Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired

By thedancingcrohnie

2 min read

Anyone with Crohn's or colitis can relate to feeling sick and tired of being sick and tired. Every single day can feel like a fight. Life gets mundane and just plain tough and after years of struggling to live life normally, well, you just hit a wall sometimes.

Being sick is tiring. Not only is it tiring physically, but it is tiring mentally. And it is completely normal to have a moment where you throw in the towel. Where you say: I've had enough of this! I can’t do this every single day! I just want a break! I just want to feel better!

Yes, we are human. Yes, this is normal.

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Being sick sucks

But, I am here to caution you. Make sure you don't hang out too long in this stage. Allow yourself to feel the feelings. Let yourself let out a good cry. Vent to a spouse or friend. Certainly don’t bottle the emotions in. But, don't let it drag out. After you allow yourself to grieve, perhaps for a day or two, push yourself out into the land of positivity. You owe it to yourself.

When I mean positivity, I don't mean you have to prance around faking being happy and plastering on a Barbie smile for all to see. I just mean push your thoughts into thoughts of strength. Thoughts that tell your body you’re on its side and want to see it feel better. I'll never forget someone telling me: your body hears your thoughts. That really stuck with me. Ever since then whenever I have a moment of feeling upset towards my body, I choose to comfort it.

For example, I like to rub my abdomen and even specifically place my hand over my descending colon and say: "I see you’re hurting today but we are going to get better. I’m going to drink some broth now. You got this. I’m going to give you the tools to get better."

Balancing my emotions with positive self-talk

You may laugh, but since I recently started to do this, I noticed a shift. No, I am not miraculously healed of Crohn's, but I am improving. I recently started some new treatments and have made it a point to speak life into my body and let it know I’m on its side. Let it know I’m rooting for it and I’m proud of how far it has come since being diagnosed. And guess what, I have been improving.

So, perhaps you can relate, or maybe not. But hey, that's what this community is all about, sharing thoughts, ideas, and letting others with inflammatory bowel disease know that they aren‘t alone and we are ALL going through it. It isn't an easy journey and having that moment of feeling like throwing in the towel is something we all go through. This diagnosis is just as hard mentally as it is physically.

Sick and tired of being sick and tired with Crohn's?

How about you? Anything you do to help get you through the tough mental moments of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis? Are you kind to your body, or do you feel angry towards it? Share below, let's chat.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The InflammatoryBowelDisease.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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crohns4573 Member
I know about being sick & tired all the time. After 44 years the suffering doesn't get easier. I am angry that with multiple infused meds over the years, I had a long period of relapse. Now with current meds things are bad. I can't figure out why I' m relapsing. Don't know what to eat, sore belly etc., etc. Now I'm older suffering is harder to live with. 
1. Richard Faust Community Admin
 Hi <inline-mention username="KatReif" user-id="8875786"/>. Please know that people here understand. In fact, our patient leader Elizabeth wrote here about being sick and tired of being sick and tired: <a href='https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/living/sick-tired-crohns' target='_blank'>https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/living/sick-tired-crohns</a>. As Christine noted, unfortunately there is some trial and error to finding a treatment. I want to share with you this article from our editorial team on medications: <a href='https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/treatment/medications' target='_blank'>https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/treatment/medications</a>. Hopefully this can inform further conversations with your doctor to find a path and you get some relief soon. Please feel free to keep us posted on how you are doing and to ask questions. Best, Richard (Team Member)
2. thedancingcrohnie Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="KatReif" user-id="8875786"/> I so understand you. You aren't alone. This road is challenging and finding a medication that brings relief can be long and tedious. It looks like you are doing all you can like adding yoga and meditation. Just a thought, have you considered reaching out to a Naturopathic Doctor? Perhaps there is one in your area to give you another perspective on the diagnosis? When I reached out to one, it changed the game for me. You might find this article interesting : <a href='https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/living/holistic-doctors-stigma' target='_blank'>https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/living/holistic-doctors-stigma</a> I wish you the best, Elizabeth (team member)
LyndaThornley Member
Sat in a hospital bed at present … having being admitted as an emergency, I can totally relate to this. It took 2.5yrs to get a diagnosis and now I’m on the quest seeking mission to find out what works for my body and how to cope with this life changing, debilitating disease. I’m 45 and it’s turned my world upside down. I’ve tried taking my life in several occasions as I just can’t come to terms as to how much it’s destroyed my quality of life. I’m sick of being sick and hate this angry, defeatist, confrontational attitude it’s made me have toward my body and the useless way I feel it has just ‘stopped working for no apparent reason’. I want me back again, the me who was slim and liked my body and loved the way I felt sexy in my body. Now I feel far away from those thoughts. The US seem to have a much better attitude and way of dealing with Crohns, certainly from a medical point of view. We have so much to learn here in the UK and I can’t understand why we’re not so advanced…. Most possibly due to lack of money re research, pharmaceuticals and properly trained specialists within the field. I look forward to a day when I’m in remission and can have a better quality of life. In order to weather the storm, you must learn to dance in the rain. 
1. LyndaThornley Member
 <inline-mention username="thedancingcrohnie" user-id="2240052"/> Hi Elizabeth No I’m not on medication at present. I’ve been trialled on many and so far not found one that agrees with me or doesn’t cause an exacerbation of my other medical problems. I have therefore taken the choice to opt for a stoma. I’m now on an NHS waiting list of 12-16 weeks before I can have this done. I’m trying to remain positive throughout but I get sad, angry and negative about what life has dealt me. I’m a human being and I suppose that this is all ‘normal’ but it doesn’t make it any easier to deal with. Thank you for your kind words xx
2. thedancingcrohnie Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="LyndaThornley" user-id="4164710"/> I hear you. Yes, we are human and it is normal to get upset with our plight at times. This certainly isn't an easy journey. I hope your procedure goes well and that your quality of life improves. That is what matters. Sending lots of strength your way, Elizabeth (team member)
LyndaThornley Member
Thank you for your kind and thoughtful words. Means so much, thank you xx
1972 Member
Biofeedback is essential to keeping an upbeat attitude. And attitude affects healing. You've got this!
1. christine.laaksonen Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="1972" user-id="2258615"/> do you have a lot of experience with biofeedback? Would you be willing to share a bit more on how its helped you? Thanks for sharing! — Warmly, Christine (Team Member)