I am so darned sick and tired of allways feeling sick and tired!!! It has been a while since I have visited this site, so long that I have forgotten my account information. I find myself here again looking for answers that I already know.

I guess I am feeling like this is never going to end, I have practicaly been sick my whole life. I can't even remember what it is like to feel good. Today I am feeling particularly down.

I was diagnosed with UC at 8, endured five years of hell, had the surgery when I was 15, and now here I sit at 26, wondering when I am going to have some sort of relief. I know the surgery saved my life, but it also brought me so much more to deal with. I have so many dreams and goals, but I'm bogged down by this body of mine. I can't keep a job because I miss a lot of days, I can't have a good nights sleep, I can't have children because of the surgery, I can't eat anything without having to pay for it with hours of agony, I can't finish school, I can't enjoy making love to my fiance because of the pain from the adhesions, I can't even enjoy a simple walk around the block because it hurts so much, and I feel so unhealthy because it hurts to exercise.

I feel like a broken record, and am pretty sure most of the people in my life think I use being sick or having pain as an excuse for not doing anything with myself. I know they don't understand what I am experiencing, but it is still frustrating. I know I am doing the best I can, so why am I so darned down today?

I try so hard to keep a smile on my face and to be pleasant. I don't want to burden anyone with my problems. I have come to terms with the fate of my health over and over again. I know there are no magical pills or surgeries that will fix me. I do my best not to wallow in self pity. I know I have become a stronger person through all of this.

I am sorry to go on and on with my whining, today is a really bad day and I needed to vent a little.

Maybe you can get your doctor to send your records to Cleveland Clinic for a remote consult. They may be able to see something someone else has missed. There have been several people on this site who've had continuing problems and have found help at Cleveland Clinic.

What are your symptoms? What medications are you taking? What foods cause problems? Maybe if you give us a little more information someone will have some advice that might help you. I'm so sorry you've gone through so much and continue to do so.

One of our very, VERY favorite members also lives in Rocklin - Connie, mother of Thomas (who has a j-pouch).

Good luck with trying to figure out what's going on. And welcome back.

kathy

I agree. If your doctors are not giving you any hope of relief, then it is time to see someone with a fresh outlook. You should be able to eat, exercise, and make love. These are all very necessary aspects of life that should be enjoyed, not endured. Sure, we force ourselves to exercise even when in pain, because we know that in the long run, it will improve our pain. But, we need the right doctors to help us get on the right track and give us the appropriate treatment so we can keep putting one foot in front of another.

It sounds like you also have some depression along with your physical problems and I would suggest that you get treatment for both. Acceptance of chronic illness is part of healing mentally, but you also need to treat the chronic illness.

Tell us specifically what we can do for you. What have you already tried?

Jan