Partner not taking Chrones Seriously
Hi,
My partner was diagnosed with chrones maybe six to eight months ago, and was given tablets to take. Not taken a single one.
She drinks weekly, smokes daily, and diet is poor. (Crisps, Energy Drinks, Etc.)
The symptoms on surface don’t appear to be getting any worse which in a strange way worries me further as the longer she doesn’t see any affect the more chance something serious might happen.
Tried to be supportive and help her understand her condition. But as the symptoms are no worse, she doesn’t take seriously.
I don’t want to scare her but need to know the damage she is doing
Hi
, I am sorry that you and your partner got this news recently. Being diagnosed with a chronic illness is scary and tough for both the person who is sick and their loved ones.
While we can't know if there is damage being done, generally taking prescribed medications and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is helpful in the management of chronic illnesses (though there are cases in which people may go off their medications and use other alternatives; I am not one of those people, as my medications do help me). In terms of a "healthy" lifestyle, there are lots of different ways to define this. Some people actually are able to drink alcohol periodically with Crohn's, for example. I certainly eat chips/crisps here and there, though it is not all my diet! In my mind it would be great if your partner would talk to their doctor about their medications and their lifestyle to see how to work on this in moderation. Maybe adding in some fruits or vegetables would help. And finding out why your partner is struggling to take medications might be good too (is it because she doesn't want to, or because she struggles to remember, for example?).
Ultimately, I believe that people must take control of their own health, meaning that it will be hard for you to dictate what your partner should and shouldn't do. However, you might gently suggest that she talk further with the doctor or an IBD Nurse Navigator, if there is one at the doctor's office. Sometimes therapists can help if there is a mental block towards changing lifestyle as well.
I will be honest - I was diagnosed when I was 21, but I was experiencing symptoms around age 20. I didn't do anything until I got really sick. I wish that hadn't been the case, but I suspect it is human nature to avoid the issue until it is really awful. Maybe it would help to share this site your partner? Maybe by reading others' stories, she can get a sense things better.
Keep us posted on how things go! -Eshani (IBD Team Member)Thank you so much for this very very much appreciated Of course. <3 Please keep us updated on how your conversations go! -Eshani (IBD Team Member)
