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to tell or not to tell

Fri, August 07, 2009 12:41 PM

Curious to know what you all do. Do you usually disclose to people that you have CD or UC or keep the information private? I know it depends on the situation and person, but I wondered how most of you felt. Do you see it as a private matter, or do you see it as an opportunity to education people?

saintelmosfire
Joined Jul 17, 2008

Tue, September 01, 2009 8:18 PM

Reply posted for SaintElmosFire.

I tell people cause at times I have to run for the bathroom while talking to them and I do not go anywhere that doesnt have a bathroom .Ive also been to places that they said there bathroom is for employees only but I tell them my problem and they comply

ladytrucker709
Joined Sep 1, 2009

Sat, August 29, 2009 12:00 AM

Reply posted for Postal.

i too was not diagnosed for a good 20 years. i kept complaining of the constant diarrhea and had all the xrays (small bowel, upper GI, barium enema) and they all said i was fine, nothing showed up. then in 2001 i had an abcess that perforated the bowel and had to have a resection. they did a biopsy and found the crohns. when i think back of all the other symptoms i had too, it makes me mad to think no dr. put 2 and 2 together sooner.

i tell people about the disease and its symptoms but i don't usually go too much into my personal experiences because they would be there a long time and would definetly be sorry they asked!

gayle b
Joined Aug 29, 2009

Fri, August 21, 2009 8:07 PM

Reply posted for marzipan.

i'm with postal. i was undiagnosed for 6/7 yrs which is a third of my life so i tell everyone i know "hey! guess whata i have!".

binkies
Joined Jul 15, 2009

Mon, August 10, 2009 12:00 AM

Reply posted for SaintElmosFire.

I don't talk to work colleagues about it. I would rather they didn't know about my diagnosis (obviously the occupational health department had to be informed but they are legally bound to keep this information confidential).

marzipan
Joined Feb 16, 2009

Sun, August 09, 2009 10:04 PM

Reply posted for SaintElmosFire.

I talk about it openly to my immediate family, although for the longest time, it was difficult for me to even tell them exactly how I felt at some point. My closest friends didn't know the extent of my illness for a while, and I distanced myself from them, but now they are all pretty awesome supporters. I tend to email professors in the beginning of the semester about an illness, but sometimes I don't have to get into detail. And I have new managers at my work, and even though I have been hospitalized a few times this month, I haven't told them the extent of my condition.

I guess what I am trying to say is that it always depends on who it is and how much you think they need to know.

thebaz
Joined Jul 25, 2008

Sat, August 08, 2009 11:47 PM

Reply posted for SaintElmosFire.

I was so happy to know what it was finally I would tell anyone who would sit still and listen. Of course I have been undiagnosed for almost twenty years so I was begging to think it was all in my head.

postal
Joined Aug 8, 2009

Fri, August 07, 2009 12:00 AM

Reply posted for SaintElmosFire.

I have made it a practice not to discuss it with anyone at work, except those I am comfortable with and it is a select few. My friends are ok with me talking about it, although at times, I am sure they are bored hearing me complain about it. My aunt is my saviour, I can call her at any time and she listens.

aca11
Joined Mar 3, 2009

Fri, August 21, 2009 2:24 PM

Reply posted for SaintElmosFire.

I see it as an opportunity to educate people. But i wouldnt tell someone who I just met id give it some time first.

ashley22
Joined May 18, 2009

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