Functioning during a flare

How do you all function during a flare? I finished my prednisone taper about 2 weeks ago, and my symptoms are coming back. Dr. said no prednisone until I get a flex sig and video endo capsule study (to rule out Crohns). I'm hoping to get in within the next 3 weeks. In the meantime, I am barely functioning at work. I work as a nurse in an OR type environment, where it can be hard to get bathroom breaks. I spoke with my manager today and she recommended checking with HR. Have never had to do FMLA or take extended sick leave. I have been struggling for the last year, with a few good months (2-3) here and there. I am doing everything I can and failing. I am scared, worried, and becoming hopeless about all of this. I hope things will be better once I get on the right meds. Last colonoscopy showed minimal inflammation but I was on high dose pred at the time. I am really beginnning to think I have Crohns. How does everyone manage? Any advice?

My feedback is my opinion only. I haven't been on these forums much, yet I realize some folks have gotten much relief strictly through drugs.

First you want to get a firm diagnosis. That gave me so much relief. I have had ulcerative colitis (the other major digestive disease) since I was 19, I am 53 now.

I am still working with it. However only in the past 6 years have I worked a lot with diet. There is a lot of info out there on anti-inflammatory diets...you don't have to have celiac disease to go gluten free....imo from tons of research regarding two autoimmune diseases I have...wheat is a huge trigger. Many other foods can be triggers. My doc told me to go on an anti-inflammatory diet...I went on the GAPS diet. Its high maintenance, esp. at first...but I had the longest period of no inflammation in 25 years. I am in a flare now...but I had gone off the diet. I have been back on it since January but am still flaring...but I know I have massive inflammation going on in my body too...can't get it to calm down. There are other anti-inflammatory diets. Auto-immune paleo...thats the main other one I'm familiar with.

I simply believe that IF one has an autoimmune disease...my understanding is 1. it doesn't go away...cannot be cured, 2. the drug simply helps the symptoms, not the underlying autoimmune process, and 3. that its progressive.

I believe besides taking whatever drugs, try a well known healing diet. I hope you get answers soon.

Thanks you all. I started trying gluten free last Wednesday and for the most part I eat dairy free.

I have worked for the past year since I have been sick on and off. I have run out of steam. For some reason taking time off of work makes me feel like I have failed. It also burdens my coworker. But I think I need to.