This Is My Story

How do you guys handle having this? All I have been feeling is Depression at times. I never felt this way

why is no one responding?

Mike, Freakin Ouch! You got diagnosed the really hard way!! My Daughter was diagnosed right before she headed off to College and even being treated with meds, was not a comfortable experience. In fact the first 4 years she was not in remission and it was rough.
Her final year of College was wonderful thanks to Remicade and remission.

First thing, it won't always be (or possibly ever be) as bad as what you have already experienced. Once a treatment is found for your particular case you will get your life back again. Your life won't feel like it is on hold. After your nasty experience depression is a bit of a given but hopefully will subside as you begin to regain control of your health. You have already proven that you are one tough cookie to survive that semester in College and make it to Finals in the condition you were in. IBDers are known to be really tough cookies!! My Daughter falls into that category.

You WILL return to College. When you do make sure first and foremost that you register with your Campus Disability Services. It requires your GI/Dr filling out some paperwork. This will help should you have some not so healthy days trying to accomplish your degree. It is what saved my Daughter's College Education. She was not penalized for having to leave class to use bathroom, she was not penalized for excessive absences, she able to do makeup work and turn in assignments late, she was able to take makeup tests, she was able to take incompletes (when health was not good) and finish class in another semester. Disability Services afforded her Priority Registration which helped much in her getting the classes she needed at a day time better suited to her health (mornings were always a wicked nauseous time for her).

Hang in there, it does get better! Maybe not always perfect, but better than where you have already been once it becomes controlled and managed by meds, diet or whatever combination that works for your particular case. Hopefully, you have a really good GI on your side.

hey mike... i dont know if you realise this , but this is a message board not like IM or chatroom.. our memebers are all over the world so at any one time half are sleeping ;0).. hang in there . the most important thing is to find a good dr that really knows crohn's.

Hi Mike, a really big WAG on my part is that the stress and lifestyle of college probably contributed to such an explosive flare.  But no reason to fear going back now that you know what's going on.  Maybe take a semester off to get some control back.

Depressing?!?!? Heck yeah.  Why do you think we all participate in this support group?  You just need to give us a bit of a chance to digest what was written or give people a chance to respond.  Your case sounds pretty serious and since I am not there or have not experienced anything that bad I really don't know what to say since I cannot relate.  My only thought is above.  I know that stress plays a big factor in my problems.

Hey Mike, i was in your situation a couple years ago. The one thing I would recommend is reading Breaking the Vicious Cycle by Elaine Gottschall. It's basically a dietary program that may get your life back on track. Most people would say that it doesn't work for everyone and that you should be on meds also, but please read this book first because eventually it will fall into your lap. Better sooner than later.

Hi Mike:  Sorry your not feeling well but you found a great and helpful tool I think - these discussion boards are pretty interesting -everyone has a different experience and take on life and you get to read them all and pick which things work best for you. 

Kudo's on having the guts and determination to finish your school year - don't let this pesky diagnosis keep you from your life goals and plans.  For such a time as this you are here and can make a difference and use what you know and learn to eventually benefit others. 

I did see your messages at 5 am ish this morning (was working), just didn't have the energy to respond!  Ivy once said it best - that weekends are slow but someone will come along and respond that has similar experiences or suggestions so patience my new friend!

 

There are other medications then the one your are taking, but bear in mind that crohns meds take awhile (sometimes months) to reach an effective dose in the body. I would not suggest going back to school until your disease is sufficantly under control.