Balancing your own needs with those of your family is a challenge for any woman. Add in the pain, fatigue, and frequent trips to the bathroom that can be part of living with ulcerative colitis, and you may sometimes feel like giving up. Don't. With some planning, ingenuity, and little help from your friends and family, you can care for yourself, your home, and your family.
Here are eight strategies to help you balance your work and family life and keep your UC symptoms under control.
Living With UC: Educate Your Family
It can be hard even for friends and family to understand that a loved one with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) feels sick when you may look healthy. Because ulcerative colitis is often an invisible disease, people may expect more of you than you're able to give.
You may choose whether or not to tell colleagues and friends about your UC, but it's important to help your family understand the disease.
Above all, you need to have good, open communication with your partner about your UC and how it affects you. You may want to bring your partner with you when you go to the doctor or share educational information, available from your doctor's office, a reputable web site, or an organization such as the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA).
With younger children, it may be enough to give them a simple explanation about why you’re not feeling well. For example, you might say, "Mommy's sick and the doctor is going to make her better."
With older children, you may need to have a longer discussion. They may be upset about you missing their school events or other activities. Answering their questions and addressing their concerns in an age-appropriate way can help them understand when you can't keep up with all of their activities. It may also inspire them to help you more around the house.
A little education about your disease can also go a long way with parents, adult siblings, or others whose understanding and help you need.
UC and Intimacy: Keep the Home Fires Burning
Even with a full schedule and active UC, it's important to make time to be alone with your partner. Think you can't go out to dinner?Take an emergency kit with wipes and a change of underwear with you. Find out where the restrooms are when you arrive at the restaurant. And, of course, try to avoid foods that you think may trigger symptoms.
In most cases, you can enjoy a healthy, full sex life with UC. On days when you don't feel like having sex, let your partner know you are in pain or having other symptoms. Try other ways to be intimate: Have a candlelight dinner at home, take a warm bath together, hug and kiss, or a do a bedtime massage for physical closeness.
