My return from illness

JenniferNoll
JenniferNoll Posts: 367 Member
in Motivation and Support
Some time ago, I joined mfp and was successful in losing several pounds. Unfortunately, my health issues (crohn's disease) caught up with me and I became very ill. Standard treatment for my illness is prednisone, which has the side effect of rapid weight gain. As I was ill for a couple of months, the weight gain is considerable. I gained back all that I had lost and more. I'm horrified and demoralized that all my hard work was for naught.
My father had a heart attack last week, at the young age of 63. As I watched him struggle to live in the hospital (he's going to be okay), I came to a new conclusion. I may not always be in control of what I weigh, as when I'm on prednisone, the weight gain is not necessarily proportionate to what I eat. What I can do is eat as well as I can, exercise regularly, and be as healthy as my body will allow me to be. I need to be strong enough to fight my disease, as well as strong enough to take care of my family.
I am going through a period of time when even getting out of bed is difficult, and I have a long and difficult rehab to get through. A crohn's flare is a debilitating thing, and I am struggling to get back to my former strength. I have decided that I will get back to that through some gentle exercise, sunshine, and good nutrition.
Things are especially difficult right now as my husband is overseas until the end of next month. I'm alone with my children, who I'm thankful for. They help me to keep going.
I could use some encouragement from those of you who understand what I'm going through. No mean comments though. This is hard enough.

Replies

  • michelefrench
    michelefrench Posts: 814 Member
    anyone who has anything negative to say should be tarred and feathered.....wishing you and your father speedy recoveries and hope you can get back on the track..my SIL has similar medical issues and i know how hard a struggle it is!! do a search on the message boards, there is a probably a group on this site for people w/crohns/colitis etc, they would have the most understanding of your issues....??
  • JenniferNoll
    JenniferNoll Posts: 367 Member
    Thank you for your understanding. It is appreciated. I haven't found a group here for crohn's and colitis support, but I am a member of a wonderful online community called crohn's sanity. It's just hard to find people who understand that a 70 pound weight gain (yes, 70) can possibley be from something that is beyond my control.
    Dad is recovering very nicely. He happened to be in the hospital for something unrelated when he had his heart attack. I am very grateful for that, as his doc told us that his heart attack would have been fatal otherwise.
  • dddd5678
    dddd5678 Posts: 7
    My heart goes out to you. My son has Crohn's (since age 12). He went through 11 years of agony before having to have a total ostomy operation at age 23. I know how hard your days can be. I think your approach to being as healthy as you can be is a great one! I wish you the best and will keep you in my prayers!
  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    Is prednisone the only Med your taking? I took it for a while until I read about the side effects that would effect my body. Its a nasty drug when used long term that I would reconsider if you haven't already.
  • JenniferNoll
    JenniferNoll Posts: 367 Member
    No child should have to go through an illness like this. I personally had symptoms from an early age, and did not get a diagnosis until my 32nd birthday, I don't have an ostomy at this point, but I've had several surgeries to keep things in working order. Have your son check out the crohn's sanity website. It's been wonderful for me.
  • JenniferNoll
    JenniferNoll Posts: 367 Member
    I'm off the pred for now. I'm now on imuran and welchol. When I flare, it's back to the pred and antibiotics. I was on cimzia, which was crazy expensive and didn't work anyway. My GI says I'm a "challenge" as most of the meds I've been on haven't helped.

Categories