Sometimes I sound exactly like you... So don't think it's just you. I was alittle confused about
home town. Home town as in where you live now or where you grew up?
It's difficult to speak to people that don't have the same experiences with a chronic illness and it's hard to make new friends for some people. As for your other questions...yes, yes, yes, and yes. This journey thru IBD is not for the faint of heart.
Marriage, IBD and the stress of the illness and finances can drive apart couples. Sometimes you have to sit quietly and think of ways to strengthen your bonds or rebuild. Remember those good times and things you liked to do and try to do those things together again. Couples need that laughter. My folks used to tell me that there was a "relationship bank" ...you have to put in as many happy memories as possible whenever you can. Even if they are small happy memories of just sitting and being together. When something causes you to struggle those memories will help you thru. If you consistently "overdraw" your account the relationship will begin to drift away. It won't be as strong. And that account is made up of 2 people so sometimes if things are rough--it might not be you. The other person might not have made enough "deposits" on their end. That can cause resentment. I don't have any idea where you are in that spectrum. I would just say that marriage can be difficult and it can be worth the struggles.
Supplements...oh I spent a fortune on supplements. Not all of them help me--but they may help others. Not knowing if you are coming or going...I have been there and I visit that place frequently. What helps me is deciding on a direction and a time frame for that direction. I also had to learn how to accept that I just wasn't always going to be in control of everything in my life--especially my illness. As far as needing meds... I would not be the person to address that. I am so biased about
taking meds that sometimes I don't take meds when I might be better off if I did.
Traveling someplace else because you feel better.... Here is what has happened to me. I do not like where I grew up.. A more cliquish town can't be found.. but when I go back there my body seems to "settle". I can't explain it. I live in Texas now. (It's cliquish where I now live too and I have struggled to make friends. I focus on my spouse, children, sisters and extended family and a few friends) The healthcare is excellent here. A few years ago we visited an area in the mountains, low humidity (like my hometown)--and suddenly I felt like I was healing. But it's healthcare is different... (Little tiny town with no specialist) and it gets really cold there in the winter. We compromise and go from place to place. I return to Texas for infusions every 6 weeks during the summer and stay in the remote area as much as I can..until it gets too cold for me ... My spouse Thankfully loves both areas so there isn't an issue. Maybe that's something you all could do?
I too feel like the people here just understand me and what I am going thru.
Oh and when I tried LDN, it seemed to help... BUT it made me very very emotional. I really didn't know if I was coming or going the first 8 to 12 weeks I was on that.
Hang in there. I'll check back in.
Clo
Post Edited (clo2014) : 1/8/2022 5:58:34 PM (GMT-7)