Tired craftsman. So tired.
Howdy y’all. I’m relatively new to the Crohn’s game.
I was diagnosed about 6 months ago but have been suffering for a few years now. I just thought my constant stabbing stomach cramps and multiple bowel movements a day were part getting older and being in my 30’s (33 now).
Then I started having violent bloody bowel movements multiple times a day, in the night, vomiting multiple times a day, etc. and finally went to a GI for help. Was pretty quickly diagnosed after a fecal test and a colonoscopy/endoscopy.
Had a battle with insurance and was finally put on hadlima, but after a few months it didn’t seem to be helping and another fecal calprotectin test showed my inflammation markers are still above 1,500. Trying to get approved for a new biologic, but in the meantime just toughing it out.
I am happily married, have been for 7 years, I have a 6 year old son and a ten year old stepson who lives with us almost full time. We have 2 dogs, a house a great yard for the kids to play. On paper my life is very good.
But guys… I am so tired. Like, existentially, crushingly, numbingly tired.
I’m a craftsman, I build museum exhibits and elaborate trade show booths for very successful companies. I do everything from woodworking to welding to electronics and wiring, just depends on the day. It’s not unusual for me to work 10-12 hour days.
I’ve worked like this for years, but I am really really struggling as of late. I feel like I’m in a constant haze of just pain and ass wiping and exhaustion. I’m starting to struggle at work, I’ve been making dumb mistakes lately that I never would have made before. (Occasionally expensive mistakes 😬)
My house work is starting to fall behind, my lawn is overgrown, my renovation projects that I started before this flare up are still half finished after months. I feel myself being more and more of a lazy piece of shit at home, less chores get done, and I watch as my wife tries to pick up more of the slack and it’s killing me.
I just have NO energy. Zero. I want to help out more and be productive and catch up on shit, but goddamn I feel like I just can’t get a breath in or a second to catch up.
I’ll feel okay for a day and make a promise to myself that I’m going to get X done this weekend, but then Saturday rolls around and I’m tired, and in pain, and just stupid feeling, and I MAYBE, get a quarter done of what I was intending.
This has been a really long winded way of asking, but like, how are you all managing it? I’m really struggling and just looking for any tips or advice or little self help tricks that have kept you all moving.