I have not blogged for several days, due to several reasons, lack of inspiration and pain being two.Crohns can be a cruel,unending torment to the body and mind. It can be a tussle with external and internal issues,not directly the crohns or the pain connected to it.
It has been a source of frustration and bemusement for years that the treatment of crohns fails to include the whole body and mind.
I have tried in the past to impress on local health service providers the genuine need to treat chronic ill health, specifically IBD, with a view to the mind, spiritual requirements and relaxation.
I have taken advantage of massage, relaxation, hypnotherapy methods myself, and know how useful they are for allowing tension and pain to be dissipated and managed.
Additionally, i can see advantage in music and other artistic therapies to aid those in flare ups, preparation for surgery or in remission.
It is plainly obvious to myself, that crohns can be as much to do with focus of the mind, positivity and dealing with pain and anxiety.
I recognise the times we are living in and see there are only limited resources made accessible. I understand the real world means we must direct valuable assets to obvious positive treaments.
Nevertheless, it is an area overlooked by so many health providers and genuine valuable improvement can be attained to help deal with the effects of these conditions.
Life with chronic ill health is an up and down journey, the physical damage alone is debilitating and drains the body.
There appears to be little measurement of the extent of the damage to patients through the psychological effects which then add to ones meted out by IBD itself. I see real value in specific focusing of IBD in treating the mind, the pain management and stress.
It fascinates me to to discover whether any fellow patients in the UK or anywhere around the World have any experience of any additional treatments designed to improve the lives of IBD patients, and indeed their family members and loved ones.
I have always felt that any physical illness, acute or chronic, would gain through treating the person as a whole, not just the illness. I remain convinced that we and health providers would gain in the long term.
I hope this blog inspires those who read to offer feedback, even if they disagree with it.
Wednesday 13 June 2012
Tuesday 5 June 2012
Crohns- Predictably Unpredictable
I see many of us who have crohns, or ibd generally as individuals all sharing a common condition. Yet this common condition lacks a commonality in its damage, effects and reactions to medical or surgical treatments. You may say 'this is stating the obvious' and in many ways its true.
However, i know through having crohns for the time i have, that we do appear to have so many varied experiences and obstacles as a consequence, that it is significant to me.Indeed some sufferers have numerous surgeries, others hardly any, even none! Some experience very successful responses to treatments giving respite from flare up and remission. Others struggle,desperately to locate a successful medical resolution, suffering the pain and turmoil before a breakthrough is discovered.
Many of others will pick up additional complications as a result of the treament or illness. Some will manage fewer or little.
Having established IBD and specificially crohns are inconsistent in many ways, it is equally as obvious to say the personal responses to and handling of these inconsistencies can vary so much. It is obvious to say the degrees in fragility of our bodies and minds, has a major role in our life with our illness.
This would also mean environment and surroundings play a role in the way we deal effectively with illness.
Essentially what i am saying is, I am imagine, one of the reasons why it has taken such a long time and counting, to find an adequate substantive reason for why we develop the conditions. The natural partner to that puzzle is the discovery in how to prevent and cure the conditions.
I think we see progress in research and investment, don't we all wish for it to be speedier and more successful?
I. like many others are optimist that a genetic breakthrough will be discovered soon. I don't imagine to see the benefits greatly to my own situation, but am hopeful that future generations, family members children, etc will be the real winners.
It is easy to be negative with this condition, i am one of the worst i imagine! I often allow mood and emotion to cloud judgement, but i know it and that's something i suppose.
I look at IBD and still see children being diagnosed, youngsters having so much pain and suffering at present and in the future, and it is them and the future generations that I am more hopeful about.
I see hope in the dedication of the Medical experts across the globe, the many Support Groups and the Researchers, and i see an optimistic outcome for IBD in the future.
However, i know through having crohns for the time i have, that we do appear to have so many varied experiences and obstacles as a consequence, that it is significant to me.Indeed some sufferers have numerous surgeries, others hardly any, even none! Some experience very successful responses to treatments giving respite from flare up and remission. Others struggle,desperately to locate a successful medical resolution, suffering the pain and turmoil before a breakthrough is discovered.
Many of others will pick up additional complications as a result of the treament or illness. Some will manage fewer or little.
Having established IBD and specificially crohns are inconsistent in many ways, it is equally as obvious to say the personal responses to and handling of these inconsistencies can vary so much. It is obvious to say the degrees in fragility of our bodies and minds, has a major role in our life with our illness.
This would also mean environment and surroundings play a role in the way we deal effectively with illness.
Essentially what i am saying is, I am imagine, one of the reasons why it has taken such a long time and counting, to find an adequate substantive reason for why we develop the conditions. The natural partner to that puzzle is the discovery in how to prevent and cure the conditions.
I think we see progress in research and investment, don't we all wish for it to be speedier and more successful?
I. like many others are optimist that a genetic breakthrough will be discovered soon. I don't imagine to see the benefits greatly to my own situation, but am hopeful that future generations, family members children, etc will be the real winners.
It is easy to be negative with this condition, i am one of the worst i imagine! I often allow mood and emotion to cloud judgement, but i know it and that's something i suppose.
I look at IBD and still see children being diagnosed, youngsters having so much pain and suffering at present and in the future, and it is them and the future generations that I am more hopeful about.
I see hope in the dedication of the Medical experts across the globe, the many Support Groups and the Researchers, and i see an optimistic outcome for IBD in the future.
Friday 1 June 2012
Crohns- Glass Half Full
I see Crohns as as much a struggle with the mind as the physical aspects resulting from the illness . I think it is apparent to anyone who has read this blog over the period i have written it.
I find that much like the illness can be unpredictable, so can my mood and outlook. I have never grasped how or what can cause my mood to change to a darker less positive one, but am aware of it , i can see the darkness.
It is and has been a struggle with a fluctuation of mood and even depression over the time. I cannot even definitely say it is wholly connected to my illness. I suppose it is inevitable that anyone with a long term condition will wrestle with depression.
What I want to say in this blog is that, despite a battle with illness and mood swings, I have come to the conclusion that the illness is not going to defeat me by allowing my outlook, even if it is low, to hold me in a limbo of self pity and inertia.
I have experienced many clear bright days when the sun can appear and overpower the full force of any storm or downpouring of rain. I have often understated the full effects of the glimpses of this light, lessening its ability to brighten my day and positivity.
Illness wears you down and diminshes your will and fire. Some days there are many bright rays offering me optimism and positivity, and i fail to grasp it or take advantage of these rays of light.
I do tend to allow things get on top of me , sometimes quickly and with a force. I have a tendency to keep in those problems and they worsen and become more significant then they warrant.
I am blogging today to try to encourage people to embrace the dark thoughts and downs, become open and more free in sharing feelings. I have realised over time , yes i am slow on the uptake, that living with crohns can provide so many good times, experiences and relationships. I think i have been unwilling or unable to take advantage of those happier times, which can help give crohns a greater control and power than i want it to.
I am personally determined to let these bright rays dominate my outlook and future. I have no intention in the present and future of letting crohns or depression make decisions for me.
Add to this i am also determined to view the realities of my illness not to swallow me up and become the major element in my character.
I realise that everyone struggles with all the effects of this illness, and some days are always going to be better than others. I have lived so long with the illness, than 'normal' John no longer exists.
Nevertheless, it doesn't mean that i am defeated or will compromise. i have done this, it doesn't help, i want to run the illness when possible, not the other way round.
The bottom line to everything about this illness is to have someone to share this load and to be able to 'hold your hand' through it. you have to also be strong enough to admit you need your 'hand to be held'.
I find that much like the illness can be unpredictable, so can my mood and outlook. I have never grasped how or what can cause my mood to change to a darker less positive one, but am aware of it , i can see the darkness.
It is and has been a struggle with a fluctuation of mood and even depression over the time. I cannot even definitely say it is wholly connected to my illness. I suppose it is inevitable that anyone with a long term condition will wrestle with depression.
What I want to say in this blog is that, despite a battle with illness and mood swings, I have come to the conclusion that the illness is not going to defeat me by allowing my outlook, even if it is low, to hold me in a limbo of self pity and inertia.
I have experienced many clear bright days when the sun can appear and overpower the full force of any storm or downpouring of rain. I have often understated the full effects of the glimpses of this light, lessening its ability to brighten my day and positivity.
Illness wears you down and diminshes your will and fire. Some days there are many bright rays offering me optimism and positivity, and i fail to grasp it or take advantage of these rays of light.
I do tend to allow things get on top of me , sometimes quickly and with a force. I have a tendency to keep in those problems and they worsen and become more significant then they warrant.
I am blogging today to try to encourage people to embrace the dark thoughts and downs, become open and more free in sharing feelings. I have realised over time , yes i am slow on the uptake, that living with crohns can provide so many good times, experiences and relationships. I think i have been unwilling or unable to take advantage of those happier times, which can help give crohns a greater control and power than i want it to.
I am personally determined to let these bright rays dominate my outlook and future. I have no intention in the present and future of letting crohns or depression make decisions for me.
Add to this i am also determined to view the realities of my illness not to swallow me up and become the major element in my character.
I realise that everyone struggles with all the effects of this illness, and some days are always going to be better than others. I have lived so long with the illness, than 'normal' John no longer exists.
Nevertheless, it doesn't mean that i am defeated or will compromise. i have done this, it doesn't help, i want to run the illness when possible, not the other way round.
The bottom line to everything about this illness is to have someone to share this load and to be able to 'hold your hand' through it. you have to also be strong enough to admit you need your 'hand to be held'.
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