Osteoporosis is a disease in which the bones are weakened as a result of a loss of bone density. Millions of people are at risk, and women are four times more likely than men to develop it. While the risk factors for the general public include advanced age, small body size, fair skin, family history, smoking, excess alcohol, for IBD sufferers, prolonged use of corticosteroids is also a factor.

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When I was in nursing school, I was fortunate enough to have as one of my instructors a nurse who specialized in ostomy care and decubitis (bed sores) Always dealing with IBD patients she gave me a great tip that I have used ever since.

When I feel pain or like I might be in the early stages of a full-blown intestinal blockage, I take a hot bath. As hot as I can stand it. If you think of a jecuzzi or hot tube, especially after a long work out, it’s not only the bubbles that give you a soothing massage, but the hot water relaxes every muscle in your body. The intestines are basically a muscle. And it is the constant working, sometimes hyperactively, which often brings the urgency and pain.

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One of the most important things I’ve learned over the years is always be prepared. While IBD is not caused by stress and anxiety, both certainly exasperate it. There is nothing worse than being caught out somewhere knowing you have to go to the bathroom. It increases anxiety, which makes the urge to go even more urgent.

So here are a few tips I’ve picked up over the years. I call it my IBD Survival Kit.

• First things first, know where every conceivable bathroom is. When you first enter the restaurant, find the bathroom. When you first go into a store, find the bathroom. When you first hit the mall, find the bathroom. When you go to a concert or sporting event, find the bathroom. Find the bathroom!

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Let’s talk a little about diet. In this case it’s not meant in the context of losing weight, but rather how to keep our intestines the “healthiest” they can be to keep us off of medications and out of the hospital.

The fact is I’ve had at least 6 GI doctors over the last 30 years and every time I’d ask them if I should be on a certain diet, they’d all just say “You know what you can eat and can’t.”

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For years, the theories have varied greatly on what causes IBD. Everything from the modern diet of overly processed foods to taking too many antibiotics as a kid, just to name a few.

While the claim is that neither disease is hereditary, it probably is genetic. Meaning, you may not pass IBD on to your child, but because you have it, your child’s chances of developing it are greater than children in families without histories of IBD in their family tree. However, heredity is nearly two times greater in Crohn’s than in Colitis.

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Let’s talk a little more about Prednisone. I have a love/hate relationship with it. The fact is…it is a wonder drug.

The Specifics

Prednisone is a synthetic hormonal steroid. It’s produced naturally in the body under the name of Cortisone, which is produced in the adrenal gland and is closely related to Cortisol, also produced in the adrenal gland. Cortisone is mostly inactive in the body until it is converted to Cortisol (known synthetically as hydrocortisone.)

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I’m continuing with the second installment of “Confessions of a Crohn’s Patient” because it deals with my introduction to the commonly used drug, Prednisone. My next post will be a more indepth look at this medication.

Confessions of a Crohn’s Patient Part II

It of course is ironic that for the first time in my life I had lost weight and weighed less than I had in years. But then I was started on iv therapy; given a drug that automatically causes 20 lbs of weight gain, mostly water. It caused my face to swell, called “moon face,” though I called it “chipmunk cheeks.”

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I’ll just break the ice by starting with my personal story. For those who suffer either of the two, Crohn’s or Colitis, then you already know the hell. For those who don’t, or maybe know someone who does but still can’t completely comprehend, then this will help.

The fundamental cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown. Evidence suggests that a genetic predisposition leads to an unregulated intestinal immune response to an environmental, dietary, or infectious agent. However, no inciting antigen has been identified.

Chronic diarrhea with abdominal pain, fever, anorexia, weight loss, and a right lower quadrant mass or fullness are the most common presenting features.

Back to the Beginning

Around the age of fourteen, I began having abdominal pain during meals. Immediately after eating, I would have to rush to the bathroom where I spent 30 minutes doubled over with cramps, and having diarrhea. Initially, my mother thought it was a ploy to get out of doing the dishes. But as the weeks went by with the same symptoms, she finally decided I was indeed sick. It’s not easy as a teenage girl to admit to having diarrhea. little did I know just how bad things would get.

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Hello and Welcome to the IBD blog. As a long time sufferer of Crohn’s Disease I’ve had a lot of experiences and gained a lot of wisdom over the years. I also worked as a nurse for several years, so I have experience with IBD on both sides of the hospital bed. Here we will discuss everything relating to Crohn’s and Colitis.

So sit back and don’t be afraid to share your story or comment on a post.