As many of you know I have had major problems with this pouch. It is mentally a chalange every day to stay healthy and not have to lose it or go back on toxic drugs. Now to add to the mix my son was just recently diagonised with IBD-wating colonoscopy to confirm either UC or CD. I know a lot of ins and outs and have great doctors. I am putting it all out there for him to take advantage of. He fights me and chalanges me on everything. And when he isn't he is like what should I do now or you where right. He is a young adult mind you although my therapist said that being 24 is still young. Anyway, it is draining me just taking care of me and now I have to deal with him. I want to run away and not talk to anyone. All I do is run to doctors every week. Forget my husband-he can't even deal with his own life issues. Thanks for this section and letting me rant. Off to the gym to work off some tension.

I am so sorry that this is happening to you and your family...when I was diagnosised with epilepsy I nearly had a breakdown...It was just one too many is a long list of 'now what? Why me?'...6 months later while in Fla. out shopping my dad started to show some really strange 'symptoms'...I go him to the car just in time...where he had a full blown cerebral hemmorage in my arms...I recognised all of the signs and symptoms due to my epilepsy and reacted accordingly...and saved his life that night...I finally knew what my lesson was. Sometimes when it seems like it is just too much to handle and we don't know why this is happening to us...we find out the hard way that it was just a preparation to be able to be there for a loved one who will need us and our experiences...a tough lesson to learn for sure but thanks to everything that you have suffered you will be better able to help your son...And then hopfully be able to run and hide on some lovely island somewhere for some peace and quiet!
Hang in there..We are rooting for you and your son.
Sharon

I'm sorry your family has to deal with all of this now. I have 2 adult children and understand the attitude you are getting from your son. He wants to be indpendent, pushing you away, at the same time he needs his mommy. He might be in denial right now and/or scared. He has seen what you've had to endure and I'm sure he doesn't want that.

You will find the strength to help him because he is your son. We always seem to put our children's needs ahead of ours. My son had a different kind of serious health problem years ago and I was strong for him and our family and after the problem was under control I fell apart and had migranes. They don't understand, until they have children, how much we love them.

I'm glad you have a therapist as it's difficult dealing with all of this. I pray that whatever he has it's treatable without any surgeries.

Chronic illness is hugely stressful, and it's so important to have outlets (like this forum) where you can talk honestly about how it's affecting you. My goal after over a decade of sickness and too many surgeries is to become a therapist that deals exclusively with chronically ill/ disabled patients. We have to be so strong just to deal with the physical aspects of our disease that we often don't take care of ourselves mentally and emotionally. Seeing a therapist (who had health issues herself) was a huge help to me. I saw others before, but they couldn't relate to me or help me in the way she did. I also use yoga, meditation, and prayer as a method of therapy. It's also important to be honest with and kind to yourself. You have to recognize what you need and be prepared to take care of yourself as much as your son. It sounds like you take really good care of yourself re: therapy and gym, and although you can relate to your son too well, he's probably just angry and in denial (as we all were at some point.) I also have learned through experience that too many doctors are not properly diagnosing and treating post-pouch complications, which is scary and frustrating, so if you don't feel like you are getting proper care, I suggest doing some research to get a second (or third, or tenth) opinion. I always had good docs too, but Cleveland Clinic finally straightened me out, so I'm a big fan. If your son wants anyone to vent to, I'm 28 and he's welcome to email or call me. Just send me a PM and I'll give you my email. Good luck.

I hear you, loud and clear, and of course you don't want to deal with all of this! Don't feel guilty, though -- I know that's easier said than done, but try... You have nothing to feel guilty about. All any of us can do is our best, and you're running at full speed.

Hang in there; I truly hope things get better soon.

Gin

Oh thank you everyone! I'm just tired of illness especially after me spending the weekend in the Big H again for an obstruction.

I can relate to the toxic drug part and am actually hoping that my visit to cleveland next week simply confirms I have chronic pouchitis at which if it is the case I'm done with the pouch to get off the drugs and will deal with the bag just not to remain on the drug train. Good luck to you in whatever decision you have to make.

tikib...- Please let us know what you find out at CC. I pray they can help!