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What to do when you feel like this..

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 10/13/2010 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

I am 21 y/o female and I have had Crohn's for about 4years now. I'm on 6MP, protonix, and remicade for the Crohn's, plus yaz, and zyrtec for other issues. Anyway, lately, I've been having more flare-ups, diarrhea several times a day which can be painful, nausea, and extreme fatigue. I am a college student and just yesterday I made it all the way to school but had to turn around because I felt like I was going to vomit and promptly had to find a bathroom at once. I just had an endoscopy and Colonoscopy at the beginning of sept. and my only issue is active proctitis. With this too, I have extreme fatigue where I come home from class and can sleep anywhere from 1-4hrs even though I sleep at least 8hrs per night. And joint swelling, and feeling like my body is bruised. I work as a tutor at school and I find it unbearable to go sometimes because I am just so exhausted from stomach issues or plain fatigue. I've really been feeling down about this because I feel guilty every time I call in sick, or I just feel lazy and useless. I also feel guilty missing class too. I guess I just feel like a loser sometimes. This is the week of my remicade too so i'm sure this is why I must be experiencing some symptoms, but I was wondering if anyone ever feels like this or has these symptoms and what they do to get through the day??

Thank you so much
Posted 10/13/2010 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Kix... It's so hard when all that stuff hits and you've got responsibilities for that day. If at all possible, I give in to the need for resting. I am not in school, though, so it's easier for me to do that. I work full time, raise a teen and keep the house so... as hard as it can be, if I need to take a day off, I can. And, I do. On weekends especially I try to allow myself to lay around and rest. I used to feel bad, like I ought to be out making the most of the day. Now I just give in, curl up with a heating pad, lots of water and watch movies.

There are times I need to "be there" even when I feel horrible though! These are usually times my daughter needs me - gymnastics meet a couple hours away, etc. I just try to get as much sleep as I can and go easy on myself. Pain meds help me, but I don't know if you have pain. For nausea, I use phenergan. It works *great* and it does not make me sleepy at all, like it does to some people.

Hugs to you! Sometimes it's just hard... The best I can say is to go easy on yourself... You're going through a lot while still trying to honor your responsibilities!
Posted 10/13/2010 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
I am in the same position as you. Like sr5599 said, phenergan works wonders on nausea. It has saved me several times from having to leave class due to nausea/vomiting. It's really worth a call to your doctor about.
Have you registered with your school's disability department? If you haven't yet, you should. It's been an excellent tool for me when I have to miss (sometimes) weeks worth of class because of hospital visits.

As for the fatigue...well, I get as much sleep as possible, and some days, even that's not enough. I've pretty much given up on having a social life because I sleep over 14 hours a day and go to class...I really don't have time for much else.

If you're having problems with pain- pain pills have made my life significantly easier. Granted, they're not good for the long term, but sometimes it feels good to have a day where you're not battling against your body (or at least no feeling the battle). Even weaker pain pills, such as Tramadol, have helped me immensely.

I hope you start feeling better soon. :)
Posted 10/13/2010 3:46 AM (GMT 0)
Bless your heart kix. We've all been there for sure. Talk to your doctor about all these symptoms and see what they can do for you. You might have to slow down a little while in these flares. Get your hemoglobin checked to make sure you aren't anemic, get your Vit. D level and other vitamin levels checked too. Does the bc pill Yaz have the side effect of nausea and vomiting like other bc pills? I know I couldn't take any bc pills when I was younger for all the nausea. Just a thought. Good luck to you!
Posted 10/13/2010 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for your suggestions. I do plan on letting my doctor know, even though I guess these are normal symptoms. I do take zofran for nausea which helps. I just feel overwhelmed because I feel like I am falling behind in class and then I get for lack of a better term, stank eye, from people I work with. Sometimes, I just feel like coming home after class and going to bed. I feel like quitting being a tutor all together and just do me. But on the other hand I will be out of a job, and even though I am supported by my parents, I don't like asking for an allowance. It's just such a struggle in my head...
Posted 10/13/2010 9:17 PM (GMT 0)

Hi there,

I don't know what your parents' financial situation is, but if you can financially manage without doing the tutoring, then it seems like the most logical thing to let go.  I admire you hanging in there with school, and hopefully, your doc will find the right combo of meds to get you in remission or at least feeling better.  In other words, keep your hope up that you won't always feel this bad.  I have a son in college and a daughter in high school, and as a mom I can tell you that I would much rather see you taking care of yourself. Please try not to feel guilty.  It sounds like you are doing the best that you can!

Posted 10/15/2010 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
I feel you. I know my "problems" started sophmore year in college, while I working retail, not fun. I had to quit one, and unfortunately that was school. I did what I had to do, took care of myself and worked part time. Next semester I went back to school full time. I was undiagnosed at this time, completely, so no meds. So ur dr should be able to prescribe meds that help manage ur symptoms. Phenegren works good for nausea. Librax and bentyl work when the stomach is rumbling. I know Remicade caused me to be extremely tired and sore, almost all the time. It wasn't until I switched that I noticed it was actually the medicine and not my normal. Anyway best of luck! Don't let the DD let u down. You will survive, and succeed, it just takes time and determination.
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