Hi, I have recently been diagnosed with Crohn's disease, I'm finding it hard to cope with all the changes in my life, and feel

[Biker01]

That I might be going into depression, is this normal?

[Stilltrying_]

Yes I would say this is normal. Coping with any life changing illness is a challenge and the symptoms of this illness are unpleasant to say the least and the treatments come with side effects. It will be a case of slowly adjusting but I can only imagine it must be so easy to get depresssed by it all. I would advise to get all the support that you can to manage your illness and to keep other areas of your life as balanced as possible. I don't know if there is a support group for this on HealthUnlocked or elsewhere as that may help too.

Gemmalouise

[Biker01]

Thank you, it's so hard living with Crohn's, I'm a really talented headchef and went bak to work after 6 week absence this week, but it didn't go to well, I still have fatigue and chronic diaoreah which stops me from doing my job, and this morning my employer had told me it isn't working out, I need to get well,and she wants to employ someone else in my place, cooking is my life and thought it would perk me up going back to work, but now I feel useless again and hopeless and embarrassed, I don't know where my life is going now, I'm back to being in bed all the time and having horrible thoughts that life just ain't worth living..

[Stilltrying_]

It will get easier I guess but not an easy thing to cope with X

[Biker01]

Shall I speak to my gp on Monday and tell her how I'm feeling, this isn't me, I don't want to feel like this again, I feel really down and now im totally useless because crohns has took over my life!

[eagle77]

Biker, do talk to your GP and be honest cos I know those feelings are difficult. I'm a 36 yr old male who has had depression several times over my adult life as well as getting Crohn's 5 years ago. Work to not ruminate on the dark thoughts. Distraction, exercise and positive counters such as 'my survival instinct is too strong to do that' help. You would devastate your family and friends if u did anything. Avoid alcohol when you are lowest. Crohn's does take time to find drugs that work for u but it will get better. I am in remission after trying several drugs and then qualified for Infliximab which is a miracle cure for majority on it. U will recover and get back to normal. Trust me as I've got help and got through and have seen loads of others do it too.

[Biker01 in reply to eagle77]

Thanks eagle, you have perked me up mate, I'm 39 and tbh been struggling the last few weeks, I will go see my doc, and already have an appointment on frid 13th ha, to see my consultant about more tests etc, it's so hard had I can't be bothered with anything in my life right now, and it's hard for the people around me seeing me like this, I used to love my job, hobbies, going out etc, but now I'm always tired and i feel so lazy, it all gets me down and i feel hopelessness and guilt..

[Lottieonline in reply to eagle77]

Me, I'm sort of through it! Still suffer terribly with depression and of course crohns

[Biker01]

Wine seems to take it all away, but you know yourself with Crohn's it only makes the gut flare up, and I suffer the next day!

[Lottieonline in reply to Biker01]

I never drink alcohol now. Up to you, but you are swapping one problem with another.

[Hidden]

Biker can I ask how long you have been in your job please? If over 2 years you have rights which your employer can't ignore.

I am sorry to hear you have chrohns disease, I know a couple of people with it. Both hold down full time jobs even though they still have flare ups occasionally. Depression is very common in those with chronic illnesses and doctors do recognise it. Take care. x

[Biker01 in reply to Hidden]

Iv been working in this hotel for about 18 months, it's hard to deal with crohns and be a chef, as I'm tasting such a wide range of foods, and this causes flare ups, dairy, meat, fish, game, stocks, desserts everything really, and I have been put on a strict diet from gp.

I have no idea where I go from here, first week back to work has been a disaster, if anyone is up for a chat feel free, iv been sleeping most of the day as I had a flare up earlier, kind of wide awake now...

[Lottieonline in reply to Hidden]

Yes I manage to work even if I wear pads. I will not let this horrible bowel disease get the better of me.

[eagle77]

Glad to help. For Crohn's, if u r in a flare up, ring ur IBD specialist nurse or consultant's secretary to be seen today. They'll probably give you steroids temporarily and discuss/start the long term drug options. They have a duty of care to see you without delay if not go through A&E.

[Biker01 in reply to eagle77]

And to top it all off I think my girlfriend wants nothing to do with me cause of my mood swings, great

[Lottieonline in reply to Biker01]

Hi Biker,

I read all the links on this subject and this last one you put made me decide to comment.

Firstly I suffer from Crohns and Ulcerative Colitis plus, fibromyalgia and recurrent depression. My husband told me about 3 months ago he no longer had any romantic feelings towards me but still loved me as a person. When my crohns is bad it's very bad but as others have already said to you, eventually you Will find and maybe a combination of medication to help this condition.

There are so many they can try you on.

Secondly, girlfriend you haven't said if it's a long term relationship or whether she lives with you etc. but and it's a big but if she loves you she will love you with whatever comes along. I suffer terribly with depression and have just started a new tablet after 15 yrs being on the old one. So side effects are just wearing off, you really must see GP first thing tomorrow regarding depressive thoughts. 1 in 3 patients go to GP for depression you certainly won't be their first. There is so much help out there for you.

Once your crohns is under control you will find another job working with food why not? Don't let Crohns rule your life, you will learn to live with it, not let it take over you.

Join the NACC look them up they have a fantastic website do it now. For £15 a year you receive a 'Can't Wait Card' which you carry and this allows you to use toilets in any place. Show card they allow you to use staff toilets etc.

Next call DLA. Fill in forms so you have some money coming in plus sick benefit, so you can pay rent/mortgage. Try to do some positive things and I promise you if you call NACC they are professionals who will speak to you about anything at all. I hope I've given you a little glimmer of hope. Take care

Lucy.

[Biker01 in reply to Lottieonline]

Thank you very much Lucy, I have been seeing my girlfriend for about 8 months, we love each other so much, but I feel I'm changing, I will go and see gp tomorrow and I definitely need to sort out my finances, that is getting me down as well, yes you have given me hope, thank u x

[Biker01]

Sometimes I get drowsy with the coedine and I can't drive, I live rural, a&e is about an hour and a half away

[CanburyPG]

Hi,

It's tough developing a chronic illness at any stage of life. I was diagnosed at 49 and after one long bad attack have learned to manage the illness by starting treatment promptly.

It is not surprising you are feeling depressed , both by the prospect of the illness continuing , and by feeling ill and tired because of it.

What no one has mentioned is that Steroids, usually used as first line treatment for Crohn's , can cause depression or elation, or one followed by the other , especially in the high doses sometimes needed to get the Crohn's under control. I would join the Colitis and Crohn's Association to learn from other sufferers . I also echo eagle77 who has had a great response to Infliximab. My daughter's Crohn's was transformed by this treatment too.

Yes, do go and talk to your GP about how you are feeling. Crohn's is an illness which varies hugely in severity, and you may be one of the lucky ones whose illness becomes quite manageable.

All good wishes.

[Hidden]

Hi Biker.

I'm a little late joining the party but just wanted to see how you're coping with Crohns?

I was diagnosed with Colitis a few months ago. No idea how long I've had it but have an inkling it's been a few years, 10 at most. Most of the time I suffer I think it's due to stress but then again when it flares up & I'm not stressed I soon get stressed & worry about it, which I think makes it worse - vicious circle.

Anyway the doctors told me that with any illness a person could start to suffer with depression. With me I had depression first & I wonder if it led to the Colitis getting worse, again because of stress.

James