C: Trips abroad. Like many people trips abroad are some of my favorite trips. There's something about exploring a totally new country, eating totally new foods, and experiencing totally new culture. I love wandering street markets. I love going to art museums. I love visiting the sights. I have visited 9 countries outside of the US and intend to grow that number. Yet, again...my need for restroom access is vital. There was one time when my school group had checked out of a hotel already and I had turned in my key, but as I was boarding the bus I realized I URGENTLY needed a bathroom, so I claimed I had "forgotten" an article of clothing, got my key back, and ran back to my room to use the restroom. Or that one time when we stopped the bus to stretch our legs in Europe and we had to pay to use the bathroom and I didn't have exact change so I had to exchange with someone.
Travel is so fun and so worthwhile, however IBD can put a wrench into the best laid plans. The new food, the new settings, the different schedule...all can affect anyone's digestion, especially someone with Crohn's or colitis. As someone who loves traveling but hates her gut, these are my best travel tips for those with IBD.
1. It is ok to change your day-to-day plans. It's hard to do so. I get it. You wanted to see the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and Sacre Coeur all in one day. But sometimes your gut is telling you to stay in or close to your hotel, and that's ok too.
2. Learn to say "where is the bathroom?" in every language possible. This needs no explanation!
3. Make sure you have every medication you need on hand. Of course, research the guidelines for medication on airlines before flying, but make sure your medication schedule stays as close to the same as possible. Having temporary fixes such as Imodium can be beneficial too!
4. Plan lunch breaks. Restaurants likely will have public restrooms available for you to use! Plus, food. Yum.
5. Avoid trigger foods. This goes without saying. If you can't handle ice cream like yours truly, don't eat ice cream on your trip. If you can't handle 12 grain breads, don't eat 12 grain breads on your trip. Especially abroad, foods will be very different than what you're used to, so give your gut time to adjust.
6. Have FUN! The worst is feeling like you can't do everything your friends or family are doing. As scary as it is to go into the unknown where you don't know where your next restroom break will be, don't let that hold you back. Traveling is an adventure well worth experiencing.
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Sunday, April 9, 2017
Dealing With Crohn's Disease as a Teacher
I am a music teacher. I teach 13 sections of music and I teach the band program at my school. I am incredibly passionate about my career and most days I love doing what I do, however having Crohn's Disease makes my job that much more difficult. To be honest I tend to teach through when I'm not feeling well with Crohn's symptoms because I feel bad either going home or staying home when I am dealing with cramps or diarrhea or anything else. Many of my "normal" days are days that other people would spend at home. I feel an obligation to teach my students and Crohn's becomes part of my routine.
In the past 6 years of teaching I have literally missed only one day of school due to Crohn's symptoms. One. Those who know me well know that I am insanely stubborn and refuse to let anything get me down...especially not an incurable disease. I have a pretty strong resilience, however there are days when honest I get fed up. I get frustrated with my circumstances, and that my job becomes that much harder with a chronic illness. For now my passion for music education carries me through, but sometimes I wonder if teaching is the right passion for me as a Crohn's patient? After all, as I get older it very well could continue its progression. On the same token I could be in remission too. I think of the stress of my job every single day. I think of how many times I have felt even more stressed out because of my disease. Those times when I am just cruising through my class because I am bloated or desperately have to use the bathroom but can't leave.
The biggest issue of course is I do not have the flexibility to use the bathroom whenever I need to. That is the hardest part. I am on a schedule where I am teaching kids solid, back to back, for hours at a time. Fortunately my coworkers know about my disease and if I need someone to watch the kids for a couple minutes while I run to the bathroom they are usually pretty good with that. Unfortunately I have left other teachers in charge of kids I should have been teaching a number of times, which I won't lie, makes me feel slightly guilty. Granted any teacher will tell you that they have had to ask other teachers to watch their class for an emergency pit stop, but I have to more often than others. Plus, as any teacher knows, leaving a class unattended is a big no-no. My classroom is fairly stranded -- I have a teacher next door, but she isn't always on the same schedule as me and can't necessarily help out when I need someone. I will fully admit I've had to leave my students for a few minutes before -- if no one is around and nature calls (urgently), I can't stay but I also feel like I can't leave. I can't wait for someone in the office to come down and bail me out. Often I will give the students an individual or small group task and be as quick as possible...fortunately the bathroom is literally right across the hall from my classroom. Still, I hate when I have to do this, even for just 2 minutes. I guarantee every teacher has had to do this at one point in their careers, that one moment where you realize you need to use the bathroom and can't wait for anyone else, but it happens to me more often than others, and I absolutely feel guilty because of that.
I am introverted, so I am always exhausted at the end of the day -- most teachers are, after all! -- and when you add Crohn's on top of that, I usually have little to no energy when I get home. Being "on" at all times, even when Crohn's is making it challenging to be my typical chipper self is so insanely difficult. I very often have a smile on my face even when I am feeling my worst. I try not to complain because this is the gut that I have to deal with and I might as well be positive even when it is the last thing I want to do. However...that is positively exhausting too. I am physically, mentally, and emotionally drained at the end of each school day.
Add to all of that when my prep hour is spend in the bathroom instead of getting things that I so desperately need to do done, and I'm wiped out. It weighs me down when I realize that so few other teachers deal with this, but I have to deal with it my entire life. It even makes me wonder if the classroom is the right place for me on a full time basis. I don't know what my disease will look like in 5 years, or 10 years. I am fortunate that my disease is still relatively mild, but what if that changes? How will I handle that? Despite being protected by the American Disabilities Act (ADA), I don't always have a backup teacher to watch my students at any moment of any day.
Every job has their stresses, absolutely. I am fortunate that I can handle stress very well, however I also see that stress makes my symptoms worse. I definitely find myself wondering if the symptoms cause the stress or vice versa!
For now I remain thankful that I have so many amazing, understanding coworkers who are there for me in whatever I need health-wise. I don't know what the next 10 years will bring for me career-wise, however I do know that I will continue to teach with joy and positivity, no matter how my gut feels!
In the past 6 years of teaching I have literally missed only one day of school due to Crohn's symptoms. One. Those who know me well know that I am insanely stubborn and refuse to let anything get me down...especially not an incurable disease. I have a pretty strong resilience, however there are days when honest I get fed up. I get frustrated with my circumstances, and that my job becomes that much harder with a chronic illness. For now my passion for music education carries me through, but sometimes I wonder if teaching is the right passion for me as a Crohn's patient? After all, as I get older it very well could continue its progression. On the same token I could be in remission too. I think of the stress of my job every single day. I think of how many times I have felt even more stressed out because of my disease. Those times when I am just cruising through my class because I am bloated or desperately have to use the bathroom but can't leave.
The biggest issue of course is I do not have the flexibility to use the bathroom whenever I need to. That is the hardest part. I am on a schedule where I am teaching kids solid, back to back, for hours at a time. Fortunately my coworkers know about my disease and if I need someone to watch the kids for a couple minutes while I run to the bathroom they are usually pretty good with that. Unfortunately I have left other teachers in charge of kids I should have been teaching a number of times, which I won't lie, makes me feel slightly guilty. Granted any teacher will tell you that they have had to ask other teachers to watch their class for an emergency pit stop, but I have to more often than others. Plus, as any teacher knows, leaving a class unattended is a big no-no. My classroom is fairly stranded -- I have a teacher next door, but she isn't always on the same schedule as me and can't necessarily help out when I need someone. I will fully admit I've had to leave my students for a few minutes before -- if no one is around and nature calls (urgently), I can't stay but I also feel like I can't leave. I can't wait for someone in the office to come down and bail me out. Often I will give the students an individual or small group task and be as quick as possible...fortunately the bathroom is literally right across the hall from my classroom. Still, I hate when I have to do this, even for just 2 minutes. I guarantee every teacher has had to do this at one point in their careers, that one moment where you realize you need to use the bathroom and can't wait for anyone else, but it happens to me more often than others, and I absolutely feel guilty because of that.
I am introverted, so I am always exhausted at the end of the day -- most teachers are, after all! -- and when you add Crohn's on top of that, I usually have little to no energy when I get home. Being "on" at all times, even when Crohn's is making it challenging to be my typical chipper self is so insanely difficult. I very often have a smile on my face even when I am feeling my worst. I try not to complain because this is the gut that I have to deal with and I might as well be positive even when it is the last thing I want to do. However...that is positively exhausting too. I am physically, mentally, and emotionally drained at the end of each school day.
Add to all of that when my prep hour is spend in the bathroom instead of getting things that I so desperately need to do done, and I'm wiped out. It weighs me down when I realize that so few other teachers deal with this, but I have to deal with it my entire life. It even makes me wonder if the classroom is the right place for me on a full time basis. I don't know what my disease will look like in 5 years, or 10 years. I am fortunate that my disease is still relatively mild, but what if that changes? How will I handle that? Despite being protected by the American Disabilities Act (ADA), I don't always have a backup teacher to watch my students at any moment of any day.
Every job has their stresses, absolutely. I am fortunate that I can handle stress very well, however I also see that stress makes my symptoms worse. I definitely find myself wondering if the symptoms cause the stress or vice versa!
For now I remain thankful that I have so many amazing, understanding coworkers who are there for me in whatever I need health-wise. I don't know what the next 10 years will bring for me career-wise, however I do know that I will continue to teach with joy and positivity, no matter how my gut feels!
Sunday, April 2, 2017
Colonoscopies - A Humorous Tale
So...colonoscopies are the.worst. I am 29 years old and have already had 3 colonoscopies. Ridiculous! They do, however, keep me healthy. Knowing what my gut looks like allows my doctors to make sure I'm on the correct medication, which is great...however, I will need a colonoscopy every other year for the foreseeable future, which is not fun. However, the one good thing is that it creates some really funny bathroom humor...which I'm all too good at!
Let me walk you through the internal dialogue I have every time a colonoscopy is on the horizon.
Let me walk you through the internal dialogue I have every time a colonoscopy is on the horizon.
Two Days Before Procedure
6:00 pm - I'd better make this meal count.
8:42 pm - I need a snack.
11:38 pm - I need another snack.
11:55 pm - I am going to eat ALL THE SNACKS IN THE KITCHEN.
12:00 am - Dagnabit. Here we go.
One Day Before Procedure
7:15 am - *YAWN* Breakfast will taste soooo good...waaaaaiiiiiiit.
7:18 am - Green Jello tasted better when I was 7.
8:49 am - I'm done with this crap.
10:02 am - Maybe I'll watch a movie, get my mind off of my hunger.
11:32 am - Chicken broth isn't a meal.
12:43 pm - I'm hungry.
12:44 pm - **Plans out the post-procedure meal on the internet.**
12:44 pm - **Plans out the post-procedure meal on the internet.**
1:34 pm - Nap time.
2:46 pm - That Gatorade looks nasty.
3:02 pm - Down the hatch...
3:23 pm - Oh CRAP, here we go.
3:30 pm - I just got back from the bathroom...here we go again.
3:38 pm - Mmmmm laxatives...
5:02 pm - I'm so done with this.
6:18 pm - I really want a sandwich.
6:59 pm - Good thing I bought all this tasty hard candy to get me through the rest of the day.
7:03 pm - Nap time.
9:38 pm - I could really use a snack...
Day of Procedure
5:30 am - Down the hatch...again.
5:43 am - I'm sick of these bathroom walls.
6:47 am - I really want breakfast.
7:02 am - I should have drank water 3 minutes ago when I could.
7:14 am - Nap time.
10:00 am - I CAN ALMOST EAT AGAIN.
10:05 am - I'd better crack a few jokes about "runs" with the nurse.
10:12 am - Sedation feels niiiiiice.
10:32 am - It's over already?
10:35 am - That was literally the longest fart I have ever had...well, since my last colonoscopy.
10:45 am - THEY HAVE SNACKS.
11:27 am - THIS BREAKFAST IS THE BEST THING I'VE EVER EATEN.
Friday, March 31, 2017
Guilt
On Monday I took a sick day. Not for Crohn's, but because I ate something that definitely wasn't quite right and gave me symptoms of food poisoning. Basically I was puking all late afternoon/evening on Sunday.
Here's the thing: it took me a few hours to decide if I should call in. Keep in mind I was curled up in the fetal position for 6 hours and kept on throwing up. I kept on telling myself "I can get through tomorrow, this isn't that big of a deal". But...I was still throwing up and I still couldn't eat anything solid until about 11 am the next day.
I was uncertain if I should call it because I felt like I "should" suck it up. After all I teach through Crohn's symptoms on a very regular basis, so shouldn't I be able to suck it up despite the nausea? That sounds insane, right? Because it is. I am so used to not having normal digestion that I had to talk myself into taking a sick day due to food poisoning. I felt guilty. So guilty. Which is stupid, because again...food poisoning! I was puking literally the minute before I went to bed, but I couldn't get over the "I could get through the day if I tried" feeling.
Over the past few days I am realizing that I really need to put that guilt to rest. If I need a sick day, I need a sick day. Even though I deal with digestion issues much more than your average person, that doesn't make my symptoms less legitimate. If nothing else I need to pay even closer attention to my health because of my issues with Crohn's. It is a work in progress, but I am hopeful that in the future I will have less guilt over taking time to prioritize my health.
Here's the thing: it took me a few hours to decide if I should call in. Keep in mind I was curled up in the fetal position for 6 hours and kept on throwing up. I kept on telling myself "I can get through tomorrow, this isn't that big of a deal". But...I was still throwing up and I still couldn't eat anything solid until about 11 am the next day.
I was uncertain if I should call it because I felt like I "should" suck it up. After all I teach through Crohn's symptoms on a very regular basis, so shouldn't I be able to suck it up despite the nausea? That sounds insane, right? Because it is. I am so used to not having normal digestion that I had to talk myself into taking a sick day due to food poisoning. I felt guilty. So guilty. Which is stupid, because again...food poisoning! I was puking literally the minute before I went to bed, but I couldn't get over the "I could get through the day if I tried" feeling.
Over the past few days I am realizing that I really need to put that guilt to rest. If I need a sick day, I need a sick day. Even though I deal with digestion issues much more than your average person, that doesn't make my symptoms less legitimate. If nothing else I need to pay even closer attention to my health because of my issues with Crohn's. It is a work in progress, but I am hopeful that in the future I will have less guilt over taking time to prioritize my health.
Monday, November 28, 2016
Relationships With Crohn's Disease
Dating is hard. I kissed more frogs than I care to admit before meeting my husband. I went on dates with literally every kind of guy you can imagine, everyone from the tall, successful businessman to the guy whose picture looked nothing like him to the guy who "forgot" to mention that he still lives in his mom's basement at age 34 in his dating profile. I have too many stories, so many that some days I wonder if I should write a book!
It has taken me a decade to be so open about the fact that I deal with Crohn's Disease. When I was dating guys before I met my husband I wasn't "out" about my disease until it became a necessity -- say we were on a date and I had to visit the bathroom multiple times, then I would explain the bare bones version of Crohn's: "I have a weak stomach and don't digest certain foods well".
I remember the first serious boyfriend I had, and I knew I would have to "come out" to him about having Crohn's disease once we started dating seriously. I was insanely nervous to do so...what would he think of me? Would he see me differently? Would I unintentionally push him away?
Kudos to that dude because he handled it like a champ. The response was something like "oh...good to know, thanks for telling me". I never went into detail about my Crohn's experiences when I was with him even though we dated for over 3 years. He knew about my struggles, but he didn't know the inner workings of Crohn's because I didn't like talking about it. I was embarrassed. I really didn't see him on a daily basis so he never saw me day to day, where I was fine one minute but on the couch in the fetal position the next.
I vividly remember on my first date with my husband I was having Crohn's issues. I visited the bathroom twice within the 3 hours we were at lunch. I remember cracking a joke: "oh you know, I just drank 3 glasses of water! Goes right through me!" Yeah. Right. Of course at the time I had no idea he would eventually become my husband, or even that we would start a serious relationship. I was also still "in the closet" with my Crohn's, how could I open up to this guy???
It's hard to know how much to disclose and when to disclose it. I personally only opened up to guys I dated for a substantial amount of time about my issues because I knew if they spent enough time with me they would notice something wasn't quite right. For my husband that happened within the first month or so of dating. He was visiting and I was feeling miserable. I gave him my "oh I have a weak stomach and can't digest certain foods" explanation. Which I mean, I guess that's true in a way, but Crohn's is so much more complicated than that. I remember when I wasn't feeling well he would make me dinner and let me relax on the couch. I found out later that he had done some research on Crohn's to know more about it so he could better support me. (Keeper, I know! :) ) Eventually we had been dating for a year and we got engaged, then he saw my decline to what was one of the worst moments I've ever experienced with Crohn's. He showed me that he was in it for the long haul and took care of me in so many ways.
I remember wondering: How do you explain Crohn's when someone is just getting to know you and starting to date you? I have an insanely supportive husband and here's my take, if I could go back and talk to my single self:
1. When you feel the time is right, talk to them about it. It's ok to wait a while before you disclose your deep inner secrets about your gut! I know the topic feels embarrassing and can be awkward to talk about, so give it some time if you need it. On the same token though, don't feel like you can't talk to your significant other about your gut. They need to know!
2. Remember that this person needs to know about your condition, especially if the relationship will get serious. It is hard to hide Crohn's Disease. I did it for 10 years so I know. It is even harder to hide Crohn's from someone who is closest to you. There will be times when something doesn't agree with you. There will be times when you have to use the restroom twice within 10 minutes. It is easier to disclose that information sooner rather than later so that they can support you and be there for you. Trust me.
3. Be honest and educate that person. When you open up to your significant other, whatever that timeframe may be, educate them on your condition. IBD is challenging to begin with and it affects your daily life. It is vital that the person closest to you understands what you deal with and what is going on internally. My husband is my biggest supporter and best cheerleader because he understands what I am going through and makes an effort to help me out whenever possible. He knows when he needs to let me rest and he picks up the slack, hands down.
4. It's ok to fart in front of your significant other. Seriously! Full disclosure........I tend to get the WORST gas because of Crohn's when I eat certain things. I know it isn't the most romantic thing to do, but it's ok to fart in front of your significant other! People try to keep the "mystery" but if you have IBD, it's not good to hold it in either!
5. Lean on your significant other. I can't stress how important this is. When you need their help, tell them. When things aren't going well and you aren't feeling well, tell them. My husband is now a pro at taking care of me and I wouldn't trade that for the world! Besides Crohn's I am relatively healthy. He is healthy as a horse. I knows if I am experiencing symptoms, he will be there.
6. Laugh about it. Poop and fart jokes can be hilarious. I'm really good (bad?) at coming up with bad jokes and puns about my condition. I send my guy Crohn's memes all the time. Some days that is the only way I get through!
7. After a colonoscopy be sure your significant other treats you to a meal of your choice. Because you both deserve it!
It has taken me a decade to be so open about the fact that I deal with Crohn's Disease. When I was dating guys before I met my husband I wasn't "out" about my disease until it became a necessity -- say we were on a date and I had to visit the bathroom multiple times, then I would explain the bare bones version of Crohn's: "I have a weak stomach and don't digest certain foods well".
I remember the first serious boyfriend I had, and I knew I would have to "come out" to him about having Crohn's disease once we started dating seriously. I was insanely nervous to do so...what would he think of me? Would he see me differently? Would I unintentionally push him away?
Kudos to that dude because he handled it like a champ. The response was something like "oh...good to know, thanks for telling me". I never went into detail about my Crohn's experiences when I was with him even though we dated for over 3 years. He knew about my struggles, but he didn't know the inner workings of Crohn's because I didn't like talking about it. I was embarrassed. I really didn't see him on a daily basis so he never saw me day to day, where I was fine one minute but on the couch in the fetal position the next.
I vividly remember on my first date with my husband I was having Crohn's issues. I visited the bathroom twice within the 3 hours we were at lunch. I remember cracking a joke: "oh you know, I just drank 3 glasses of water! Goes right through me!" Yeah. Right. Of course at the time I had no idea he would eventually become my husband, or even that we would start a serious relationship. I was also still "in the closet" with my Crohn's, how could I open up to this guy???
It's hard to know how much to disclose and when to disclose it. I personally only opened up to guys I dated for a substantial amount of time about my issues because I knew if they spent enough time with me they would notice something wasn't quite right. For my husband that happened within the first month or so of dating. He was visiting and I was feeling miserable. I gave him my "oh I have a weak stomach and can't digest certain foods" explanation. Which I mean, I guess that's true in a way, but Crohn's is so much more complicated than that. I remember when I wasn't feeling well he would make me dinner and let me relax on the couch. I found out later that he had done some research on Crohn's to know more about it so he could better support me. (Keeper, I know! :) ) Eventually we had been dating for a year and we got engaged, then he saw my decline to what was one of the worst moments I've ever experienced with Crohn's. He showed me that he was in it for the long haul and took care of me in so many ways.
I remember wondering: How do you explain Crohn's when someone is just getting to know you and starting to date you? I have an insanely supportive husband and here's my take, if I could go back and talk to my single self:
1. When you feel the time is right, talk to them about it. It's ok to wait a while before you disclose your deep inner secrets about your gut! I know the topic feels embarrassing and can be awkward to talk about, so give it some time if you need it. On the same token though, don't feel like you can't talk to your significant other about your gut. They need to know!
2. Remember that this person needs to know about your condition, especially if the relationship will get serious. It is hard to hide Crohn's Disease. I did it for 10 years so I know. It is even harder to hide Crohn's from someone who is closest to you. There will be times when something doesn't agree with you. There will be times when you have to use the restroom twice within 10 minutes. It is easier to disclose that information sooner rather than later so that they can support you and be there for you. Trust me.
3. Be honest and educate that person. When you open up to your significant other, whatever that timeframe may be, educate them on your condition. IBD is challenging to begin with and it affects your daily life. It is vital that the person closest to you understands what you deal with and what is going on internally. My husband is my biggest supporter and best cheerleader because he understands what I am going through and makes an effort to help me out whenever possible. He knows when he needs to let me rest and he picks up the slack, hands down.
4. It's ok to fart in front of your significant other. Seriously! Full disclosure........I tend to get the WORST gas because of Crohn's when I eat certain things. I know it isn't the most romantic thing to do, but it's ok to fart in front of your significant other! People try to keep the "mystery" but if you have IBD, it's not good to hold it in either!
5. Lean on your significant other. I can't stress how important this is. When you need their help, tell them. When things aren't going well and you aren't feeling well, tell them. My husband is now a pro at taking care of me and I wouldn't trade that for the world! Besides Crohn's I am relatively healthy. He is healthy as a horse. I knows if I am experiencing symptoms, he will be there.
6. Laugh about it. Poop and fart jokes can be hilarious. I'm really good (bad?) at coming up with bad jokes and puns about my condition. I send my guy Crohn's memes all the time. Some days that is the only way I get through!
7. After a colonoscopy be sure your significant other treats you to a meal of your choice. Because you both deserve it!
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Crohn's Disease -- What IS it?
WHAT is it? Crohn's Disease is an autoimmune disease where my immune system attacks my colon, causing inflammation. It causes digestion issues including diarrhea, gas, bloating, abdominal pain, and much, much more. Crohn's can happen anywhere in the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. It is diagnosed traditionally with a colonoscopy.
WHY is it a problem? In one word: inflammation. Too much inflammation can cause a back-up in the colon and/or small intestine. It also prevents people from absorbing enough nutrients because the digestive tract is not healthy and doesn't work like a normal person's digestive tract does. When I was originally diagnosed I had actually lost a lot of hair because I wasn't absorbing the nutrients in my food. My iron was also dangerously low and I had to take an iron supplement.
WHERE do you experience Crohn's? Personally Crohn's attacks where my small and large intestine meet, which is apparently very common (something I learned at my last colonoscopy!). Imagine when you get strep throat and your throat gets inflamed. You can physically feel the fact that the throat is smaller than usual. It is uncomfortable to swallow. That same type of thing happens to me, just on a daily basis in my small and large intestines.
HOW does it affect your daily life? You probably get occasional stomach aches, or you ate something and you can tell that it isn't agreeing with you. That is my daily life. In a typical day I have diarrhea, gas, and bloating. The abdominal pain fortunately isn't every day, but occasionally it makes an appearance on my bad days. I constantly am on alert for the closest bathroom. My friends know if they don't know where the nearest bathroom they can ask me and I will know. :)
HOW do you cope with having Crohn's? I take daily pills and I give myself one injection every two weeks to take care of the swelling. However, I still have good days and bad days and I always will. It is not a miracle cure and there is no cure for Crohn's Disease. I will likely need to take some sort of medication for the rest of my life.
WHEN are your symptoms worse? Stress makes my symptoms horrible. My job can be stressful so that definitely does not help. I am also sensitive to lactose in the form of milk and cream/ice cream. I eat yogurt and cheese and generally I do not have any issues, however milk causes my issues to be worse as does cream. I do not eliminate things completely from my diet, but those are among foods that I avoid most days.
WHY is it a problem? In one word: inflammation. Too much inflammation can cause a back-up in the colon and/or small intestine. It also prevents people from absorbing enough nutrients because the digestive tract is not healthy and doesn't work like a normal person's digestive tract does. When I was originally diagnosed I had actually lost a lot of hair because I wasn't absorbing the nutrients in my food. My iron was also dangerously low and I had to take an iron supplement.
WHERE do you experience Crohn's? Personally Crohn's attacks where my small and large intestine meet, which is apparently very common (something I learned at my last colonoscopy!). Imagine when you get strep throat and your throat gets inflamed. You can physically feel the fact that the throat is smaller than usual. It is uncomfortable to swallow. That same type of thing happens to me, just on a daily basis in my small and large intestines.
HOW does it affect your daily life? You probably get occasional stomach aches, or you ate something and you can tell that it isn't agreeing with you. That is my daily life. In a typical day I have diarrhea, gas, and bloating. The abdominal pain fortunately isn't every day, but occasionally it makes an appearance on my bad days. I constantly am on alert for the closest bathroom. My friends know if they don't know where the nearest bathroom they can ask me and I will know. :)
HOW do you cope with having Crohn's? I take daily pills and I give myself one injection every two weeks to take care of the swelling. However, I still have good days and bad days and I always will. It is not a miracle cure and there is no cure for Crohn's Disease. I will likely need to take some sort of medication for the rest of my life.
WHEN are your symptoms worse? Stress makes my symptoms horrible. My job can be stressful so that definitely does not help. I am also sensitive to lactose in the form of milk and cream/ice cream. I eat yogurt and cheese and generally I do not have any issues, however milk causes my issues to be worse as does cream. I do not eliminate things completely from my diet, but those are among foods that I avoid most days.
Saturday, November 26, 2016
I Had a Colonoscopy 12 Days Before I Got Married!
One of my biggest fears since diagnosis was that my Crohn's symptoms would negatively affect a big event in my life. When we were preparing for marriage, I started noticing horrible abdominal pain and my symptoms were only getting worse. This was June. I admittedly had not been in to see a doctor in a few years and my medications weren't working anymore. I thought I was fine because I felt fine, until I didn't.
In June I called to make an appointment with the GI specialty clinic in my area. I couldn't get in until August 5th and my wedding was August 22nd. Not exactly my plan... I accepted this and waited, and waited, and waited. My husband noticed that when I got home from work I couldn't do very much besides lay on the couch and he was worried for me.
Finally August 5th arrived. I went to a new doctor and she told me that they needed new pictures of my colon. It was actually very cool because they could see my pictures from 10 years prior at my first colonoscopy because of the health system they were using, but obviously a lot can happen in 10 years and I scheduled a colonoscopy for August 10th, 12 days before my wedding.
My dad very kindly drove me to my appointments that morning. The prep work had been just as bad as I had remembered it. I went into the colonoscopy that next day and afterward they told me that my gut was so inflamed at the small intestine/large intestine connection (where my Crohn's is most prevalent) that they couldn't get their scope where they needed to go. They also told me that they needed to schedule a gastrointestinal MRI that same day because they had to see my small intestine too. Since I had already fasted, they wanted to do it that same day.
I didn't eat for 40 hours because of these multiple tests. For the MRI I drank 3 pints of barium so they could get images of my gut. It was a long long day. My dad took me to Perkins to eat but my stomach was still churning from the MRI that I spent more time in the bathroom throwing up the barium than I did eating real food. I had a follow up appointment a day or two later.
At my follow up appointment they told me that my inflammation had gotten pretty bad, which explained my abdominal pain and the fact that they could not get their scope where they needed to go. I was put on Prednisone, a steroid, that same day in order to immediately decrease the swelling. My levels of Vitamin D were insanely low too so I was prescribed some supplements for that as well. He also walked me through treatment options, including an every 7 week IV OR a every-other-week injection. I am on the injection now and I am also on a pill that I take daily.
I had an insane amount of doctor's appointments the two weeks leading up to my wedding. I was incredibly thankful that they accommodated my needs and when I told them I was getting married and needed an answer immediately, they were very understanding. I will forever be grateful that things went smoothly and on my wedding day I felt amazing and did not have any Crohn's issues the entire day!
In June I called to make an appointment with the GI specialty clinic in my area. I couldn't get in until August 5th and my wedding was August 22nd. Not exactly my plan... I accepted this and waited, and waited, and waited. My husband noticed that when I got home from work I couldn't do very much besides lay on the couch and he was worried for me.
Finally August 5th arrived. I went to a new doctor and she told me that they needed new pictures of my colon. It was actually very cool because they could see my pictures from 10 years prior at my first colonoscopy because of the health system they were using, but obviously a lot can happen in 10 years and I scheduled a colonoscopy for August 10th, 12 days before my wedding.
My dad very kindly drove me to my appointments that morning. The prep work had been just as bad as I had remembered it. I went into the colonoscopy that next day and afterward they told me that my gut was so inflamed at the small intestine/large intestine connection (where my Crohn's is most prevalent) that they couldn't get their scope where they needed to go. They also told me that they needed to schedule a gastrointestinal MRI that same day because they had to see my small intestine too. Since I had already fasted, they wanted to do it that same day.
I didn't eat for 40 hours because of these multiple tests. For the MRI I drank 3 pints of barium so they could get images of my gut. It was a long long day. My dad took me to Perkins to eat but my stomach was still churning from the MRI that I spent more time in the bathroom throwing up the barium than I did eating real food. I had a follow up appointment a day or two later.
At my follow up appointment they told me that my inflammation had gotten pretty bad, which explained my abdominal pain and the fact that they could not get their scope where they needed to go. I was put on Prednisone, a steroid, that same day in order to immediately decrease the swelling. My levels of Vitamin D were insanely low too so I was prescribed some supplements for that as well. He also walked me through treatment options, including an every 7 week IV OR a every-other-week injection. I am on the injection now and I am also on a pill that I take daily.
I had an insane amount of doctor's appointments the two weeks leading up to my wedding. I was incredibly thankful that they accommodated my needs and when I told them I was getting married and needed an answer immediately, they were very understanding. I will forever be grateful that things went smoothly and on my wedding day I felt amazing and did not have any Crohn's issues the entire day!
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