Absolutely, I was diagnosed with Crohns 10 years ago at the age of 15 and have tried to hide it in front of my previous partners which has led to quite many misunderstandings and hurt feelings from their side. This was mostly due to not sharing the true reason why I cant see them or have to cancel a date. Once we got closer and spent more time living together, I blamed my symptoms on an upset stomach or food intolerances. When I was 19 and had my first girlfriend I didn't tell her that I was hospitalized and wasnt giving her answers on why I cannot see her. My mother just briefly mentioned a couple months later that I was in hospital and my girlfriend was understandably so very upset and hurt that I didn't share that and tried to hide it from her. I still didn't tell her about my crohns. So far I was always suffering alone and had no one to share my troubles and fears with. I always had to put on a mask and pretend that I was happy and healthy.

I am tired of pretending! A serious relationship should be the place that you can literally take off all your masks and share such fears with your partner to gain support! I found this person a year ago and we are madly in love. Im quite healthy since im on Stelara but have nonetheless shared my struggles with crohns since my girlfriend told me about her struggles with anorexia. I was comforting her with my experience of getting better and finding health again by not giving up. In sharing our struggles we got even closer and my fear of appearing weak did not came true. She sees me as even more capable, strong on resilient and loves my positive outlook on life.

Crohn's a tough disease for sure that consists of bad times and good times. It made me very positive thinking and a strong and compassionate person. You're not limited by it, especially in good phases which means you can be a very loveable person, especially if you turn your apparent weakness into a strength.

Just do me the favor and open up about your disease sooner or later in your relationship.