How I Cope With Crohn’s Disease

Jessica was 11 when the persistent pain in her stomach led her to be diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. She told us how Crohn’s changed her life and what living with it for 17 years has been like.

Q: Hi Jessica, welcome to LUCK-IT! To start, could you tell us a little about yourself? 

A: Thank you! I am excited to do this interview with you. My name is Jessica, I am currently 38, living in Ohio with my cat, Tuna and my husband. 

How did you find out you had Crohn’s disease? What were the signs that led you to discovering so?

I was 11 years old at the time having severe stomach pains, really gassy and bloated. It was so painful to eat anything and I was living in the bathroom. One night I was at the dinner table trying to eat and I doubled over in pain and my dad rushed me to the hospital. 

For the benefit of those who don’t know, could you explain what Crohn’s Disease is?

Crohn’s Disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the body. It can affect anywhere from your mouth all the way through your body. It’s an Autoimmune Disease where your body attacks itself. Crohn’s disease can sometimes cause life-threatening complications. Treatment can help, but this condition can’t be cured. Crohn’s disease can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, anemia, and fatigue, with much more. Some people can go into remission, while others can have severe chronic symptoms that never go away.

What treatments did you receive right after diagnosis and how did those help you? 

It took the hospitals a full year of testing before they could fully diagnose me. They did bloodwork, Cat Scans, M.R.I.’S, Colonoscopies, Endoscopy, and started me on a steroid called Prednisone. The steroid at the time was the only drug that was slowing down the bleeding going on in my insides. 

What other symptoms remained after your initial treatments and how have you been dealing with those?

Once you are diagnosed your symptoms remain unless the medication your on works or you go into remission. I still have stomach pains, nausea, pain after eating, nights where I am up all night in the bathroom. It’s very exhausting to deal with. Music has been a huge help in dealing with the stress of it all.

From your experience what types of diets and lifestyles work best for someone with Crohn’s? And which ones are the worst? 

Everyone with Crohn’s is different, but in my experience I have to have a strict diet of nothing spicy, no raw vegetables, no harsh meats like ribs. A soft food based diet works best for me. The worst is popcorn, nuts, and anything spicy.  

Which 3 objects or people are most useful for you when dealing with Crohn’s flare ups? 

I can not stress this enough, a heating pad and any kind of heating pad is a life saver! Hot showers, and lots of bed rest. The less stress you have in your life is better cause stress causes flare ups.

Which place was most useful?

Any place that relaxes you is your most useful. 

Do you think you will ever be able to eliminate Crohn’s disease from your life? Why or why not?

You can do your best to maintain your symptoms and try to go into remission but Crohn’s disease can always come back. I went into remission for 9 years after a j-pouch surgery. Now the disease has come back and it’s started all over again.

What did you learn from having Crohn’s that you didn’t know before? How did you change as a person?

Getting it at such a young age I had to grow up before my time, I felt my teenage years were stolen from me so to speak living in the hospital. I learned compassion for others who go through sickness and pain changes you as a person. 

If you could go back and replay your time before developing Crohn’s all over again, what would you do differently?

I wouldn’t have changed a thing. I was 11, on a softball team, was able to go to school, was able to play outside and be a kid. Getting Crohn’s I had to quit it all and go on homeschooling. 

What advice do you have for those who are presently coping with Crohn’s disease too? And what advice do you have for their family and friends?

You will get through it even when you feel like you won’t. It’s okay to feel mad and cry and have sick days and it’s not your fault. For friends and family, please don’t push, we know our bodies, just be our support. 

Lastly, how are you doing these days?

Thank you so much for asking! Since getting Crohn’s, the disease has caused 6 other illnesses, and I have beat colon cancer. I am doing okay. 

Jessica hopes to lose 60lbs this year and has joined a weight loss program for that. You can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or tell her your own stories using the comment box below. 

More interviews with people who’ve been through life’s challenges here.

Photograph copyright of Jessica. Interviewer: Sy
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