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Friends living with Chrons or Colitis

Mon, September 14, 2009 1:56 PM

So where should I start...Recently I have started dating a girl who has Colitis. Now to be honest, I knew nothing of the disease and was very unaware of how serious it can be. Needless to say my gf was diagnosed in 2005 at the age of 17 going into her senior year of HS. I have only know her for about 2 months, but have seen how painful it can be i.e. flare-ups. She has had several surgeries over the year, finally being "cured" last fall after receiving a J-Pouch (sorry if a butcher the medical terms). There are several things of concern though that I have seen managing this at the young age of 21 that I feel should be shared. Considering she is a college student, she does go out drinking once every two weeks, despite the pain she will go through the following days. From what my Med school friends tell me, this is a definate no-no to do. Second, she does not eat until she is in pain from being so hungry, a second no-no. Third, most of her friends do not full understand nor try to learn causing her to go along with how all college kids live, which in my experience at school is quite unhealthy. I am looking for support groups for her with other young adults who suffer from these illnesses. She is starting to see that she needs to really maintain her health, but still is hard to do at 21 since she is still angry that she has to live with this. I live in the Philadelphia area and would love to exchange info regarding Chron's/Colitis with others who have similar stories. I know at that young age it is not only difficult to manage, but embarissing since most people my age are still very immature. Needless to say I truly care for this girl and want her to be as healthy and happy as she can possibly be. Please feel free to e-mail me to for any questions or comments: drd1434@mail.uri.edu

drd1434
Joined Sep 14, 2009

Sun, October 04, 2009 10:54 AM

Reply posted for drd1434.

you sound like a great guy and she is lucky to have someone so considerate. My daughter (19) was diagnosed as a sophmore in high school, had jsut started dating her boyfriend and has suffered very much with crohns. He has stuck by her side when she lost all her other friends and is a wonderful blessing to her and our whole family. My girl understands what she needs to do to stay healthy and it is still hard to do it all the time. She has the occasional party attitude, too, and just started college but had to drop out. I think everyone jsut has to get to the point where they realize that they are the only one in charge of their body and what goes into it. I hope she will get to that point so she can live a (fairly) healthy life. The main problem is if she doesnt get a grip, she can end up with more surgery, permanent damge or colostomy bags. Time to get serious, it sounds like.

Good luck in your life together... Jan

mamadwarf
Joined Sep 15, 2009

Thu, September 24, 2009 9:21 PM

Reply posted for drd1434.

Posted: Sep 24, 2009 11:00 AM EST

Anyone with these similar symptoms for Ulcerative Colitis?Two good books. "The Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Fact Book" ISBN 0-684-17967-9, put out by the Crohns & Colitis Foundation of America, Inc. "Crohns Disease and Ulcerative Colitis-Everything You Need To Know", ISBN 1-55297-771-4.

Joe

joe
Joined Oct 24, 2019

Mon, September 14, 2009 1:56 PM

Reply posted for drd1434.

Sorry i mispelled Crohn's

drd1434
Joined Sep 14, 2009

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