relationship issues and UC

  Hi everyone!  I have been reading a few posts on family/romantic issues and have been having some issues in my own relationship with my boyfriend lately.  I just wonder if anyone has ever heard anything like a statistic on how many couples where one partner has UC divorce or break up because of the stress of having a chronic illness?  Just wondering because I can imagine that it must be higher than the average divorce rate.  Any suggestions from anyone on how to make it easier on the non-UC person?  Between the frustrations and the steroids, etc., I know it can't be fun.

I've never seen any statistics, but a chronic health problem surely does put extra stress on a relationship. Some folks have no idea what "in sickness and in health" really means. My marriage broke up, in part, because of my illness. My ex tried in his own way, but he really didn't have it in him to be truly supportive. He was at the racetrack when I had to be rushed to the ER when I was first diagnosed. He claimed he wasn't a "nursemaid." My family was livid when they saw how sick I was and the state the house was in after I'd been bedfast for a couple of weeks.

I agree that open and honest communication is really important. My husband is wonderful, he took care of the house and yard and me when I was so sick, all while working full time. The only time we ever really had a problem was when I had a really bad spell and didn't tell him. I was thinking he was probably sick to death of hearing about my poo and my pain, so I'd just keep it to myself. I nearly passed out in the bathroom one day, and he was furious with me. He accused me of "shutting him out." I learned from that, and now he always knows if I'm feeling sub-par, because what I've found out about him is that it scares him if I get sick and don't tell him.

Really explaining your fears and feelings can be very helpful. If your partner responds badly to that, he or she probably isn't the right one for you.

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My wife rocks and is super supportive. Weve been together for just under 17 years, I've had UC for almost 3, and it hasn't affected our relationship. As for the romantic issues, well I'm a guy, so I would pretty much have to be in a body cast and tied down to not be good to go.

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35 year old Male, Husband, Father of the best three kids in the universe.
First Flare was February 2005. Diagnosed June 2005-left-sided Colitis, suspect it has since spread. Started 4000 mg Oral Salofalk June 2005-stopped January 2007. Remission until November 2006. Been in a flare to various degrees since November 2006 to February 2007. Currently in remission.
Presently on 0 mg Prednisone-down from 60 mg!
Weekly 4000 mg Salofalk enemas.
Daily 4000 mg Salofalk oral.
Started Omeprazole 20 mg February 2007.
Co-Moderator-UC Forum

I don't know if there are stats specifically on UC and divorce but apparently the divorce rate is 50% which I believe is all lumped into health issues, infidelity and money troubles being the most common reasons for divorce.

:)

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My bum is broken....there's a big crack down the middle of it!  LOL  :)