Hello friends and thank you for visiting colitisninja.org. I want to welcome seasoned IBD Ninjas to keep reading, if you’d like, but this post is geared toward those who are going through their first flareup.
First, it is absolutely vital for you to realize that you are not alone. Nearly 1.6 million Americans live with an Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Living with a chronic illness is not easy or fun, but you can live a relatively normal life. It will be a new kind of normal, and you will have to make adjustments. You will have bad days, but you will still have good days. And the bad days will make you appreciate the good days even more.
You may be looking for advice for ways to get into remission. Unfortunately this will be a journey all its own. Some people only need a round of Prednisone. Others need biologics. Still, there may even be a “cocktail” of medications that you will need to take in order to get your flare under control. I wish I had some magical formula… but there isn’t one.
Having been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, I definitely understand what you are going through. At first, you are embarrassed because of the symptoms you experience. If you’re like me, you probably waited too long to seek help. Sadly, that is the way of it for most people with IBD. So how do you cope? What are some things you can do to get through your first flare?
GET SUPPORT
This right here has been the most helpful for me as far as Inflammatory Bowel Disease goes. Remember, nearly 1.6 Americans have IBD. Chances are, you know someone else with IBD. You can suffer through the first flare in silence, and you can still get through it, of course. But I promise you that until you get support and hear someone else say “I get it,” it will be even more difficult.
RESEARCH
Learn everything there is to know about IBD. But be careful. Because of the internet, we have a plethora of resources to get information. But not all of it is beneficial or accurate. Be sure to turn to reputable sources. Here are a few:
The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY
You are going to need a lot more rest when you live with a chronic illness. Be wise with your time. Know your limitations and be open with your family and friends. Your true friends will be understanding and patient with you.
BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF
Learning which foods irritate your bowels is going to be a trial and error. There is no blanket diet that will include all patients. Some people can’t handle vegetables. Others have trouble with meat. I wish I could give you advice in this area, but this is just something that will take time. Believe me, I have tried diet changes and so have many of my friends, but in the end, it’s going to be up to you to do your due diligence and figure out what works best for you.
FIND YOUR “ONE THING”
IBD can take a lot of things away from you. But it can’t take everything. Find something you love to do and let it take you to your happy place. Maybe it’s journaling! Marisa Troy from JournalingIBD.org found freedom in expressing herself through journaling. Maybe it’s yoga like Jacklyn from Flareuphope.com. Maybe you are into fashion like Gaylyn from Gutless and Glamorous. You may be into making videos. Sara Ringer from Inflamed and Untamed has been making videos of her journey with IBD. Ryan from Adventures in Crohnieland swims! For me it’s drawing little cartoon ninjas with toilet paper wrapped around their heads. Do what makes you happy.
ASK QUESTIONS
There is no such thing as a stupid question. This is all going to be very new and you want to learn everything you can. Don’t be afraid to write down a list of questions to ask your doctor at your next appointment. If you feel he or she hasn’t explained themselves properly, ask for clarification. It’s OK that you don’t know everything about your disease now. You will learn. Don’t be afraid of the answers either.
LOOK AT THE POSITIVES
This one will be the most difficult of all. When you live in pain day in and day out, you’re going to have a really hard time finding the good things in your life. Trust me, I’ve been there, done that. I don’t always remain positive, but it’s something I’ve been working on and has really been helpful. There was a time where all I could see was pain, misery and agony. But there’s always something to be thankful for. Maybe it’s you’re dog. Maybe it’s having an understanding spouse. Maybe it’s the laughter of your children. Life isn’t all bad. Sometimes you have to willfully and consciously seek out the good in life.
I hope that this article has been helpful to you. I don’t claim to have all the answers. All I can do is share with you what my experiences are. If you ever need to vent or if you have questions, please feel free to email me any time. You can also find me on most social media outlets.
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