Teenage Support

I have a beautiful 17 year old neice who has recently been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and she is finding it a little difficult to cope with. She has matured very quickly as a result of the diagnosis and now finds she has little in common with her schoolmates, who are only interested in hanging around in the park and drinking, so she is feeling very isolated as they do not understand her situation and do not seem very interested in hearing about it.

I would love to put her into contact with other teens who are going through or have gone through similar circumstances so that she does not feel quite so alone. Her confidence has taken a severe blow and the thought of boyfriends and fun times seem to impossible for her to think of at the moment.

I have tried to get her involved in forums like this but she is a little reluctant at the moment as she is not sure she would get any response - I hope I can prove to her otherwise!

Thank you.

I have tried to get my daughter involved on here as well as other online groups and she too is reluctant. This has been a huge support for me, basically the one place that I find comfort, support and answers. My daughter is 16 now and was diagnosed over a yr ago w/ crohn's. She has her times but for the most part has matured beyond her yrs. She does well most of the time. She has involved herself with multiple clubs at school and in the community. These seem to help her as she is occupying herself and helping others. My advice for you, would be to offer her support so she knows she can come to you and she will hopefully find what works for her. My heart goes out to you as I have been in your shoes and it isn't a good place to be. Much love and laughter to both of you!

Hi! I hope you can convince your neice to join, HealingWell is such a great place. I was diagnosed when I was 14 years old and found this place a few years later and I really wish I had found it in the beginning! It has been an enormous amount of help and a source of great information and support.

As if being a teen isn't hard enough, being a teen with UC does seem almost impossible at times, for sure. You really find out who your true friends are. But let her know it's not the end of the world, not by a long shot. With a good GI she can find a medication plan that could do wonders, and she will start finding out what things she can tolerate and what things she cannot. She can still live a perfectly normal life, it might just be a little difficult right now until she gets her footing. And I know how terrifying the prospect of dating is, especially when the typical date is dinner and a movie and you're worrying whether you'll even make it through the first part. But a lot of times, when I'm out having a good time, I find that my stomach often behaves itself. And if I'm worried, I do some pre-emptive planning and down some Pepto and/or Immodium beforehand.

Anyway, support is definite crucial and will be so helpful in dealing with this disease. She should do as much research as she can to try to understand what she's going through, and talk to people even if they're not her age to get answers to any questions she might have. I hope we see her here soon! :)

hiya there

as i have already been introduced very nicely by my auntie there no need for me 2 say who i am.

Thank you so much for all your advice it means so much. you are right it is very hard and i am coping quite well its just i have no one to talk to. All my friends seem to not want anything to do with me. And its something i really need at the moment. But i supose you do realise who your real friens are and ive realised my only real friends are my famil that have been the best support a person but its not the same. I just want someone to go girly shopping with or have a sllepover. Just be a normal teenager.

xxxx

I'm SO glad you joined! You have found the best website and in time you'll find out just how much this place rocks! I was 15 when I started the diagnosis process and no one in my family has/had it so this place was a godsend. Its so hard when you're in high school and just wanting to be a normal kid but you'll get through it. Trust me girlie you are not alone! :)

Hi and Welcome to HW, This is an outstanding place. You will meet ppl here you can talk to or a place to vent if needed we are always here for you.

teddybear

Hey there,

I was diagnosed at 20 and I am now 24 and I can tell you its been very hard and still is! But this forum has really helped me especially in times of desperate need. You may think your alone BUT YOUR NOT!!!! You may feel like no one will understand, start a post here and you will see how quickly people respond telling you they are going through the same thing!

One of the first people I told about my UC was a family friend, a well educated adult, who I thought i could sympathize with. Her reaction, "Ewww thats gross, so is your gut broken or something?" Given that first experience I was very reluctant to tell anyone about UC. But I see you already have a wonderful caring aunt who you have to talk to and is interested in helping you.

You really do learn who your true friends but Ive also learned NOT to deny faith in them completely. It took me 3 years to tell my best friends, which was only a year ago, about this condition. And guess what, they understood and then yelled at me for not telling them sooner! This doesnt mean that I tell any and everyone, I'm still very selective but at least Im not dealing with it on my own anymore.

And in terms of boyfriends. I dated someone for 5 years and didnt tell him. I just said i had stomach problems and even tho he pushed me to tell him I just couldn't. I was so embarrassed by it. When your ready and come to terms it will get better. I am not fully there yet but I'm much further than when I started. I started dating an old boyfriend this summer and was open with him. He made me feel really good about myself and said I dont think of you any different and not to be ashamed. Even though we are no longer dating, that has to be one my my best moments, to give me hope that someone didnt see me as a burden, broken, or unlovable.

I can't guarantee all the responses will be positive, that there won't be days where you want to crawl into a dark hole, or you simply just want to rip your gut out....but we're here for u...:)