If you have Crohn's disease, or any disease for that matter, you are probably used to being asked the same questions about it. While it's not the people who are asking's fault that they are ill-informed, answering the same questions every day can be tiring. To save you from the hassle of telling your extended family or friends again what exactly your disease is, I thought I would compile a question and answer list so that right before the next big family event or reunion, you can share this and hopefully save yourself from at least a conversation or two.
What's the name of that thing you have?
Crohn's disease, Nana. Crohn's disease.
What's that again?
It is inflammation of the digestive tract. Everyone gets inflammation in their intestines or colon when they have the stomach flu or eat something really spicy — it helps protect the digestive tract. But for people with Crohn's disease, inflammation isn't necessarily due to an infection or hot food. Our digestive system can become inflamed for no reason at all and can stay inflamed for long periods of time, despite treatment.
So you poop a lot right?
Yes, sometimes, but sometimes it causes the exact opposite problem. With Crohn's disease, your bathroom behavior is kind of unpredictable.
P.S. Most people with Crohn's disease really don't want to talk about this. Don't ask them.
You can't eat that spicy buffalo chicken dip can you?
It is true, some people with Crohn's have a special diet, but not one of us shares the same food aversions. For some people, something as plain as eggs upsets their stomach. For others, all they can eat is bland food like yogurt. I promise your family member or friend knows what they can and cannot eat. Let them live their life.
Is your medicine working?
If it wasn't, I'm not sure I would be here right now, or at least not here looking as good as I do.
When's your next doctor appointment?
Aunt Lisa, you know Mom will call you if something with my condition changes. You knowing the date of my next appointment won't help anything.
You know if you need anything you can just let me know right? I have some belly issues of my own.
It's really appreciated that people do try to lend a helping hand or advice when they think they've been through something similar, but unless your diagnosis is Crohn's disease, I doubt your words of wisdom will be any help. Save the bathroom horror stories for another time, please.
Now, family and friends, we don't think you're stupid or at fault for asking the same questions about our condition every Christmas. We simply just want to talk about something else. So next time you see your family member or friend who is living with Crohn's disease, lead the conversation with something non-condition related and let them talk about their disease if they want to. They'll be so thankful to talk about the chicken recipe instead of their bathroom habits, I promise.
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