Relationships with IBD
May 7, 2010Inflammatory bowel disease can make managing your romantic relationship very difficult. All relationships have some kind of stress, and IBD adds an unnecessary amount. In this video, I talk about my experience with a relationship when I was first diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, and talk about some things I’ve learned on the way about how to manage your relationship more effectively.
Keep fighting,
~Dennis
Question: What influence does IBD have on your relationship? Please share any details with the community: lots of people have questions and concerns in this area!
I have had Ulcerative Colitis for going on 15 years now. Since I was 18. I met my now husband at about 20 yrs. old and I told him about my colitis around our 5th date he was very understanding, I tried to educate him as best as I could without grossing him out. Over time he was around during flare ups and for the most part has been mostly sympathetic. As time went on and we got to know each other better and he was able to show his frustrations about it more. When we had to stop at the restroom so often on trips. When I spend soo much time in the restroom, when we were out. How when I was having a flare I couldn’t go places with him and friends. But overall he has been very understanding, loving and supportive. He knows it’s not my fault, and that I would change it if could. Things seem to be getting worse with my UC and I’m researching having my colon removed…I have mentioned it and I can see in his face that my having a “bag” kinda freaks him out. I told him that I need to him to try and understand that this may a reality for me and us. I’m very concerned how this will affect our “intimate life”…….I’m sure he’ll be supportive as always, but the other part of me is wondering “what if he’s not attracted to me anymore?”