We all know about the diarrhea, weight loss, vomiting and the general look of someone who looks like they've been run over by a Mac Truck.
Ya. Ya. Ya. I know right.
Well now I would like to take you past the look of an outsider and into the body of a CD warrior....
Abdominal Pain: Some of this can be physical. But when it is you have no idea what we are going through on the inside. The best way I can explain it is if you take your right hand and make a fist. Then take that fist and dig it into your right side above your pelvic bone but underneath your bottom rib. Then lean to the right. Does it hurt? Probably a lot right? Get used to it. It will the rest of your life. And sometimes on both sides. Good luck!
Fevers and Chills: While this can be noticeable for others what is on the inside is always worse. One minute you feel like someone lit your insides on fire. With a BBQ lighter. And a gallon of butane. And then just as fast as the fire started the trucks show up and douse it. With ice water. And that foam stuff that sticks to everything. And no matter how many hot water bottles you boil, blankets you get or Snuggies you pile on yourself you feel like you will never be a comfortable 98.6 ever again. Get used to it. And stock up on tank tops and fleece.
Loss of Apetite and Nausea: Ever been so hungry all you wanted was to eat a cracker? I have. Ever eaten that cracker and before you even swallowed the whole thing it was coming back up? I've done this. Does this make you want to eat? Probably not. Still want that tomato soup for dinner? Didn't think so.
Bone and Joint Pain: Remember everything I said about the fever/chill thing? All applies here. But in your bones and joints. Which is even worse. Because no amount of blankets can fix your joints. Throw in some nice crunchy beach sand and you have yourselves a concoction for misery and pain. And not to mention you are in a constant battle with your immune system and already fighting arthritis. Getting to much? Hold on there's more.
Hemorroids: Speaks for themselves....
Fistulas and Anal Irritation: They are not pretty but they are a fact of life for us Crohnies. A fistula is a passage that your body makes that your connects your intestine to other organs or even the outside of your skin. And while I've never had one myself I have friends who have and let me tell you it is painful. And the surgeries to correct them are even worse.
Throat and Mouth Ulcers: Remember when you were a kid and you got Strep Throat? You would feel like absolute crap? Then mom would drive you to the good old family Doc. and he would prescribe you some antibiotic with a fancy name. An within two days you would be so miraculously healed it would be like it never happened? Doesn't sound too bad right? Now take it back two steps to where you feel like crap. But this time you can't go to the doctor. He already knows anyway. No antibiotic can cure this. You just have to live on freezies and fudgecicles until it passes. You may want to pick some up when you go and buy those tank tops and blankets I mentioned earlier to keep on hand. Remember, it can happen anytime and for as long as it wants. So be prepared.
Eye Inflammation: Pink eye? Nope. Allergies acting up again? Natta. Oh you didn't sleep well? Try again. It's just another horrible symptom of CD. It's pretty hard to look someone in the eye when they are so puffy and inflamed you can barely open them. And just stop using those allergy eye drops. They're not fooling anyone, including yourself. Steroid drops are where it's at.
That's just a few of MANY invisible symptoms of CD. So next time you see someone with CD and think to yourself, "Oh they look a little off today" just imagine the hell they are fighting inside of their bodies. If you can see it, it's at least 10x worse on the outside.
I guarantee you.
