A Writer's Life Interrupted #crohns #ibd #fibro

Once again, I am answering a question put forward from one of my readers. I won't mention her name, but will call her Lisa just because Lisa is a pretty name.

In any case, she wondered how I was able to write when I had so many health issues at such a young age. (((hugs and kisses)) Squee a big THANK YOU!

Back to business.

Yesterday I had an interesting experience. I ate cantaloup as usual for lunch along with some protein. Within seconds of eating the last bite, which I thoroughly enjoyed, I became so sick I was ready to head to the ER. I experienced severe pain on my right side, the intestinal rushing cacophony of a soon-to-be flushed down the toilet meal, before which, I broke out into a cold sweat and everything inside me dropped. I can't explain the feeling, but it's like my whole body gets so tired everything inside and out, drops. Best I can do description wise.

So, I was sick for the rest of the day and night. Today I woke up to another episode and that's when I checked my calendar. Exactly two weeks before my Remicade infusion. Urgh. I so don't want to shorten the time between treatment. I have a GI appointment sometime in September so I'll check with my doc about whether or not it is OK to flare the last two weeks. Then again, it might go away tomorrow. Crohn's is a bizarre disease.

One of the groups I belong to experienced the death of a nineteen year-old a few weeks back. Her death was due to Crohn's disease, though malabsorption might be a better term. Kinda hit me hard. I hate hearing about the young ones with their whole life ahead of them. 

Fibromyalgia is a difficult syndrome to manage and comes with its own unique challenges. For me, the biggest one is the pain. I do OK as long as I don't do anything physical. But I am an active person that loves to be outside. So, what it really comes down to is do I do what I want and suffer the pain or take it easy so I don't have the pain, but miss out on everything I love.

Well, I decided to deal with the pain and do the things I love. Of course, there does come a time when I'm not capable of doing anymore and when that happens I have no choice but to lay down. After an active weekend I will experience a bit of the brain fog for 2-3 days, but I allow myself all the downtime I need during the week, but I am not ready to give up my life on the weekends just yet.

So, to answer the question above, I must say it's a day by day challenge. There are days, usually Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, when I can physically write, but exercise is out of the question. I will take a short walk around the block but that's it. I really can't do more as I need to recover from the weekend. Interestingly enough, my Fibro is better during the colder months, probably because I don't do a lot of physical things except stay indoors and read a book or two or ten by the fire.

I know someone will slap me for this, but I'm handling Fibromyalgia pretty much the same way I did with Crohn's. I don't believe I have it. But, my mind skirts the issue now and again and as I read more about the disorder, I find that it mirrors my symptoms. Especially ones I've never told the doctor about like bright lights and loud noises that make me cringe. Put simply, I have an overactive nervous system probably from the trauma of Crohn's disease. At least that's my theory.

Well, it's back to work which today entails resting. Blessings to all!

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