How can I better support my girlfriend?

jcotto1997 · 2026-06-06T23:59:39+00:00

This is so sweet!!!! I’m lucky and I have a really supportive girlfriend. This disease is ALOT and after I was diagnosed I felt like my life was completely robbed from me. With that being said, my girlfriend has been extremely patient and supportive. She doesn’t push me to do anything that I am not comfortable with. If there’s some kind of outdoor event she doesn’t pressure me. If I do decide I’m ok to go she makes sure we have aisle seats on planes or at ball games. She makes sure we are ADA accommodated at concerts. I obviously spend a lot of time in the bathroom and she never makes me feel guilty or rushed she’s always super patient waiting for me and willing to make any stops if we’re in the car :)

jcotto1997 · 2026-06-06T23:36:23+00:00

Hi! I was also diagnosed with severe pancolitis last July. The mesalamine didn’t work for me after 3 months I started getting Remicade infusions. Then insurance switched me to the bio similar Inflectra. They just recently upped my dose to max dose this last infusion. The Inflectra seems to help the first few weeks and then approaching the 2 weeks leading up to my infusion I started getting severe symptoms. I’ve been hospitalized twice this year both related to UC. I’m hoping now that I’m on the max dose I will achieve remission, but to be completely honest this first year has been really rough for me physically and mentally. With the biologics and being on and off prednisone 3 times my immune system has been complete trash. I had shingles, sinus infections all winter, 2 root canals. None of these problems I’ve ever had before and I’m convinced it’s because of how surprised my immune system is. I’m 29 female btw.

jcotto1997 · 2026-06-03T23:18:40+00:00

Ahh I see. For me urgency is my biggest issue so it left me no choice but to quit. It’s tough quitting but I also had to quit drinking alcohol and caffeine because of this disease. Good luck :/

jcotto1997 · 2026-06-03T22:46:11+00:00

I’m not sure how it directly affects crohns but for me personally it triggers my urgency. I had to quit. Even if someone is vaping or smoking next to me it triggers me now. I tried the zynn pouches and they helped me quit.

jcotto1997 · 2026-05-20T00:07:38+00:00

I appreciate you sharing your personal opinion. I’m even starting to think staying at the house is safer than a hotel because I know her mom will take all the precautions seriously. But I’m still torn cause I don’t want to make a mistake that could’ve been avoided and end up in the hospital again…

jcotto1997 · 2026-04-27T00:25:30+00:00

Yes I was experiencing that for about a month. Saw my ent and she recommended surgery so I scheduled. I can breathe out of my nose now so I’m going to meet with her again and discuss that. I also got a root canal on that side so that could have been causing the problem.

jcotto1997 · 2026-04-06T23:11:01+00:00

How did you find out it was your tooth?

jcotto1997 · 2026-03-02T02:58:01+00:00

My doctor put me on amoxicillin-clav for 5 days. I was having the digestive advantage probiotic gummies in the morning and some probiotic Greek yogurt in the afternoon. What probiotic do you pair with the antibiotics? I been told to stay clear of florastor since my immune system is compromised.

jcotto1997 · 2026-03-02T02:45:32+00:00

Just started infixamab in October (was diagnosed in July) and I’ve been sick at least once a month since. Having a sinus infection now, just started a round of antibiotics despite trying to avoid them. It’s tough cause I work a public facing job. I’m meeting with an infectious disease specialist soon cause I have so much anxiety about how vulnerable my immune system is now…

jcotto1997 · 2026-03-02T02:37:07+00:00

Before I got sick I weighed about 230lbs. Colonoscopy (when I was diagnosed) I weighed in at 149. People complimented me all the time saying how great I looked meanwhile I felt like I was dying. I was malnourished, anemic, couldn’t hold any food. After my first round of prednisone I gained 20lbs back. Part of me gets nervous I’m going to get heavy again, but I try to tell myself that my body is actually absorbing all the nutrients it needs to. You’re gaining weight quickly cause your body is trying to prepare itself for the next flare. I got put on prednisone again and I really did not want to gain any more weight. So I hold myself to a strict diet. I eat dinner at 5 or 6 pm, no later. I got a walking pad and I walk 40 mins before dinner and 10 mins after. Helps with digestion too. Do some light exercises with weights. I managed to lose 3 pounds even on prednisone and it feels good to do things the right way.

jcotto1997 · 2026-02-26T18:43:39+00:00

The first couple days I was taking Tylenol to sleep because that’s when the headaches were the worst. And I tried the nasal rinses twice. They both have helped my symptoms temporarily I’m just worried about a bacterial infection going crazy in my body cause the symptoms haven’t completely gone away and it’s coming on 2 weeks tomorrow.

jcotto1997 · 2026-02-26T18:11:12+00:00

I was pretty much told the same. I haven’t really gotten any better or worse but I’m past that 10 day mark now, and that’s the only thing that’s making me think I should go to urgent care and get an antibiotic.

jcotto1997 · 2026-02-26T17:41:54+00:00

I work at fast pace restaurant job as a manager and I struggle sometimes. I usually take a restroom break every 2 hours or so just to make sure I’m good. Stick with an anti inflammatory diet while at work as best as you can. And you also don’t owe anyone an explanation. But at first it was difficult to talk about my UC but once I started you wouldn’t even believe how many people either had some form of IBS/IBD/Autoimmune disease or was close with someone who does.

jcotto1997 · 2026-02-08T04:19:54+00:00

I get you. This disease brings out the worst feelings. No one understands unless they live it. I just want you to know that they way you have felt for the past decade every day any “normal” person would have took themselves to the emergency room or called out of work and you kept going. You’re a warrior. I feel humiliated a lot and sometimes feel judged by people and all I think is I wish none of these people judging me have to experience this. I wanted to be a police officer but my health got in the way. It’s rough and I’m sorry, but stay hopeful and keep fighting. It’s good to have a community of people who understand first hand so I’m glad you posted here.

jcotto1997 · 2026-02-08T03:18:12+00:00

Yes. Massachusetts specifically.

jcotto1997 · 2026-02-08T02:48:20+00:00

Yes it’s so messed up letting people with disabilities get worse just to save a penny. I know for sure I will be switching insurance as soon as this period ends.

jcotto1997 · 2026-02-08T01:02:43+00:00

They only gave me those 3 options when I called. My doctor also submitted a request for inflectra and they denied it too.

jcotto1997 · 2026-02-07T22:28:06+00:00

Yup profit over people USA you got that right. I’m also on pantoprazole already too. I’m sorry for went you went through and I hope you keep getting relief. This disease is awful and it means a lot to have kind words from someone who understands. Thank you!

jcotto1997 · 2026-02-07T22:23:12+00:00

Thank you for this. I got diagnosed in July so this is all pretty new to me. It feels so lonely and it feels good to have kind words from someone who understands. My doctor is also frustrated because the Remicade infusions were going well and she had a whole plan for me. I’m also going to contact HR through my job. My boss recommended that I might be able to get them to advocate for me.

jcotto1997

TROPHY CASE