Actor with colitis

Congratulations that sounds exciting. Well, if your uc is under control and you have Imodium, then no worries. I wouldn't tell the director unless there is an an issue, it comes up, and suddenly becomes a problem. I'm sure scenes have been reshot due to unexpected bathroom runs before, sneezes, and countless other unexpected things. Tell the director ahead of time and he might choose someone else...

Good luck, I understand the anxiety even when You're doing well symptom-wise. Happens to me as well.

It's going to be alright. Just believe in yourself, you have had everything under control for a long time and that shouldn't change much in the next 10 days. Don't let yourself get all stressed out over it, stress brings issues. Sit back enjoy the experience and just go with the flow, don't make expectations of yourself out of this, it will be over before you know it and then you will wish you enjoy it more rather than stressed the whole time.

Thank you Gary and Bad Gut for the advice and positive vibes :)

As an unconventional person, I'll try to give you an anomalous response. Someone has to break the "you are diseased" paradigm and shatter the burdens that we place on each other because of it.

Try "visualizing" that you are free of disease (and or in remission if it suits you). I'm sure that as an actor, you imagine how you are going to deliver your lines in a provocative way.

Michael Hurst talked quite a bit about letting go of his preconceptions of the disease when he did the FMT procedure (see Sharron's FMT thread). In case you are wondering who he is, he's in the category of people who no longer have UC... he said that visualizing played a vital role in helping him rid of the disease.

There are quite a few studies on visualization helping patients deal with anxiety and disease. I invite you to google Belleruth Naparstek and some of her techniques.

That being said, you have to do the absolute best to take care of your body and mind. Stress reduction, sleep, good eating habits all play a crucial role in determining whether the disease will relapse or not. For example, there was a study showing that poor sleep increased flare incidence in UC patients. The same applies to stress.

Wishing you the absolute best in your performance. Go break a leg (though not your colon).

The Silent Guardian

A Watchful Protector.

Post Edited (Guardian7) : 1/6/2015 3:53:39 PM (GMT-7)

How exciting!

I am sure all will go well, just be careful not to get dragged into drinking too much alcohol with other cast members after shooting!!

That's great! I am a musician and when I am flaring or recovering from a flare I have this constant fear of needing to book it off stage to the bathroom but it has never happened! It would look pretty bad for me to have to run through a couple of sections in the orchestra to get off stage. I found that once "in the zone" the rest of my body has always been pretty cooperative.
Make sure you rest and eat well. Having Imodium at the ready is a good idea.
Hope it goes well!

Did you know JFK had colitis? The disease was less understood back then, but he suffered from that, debilitating back pain and Addison's disease. AND HE WAS JFK!

Thank you all for the excellent advice and support!

Guardian: That is a great recommendation. I very much believe in the power of thought and will definitely utilize some of the visualization tactics you've suggested.

poppie: re: drinks with the cast. Noted! The whole cast and crew will be on location in close living quarters for almost a month, so there will definitely be some parties to be had. I will try to behave myself ;)

momto2boys: Good for you for continuing to get on stage and performing despite the fear of having to run to the bathroom!! I think you're right, once you're "in the zone" the body is no longer focused on the bowels and everything tends to be alright - hoping this holds true for me as well as the cameras roll!

sfc425: I had heard about JFK having colitis! Sometimes I like to look up notable people who have suffered from this disease to gain some inspiration. It's empowering to know famous actors, musicians, athletes and politicians have reached the heights they have while living with this disease.

Congratulations! So exciting. I know it is easier said than done but try to train yourself to stay calm....Sometimes when I am nervous and I try to calm down it helps my symptoms. That is the only advice I can think of. Enjoy this special time in your life!

Andrina said...

The Rock said...
Adolf Hitler also suffered from colitis, and he was never shy from getting on stage. Be fearless and follow your dreams, no matter what stands in your way.

Are you serious? I'm German and I never heard of this. What's your source? I'd be interested to know.

It's confirmed in Adolf Hitler's official medical records, he suffered from colitis.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1985-10-14/features/8503090891_1_dr-theodor-morell-dr-ernst-gunther-schenck-drug-firms

Here are some interesting points, mind you, doctor Theodore Morell was Adolf Hitler's personal physician, "Hitler`s initial complaints were the colitis that had bothered him for years, a mild kidney condition and a problem with a leg injury suffered during World War I. Morell helped him with all three problems. From the date they met in 1937 until April, 1945, Hitler had absolute confidence in Morell. Only Hitler could overrule Morell when it came to Hitler`s health, and Morell was always available for Hitler."

Furthermore, "Once, in 1943, he received permission from Hitler to attend his brother's funeral. While he was gone, Hitler developed stomach cramps from his colitis, and he began to scream at his generals. When Morell returned to headquarters, Hitler screamed at him for not being available. The generals were even more upset with Morell. But with that exception, the two got along very well."

Hitler was never examined or administered an x-ray because he did not want to be undignified (his reasoning was clearly unstable), so there is no way for us to know for sure whether he suffered from IBD or IBS, but he certainly had a form of colitis.

I hope Hitler suffered more than everyone on this board combined