Hi Jessica, I am new to the group too. I have been diagnosed with crohn's since 2003, but they figure I had it for a good 20 years before I went to the doctor. I was raised you don't go to the doctor. Just deal with it. And I do have a high pain tolerance. I have the kind of days like yours too. Especially right now. I've had shingles for over 6 months now. That's why I'm up at 2am. lol It is hard to complain to family and friends. It seems like that's all I do right now. But when you are run down and in pain, that's all you can think about.
I have 2 dogs and last Oct. I got a kitten. I love my animals too.
So there is a little of my story. If you want to just post a message. I'm not sure how to add friends yet.

Hi i too have been feeling just awful, crappy... ugh sometimes just breathing seems like it takes out so much energy... i was diagnosed in 2003 it has been soooooo long i can only imagine my life with crohn's. I wish i could go on vacation away from crohn's... that would be nice

Hi thank you both for replying.

I was raised that way as well Kelley and worse off if you did complain you were weak. i think its my culture (I'm Mexican) I have always had stomach pains and I just thought it was normal till they got out of control.

Agustia if only we could do that. Some days I would just kill for one day of feeling healthy.

Welcome Jessica. I am also a newer member to DS. I am a repeat UC patient. I had surgery to remove part of my colon a few years back and was UC free until Dec. 2010. I was diagnosed with it again in a different part of the colon. Right now I am feeling not to bad, small remission I guess but I have been on predisone for a different infection so that always make be feel better. I live in Wisconsin so we are counting the days until spring. Hope you feel better soon.

Hi Jessica, I am new to the online group and new to UC. I am feeling better (mood wise) today, but have been feeling very low lately too. I have a cat and a dog that I adore. I am used to walking my dog every day, but lately I have not been doing so. Partly the weather, partly just feeling sorry about myself. I sometimes feel guilty that I do not feel good enough, or am not willing, to spend as much time with my cat and dog as I feel they deserve. However, they are a great source of love. No matter how bad I feel my dog will give me hugs and kisses and my cat will lay with me on the couch. They are a great comfort when no one else understand. :)

I'm a newer member to group. I know how it feels to just want to sit and cry...if you ever need someone to talk to I am here for you! My only sense of normal is when I have emptied my colon from the morning taken my Apriso & then my lomotil so I can make the ride to work without having to panic about an attack. I'm good for the four hours until the lomotil wears off & then LUNCH!!! I hate to eat sometimes but I know I have too. Thank goodness my office is like my family & I am usually the one in & out all afternoon until my colon is empty again. After that no lomotil and I pray I don't have an attack on the way home.hahahhaha. Hang in there and know you are never alone!!!

Hi Jessica, I am fairly new to the group too. I believe finding DS is the best thing that has happened to me since I was diagnosed with UC two years ago. I have a horse and pony, but haven't ridden as much as I would like because of the cramping and emergency runs to the restroom. I also substitute teach to help support my horse habit. I asked the vice principal for a key to the faculty restroom, so that I wouldn't have to stand in line with the kids. He got me one and then gave it to a coach who needed it on the weekends. Thank goodness for some of my teacher friends who will unlock the restroom for me. I don't tell many people about my condition, except for family and the vice principal who really doesn't understand or doesn't care. I think the best thing about this support group is that you feel that you are not alone anymore.

Wow so many replies I want to cry reading all your comments because finally I don't feel so alone. I had joined an online support group before but I still felt so far away from everyone. I am so sorry you all have to go this as well but what a relief to know someone understands me!

buster i was actually considering surgery before I started Remicade my biggest fear was that it would show up in another part. (((big hug))) Hang in there!

rcaschbacher I know exactly how you feel. Sometimes when I am playing with the cats my arm starts to hurt and they look at me and I feel so guilty so I just keep pushing on. I let them run around the patio and watch them from couch to make sure they tire themselves out. hehe then I can cuddle them!

Bellagio and Ford2 i completely understand how you both feel. I use to feel so anxious when I went to work, and I worked like an hour away! I was so scared to eat, and at work sometimes throwing up in the bathroom, once I got it all over my shoes and I had to go home. For which I got written up...my boss kept saying I was probably faking it. Ugh just thinking about it brings so many bad memories.

If any of you need someone to talk let me know.
^.^