Over at the Happiness Project Gretchen wonders why she often forgets to use simple remedies (like over-the-counter anti-itch cream) to make her daily life a bit more comfortable. I can relate!
Recognise the problem (or itch)
It took me a very long time to realise that my sporadic sore throats were actually caused by ulcers and were, in fact, occurring at quite predictable intervals alongside other symptoms of my Crohn’s disease. I then concluded that, as my Crohn’s was already being treated with medication, the ulcers were ‘one of those things I have to suffer through’.
Of course that was not (and is not) true.
Find a solution (or anti-itch remedy)
I eventually asked my doctor, pharmacist and friends/family if they could recommend any remedies for ulcers. The first recommendation was an ulcer specific topical ointment which was difficult to apply (you had to dry the area first!) and impossible to get to those sores at the back of my mouth. I now use a anaesthetic / antibacterial mouthwash usually recommended to relieve pain following dental procedures. It relieves the pain (for a while) and I believe the antibacterial effect also assists with healing the ulcers more quickly. I also avoid foods likely to irritate ulcers. Such simple remedies to make myself more comfortable!
Any sustained discomfort, even if it is minor, can exhaust our physical and emotional reserves. ‘Putting up’ with mouth ulcers for two weeks or more left me tired and cranky; more likely to respond negatively to those around me; and more inclined to become depressed about my circumstances.
Gretchen says:
One habit I’ve developed as part of my happiness project has been to try to do a better job managing discomfort. Not letting myself get too hungry, too sleepy, too cold, or too itchy, makes it easier for me to stay patient and light-hearted.
This is good advice for anyone and particularly those with a chronic illness like IBD.
My 7 steps to improving day-to-day comfort
- Be aware.
- Avoid assumptions.
- Value your own comfort.
- Be creative.
- Ask others (local).
- Ask others (global).
- Don’t forget!
Over time we ‘tune out’ to physical complaints and become accustomed to higher levels of discomfort. This can mean we don’t respond as quickly as we should to the warning signals of our illness. Keep a health diary (more on this in a later post). Take a little time each day to quietly listen to your body and note any changes, for better or worse. Try to identify patterns.
Don’t assume that a problem is related to your IBD and therefore it is part of a chronic illness you can do nothing about. Equally, don’t assume that it is not related to your IBD and therefore there is no point mentioning it to your doctor. Keep an open mind and look for creative solutions (see steps 4 - 7).
Don’t prematurely dismiss a problem as minor or not worth treating. I’ll say again, any sustained discomfort, even if it is minor, can exhaust our physical and emotional reserves. Think of it like a savings plan, don’t expend precious energy on problems which could be easily resolved by other means. Instead, build a healthy energy reserve for when serious health problems arise. Aside: In fact, the concept of building a healthy energy reserve will underlie many of the strategies discussed in future posts.
Having regularly observed your body and any patterns to your symptoms, and kept an open mind about the possibility of improving these symptoms, you have probably already identified some easy and practical ways to make yourself more comfortable. For example, if I don’t eat something every couple of hours my energy and mood can quickly spiral downwards. I carry a snack in my bag at all times so I won’t be tempted to buy something sugary which will leave me feeling sick later.
Be as flexible as possible - if you can’t address the problem itself, can you change the circumstances around it to make yourself more comfortable? For example, adjusting your schedule so you have more time to get ready in the mornings when you are feeling nauseous.
Depending on the nature of your problem, talk to your doctor (GP and specialist), pharmacist, friends and family. When you ask around you might be surprised to find that someone you know has had this problem before and they have developed their own solution. Don’t underestimate anecdotal advice, although ensure that the source is reliable. I have received great practical tips from the head nurse at a local IBD research centre. Her advice is not necessarily documented in medical journals but it is based on the experience of many patients.
This is similar to step 5, but with an additional warning to be cautious about online advice. I feel fortunate that I now have access to a much larger community of health professionals and IBDers through websites, blogs, forums and chatrooms, and so am more likely to find others who have had similar experiences to me and/or who may be able to offer me advice. However, I also remember to consider all this advice with cautious interest.
Make a note of what you did to make yourself more comfortable and how well it worked - in your health diary or somewhere you can refer to it again in the future. Next time you notice a similar problem, test and refine your solution / remedy.
This article was posted on 26 August, 2007
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