Hi Jolissa,

If you've been having GI-related problems then it's good you've gotten a diagnosis. IBD is not like many other diseases in that very few people have the exact same symptoms. So, it's hard to say what you will experience. Most IBDers have periods of active disease when symptoms like diarrhea, rectal bleeding,low-grade fever, fatigue, joint pain, and lack of appetite can be present. In times of remission, when symptoms are not present, we can feel perfectly fine and normal.

Be sure to communicate with your doctor when/if your symptoms seem to be more active or getting worse. Some people, like me, have found that symptoms can be decreased or kept at bay much of the time by changing the foods they eat as well as keeping their stress levels to a minimum.

You may want to take a look at some of my Shareposts. They will give you a good idea of diet options, stress relief options, etc.

I know this isn't the kind of answer you were looking for. But it's just hard to tell how people will react to IBD. My father has ulcertaiave colitis, like I do, but he has lived a good, active life without having to make any dietary changes. You just never really know.

Good luck to you,

Elizabeth