Crohn's Disease Journey of Harmon, Myra, Tina Shakiyah

The Inspiring Journey of Three Women Living with Crohn's Disease

Harmon, Myra, and Tina Shakiyah met virtually in 2020 as part of an online support community for those living with Crohn's disease. Despite the challenges of this chronic inflammatory bowel condition, these three women inspired others with their strength, vulnerability, and friendship as they navigated life with Crohn's.

One year later, the "forged flare angels" reunited to provide hope and wisdom for anyone newly diagnosed or struggling with Crohn's symptoms. Hosted by Natalie Hayden, their discussion covered everything from coping strategies to the latest scientific advances.

Opening Up About Life with Crohn's

After warm greetings and quick catch-ups, the conversation dove right into the realities of living with Crohn's day-to-day. Myra described the exhaustion she frequently feels, often needing to rest after simple tasks like showering. Harmon shared her frustrations with Crohn's interfering with social events and travel.

Tina Shakiyah explained how her Crohn's symptoms are heavily affected by stress and anxiety. The ups and downs can feel like a rollercoaster, making it hard to make plans too far in advance.

The forged flare angels were candid about struggling mentally and emotionally at times. But they also expressed immense gratitude for the support they give each other through vulnerable storytelling.

Navigating Diet and Nutrition with Crohn's

Diet played a major role in the conversation, with each woman sharing their experiences figuring out triggers and helpful foods.

Myra follows more of an anti-inflammatory diet focused on fish, vegetables, and avoiding excess sugar. Harmon has found success managing symptoms through a modified Paleo diet. For Tina Shakiyah, identifying and cutting out specific trigger foods like popcorn and soda made a noticeable difference.

The takeaway was that no one diet works perfectly for everyone with Crohn's. The key is tuning into your own body, tracking how you feel after meals, and adjusting your diet over time.

Importance of a Support System

Having a strong support system came up repeatedly as crucial when living with a chronic bowel disease. Myra stressed that her husband's help with cooking, chores, and emotional support makes managing Crohn's much more feasible.

Harmon encouraged others to never be afraid to ask for help. She explained how her pride often made her want to do everything herself. But accepting help from her parents, siblings, and husband improved her mental health and reduced stress.

Online support groups were also highlighted as invaluable sources of community. Tina Shakiyah suggested finding people that get it and understand firsthand what youre going through with Crohns symptoms.

Staying Positive Through the Tough Times

During the inevitable flare ups and hospitalizations, the women emphasized staying positive. Harmon watches comedy movies or TV shows to give her brain a break from the pain when bedridden. Myra writes in a gratitude journal to remind herself of happy moments.

Tina Shakiyahs advice was to focus on whatever little progress you can make, even if its just making the bed or folding some laundry on a bad day. Celebrating small wins helps her feel productive.

Laughter itself can also be healing - the friends shared plenty of it recalling memories together. Their playful senses of humor made heavy topics feel lighter.

Expert Advice for Managing Crohn's Symptoms

Expert tip giver Tina Aswani Omprakash then joined the conversation to provide medical advice for minimizing Crohn's flare ups.

She emphasized working closely with your doctor to find the right medications to reduce inflammation and pain. Newer biologic drugs can be game-changers for getting Crohn's remission.

Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Flares

Beyond medication, Tina recommended lifestyle adjustments like:

• Avoiding NSAID pain relievers that can trigger gut inflammation
• Quitting smoking to improve treatment response
• Drinking plenty of fluids to stay hydrated
• Getting regular checkups for malnutrition risk
• Integrating gentle exercise like yoga when possible

Stress management is also important. Practices like therapy, meditation, journaling, or Emotional Freedom Technique tapping can help lower stress hormone levels.

The Promise of New Treatment Options

When asked what future treatments may help those with Crohns disease, Tina shared exciting news about scientific advances on the horizon.

Fecal microbiota transplantation to restore gut bacteria balance has shown positive results. Stem cell therapy to reduce inflammation is also proving beneficial for some patients in clinical trials.

More research is underway focused on improving quality of life and potentially finding a cure for those living with Crohns.

Keep Forging Ahead Together

As the conversation came to a close, the forged flare angels expressed feeling uplifted and optimistic about the future.

Harmon, Myra, and Tina Shakiyah remain dedicated to supporting not only each other but everyone in the Crohns community. Their sisterhood is a reminder to keep forging ahead - and never alone.

Key Takeaways from the Forged Flare Angels

For those newly diagnosed or struggling with Crohns, remember these powerful reflections:

• "Let yourself be sad, angry, frustrated - whatever you need to feel, but then refocus on the positive." - Harmon
• "You are not alone. Others understand and can help you navigate." - Myra
• "Be kind to yourself. Go at your own pace and celebrate small wins." - Tina Shakiyah

Their parting advice: stay hopeful. With support, science, and inner strength, remission is possible.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.