IBD / IBS / Crohn's Disease / Ulcerative Colitis
Anyone out there struggling with any of these?
I'm having a hard time managing my IBD with school particularly because of the social repurcussions of having embarassing symptoms like gas, bloating and diarreah that I can't really talk to people about. Like if you have a cold or something, you can just say "I have a cold" and people will be sympathetic and supportive, but if I ever went to a teacher and was like "I'm struggling with chronic diarreah" they'd think "ew". I also feel bad for feeling bad because other people have it so much worse. It's not like I'm bedridden. But it's like the pain and the fatigue and the scary potential complications and medications are not as life-changing to me as the embarassment and shame of these symptoms. Is this just me?
@idontseewhatanyonecansee
Not just you! These type of stuff is beyond hard to deal with, specially in social interactions. I'm so sorry you're going through it but you're so strong! Remember that!
Personally I struggle with IBS. I relate to what you said in certain aspects. The gas is a nightmare, specially because my IBS is triggered by anxiety and I have anxiety and panic attacks very often. So when in social situations is very painful and you can't really say you're feeling bad because people will ask.
Also some days is so hard to get out of bed... for some reason like what I ate or anxiety, sometimes even depressive thoughts, trigger it and I can't leave the bed because I spent an entire night struggling with it.
I wish there was more awareness for this type of stuff. But at least helps there's others that relate, is less lonely (although I wish no one had any of these things.
I think it was the Canadian Crohns and Colitis association that had a commercial about dealing with school and these diseases not just being about the symptoms. I hope I can find it.
@AffyAvo I couldn't find an online version. It showed a boy in a stall while either boys in the bathroom are teasing him (and compared to how kids can be they were actually fairly mild 'taunts'). I thought it was great to see this ad acknowledge the social impact as well as it being with children, so many things related to illnesses show middle aged people.
@AffyAvo This is so true! It's like if you're under 40 it's impossible that you could be ill. Sounds like a good advert
