Does anyone live a productive and active lifestyle with CD?

I think I lead a normal life. Most people would have no idea I deal with Crohns - matter of fact, when I had my resection in February, many people told me they didn't realize I had it at all.

I was diagnosed my 2nd year of graduate school so I was pretty sick for awhile and got a semester behind but great drugs have worked wonders for me. Remicade bought me 2 years absolutely symptom free. I flared up, was sick for a few months (was hospitalized twice but outside of those two times, I worked FT and continued my normal activities for the most part - though I wasn't eating solid foods and a bit tired). Humira was next, I got another 2 years absolutely symptom free. I hit another flare, missed a few days of work but mostly took pain meds and did my normal activities. Ended up with a resection, which is when most of the people in my life learned about my disease, and I'm back to mostly symptom free!

I find times when I am especially tired but when those drugs are working wonders, no one would ever guess I had Crohns.

Keep in mine that there are many out there with more mild cases. I know that when I was symptom free, I rarely checked this site. I race here in the midst of crisis or when I'm hurting. I think that's the case for most people - you may see a more extreme on message boards as those without much symptoms aren't focusing as much on their illness.

I would have to agree... I have been DX since 1998 and I feel I live a fairly normal life... I work full time, working on my Master's Degree right now and have four children plus an extra teen at home... Now, to be honest... during a flare up I am pretty worn down and tired... but you just have to pray for strength and keep on moving as best you can... Good Luck to you... God Bless!

Another thing to keep in mind is that there are many, many people with Crohn's Disease who do not post when they feel well. A lot of us posting on this forum are posting because we're dealing with something and seeking out the comfort of others who understand. Even though I've been in a flare without being controlled on meds, I still work, exercise, raise my daughter, BBQ with friends, ... basically I live my life and am happy. There are rough patches, but I like to think I've grown as a result.

Brother and cousin of mine have both lived normal, working lives with Crohn's.

I haven't, but that's not entirely or even majorly down to Crohn's.

I was diagnosed at 13 and feel I have always led a pretty normal life. I work, raise a family of 4 boys (5 counting the hubby! ) housework, cooking, looking after the pets, ride my motorcycle, going out on our boat most weekends in the summer, and go on camping trips with the family in which we sleep in a tent.

I may have to figure things out before hand (don't eat if I won't be gone long, take extra immodium if I am, make sure I know where the bathrooms are and make frequent pit stops, carry extra clothes with me) but I DO NOT let this disease control my life. I refuse to sit home, worrying about what COULD go wrong. If something happens, I deal with it and move on. Admittedly, there are days where I am exhausted and just want to veg and watch tv or sleep, but don't people without crohn's have those days too?

I have people in my family who, while I wouldn't necessarily call them hypochondriacs because they do, admittedly, have something wrong, will sit at home watching for, waiting for, and sometimes imagining the newest symptom they are going thru. I decided a long time ago when I was first diagnosed with this DD that I was going to live life on my terms. For several years, I even ignored it, which has come back to bite me in the butt (literally! ) now that I'm older.

You can LIVE with this disease. It's not a death sentence, just an inconvenience.

My Crohn's is in remission, but I do have IBS, and I need to plan for extra time in the mornings for the bathroom. Other than that, I lead a normal life...I work, have 2 kids, etc. Remission does occur..don't lose hope!

I have lived with this for around 40 years. Went thru High School, College (when the only legal thing available was Prednisone) and have worked full time ever since in what many consider a high demand stressfull career. I still jog, play golf or tennis when I want to, don't when I am tired or flaring, but I still work every day. I have good days and bad, but just have to stuggle thru the bad ones and try to make up for it on the good ones. So you can live a normal life. I have wondered how much more successful I could have been if I felt normal all the time, but that was not the cards we were dealt with and maybe it would not have made a difference. But for the most part I have been able to do what I wanted, travelled to many parts of the world. You can learn to cope. Some people have worse things than Crohn's.

If you can get your Crohns under control, anything's still possible:

*GDen, I had to remove your blog.  It must be put in your signature per forum rules*

Post Edited By Moderator (Nanners) : 5/24/2010 7:42:54 AM (GMT-6)

I think if you want something badly enough, you are going to go for it and fight for it. I loved reading the posts here. They are very reassuring.

I'm pretty active. The first 2-3 years were very hard at dx, but as it setteled down some, I've lived a normal working life. Not maybe where I'd want to be, but I cannot blame Crohn's for that. I'm very active, even though CD & Arthritis keep chipping at me..

Matthew

I feel like I am living pretty normal most of the time.

I had a talk with my bosses and coworkers to explain some of my "behaviors" over the last few years.

My most recent non-normal experience was a short out of town trip.  Since I have not achieved remission yet, I was slightly panicky over food and having only 1 bathroom in the hotel room.

You can definitely live an active and productive lifestyle!

I'm a competitive cyclist and was able to compete once I worked all my "kinks" out (finding out what I could eat/drink while training and racing, getting plenty of rest, learning what works for my body, etc). It has been extremely frustrating at times as it seems to me that I have to train harder and much smarter than others, but also have to listen to my body (which is most important). When it doesn't want to work out, I've learned to take the day off, as hard as it may be.

Whatever you do, do not let this disease take over your life or let anyone lead you to believe that you won't be able to accomplish things that you want to accomplish. Just learn to "fit it in" and find out what works for your body (however frustrating it may be at first). You'll be golden once you get it down!! Keep your head up!!