Tag: The Crohn’s Saga

As if it weren’t bad enough on it’s own, Crohn’s Disease can also affect the way the body processes serotonin, so depression and anxiety are common. Thankfully, antidepressants can help. Keeping busy also helps. However, without any distractions, nights can be rough.

Did you know that dairy, gluten, oil, and vegetables can all irritate the bowels? This makes this dish particularly dangerous for those with IBD or IBS. However, it’s still delicious! One must balance health with quality of life.

As seen in Prednisone, this drug is no joke. Sleep is often difficult due to the uncomfortable amount of energy the drug creates. My schedule is generally to be hyper-productive for about 36 hours, be a zombie for another 12, then sleep for about 16 hours. Prednisone is great for getting chores done around the house. Unfortunately though, it isn’t too great for my attention span or relationship. I miss being on a normal schedule. It’s amazing that the medicines designed to help often create an entirely new set of problems.

This is probably the most accurate and relatable depiction of life with Crohn’s Disease. You pop into the bathroom for a quick pee, then 20 minutes later, you’re dragging yourself to the couch to lie down and rest. Because of this, I constantly bail on plans. It’s very frustrating.

So Tired depicts my relationship with sleep these days. I don’t know if it’s the prednisone, Crohn’s Disease, depression, or the fact that I overthink everything, but I’m not sleeping well. During the day, I’m exhausted and every third thought is about going back to bed. But, the second I switch the light off, my mind fires up into overdrive. It’s like every thought I push aside to remain functional during the day reclaims its space at night. I’m jealous of how easily and how often my dog sleeps. She’s the master.