What exactly is a flare and what exactly is remission?

Okay, I am new to this and the more I read, the more confused I'm getting. I assume flares and remissions are really different for everyone, but how do you know what stage you are in?

My symptoms are definitely not as bad as many people here - I have D at most once a day, sometimes only 2-3 times per week, with regular bowel movements in between; upper abdomen bloating and discomfort; vision blurring; joint pain; and the beginnings of pain in my TI area and colon area. I've had some D and bad cramping when going for 15 years, but now the symptoms amped up this year, bringing about my CD diagnosis.

I'm just wondering, though, how do you know you are in remission? It sounds like many still can't eat regular foods and must stay on medication. And what does a flare mean? I assume I am having a flare since my symptoms are worse now than they have ever been, but I see some people here have multiple D episodes per day and can't eat anything solid. I'm wondering if this is what lies ahead for me - if it will continue to get worse. Or, is it just different for all - bad for someone might be a good day for others?

I agree that each person's remission is different. Since my resection I feel better then I have in years but I still have problems. My doctor says I'm in clinical remission. I still have "D" several times a week and sometimes I just get so tired that all I can do is go to sleep. Also, I can eat almost anything except salad. So far that is the only thing I have found that causes me problems.

I guess everyone is going to have to find out what their "normal" is and then they can gauge when they are having a flare. I'm still trying to figure out what is what for me.

Hi everbodys remission is diffrent for each of us. My remission is from the remicade that I have been on for 2
years. Remember one thing when you are inremission you still have crohn's.