Support group (local)

I attended several support groups locally and found it to be less than useful. One of them had a surgeon come in and tell everyone how they'd end up having sugary anyway and how wonderful life is post-surgery. The other turned out to be run by the CCF and were just shilling for big pharma and trying to solicit cash. Both had very low attendance and I only went because my doctor wanted me to.
So, from my personal experience -total waste of time.

I always felt bad my small town doesnt have a support group, but it figures that's how they could be. I'm over it! (I would still check one out, just wouldn't get my hopes up).

beatUC said...
I attended several support groups locally and found it to be less than useful. One of them had a surgeon come in and tell everyone how they'd end up having sugary anyway and how wonderful life is post-surgery. The other turned out to be run by the CCF and were just shilling for big pharma and trying to solicit cash. Both had very low attendance and I only went because my doctor wanted me to.
So, from my personal experience -total waste of time.

This is the reason why I avoid support groups sponsored by organizations. Personally, I think talk therapy and one on one sessions hold more value since they are personalized. I see a nice therapist who specializes in meditation and mindfulness and that has helped me deal with many aspects of the disease.

Post Edited (StealthGuardian) : 2/4/2014 6:47:02 PM (GMT-7)

Once I went to a focus group. It was interesting, and rather humorous to me, I have a sick sense of humor... It was all IBD people and it was the oddest mixed group. people were describing their BMs and such. They also provided churros or something similar on the table, which I wouldn't touch with a 10 ft pole because I was flaring, such a strange item to provide to a room of people with active intestinal conditions. Regardless, I got paid $100 or so.

I wouldn't have had a problem with churros (although I've never had one)....as long as there was coffee too, lol.

I went to one meeting of CCFC in my city. All the CDers told me I was so lucky to just have UC. strike 1

When I sat down I was surrounded by others who wanted to recruit me for "duties" in the chapter. strike 2

When I was leaving I was encouraged again to come to all the meetings, get involved with fundraisers and basically give my life's blood. strike 3

While I was paying member of the chapter to get the newsletter, I was once sent raffle tickets to sell. I never requested them. I was EXPECTED to sell them. And, if I didn't sell them, I was EXPECTED to send them back at my cost. strike 4

So, let's see.....crap load of expectations with "friends" and "support" I would never want. I sent back the tickets with a nasty letter and cancelled my membership with the chapter.

So....make of it what you want when you go to your meetings. If you like to feel needed and like to participate for the cause and all the other stuff to keep it going, more power to you. I prefer answers I can chaw on with reasonable to no expectations....

q

Heather, That reminds me of when I was the manager of a convenience store (many moons ago) and some lady came in, dropped an envelope on my desk, and told me I was in charge of collecting money for United Way in my small city. I was expected to not only talk my minimum wage employees into getting money taken out of their checks for the charity, but all of the other businesses in the area as well. I'm like, "Excuse me, I don't have time for this". Apparently she didn't either.