"Totally Faking it. Just Wanting Attention"

By rachel87

1 min read

I've had Crohn's Disease since I was 15. Well.... I wasn't fully diagnosed until just recently. Back then I tried to get my mom to get me looked at and all the doctors said was, "She's faking it, just wanting attention." Yup, I'm dehydrated all the time and having flares that cause me such pain I can't move, just for attention. Hope no one else has had this happen. Being 15 and not having a say in your health really takes a toll on your body and life.

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thedancingcrohnie Moderator & Contributor
Ugh, I am so sorry you had to deal with that, and that your voice wasn't being heard. I can't imagine how frustrating that must have been. I just hope today you are getting the proper treatment and feeling better. Remember that you have a community here that cares, and understands. We will always be here to offer support. Press on, warrior. Always dancing, Elizabeth (team member)
katken Member
I truly understand where you are coming from. I was 12 when I started having to go to the bathroom during dinner. The whole family joked that I was just making room for more food. Not one adult ever considered there might be a problem and that I should see a doctor. I didn’t get any treatment until I was 44 because I thought it was normal. I grew up hating to eat and became a very picky eater.
Holland Moderator
Hi <inline-mention user-id="2275095" username="rachel87"/> - I too was 15 when my symptoms came out hardcore. I was barely able to go to school at times. My mom would take me from doctor to doctor. They accused me of being a hysterical teenage girl, hormones, and my mom was labeled with Munchausen. Whenever I was in a room with the doctors, it was as if I wasn't there anyway... I didn't exist, I was talked about, talked at, almost never was I talked with or treated with basic humanity. I'm 37 now. My diagnosis came at age 25. The medical community has improved but there's much work to be done. It's one of the reasons I got involved in advocacy. Helping others not go through the same things I had to endure, is my goal. I'm so sorry you had to experience a similar situation and hope that you're in the care of better specialists and having better days.
dodo Member
please DO NOT put up with being told it's all in your head-it can cost you dearly. Stand up for yourself,yell if you have to-it's your body and you know it well.If you need a second or third opinion insist on it until you get it.This sort of thing still happens to females-don't take no for an answer.FIGHT!!
Amanda Osowski Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention user-id="2275095" username="rachel87"/> I cannot tell you how much I experienced this. I started having symptoms at age 23, but wasn't diagnosed until almost 30. For years, every provider I saw told me that it was in my head, that I was making things up, that I wanted attention, etc. I'm so sorry that you experienced this and I hope that this is something you no longer experience. Thinking of you! Amanda (team member)
violet Member
I’m 63 now and had the same problem at 10 years old. Doctor after doctor. Told it was gas/nerves (stress was not the word used back then). Diagnosed at 40! Hang in there. Thank goodness for all the new research and doctors being better educated.