Anyone have Crohn's? Info. please - Crohn's Disease / Ulcerative Colitis Message Board

BarbaraH · 02-27-2005, 02:14 PM

Hi -

I need information about what kinds of employment you are able to maintain and deal with Crohn's. I know a young woman who has had Crohn's surgery and has a lot of pain daily. She feels she cannot keep any kind of job due to her intrusive symptoms. As her health is now, she'd need to work from home so the bathroom is nearby.

Any suggestions about job possiblities? Thanks!

Barbara

BarbaraH · 02-28-2005, 07:21 PM

Hi all,

Since no one has replied to my query about possible jobs for a Crohn's patient, is there a better place to ask this question?

Suggestions welcome! Thanks!! Barbara

wmtribefan · 03-02-2005, 11:21 AM

Hi,

My mother (who is in her mid-fifties) has had Crohn's for about twenty years. She had a very serious flare up in 1993, which required removal of a portion of her colon and several weeks in the hospital, but since then she has been pretty much in remission. She controls it with diet and exercise (lots of yoga), and leads a normal life! She has raised five children, runs her own business (interior design and event planning) and also does tons of volunteer work. So, don't let your friend get too discouraged!

Encourage her to seek a fantastic doctor (even if it means traveling a few hours for appointments) b/c treatment is the key! Also, tell her to see a nutritionist about a good diet for Crohn's. That can cut down on many of those "embarrassing symptoms." Good luck!

BarbaraH · 03-02-2005, 02:50 PM

Thanks! I appreciate your input!! My friend is just 25 and has had 2 surgeries. It's been rough with the other upsetting events in her life. Her doctor is at a teaching hospital so I'd hope she gets excellent care there. I'll mention a nutritionist.

Thanks again! Barbara

actudan · 03-04-2005, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarbaraH

Thanks! I appreciate your input!! My friend is just 25 and has had 2 surgeries. It's been rough with the other upsetting events in her life. Her doctor is at a teaching hospital so I'd hope she gets excellent care there. I'll mention a nutritionist.

Thanks again! Barbara

I just wanted to add that I work with someone with Crohns. As I understand, Crohn's normally affects the part of the small intestine where it connects to the large intestine. My coworker, had to have 3 feet of his small intestine and some of his large taking out. The take out of the small wasn't a problem but the large was. The beginning part of your large is where you stool bulks up so he now has to take medicine every day to keep his stools solid, otherwise food would go right through him. He doesn't feel pain but he did before the surgery. Basically food would get stuck where the diseased part of the intestine was infected.

The bad news is that there is no cure for Crohns and it typically pops back up and you never know when. There really isn't any drugs or diet suggesting that it can cure Crohns. My coworker has colonoscopies every other year (and he is only 38) just to keep track of whats going on inside him. Take care!