"Ask Me Anything" About Crohn’s & Colitis: Live!

Hi ! It's can be really difficult to juggle work and other responsibilities when dealing with UC or Crohn's, especially when you have to work around doctor's appointments. I know I have struggled with this before. For work, I definitely feel that using any HR avenues would be good. For example, I have worked on getting accommodations (such as having an office closer to a bathroom, working in a hybrid or fully remote setting, or modifying my work hours so I can come in later). This has allowed me to be more comfortable at work. When it comes to dealing with responsibilities, I try to prioritize what needs to get done by urgency and importance. If something is important and urgent and I'm not feeling the best, I often let it go for the next day. I also try to conserve energy, so I don't always say yes to social events and hang outs, unless I know I'll be up for it. It took a while for my friends and family to get used to that, but now they understand it much more! Most of all, it is important to put yourself first. Getting diagnosed is scary, and if you're early in your UC/Crohn's journey, you have to take time to listen to your body, learn about your illness, and get through the emotional toil of being told you have a chronic illness. -Eshani (IBD Team Member)

Hi ! All IBD diagnoses and journeys are different! In some cases, people who were diagnosed when they were young will have surgery, but not everyone will. Also, sometimes people who are diagnosed older will also have surgery. Ultimately, that is a decision that should be made by each individual and their doctor. -Eshani (IBD Team Member)

Hi! Sorry to hear about his diagnosis. It will be a lot for him to take in at the moment depending on the severity of his Crohn's. My advice is to give him time, love and support. He might just need space as well. Keep in mind, their pain, fatigue is real. Much of Crohn's is mental as well, so be supportive. I had great parents when I was diagnosed at 20. They were and still are there for me.
Vern

Hi ! Your son is lucky he has a parent who cares about him a lot. I was diagnosed in college too and it was tricky to manage. The best thing I did was take ownership of my own illness through trial and error. This means that I sometimes made mistakes or did not prioritize my illness enough. Over time, though, I learned how to manage it and I felt more confident in my ability to handle things. I think Vern is right that time love, support and space are some of the best things you can provide! I also wanted to add that it is very normal to be a concerned parent. Just today my mom told me that when I was first diagnosed she got so upset she couldn't do ANYTHING except Google my illness! Friends, families and partners need to get support as well during this time. Connecting with other parents who have gone through this might be good. Or even just talking about your feelings with friends and/or close family members. Even therapy can help if that is something you are interested in. Taking time and space to breathe and work through your worry is important for your health too! -Eshani

Hi ! I have hemorrhoids with my UC and experience a fair amount of bleeding with them. Luckily, mine are not too painful. However, I know some people's can hurt a lot. If you are experiencing pain, I suggest that you reach out to your doctor first to make sure that the pain is really coming from a hemorrhoid. You definitely want to rule out any other sources of pain! If it is indeed a hemorrhoid, there are creams that you can buy to use (Preparation H) is an example. This is what my doctor recommended to me. Some people also like to use sitz baths. -Eshani (IBD Team Member)

Hi ! Family can really be a stressor for me, so I know a lot about this. One thing is learning how to communicate with loved ones about illness. That way, hopefully, your family is on the same page as you (I wrote about that here: https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/living/talking-family-uc) Unfortunately, not all family members know how to be supportive and some events are just plain stressful. In these circumstances, I try to focus on getting rest, eating well, keep my personal stress down and staying hydrated. For rest--I leave events early if I have to, or I come late. I make sure not to stay up too late and I take my alone time when I need to. For eating--I never let anyone pressure me into eating something I feel won't be good for me. I also stick to small portions and try to get nutritious foods that aren't fried. I keep away from alcohol as well. For hydration--I stick with water a lot of the time and keep water with me at all times, especially if it's a hot day. And for stress--I use breathing techniques to manage my emotions. I also don't let anyone bully me anymore. If someone is stressing me out, I find an excuse to get away from the conversation or situation. Sometimes this might mean leaving the event early. If anyone gets mad about that though, I tell them that I wasn't feeling well and I had to put my illness first. Unfortunately, not everyone will understand that, but I try to be confident in myself! -Eshani (Team Member)