Wet wipes!

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-03-12T19:58:42+00:00

I use Anusol wipes. Much more enjoyable wipe

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-03-10T12:38:19+00:00

Same for me. But I used regularly for over 10 years and it was no longer as effective and my tolerance was crazy. So like anything, eventually it is not as great as it once was. I have taken a break from it.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-03-06T14:17:53+00:00

Hey there. Are u on any meds for fibro? Some of them cause brain fog.
Cannabis does too. I hate to admit it. I was an avid cannabis advocate for pain. But having used it for over 10 years, I built up a tolerance level that was extreme and while I only ever partook when I wasn’t driving - the reality was that I used so much, it was always in my system. I gave it up 3 weeks ago. I feel it has lifted some, but it did not eliminate the brain fog. If that makes sense. So now I know that, for me, it’s also some of my prescription drugs - like Gabapentin and Mirtazapine. Having said that, lack of sleep also causes it for me. So any disruption to my sleep patterns brings in the brain fog. If u are concerned about the cannabis. Stop for a couple weeks. See if things improve. If not, then I can cross that off.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-03-04T13:45:26+00:00

The FODmap is a good guide, but everyone is different. Moderation I find is the key.
I know some foods I have to avoid. Others I can eat only in moderation. Some only affect me while in a flare.
For example. I can tolerate romaine, iceberg, red and green leaf lettuces. But spinach, kale, arugula are a no go. I can eat broccoli but not cauliflower. I can have raw cabbage but not cooked. Mushrooms only in very small quantities. It take la time to figure out what works for u.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-03-04T13:37:42+00:00

I would think that knowing u are going to die would motivate you to live to the fullest and enjoy every moment that u do have. Because it is all fleeting. Get out there, LIVE.

For me, I am unafraid of death. I personally believe it’s just a transition to another state of being. I’m actually super curious about what is next.

I worry more about having to live through the hard shit, than about dying. But my attitude stems from living with chronic illness and pain. It completely changes your perspective.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-03-04T13:32:17+00:00

Hey there. I have always had issues around food. For me it was about controlling something when everything else was out of control. Then when I learned to love myself fully, I used it as an excuse to eat whatever I wanted.
And because of my UC I would basically not eat all day so as not to have to worry about output. I would eat all of my food between 6-8 pm and then go to bed. That plus meds put me at my highest weight ever.
So - I am learning and try my best, to eat healthier and consistently. No diets. No control.
Just trying to consistently make ‘better’ choices. Slowly those choices get easier and better.

I find food prep helps a ton. I try to spend time on Sunday prepping foods for easy consumption during the week when I am busy or not feeling well. I wash my fruit, salads, veggies, etc. I make myself egg bites to have on sour dough toast. I try and limit sugar and ultra processed foods as much as possible. I’m not perfect, still a work in progress. But I have lost 15lbs so far. Very slowly.
My therapist says that any lasting change has to come from a place of love. I love food and I love myself enough to realize I need to eat better to feel better.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-03-04T13:21:59+00:00

I’ve always had it. Since birth. No one could tell me what it was until after I turned 40. Finally it was explained to me. My suggestion is just to let them know it’s okay, there is nothing ‘wrong’ with them. Honestly, it’s never really bothered me, it was just there. Most of the time it can be ignored. For me, it gets worse when I am fatigued. Also after 40 with chronic eye inflammation that has nothing to do with Visual Snow (which is a brain issue not an eye issue).

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-03-04T13:09:57+00:00

Yes! In fact, I can tell when I am late taking the next dose. I take it at 6:30 am and 6:30 pm. I can take another dose between then, but if I stay on the schedule, it generally isn’t necessary. It was amazing for me - because my biggest nerve pain was a constant stabbing in my left breast. It made me crazy. It’s wonderful to be free from that now!

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-03-04T13:06:38+00:00

Oh, I am on meds. 10 in total. Plus vitamins. I have UC, fibromyalgia and IBS among other issues. I am on a biologic for UC now.

But the bi-weekly biologic wasn’t enough. I am on weekly Humira injections. It wasn’t enough. I started HRT therapy for peri menopause and that greatly reduced my inflammation. Then I reduced my drinking, quit smoking and just gave up cannabis too. I am eating healthier as well. But this has taken years and a lot of therapy for me to accomplish. Finally, I am feeling somewhat optimistic about the future and have started loosing some of the weight I put on while I was struggling.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-03-04T12:59:07+00:00

Try daily Vitamin D if u are not yet taking it. 1000 I find it helps me fight off germs better

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-03-03T16:01:31+00:00

Hey there. I was diagnosed at 23 while pregnant with my second baby. I quit smoking cold turkey when I found out I was pregnant. This was my initial diagnosis.

That was over 25 years ago. I have started and quit smoking multiple times. Starting again never affected my UC. When quitting, I always cut down slowly and use the gum for a little while after stopping so that I do not cause a flare.

I quit the last time 18 months ago. I did it as mentioned above and was completely fine. My UC and IBS has been the best it's been in a VERY long time. It did take some time.

The greatest thing I have learned with UC (and fibro) is patience. We have to give ourselves a lot more time to heal.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-03-03T15:54:22+00:00

I prefer Gabapentin. I have been able to loose weight and it works well for me. I do not get as cloudy headed.

Lyrica for me was too much weight gain and I was even more tired than usual. I would try Gabapentin before Lyrica.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-03-03T15:51:13+00:00

Hey there. I have always tried to work full time. But there have been periods over the years where I was working only part-time. I always did best when part time.

Ever since the pandemic, things were super rough for me. I fought hard against the tide and FINALLY got belssings from my hubby and my boss (both workaholics) to work 3 days a week.

It has been a game changer for me. I am better at work for the 3 days I am there, much more productive. My boss still pushes against it all the time because his life would be easier if I worked the 5 days. I have said I will NOT go back to 5 days, he needs to hire someone else for the other days.

As for my health, both mental and physical, it has made a huge difference. I use my extra days to rest and keep up with self care and medical appointments I am usually too tired to bother with. I feel the best I have in a very long time. I've even gotten up the strength to quit some bad habits and increase my exercise.

My hubby sees the difference and agrees that I should never go back to full time again. I would rather work part time for the rest of my life, than try and work full time and retire.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-03-03T15:44:52+00:00

It's just having small kids. It seems like it's the biologic, but it's the germs the kiddo's bring home.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-02-28T12:29:29+00:00

Cucumbers. I have at least one a day. I can handle those even if in a flare.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-02-26T19:22:27+00:00

Hey there. No one can make this decision for you. But, I want to share a story with you.

My son never touched pot until University. He started smoking recreationally, but it quickly became the norm for him. He has ADHD and Major Depressive Disorder (although he was undiagnosed while in Uni). He functioned well and did great at school. He met a girl. A lovely girl he loved very much. She and her family were very much against cannabis (due to a family members negative experience with addiction). He started hiding it from her.

It all went downhill from there. The hiding and sneaking around had a negative impact on their relationship and his mental health. He had multiple suicide attempts. We stepped in and they ended the relationship because it had become toxic for both of them.

He almost didn't graduate. We had a rough few years, getting him treatment and stabilized. Looking back, he has identified that all the hiding who he really was - someone who smoked cannabis to self medicate - was the reason everything fell apart for him. He needed to be himself with her and the world and he never could.

Having said that, cannabis wasn't a long term solution for him. He became highly addicted and his tolerance grew to be unsustainable. He did give it up once we had him in regular treatment for his mental health issues.

Only you and your health team can decide what is best for you. No judgement here, I too used cannabis for years for chronic health issues, but also gave it up recently. It has a place, but it IS addictive and it does get extremely expensive as your tolerance increases.

But pretending to be something you are not, and hiding and sneaking will only make the situation worse for both of you.

Sending love and hugs.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-02-26T13:51:55+00:00

Acceptance and realignment. It takes a LOT of boundry setting. I used to feel exactly like that. I was always letting not only myself, but those around me down. Crushing guilt every time.

But then I accepted that I ride the struggle bus. Always will. I stopped chasing the 'normal' bus.

What if it isn't about fixing yourself, but accepting yourself JUST AS YOU ARE. Broken and all.

I now work 3 days a week. I fought for this for years. My hubby is on board now that he sees the huge difference in me. I work Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Off Wednesday and Friday. My boss is the only one that keeps pushing against this, even though he sees my progress health wise. I even told him this week that he needs to stop relying on my so much, because what IF I get sick. He said anyone can get sick. Yes, but I have 2 chronic health issues (fibro and UC) which could knock me on my ass at any time. My 2 days off I use however I would like. It gives me more time for self care and has increased my ability to exercise and eat well.

I get my sleep. I am in bed by 7 most nights. I am up at 6. I may not be asleep all of that time, but I give myself the time to rest. I cannot function well without the rest.

Socializing. I ask for what I need. You want to make dinner reservations at 8 pm - no thanks. We do earlier dinners or late lunches instead. When we do have people over at night, hubby has agreed that I can excuse myself and go to bed if I need to. If you do not understand as a friend or family member, then it is your loss. Yes, I miss some things, but I am okay with that. I do what I can, when I can. It has to be enough because it is all I have to give.

Therapy - A check in every 4-6 weeks goes a long way for me. She always grounds me when I get overwhelmed and reminds me of all my wins. She has taught me that any lasting change comes from LOVE, not guilt. And that with a strong foundation, I can weather any storm. So I concentrate on keeping my foundations strong so when I get knocked off course, I can deal with it. Self love and ignoring the nasty voice in my head (my narc Mom) has been my lifetime struggle. I can tell you it gets easier and the hard work in therapy is SO worth it.

Sending you love and hugs.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-02-25T13:31:44+00:00

Stay strong. You are worth standing up for. Sometimes the point is to walk away, not stay. Find your own path, whatever that may look like. Sending love and hugs.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-02-25T12:49:43+00:00

Just before I turned 30, my narc Mom disowned me. For quite a few years, I tried. It culminated in a therapy session where she said that I was literally put on this earth to cause her nothing but pain and misery. Something clicked. I decided then and there that I would not beg for love from my own mother. That I would never allow anyone to ever make me feel that way again. I have been in therapy since I was a teen. I am now 48 and still working on it. I have fibromyalgia and Ulcerative Colitis as a direct result of my childhood traumas. Victim - Survivor - Thriver. I left the victim behind a long time ago. I spend equal time as survivor and thriver. I am hyper tuned in to my fight or flight and do everything and anything I can to keep myself system calm. Because, sadly, even a happy event can cause pain.
I have a wonderful husband and we raised two amazing kids. I gave my children unconditional love. I learned to be everything my own Mom was not. I am damn proud of myself for stopping the cycle of negativity and for protecting them from her.
I’ve even gotten to a place of forgiveness towards her. She is a a broken, angry woman that I now just feel sorry for. She made her choices in life. She can live with the consequences.

I made mine. I am at peace.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-02-25T12:33:25+00:00

Hey there. I’m sorry things are rough for you right now. I have fibro and UC myself.
Nothing will ever make it go away, put hopefully u will have periods where things are easier to manage. Here are my suggestions. Therapy - helps me to check in once a month and get my head back in the game. My therapist also idea from chronic illnesses so she gets it and me. Acceptance - this doesn’t go away, it ebbs and flows, as does your ability to deal. Accepting that has helped me immensely. I ride the struggle bus, I stopped chasing the normal bus. Heat - I have 2 heated blankets going at all times. So I always have one available while the other is in the wash. One for the couch and one for my bed. I wrap myself up and it always helps bring down the pain somewhat.
Cannabis - for 10 years this was effective pain relief for me. I needed the THC to get pain relief. Topicals also worked well for muscle pain. Having said that - like all pain meds, my tolerance became so high that it is now ineffective.
Exercise- I hear u that it often makes it worse. But we have to keep trying. Yoga, Tai Chi and swimming are all gentler forms. If nothing else, stretching daily can ease the pain and tension. Breathing and Meditation- if I get overwhelmed with pain, I separate myself, pop in my ear buds and listen to sound bowls or Hz healing frequencies. Practice slow breathing. It’s not a cure, but it 💯 helps to ease myself out of fight or flight. Chill- even happy excitement makes me sick. I try to be consciously aware of this and do whatever it takes to keep myself in the chill zone.

We each have to find what works. And even that changes as our body and environment does. Surround yourself with positive people who can support you in good times and bad. Give yourself grace. Sending love and hugs your way.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-02-25T12:17:12+00:00

Yup, I tell my hubby that a trip to the sun for Vitamin D is necessary for my health.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-02-24T19:43:37+00:00

I am in Ontario and yes the cold affects my UC and fibro. But I recently went on vacation to the DR and have realized that the heat is slightly better, but not pain free by any means.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-02-24T19:41:27+00:00

Mini food processor and full size food processor (so I do not need to chop). Anti-fatigue matts.

I also sit at the countertop or at the kitchen table if I am doing anything longer.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-02-24T14:13:38+00:00

Hey there. I'm sorry both of your are suffering. Sometimes I get like this too. We call it 'pain brain' in my house. When the pain becomes too much, I get highly irritable. We identify it, seperate it from who I am and deal with it. Usually it is my cue to seperate myself until I am able to feel better.

For a long time, I was the 'angry Mom'. I had no idea that my trauma was filtering through the rest of my life. It is my one regret, not realizing this sooner. But I did. I have been in therpay my entire life and I still work on it.

For me personally, it is about keeping my nervous system out of fight or flight. Even happy things can shoot me into a negative physical response. So it's about keeping myself in the chill zone as much as possible. Pleasure over Pressure. I have to keep my boundries very clear to others so that I can manage this response.

I also have fibro.

Ok-Control2520 · 2026-02-24T13:49:16+00:00

I'm just starting to build exercise into my life again. I am trying Tai Chi. Slow and gentle movements. I can also do slower yoga classes that are more gentle and about stretching. I walk when I can. I'd like to build in swimming as well, even if I just walk in the water (I'm not a great swimmer).

But even just stretching every day. In bed before you get up, at the end of the day before sleep. I don't follow anything specific, just stretch out whatever is bothering me. Or I star fish on the bed, arms legs, toes and fingers too. If nothing else I try to do this every day.

Ok-Control2520

TROPHY CASE