I believe I jinxed myself in my last post. The pain returned the next day, and I have been on Tylenol extra strength ever since. I was able to make an appointment with my GI this Wednesday so I just need to survive until then. Over the long holiday weekend instead of enjoying the beautiful weather, I ran a few errands and parked myself in my bed or the couch, this is the 2nd weekend in a row I’ve done this, it’s frustrating.
In the past 3 months I have noticed a pattern, I have one good weekend every month. The one good weekend is when I have the energy to be social, but I’ll admit, my “shell” has been very comfortable in the past few months. Going out to a bar/club or just being around a lot of people has made me more anxious than relaxed lately. When I walk into a public place the first thing I’m looking for is the restroom, and waiting to see how long it takes to feel the stomach pains.
After that “good” weekend, I have two weekends of exhaustion. Basically two days in bed, and barely seeing the outside world. When it was cold it was easy to stay in bed, but since it’s getting warm maybe it will motivate me to at least sit outside. The main reason why I’m so exhausted during these weekends is because of what my body went through during the week. For example, the past 2 weeks I have had abdominal pain, diarrhea, and a loss of appetite everyday. Those symptoms are not energy inducing or healthy, and you become exhausted. By going to work everyday, I was forcing my body to move when all it wanted to do was rest. But who can afford to take off for weeks . . .
Lastly the weekend of hell, aka Aunt Flo visiting. To be a woman and have an IBD, you are a VERY strong woman, menstruating and having an IBD for me has been a flare-up to the max! I’m very irritable, not just from the symptoms but I can’t even eat chocolate because it irritates my stomach . . it sucks!
So . . . if I cancel last-minute or decline an invite, it’s because I’m training myself to listen to my body. I’m still adjusting to my “new normal”.
My primary physician referred me to a nutritionist whose expertise is gastrointestinal disorders. I have never been so excited to see a doctor, but I believe it will be bittersweet. I’m pretty sure I’ll walk-in smiling and leave frowning . . . we shall see 🙂
Tummywoes 