I'm back feeling oh so sorry for myself!

Hi

So I dropped off the site for about a year, about as long as I have been separated .... My husband of 11 years after 6 years of cheating on me finally left me a year ago for his current chick, he isn't paying maintenance for our 2 children and adding stresses anyone, especially a crohns sufferer do no need.

I started flaring 2 weeks ago but have tried to put on my big girl panties and deal with life, but I'm tired now. I spent the better part of this week in bed to avoid hospital cos my doc told me next time I flare I need to consider a resection so I have only left my bed to take my kids to school, fetch them from school or feed them. I have done a colon cleanse and am sticking to a liquid or clear diet.

My boss has been great about me being off work, but I really think people think we fake this condition as there are no visible symptoms well aside from me being as white as a ghost. The exhaustion is the worst part for me, I have slept an average of 16 hours a day for almost a week and I am still totally exhausted....

How do you cope with the exhaustion? Is there any vitamin that works? I know you will get this, I am so sick of being sick!

Look on the brightside, and there is one. You dont have a some guy who isnt worth having hanging around your neck anymore, so yay for you. bummer about the no maintenance, I know exactly how that feels, but hey every time you buy something for your kids, even something really small, you can feel good that YOU DID THAT. so thats another yay for you.

Flaring is a bitch regardless of circumstances, but you will manage, you can manage, and you have to manage. You dont have to be super mum, you just gotta be ok mum, and while you flare, ok mum is damn close to super mum anyway. Drag yourself down to the local kmart, or walmart, or whateveer the south african equivalent is and buy yourself a shade of foundation makeup darker than you usually wear, Ive got three different colors to match the three different skin tones I have when Im flaring, and it does help to make you feel better when you know you look better. Just dont mix them up and use the darker shade when you are healthier cos then you look like you laid in the tanning bed too long and its not a good look.

Its great you have an understanding boss, good for you. Get some multi vitamins, ask your doctor about b12 injections, maybe they might help.

And remember, you just gotta make it though today, dont worry bout the rest of the week, small steps are just as productive as big steps.

Oh, and dont put on your big girl panties every day, just most days is fine. I have a tv in my bedroom, and when I just cant do it anymore I invite the kids in to watch tv, they still get me, and I still get to be in bed. Its a win win all round.

Thank you for the reply, as I type both kids and the cat are in bed with me

Yes there is a bright side and I am glad he left me. He was very cold about crohns, passing comments like "just have the operation, get a bag and be done with it rather than moaning" so yeah no loss of support there.

I think I am almost over the flare, just the tiredness and headaches to go now. Increased the dose of sulphasalazine and I'm convinced that's where the headaches come from, but I am in my comfy baggy pj's chilling with my little people!

Good idea about the foundation, I am going to give that a try! Just for today I will be strong!

Thank you xxxx

Hello, I have to agree, you are so better off without Mr Unsympathetic !

I notice you are using a liquid/clear diet , have you tried juicing at all? I find making my own juices from fresh fruit and veg to be the best way to get energy (there is a whole forum about it here).
But I do also take multi vits, iron and added vit D - all of which give me the get up and go I need, thank goodness.
Good luck.

What meds are you on?

Vitamins/Supplements recommended for Crohn's:
1) Folic Acid
2) Vitamin D
3) Probiotics and/or Yogurt
4) B12 levels may be something you want your doctor to check. Low B12 levels are common because the ileum is responsible for absorbing it and it's also where crohn's tends to concentrate.

For me I used a nutritional drink, Boost. That seemed to help a lot. I'm not sure if they sell that in South Africa. It may be worth asking your doctor what he/she recommends in that department. The drinks tend to absorb better than multivitamin pills... especially when sick and things are moving faster. Make sure the nutritional drink you get does not have fiber in it since that will make your problem worse.

How could one na feel sorry for ones self when one does na have the support of a other half?
Relationships are hard when put through this...I am going through the same sitch.
With a woman who plain and simple does na understand. There is no respect/support.
I think it is great you took a stand and said ENOUGH!
Wish I had the strength.
I concur with everyone, B12 , Iron, Proton Pump(Worked wonders for me!)Ensure, Yogurt,Vit D, Bananas( I feel like a friggin monkey lol)...you get the picture.
Later.
You ave my support.

Thanks everyone! I am officially a terrible pill taker, I have tried setting a reminder on my phone, giving them to others to give to me I just suck at taking pills. I am currently on Lexamil 10mg,(anti depressant) Indera LA 80 (blood pressure) and Sulphasalazine 3000mg daily.
I totally understand iron as I crave red meat and that's my worst food for crohns so I will be going to the pharmacy today. @beach bum (I love your name!) By liquid diet I meant juicing I couldn't think of the word lol! I have found bananas the most filling and sustaining so I will continue on this path.


@nativesith I think it is difficult for anyone to understand crohns as there are no tEll tale signs and symptoms so to most we look fine so they don't get it. A lot of people have said to me, but I thought people with crohns were skinny, you're over weight! Now while I'm not obese I am over weight but being on cortisone for 18 months has that effect! People don't get we are really sick, or what we go through cos we look "normal". Try get your partner to read about crohns on the internet.

Well today is the first time in 2 weeks I haven't woken up and gone back to sleep! Here's hoping this flare is pretty much over!

Lauren,

i hope you are getting better too. It sounds like you are anemic. have you been checked? what tests are you going to have to see what is going on inside your body?

Your children are blessed to have such a strong mother. My heart goes out to you and I hope you are able to get your Crohns under control.

Hi Julie,

I was anaemic last time we checked we didn't check this time cos my focus was just getting my colon pain under control without going to hospital. My doctor wants to check my thyroid when I'm feeling better so we will probably check anemia then... Tbh I avoid tests as I don't want anything else wrong with me

My last colonoscopy was a year ago so I will have another one this year I guess. I need to find a crohns specialist in SA that I don't have to sell an organ for a consultation with.

X

good for you for staying up today, thats a well done, and yet another yay. Look at you racking up all them yays!

Im usually on 3000mg of sulfasalazine a day, but was told when im feeling the pain I can up it to 4000mg, they would prefer the three in the morning and three at night with two at lunchtime, but they reckon that people forget to take the lunchtime ones so four in the morning and four at n ight is just as good, might be something you can ask your dr about next time you see him.

Just a note, the b12 tablets might not make much difference as if you have crohns in the area that inhibits the bodys ability to take nutrition out of. You might need injections, again, something else to ask your dr about. I dont know what you guys have in south africa, but here in australia we have a lil thing called vegemite, its a spread to put on sandwiches, other items like it are marmite, and promite. I use it as a snack off a teaspoon daily, a few times a day really, cos its super high in vitamin b12........maybe you have soemting like that you can start eating by the bucketful too.

chin up lady, you arent alone, Im a single mummy with a crappy husband who wouldnt pay child support money if he was paid to

Thank u! I'm going to see everything I do as a positive!
My doc did say I could change my dose to morning and night in an attenpt to remember to take it and remember less.

I love Marmite I will give that a bash!

Well I am going to take advantage of this energy and get the washing and dishes done then take the kids to the park.

Its awesome having people to talk too, thanks again!

One more quick question..... Do you have issues with your skin? Especially on your hands? My hands are soooo dry that they crack and peel.... Really sore but also not attractive at all.

Nope, no skin issues for me. Cant help you with that one, though I would look at your water supply for answers first. If your water is really hard you could be having problems. If it was me, I would look at using a barrier cream for a while, to help get it cleared up, then as a preventative. Although, Im no dr, so this isnt medical advice at all. Barrier cream is awesome, you can buy cheaper ones if you dont look for any frills on it. Straight up barrier cream is what I would be buying.

SERIOUS NOTE: im not a doctor any suggestion I make is purely something for you to consider and look into further before deciding to take it on board

I know your suggestions are just that sweetie but I do think fellow sickies have some insights doctors may not and everything with this disease is trial and error and I appreciate all the input I can get.

Had a really goof day its 14:30 and the first time I'm feeling tired all day.

I do have skin issues as well. They have subsides some since supplementing Vitamin D. I would really consider adding some vitamins to your regimen. It really does make a difference. Every little thing you do increases your chances of remission by a little bit. If you do a lot of those things then you really increase your chances of getting to and holding remission.

I am so sorry for all the hurt and pain you are going through. My wife did the same thing to me and I'm going through a divorce. The added stress is hard on our condition. I wish you the best and hope that you find peace and happiness very soon. My prayers are with you.

laurenjonesnow said:

Thank you for the reply, as I type both kids and the cat are in bed with me

Yes there is a bright side and I am glad he left me. He was very cold about crohns, passing comments like "just have the operation, get a bag and be done with it rather than moaning" so yeah no loss of support there.

I think I am almost over the flare, just the tiredness and headaches to go now. Increased the dose of sulphasalazine and I'm convinced that's where the headaches come from, but I am in my comfy baggy pj's chilling with my little people!

Good idea about the foundation, I am going to give that a try! Just for today I will be strong!

Thank you xxxx

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You can in the palm of your hand mix the colors too as I do when I look too pale. Just a touch more of darker color makes me look human. I just read that Vit A is VERY important in controlling this disease and am getting some myself. Unless you eat tons of sweet potatos and carrots already. I don't digest even cooked carrots for some reason, so I am buying some ASAP. The B12 is supposed to help too, yes, get the injections!!! God bless. PS Also take fishoil capsules everyday too. I take them everyday.

laurenjonesnow said:

One more quick question..... Do you have issues with your skin? Especially on your hands? My hands are soooo dry that they crack and peel.... Really sore but also not attractive at all.

Click to expand...

Drink tons of purified water and use vaseline at night. This will help! Or after you shower a small amount of baby oil all over too. or add vit.e oil to your lotions and mix it up well. I have dry skin too and these do help!