Flares And Remission
Crohn’s is a cyclic condition, meaning it goes through wave-like periods where it may get better or worse. Periods where the disease is at its worst are called flares or flare-ups, while periods where symptoms are minimal are called states of remission.
Since I’ve had Crohn’s, I can never truly say I have been in total remission. If experiencing the bowel habits of a normal person and having no symptoms of disease whatsoever is true remission, then I believe there’s no such thing.
I have, however, been in states where I had no pain, no bleeding, and no uncomfortable gas or cramping. But even in these situations I still had to use the bathroom more often than the normal person would.
So for me, a flare is when my symptoms are so bad they effect my ability to work and enjoy time with friends. A flare is when I don’t get out of bed - not because I don’t want to, but because I can’t.
Many times a period of remissive behavior in this disease requires several things to be in place - the ’stars aligning,’ as it were. The stress levels in your life are low, the medicine(s) you’re taking are doing their job, and your body is reacting well to the food and drink you are consuming.
To arrange these vital components is a feat that requires some luck and some discipline. Certain things you can control and others you can’t, but everyone goes through stormy seas in their lifetime and everybody sees sunshine.
Dealing with your flares and getting through them makes times of remission that much more enjoyable, but the temptation becomes the “oh, I’m perfectly fine” mentality.
What I mean is that, as far as my personal struggle goes, the times when I’m feeling good are the times when I push myself further than I should go. I wear myself out and stretch myself thin so that I think sometimes I almost bring myself back into flare-ups.
I eat too much of things I know I shouldn’t. I stay up too late and miss out on sleep. I start dating multiple women and don’t commit myself to anything, in relationships or otherwise. Okay, so that last part might be something personal that has nothing to do with having Crohn’s, but you get the idea. Just take it easy; if you feel good, be happy that you feel good but don’t use that as an excuse to go crazy.
Pace yourself and take each day as it comes. Unless they develop a cure or you get miraculously healed, you have this thing for the long haul, so it’s like being married to it - you have to respect its wishes, too.