Don't Compare Yourself to Other Patients

One of the biggest downfalls of living with Crohn’s disease is comparing ourselves to other patients. We often hear “this worked for me, perhaps it will work for you” or we see fellow CD patients who had success on medications that did not work for us, leaving us feeling frustrated and lost. The key here is not to compare yourself to others who suffer from the same disease. No two bodies are the same, no two treatments work the same way, no two people tolerate the same foods, so it is imperative to listen to your own body and follow your own Crohn’s disease journey.

Each patient with Crohn's disease is so different

I remember when I was first diagnosed with Crohn’s and the only other person I knew who had it was my uncle. I vividly remember seeing him swollen due to long doses of Prednisone and hear horror stories of what his new life was like living with Crohn’s. So, when I was diagnosed, I was terrified since I thought I already had a glimpse into my future. Turns out, my symptoms were never like his (often, they were worse) and we have never had similar experiences with medications, either. I also had surgery while he has not, and I am on a biologic and he is not. So, as you can see, I was terribly wrong to compare myself to him and his case as some parts have been better and worse for both of us.

Surgery experience also varies greatly

Another vivid memory I have is when I was approaching my partial colectomy surgery in 2014 and it was suggested that I speak with others who have had the same surgery. Honestly, that is the worst advice anyone can give. The two patients I spoke to had tremendous pain post-surgery and were hospitalized for two weeks.  They also complained of not having enough pain meds to manage the pain, something that I dreaded since I cannot tolerate narcotics. This put a negative perspective in my head, which is not how one should go into surgery.

Turns out, I was only in the hospital for 48 hours and had minimal pain that was managed by Motrin. And, while I was fortunate, I do not want anyone to take my story and think their results will be the same. Again, we are all different, so while I had a great experience with my surgery and healing, that may not be the same for you...and that is ok.

Diet and nutrition with Crohn's disease

Lastly, a hot topic among CD patients and our loved ones is diet. How many times have you heard, “I know someone who went vegan and it cured them. You should try it, too!” or something similar that makes you want to rip your hair out since you know it has not worked for you? Truthfully, I have been gluten-free for six years and it greatly improved my symptoms, and I encourage those who have not yet tried to live gluten-free to give it a shot for two weeks and see what happens, but by no means am I saying that is the solution to every CD patient’s problems. I can tolerate nuts, seeds, and popcorn while I know others with Crohn’s cannot. And, while the lettuce on the sandwich may be someone’s Kryptonite, I cannot come near the bun without getting ill. We should just embrace what our bodies tolerate and what doesn’t, and not compare diets.

So, listen to your own body, eat the foods that work for it and avoid the foods that don’t, and try not to lose your cool when others make suggestions that “worked for someone else” because in life and in dealing with this disease, we are all different...and that is OK!