My Crohnstipated Life

Some mornings, I wake up feeling… okay. Not great, not pain-free, but okay. And when you live with Crohn’s, okay is a blessing.

Other mornings? My body has already decided the plan for the day before my feet even hit the floor.

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to live with Crohn’s disease on a daily basis, let me take you on a little journey—because let’s be honest, no two days are ever the same.

Morning: The Gut Check

I wake up and do a mental inventory. How’s my stomach? Do I feel bloated? Do I have that pain? Am I running to the bathroom yet, or do I have a little time?

I cautiously sip my tea (because coffee is a gut assassin), hoping my intestines cooperate. If it’s a good day, I might even make breakfast. If it’s a bad day? I’m already curled up in a blanket, hoping my kids entertain themselves long enough for me to exist.

Afternoon: The Energy Drain

By now, I either feel functional or like I’ve been hit by a truck.

If it’s a good day, I try to get things done—grocery shopping, playing with my kids, maybe even a little work. But even on a great day, I know the fatigue is coming.

By mid-afternoon, my body starts shutting down. Crohn’s fatigue is next level. It’s not “I didn’t sleep well” tired—it’s “my body is fighting itself and I need to lie down right now” tired.

Evening: The Gamble

Dinner is always a game of risk.

I eat something safe. Something I think won’t hurt me. And then I wait. Will my gut accept this meal? Or will it declare war?

Some nights, I get through dinner without a problem. Other nights? I’m in and out of the bathroom, clutching my stomach, wondering why my own body hates me.

By the time I crawl into bed, I just hope tomorrow will be better.

Because the hardest part about Crohn’s? You never know what kind of day it’s going to be.

Stay Strong!