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Hi, I'm a 51 year old Grandmother that was diagnosed with UC in the spring of 2009. 
I'm on azacol , prednisone and,humira. I'm in a real good flare up right now and have missed almost 2 weeks of work so far this year mostly due to fatigue and arthritis that rides along with my UC. 
How do I kindly try to teach co workers and friends and family about my UC? I think most people think I'm becoming a hypochondriac. This is very frustrating for me, for I was always a hard worker and busy Mom before my UC.

 Reply posted for pammielou1960.

Hi, everyone,
Just want to return more Thank You's, 
To Jmcbrid2 thanks for making me understand FMLA more I will check into this more at work for I'm sure I will be needing it.
To Nalini I suffer from constipation too at times during a flare up and, have found through my doctor that this is a symptom. Pretty crazy huh!?
To Fishncowboy you are so true about people and how much they want to understand. Half of my co-workers are engineers and understand autoimmune disease from college biology days. My other co-workers are mostly in production like myself and I find that some are willing to understand more than others. I have to say for the most part they are coming around. My big triggers are drinking (miss having beer or wine) and a good smoke which I had to give up both.
Thank You everyone,
Pammielou

 Reply posted for pammielou1960.

I think the best way to deal with co-workers is to be open and honest.  It took me a year after my diagnosis to tell anyone, it's a bit embarrassing to have a "disease", let alone one that involves digestion and the bathroom. 

Needless to say, many of my co-workers are friends, and it's difficult in social situations to turn down alcohol (a big trigger for me), and other foods, etc.  I was afraid of getting harassed.  Then I realized, that if I told them what's going on, they probably wouldn't harass me.  And they didn't.  So most of my co-workers now know, and I feel better about it.  Everyone understands, or tries to.  

Crohn's and UC affect A LOT of people.  Pretty much everyone I've told already knew someone who has the disease.  So they understood.  And depending on how educated your co-workers are (don't mean that in a negative way at all), they may a significant amount about it.  For instance, I work with a lot of scientists, so man of them know about autoimmune diseases from college biology classes.

The truth is always the best!

Good luck!

 Reply posted for Kimleann.

I am also having a huge issue with medication. I am now doing a screening for a clinical trail if this doesn't work then I will have to do surgery for UC. I have been out of work since 3/2011 because of so many days missed my job and doctor suggested I stay home until I am well. But because my disease is getting worse I am unable to do so.. It is definitely hard to keep positive when the life you use to live seems like a foreign world... I pray that we all find the strength each day to fight this disease to accept  it for what it is and try to do what we can to help ourselves. Follow treatments , group support , meditation...seek god he free of charge and you can call him anytime he is never to busy for you. Every night give all your sorrow , pain, worries to him and slowly but surly your problems will start to go away. I was wondering is there anyone out there that is constipated with the uc instead of getting diarrhea? 

 Reply posted for Kimleann.

Have you looked into FMLA? you can take intermittent leave where you only miss a few days at a time, up to 12 weeks a year (either all at once or days at a time) and your job is safe..you can't get fired for taking FMLA.

 Reply posted for pammielou1960.

Maybe you can just talk to them about the symptoms and complications associated with your disease. Or print out facts for them to read...both of these helped in my job. I kept my co-workers in the loop and when I had to leave my job, everyone was well informed and so incredibly helpful and supportive.

 Reply posted for pammielou1960.

Thank you,
I'm lucky to have a supportive husband and most of my family understands. I will try your response of "how do you feel" that's a great come back for when people at work ask about how I feel! I hope your DR's can find the right meds to put the UC under control. This is such a frustrating disease.

I also have UC, pancolitis and it is hard dealing with family and friends.  At first everyone would tell me "if you'd eat better and more often you'd fell better" then they'd call and say "why don't you feel better, are you taking your meds?".  I gave everyone this web site and bought a couple of books that are being passed around.  Since then I feel like I'm getting more support.  I also started asking people, "how are you right now"  and it's catching on.  We all have some OK times where we can say "I'm good" but an hour later things can change.  I don't have co worker problems because I lost my job last December do to time missed.  I haven't been able to even look for work because I can't get any meds to work and they make me really sick.  Just got off of Imuran and have another colonoscopy on the 12th.  Good luck with getting support.  Feel better!