Misha Tyshkov, MD Ped GI DrMDK.com

Miranda has tried all kinds of things to deal with CD. Watch her tips for dealing with the disease. See more CD patient videos at www.CrohnsAndMe.com!

With Crohn’s Disease, your Mind is tested constantly by the Frustration of the Illness, the Pain of the Illness, the Treatment, the Side Effects, the Complications, the Cost, etc. Therefore, you need to somehow Gain a Mental Edge over what’s happening to you so that the effects of your Crohn’s Disease are not compounded by understandably overwhelming thoughts and concerns. When I am in a medical crisis, I have learned to go into “Survival Mode” and, to borrow an NFL Football Strategy Term, Shorten the Playing Field” so that I keep my expectations low and the chance for “Life Progress” HIGH. When I am healthy, I try to inject more “Control” into my Life by Exercising and Writing. Other people turn to a Psychologist, Religion and/or a Support Group. All that said, it is VITALLY IMPORTANT that you at least ACKNOWLEDGE the Need to Get that “Edge” - and it doesn’t matter HOW. As they say, “Whatever gets YOU through the Night.”

Do they have a normal life expectancy or does bowel disease reduce it?

I want to stop/control the amount of flare-ups.