Community Forum

I've never done a forum before, just so y'all know... 

I'm just starting my second semester at college and I'm starting to have a Crohn's flare. (I'm 18, diagnosed at 10.) I'm getting Remicaide tomorrow afternoon, which should help, but for the past few days I've been moping around my dorm room in my pajamas, watching movies and taking frequent trips to the bathroom while my friends are out partying. They offered to stay in with me, get me food, whatever I needed, but I just can't let them. It's embarrassing. I'm too tired to be entertaining for them, and it's awkward to go to the bathroom every 45 minutes. If they do me favors, how am I supposed to repay them? I feel like I'll always need my friends more than they need me, because I have Crohn's and they are healthy, and I don't want them to realize it. Being stuck in my room all weekend has gotten me really depressed, and I'm alternating between watching Instant Netflix, texting my mom and looking up depressing Crohn's statistics online. 

I don't want to drag myself to class tomorrow morning, act cheery so no one tries to comfort me, and then walk to the hospital from campus to sit in an IV chair for 4 hours next to old people, with The View blaring on the TV and awkward nurses stabbing me in the hand with a needle. 

Welp, I guess I just needed to complain to some people who might read this and have empathy instead of sympathy. Sorry if I sound like a whiny... witch. :/

 Reply posted for seattle93.

Hi everyone 
My name is Kim I'm 18 and was diagnosed with Crohn's disease 5 years ago. I just finished my first year of college and I feel like I don't really fit in. Yes i am finally in remission but I just got healthy. Since I have to put my health first i feel like I am left out of college experiences. My friends know that I have Crohn's but don't fully understand the little things they take for granted. They look at me like I am an alien because I don't drink, party or smoke but I am not trying to risk the chance of relapsing by doing those things. I don't know anyone that has Crohn's and is in college so I am not quite sure how to answer people's questions when they ask why I don't do the things they do. Any help or people to talk to would help out alot

 Reply posted for seattle93.

When I saw the title of this forum, I knew I had to post. I'm a 21 year old college student and I'm feeling the same as all of you. Although I don't live on campus, I still feel isolated at school and even at home. When I decline eating sweets or drinking alcohol (two things that make me feel worse), my friends question and comment, even though they know about my diagnosis. I feel uncomfortable going out to places because I'm nervous of going to the bathroom frequently and to have a constant gurgling stomach in public. I also try and talk to my sister and parents and I feel like a burden to them, because I don't usually feel well and constantly talk about it. Its a comfort to see that people who are in college also feel the same way, and that I'm not alone in that feeling. 

 Reply posted for seattle93.

buddy,

when i was blowing up the toilet every 30 min with my ulcerative colitis flare the only thing that got me thru it/and the depression was smoking a ton of marijuana.  and if you're doing liberal arts or fine arts that will only help your academic success.  plus once your feeling better the hippy chick down the hall might feel sympathetic/wana blaze just the 2 of you, and that can only lead to greatness.  o and if you're an athlete just man up.  i went from border line getting cut due to *** out about 20lbs of muscle to gaining it all back and being named captain of a d3 lacrosse team. i'm no henrik lundqvist or marion gaborik, but i think working out alot when not flaring up/ *** my intestines out helped my mental sanity and heped prevent futre flares. get kefir drinks from whole foods.  they don't exactly fit the college budget but considering they might make u normal again they're worth it.  o and don't forget the marijuana, preferably smoked out of a green game blunt wrap.

best of luck and don't let this ruin the best years of your life

Hi,

I just wanted to let you know that reading your message meant a lot to me. I'm 18 too, and also from Seattle. I was diagnosed with Crohn's last year, and it's been really hard. I don't know any other young people with it, and even though my friends and family have been super supportive, I still feel like nobody really gets what it's like. I'm taking a year off right now before college, and I'm really nervous about dealing with Crohn's in college. I guess I just don't feel quite as much alone knowing there's another Seattle kid out there dealing with the same stuff as me. Thanks :)

 Reply posted for seattle93.

hey i just wanted to say that i had some crazy flares in college. you are lucky you have friends i never really have had friends. when i lived in dorms i often switched roommates because of my condition and how i was treated and made fun of. but once i turned into a commuter student things were better until i had a flair. i would drive to school and about 10min before i would get there i'd really have to go. i am usually active and it sucked that i couldn't go up 3 flights of stairs bc i knew i would have an accident. i had a hard enough time just walking to the other side of the building to the bathroom. but never mind all of that.

don't be afraid to be you. i learned to just enjoy my life during a flair. my family and friends don't mind if i take out a little survivor kit with me where i go. during  a flare i will pack undies, shorts, wet wipes, small body spray and hand sanitizer. it helps me for the times i can't make it to the bathroom or i make it to the bathroom but don't exactly make it to the seat all the way. during a flare i have *** myself a billion times in public and i just don't even care anymore. i accepted i have an illness and then more people are aware of it.

i just started a new job and have slowly eased in to my coworkers letting them know some basic things to be aware about. as long as the people who are around you understand they aren't going to judge you. you are young so please go out and have fun and don't worry about what other people think. it doesn't matter what age you are because there will always be rude people in this world who have something bad to say.

i also try to be the person who plans things to do. this way i can do things that i enjoy as long as my friends. also, i will know the location and be familiar with the staff. this way if something happens they know me and also i know the location of the building incase something does happen. don't miss out on life!

 Reply posted for jquinn513.

Idk why it put astericks over the word hard haha

 Reply posted for seattle93.

i totally understand where you are coming from. i am also in college and it sucks when you are in a flare up. i have been having a lot of issues since the beginning of last semester, and it can definitely be embarrassing and depressing at times. i know my friends are here to help but sometimes i feel like a burden or i just want to be left alone. i think that people generally understand when you don't feel good and just need some space and alone time though. try to do things that make you happy, though, as well. i know it sounds corny, but i like to look up inspirational quotes and watch funny movies or shows when i don't feel good. try not to be too *** yourself either. it's not your fault and it's normal to feel gloomy sometimes. i hope you feel better very soon!! :)
-joan

 Reply posted for seattle93.

You have come to the right place for empathy (not sympathy).  Lot of us can relate.   This bump in the road will pass, and you'll be back on track.   You really should let your friends help out from time - to - time....you'll have plenty of time to "have their back" too.

Be well and enjoy your college years!

Lizzies Mom