Stress and Crohn's

I have been in remission since my proctocolectomy two years ago, but unfortunately, I've also had a lot of stress in those two years, too.

First, my dad passed away, then my grandmother and father-in-law passed away, then I lost my job of 10 years due to budget cuts, and now I have a job with a boss who's a control freak and gets angry over the dumbest things. I'm concerned that if I stay at this job, the stress is going to cause the Crohn's to return in my small intestine. What are your thoughts about stress and Crohn's?

I have an appointment with my gastroenterologist tomorrow to talk about it, but wanted to get your feedback, too.

Thanks!

Cece - so sorry to hear you are having problems on your new job. Talking w/ your GI doc is a good idea. I guess it depends on if you can afford to not work. Sometimes I look at things like that as an opportunity to sharpen my people skills. But if it negatively effects your health and you aren't coping well with the situation then it's not worth it.

Good luck and keep us posted.

((HUGS))
Kim

Thank you, ladies, for you kind replies.

I met with my gastroenterologist this morning and shared with her what I've been experiencing at work. I told her I was concerned that being stressed on a daily basis might cause Crohn's to return in my healthy small intestine, and she said that it would not "cause" it to return, but it could make it worse if I was ever was to have an active flare again. So, that was a relief to hear.

She also said that she had never seen me so upset, even when (and I quote) "you had stuff coming out of your butt!" Well, that right there got me laughing. She recommended that I quit that job and find a different one that wasn't so stressful. I agreed with her, so I turned in my resignation today.

My husband has a good paying job and I can get on his health insurance, so I guess I'll be a lady of leisure until I'm ready to get back in the saddle again. With our first grand baby arriving any day now and the holidays right around the corner, I'm sure I'll find plenty of fun things to do to keep me busy!

Best wishes on your soon to be grandbaby and on being a lady of leisure.

Good for you!!! When I left my last "stressful" job, they told me I'd be back because I wouldn't know what to do with all my time...THEY WERE WRONG:) I have more things happening in my life and they are all POSSITIVE! I take college courses, exercise very regularly, help my husband's business (when I want), take my daughter to all her activities and on and on. And, you live in SUNNY Florida so the activities are endless:)

Have Fun!

Good for you!!!

Because crohn's does tend to come back, did she your gi give an actual cause?!? If we are already have the disease (although not active) why wouldn't extreme stress bring on a flare? Most crohnies agree that stress can bring on a flare or worsen an existing one.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a cutie!  Congratulations

They are doing great! Kai caught onto nursing on Day 2, and they came home from the hospital on Day 3. She's been eating every two hours around the clock, and Katie doesn't even look like she had a baby.

Just a quick update... it's been two weeks since I quit my stressful job, and I feel great!! All of the pain I was feeling in my stomach is completely gone, so I have no regrets. No amount of money is worth getting sick over.

You know how I said I was going to post a few items to sell on Ebay? Well, I did, and so far, everything has sold! It's so much fun, especially since I get to work in my PJ's.

So, I was chatting with my sister the other day, and she asked me what I was selling. I said, "Oh, just a bunch of stuff I'm not using, like new clothes and ostomy supplies." And, she said, "Well, I hope you wouldn't be selling USED Ostomy supplies!!" We started laughing and came up with a business that my step-daughter (who just had the baby) and I could start. She could sell used diapers and I could sell used ostomy supplies, and we could call our business - We Sell Crap.