complaining..exercise..

i'm tired and have aches every day, at some point in the day (if not all day), some worse than others..like all of you, i'm sure ;) not all of my friends/co-workers/etc. know that i have Crohn's, i feel that it's my business and i will tell them when i want to....but, i'm tired of them making fun of me or telling me i'm lazy and complain too much. they're doing it in a joking way, but i know they're serious, as well...sometimes i want to just yell at them 'you don't know how i feel right now!!!!! be me for one day..' or when they complain about not getting enough sleep and they're tired, feel like crap, blah blah..at least you can get enough sleep the next night and feel fine later, unlike me. how can i get this point across without getting pity or them thinking i'm making excuses? i know what i'm going through and would understand if i was complaining to myself, but i don't want pity. i don't want to annoy people with my worries and whining..because they won't get it. anyone else worried about this kinda thing? i feel like i need to talk with my friends about what i'm going through, but it's hard.

another thing: does exercise help any of you with energy or feeling better in any way?? i haven't been exercising very much and have been trying to motivate myself to do so..it would help if anyone has had good experiences and could share?

thank you!!!!!!

Here's an article for you:

http://beyondibd.com/blog/energy/do-you-have-trouble-starting-and-maintaining-good-health-habits/

I don't have Crohns, but do have UC. I am coming out of a nasty flare (thanks to prednisone...unfortunately!), but about 3 weeks ago when I started to feel better, I signed up for a swimming class. It's a warm water therapy class in a 91 degree pool that focuses on toning. I LOVE it, and it really is a good workout without the stress on your joints, etc. It's built up my strength quite a bit and overall made me feel better physically and emotionally. You might look into something like that in your area. A lot of pools will let you have a trial run of the class for free.

I second the walking suggestion. I carry mail and I believe that the daily walking really helps me. The walking would probably help any human but with us, with the fatigue and stress and all, a way to stay fit without OVERDOING it is critical.

It isn't easy though. Best if you find something that you like to do or have to do,like lap swimming perhaps.

Of course you can hit a level of flare in which walking, or ANYTHING else is not possible. I have also found that high impact stuff like running or jumping really hurts me if I am having a flare beyond very mild. In addition, I have found that exercising to exhaustion has SEEMED to cause me to flare in the past. Even if said exercise was pleasure like an extreme hike.

If you are flaring then try to plan a route where you have toilets. The Mall? A well treed trail, construction sites have porta toilets.......Gee I'm stupid telling a chronie where to find toilets......lol

Weights are really good especially for women. Join the Y.

I am out about my disease. I will not be in the closet anymore. I will tell anyone, anywhere anytime. I don't care if they pity or whatever.

Before I started having severe arthritis with my Crohn's, I started going to aerobics and body shaping classes at the gym.  I found that I couldn't concentrate on the pain if I was concentrating on counting my reps, etc.  I had to modify exercises at first if they bothered me, but ended up in remission and got addicted to the gym...going 11 hrs per week.  That dwendelled down and has gotten to where I can't work out because of the arthritis and I miss it so much.  It really gave me more energy, made me look and feel a lot healthier, etc.  (I went from looking anorexic to being very toned).  There are no pools close to my house now, but I am starting to think I need to drive to one and swim, since that may be my only option now. 

I hear you heatmiser. I can't get the same amount of work done at home after work anymore. Great idea to try some alternative excercise like biking and walking. If your joints will take it I think you will find that being fitter will help you. Best of Luck.

Exercise helps me a great deal, it helps me more than anything else period.
It's important to me.

I suggest you at least try it out.
In the end, you will need to want to go, you will need to actually enjoy going, or else you will find a reason to stop doing it.

Later