In your opinion, what is the worst symptom of Crohn's or colitis?
What is the number one symptom you wish would just instantly disappear?
It's a toss up for me - excruciating abdomnial pain or crippling fatigue. Both invisible, difficult to explain, or get help with.
Great question! it has to be the abdominal pain for sure. i have to stop in my track, take medication for it, and sit down to wait for it to kick in. Hi
. Mind if I ask what you take to deal with the abdominal pain? I also want to share with you this article from our patient leader Matt on four unconventional methods he has for dealing with it: https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/living/unconventional-abdominal-pain-treatment. Best, Richard (Team Member)
I’m with Amanda. It’s the fatigue for me too. Nothing worse than being bed ridden.
, You've got that right! Thanks for sharing - Pam (team member) Amen to that. Being bedridden can be so depressing. I've been there too, many times. I hope you are feeling okay lately. Hugs, Elizabeth (team member)
, The number one symptom I wish would just instantly disappear is the lack of will to survive or, do anything I'm passionate about. It's almost as if I've been fluoridated, like I am a prisoner in a Nazi encampment, and the will to fight and survive is not even in my nature any longer.
The best "big-pharma" commercial for an UC/Crohn's medication is one in which a young lady goes on stage to perform with her band. She picks up the microphone and then abruptly puts it back in the mic stand and walks off stage, holding her lower abdomen - as the band stops playing and looks at each-other, as if to be saying, "WTF???"hey, I feel the same I struggle everyday and the don't worry it gets better comments make me even more gloomy. NOT a day goes by when I don't think of ways to die I just don't have that nerve to do it so only thoughts yay me . Let me know if you wanna talk Hi
, I saw your message to Clifton and just wanted to check in with you. I hope that some of the community members here can help you know that you aren't alone. That everyday struggle you mention can really be tough, and so many people here understand what you're talking about and have those same feelings. Living with a chronic condition like inflammatory bowel disease is tough, not just physically, but mentally as well. And sometimes, in the chaos to try to get physical relief, mental and emotional health can get put on the back burner.
I'm not sure if it's something that would interest you or not, but I'm sharing a link to a group of articles about IBD and mental health because you are not alone in how you're feeling, https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/mental-health-with-ibd. Also, please don't hesitate to reach out to your doctor (or a mental health professional) if you ever have more than just thoughts of ways to die. And, I hope it's okay with you, but I also wanted to remind you and anyone else reading this and feeling the same way, that there is a 24 hour crisis line at 988 (if you're in the US). Please know that this community cares about you, Steph, and is here for you. Don't hesitate to reach out here any time. Sending you gentle hugs. -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member)
It is just as much, an affliction - of the mind, as it is - of the gut.
amen! I agree! The gut-brain connection is for real! If you missed it, here's an article about that topic: https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/living/brain-gut-connection . Thanks for sharing your insight. I hope you're doing well today. --Traci, UC-IBD Team Member
