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Tips for Everyday living


Sat, April 18, 2009 12:00 AM

Hello, fellow sufferers...  I was diagnosed with UC in 2005 and have had a few flares since, the worst experienced last Mem. Day thru fall 2008. 

I was wondering if anyone has TIPS to SHARE with us on dealing with our special challenges.  Please respond.  Here are some of mine...

Tip:  Most Important of All:  WASH HANDS THOROUGHLY AFTER TOILETERING!!!  WASH HANDS BEFORE EATING!!!  No matter where you are, wash your hands with soap and water!  The hand sanitizers do not kill all germs, like C Diff, (a nasty, aggressive GI infection).  Also, my GI doc suggested that before leaving the clinic or any other doctor's office or assisted living/nursing home/healthcare facility, wash hands with soap and water and try not to touch anything on the way out since we IBD patients are so susceptible to GI infections.

Tip:  Keep your sense of humor!  Enlist the help of others' sense of humor, too.  My teenage son’s chants, “GO, MOMMY, GO!” and other antics, as I ran to the bathroom this summer, kept me laughing at myself which I truly believe kept me from deep depression.

Tip:  Use Baby Wipes!  I keep baby wipes (they are cheaper than adult wipes) by each toilet in my home and in each of our vehicles along with pads or diapers.  During flares, I'll keep hospital pads (green or blue plastic with white cotton lining) and change of clothes as well in each vehicle.

Tip:  I've seriously considered getting a handicap permit to hang in my vehicle.  I believe your GI doc can write a letter to give to your DMV.

                                        (continued in Part 2)

FPO gottago27
Joined Apr 16, 2009

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