How Sex Helps with Crohn's

Crohn's and Colitis patients have many things to worry about.  One of these problems that a lot of people worry about is sex.  They think that it may hurt, they worry about having a lowered sex drive, and if they've had surgery, they usually worry that potential mates won't find them attractive.  I have a colostomy, so I would fall into this last category if I wasn't already married when I had the surgery.

I usually don't have an answer for these problems other than, "You have nothing to worry about.  You'll see."  But I have found an article on MedicineNet.com that gives IBD sufferers 10 very good reasons to have sex.

1. Sex Relieves Stress - Sex lowers blood pressure, which means that you have less stress.  Sex also increases the body's level of endorphins, which reduces stress and pain.  Stress + IBD = not good.
2. Sex Boosts Immunity - Sex increases the body's production of certain antibodies that reduce the risk of infection.  Infections are never good, but We get infections much easier than most.
3. Sex Burns Calories - This one may not be all that relevant for many IBD sufferers, but more people than you might think actually have trouble losing weight, especially those who have recently had surgery.  30 minutes of sex can burn up to 85 calories.  this may not sound like much, but you will only burn around 130 calories if you go for a half hour walk.  I don't know about you, but I'd definitely prefer a half hour of sex with fewer calories burned to a half hour of walking around the block, regardless of how many calories I burned!  Having sex twice per week can actually reduce your risk of heart attack by half, as well (see #4).
4. Sex Improves Cardiovascular Health - You've got enough problems.  Do really want heart troubles, as well?  
5. Sex Boosts Self Esteem - Going to the bathroom 5 times a day and not being able to go places with your friends and family can really take a toll.  
6. Sex Improves Intimacy - Having sex releases oxytocin, also known as the love hormone.  This helps us bond with our partner and build trust, both of which will reduce stress, among other things.
7. Sex reduces Pain - As the level of oxytocin in our bodies increases, so does the level of endorphins.  Endorphins are the body's version of morphine, so when you have more, you feel better.  And no drug addictions!
8. Sex Reduces Prostate Cancer Risk - Frequent ejaculations for men in their 20s (5 or more per week) can lead to a lowered chance of prostate cancer later in life.  Insert dirty joke here.
9. Sex Strengthens Pelvic Floor Muscles - Sex can act as Kegel exercises, which work the floor of your pelvis.  This is required for anyone who has an ostomy that will eventually be reversed.  Oh, and the pelvic floor muscles are the ones that regulate the flow of urine, as well as helping the sphincter do it's thing.
10. Sex Helps You Sleep Better - The afore mentioned oxytocin also helps you fall asleep.  Not to mention that you just did a lot of work.

How to Change a Colostomy Bag

I wanted to share this video on how to change an ostomy bag.  I actually wanted to make my own video but do not have sufficient camera equipment at the moment, so I had to find one.  I have no idea who this guy is, but I want to thank him for making this video.  If you know who he is please let me know so that I can give him credit for the video.

Update - For some reason the video won't show up here, and I'm tired of screwing with it.  Here's the link to the video on YouTube, along with a link to a guide offered on Amazon.  Sorry for the confusion.

How To Change an Ostomy Pouch

Post Surgery

I had a fistula repair surgery this past June (the 20th, I believe).  I had an illeostomy done just before Christmas, 2008, then an illeostomy closure and a colostomy surgery done in May of 2010.  The doctors told me that the wounds from that second surgery were healed up before they actually were, so I went Tiki Tubing.  Not a good idea.  I got two horrible abscesses in my abdominal cavity that eventually turned into very painful fistulas.  If you've never had the privilege of experiencing these wonderful freaks of nature, just know that they are some of the most painful, annoying things that a human can experience.  Sure giving birth probably hurts more, but its over within a day at most.  I had pains in my stomach and side that could get so bad that I couldn't get out of bed for two to three days at a time.  It didn't get this bad all that often, but it gives you an idea of what I dealt with for over a year.

The doctor was worried that it would be a major surgery since I have been extremely sick in the past, but it turned out to be the shortest, easiest surgery that I've had to date.  The whole thing took only 3 hours.  My dad and stepmother joked with me the next day about how I didn't even give them enough time to finish their lunch!

I have actually been able to get around much easier than I thought I would.  The fistulas that I had before were very painful, so the pain due to surgery is actually a relief.  I never thought that getting sliced open and having a hole cut into the side of my stomach could actually make me feel good!

The reason that the surgery was scheduled during the hottest time of the year (in Louisiana, the closest I've ever seen to hell, temp/humidity wise) is that I am a student.  My doctors wouldn't let me go back to work after my first set of surgeries, so I have used this time to return to college and annoy my wife with stories of the young girls that flirt with me in class (unfortunately that doesn't happen as often as my ego would like for it to).  I will write a post in the near future about my experiences with near death experiences, sepsis, and colostomy surgeries, but for now suffice it to say that there is a reason that I can't work for anyone else (hence returning to school and having time to write a freakin blog).

Part of the reason I'm healing so quickly (I believe, anyway), is that I'm taking zinc.  it says on the bottle that it helps you heal faster and was recommended by a wound care clinic, so if you have to heal up from something (surgery or otherwise), you might want to think about taking it.  I have included a link below in case you want to check it out.