I knew nothing about Crohn’s, IBS or IBD at the time of my diagnosis. All I knew was I felt terrible and I was scared of what the future held. These are the things I wish I’d known when I was diagnosed with Crohn’s.

It’ll get better.

I know, for me, this was the hardest thing to accept. I kept wondering how, when and if things would get better when I felt so bad. But it did. It took about two months after starting Remicade and cleaning up my diet to feel “better.” I look back and wonder how I was strong enough to go to work, leave my bed and try to continue with life. I know my life will never go back to what I thought was normal, but this is my new normal and I know it’ll continue to get better.

Friends will understand. If they don’t, they’re not your friends.

When I first started getting sick, it definitely took a toll on my friendships. Even worse, it took a toll on my relationship with my fiance, then boyfriend. Before my diagnosis, I’d ditch out on plans and want to do nothing but hide in my bed and stay close to the bathroom. This was hard on Steven because I constantly avoided making plans with him and ditched last minute if I didn’t feel well. After we learned how serious it was, he felt terrible for being hard on me. Honestly, this made our relationship a lot stronger. I learned to speak up and he learned sometimes I just need to rest. My good friends have been so understanding when I have to cancel or don’t make it to something. It’s hard, but it’s so important to have friends that support you through thick and thin.

There is a Crohn’s community, full of support, on Instagram.

I know, this is so typically millennial of me. But I have learned SO MUCH from others on Instagram. There’s a whole community to learn from.  Instagram led me to Alexa, at Girl in Healing. Alexa is a nutritional therapy practitioner with Crohn’s and she shares a lot about her journey on her blog and on Instagram. I was so inspired by Alexa! She’s healthy and deals with her Crohn’s one day at a time. To help others, she’s written a book – The Complete Guide to Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: A Road Map To Long-Term Healing. When I was learning all about Crohn’s I wish I’d had this book! It is so informative for those who are new to the disease.

What works for one person, might not work for me.

THIS IS SO IMPORTANT. Especially if you do find other Crohnies on Instagram, know that what works for one person, might not work for others. Some people can keep their Crohn’s under control with just diet, others need biologics. Don’t let this affect you, find what works for you.