https://community.usms.org/swimming/f/general/4588/how-to-deal-with-health-problems-and-swimmingThis is kind of a hard topic for me to write, but I thought maybe turning to the people here at USMS might help me out. Some of you may remember me - the former varsity swimmer at the university of chicago who posted about her trials and tribulationsen-USTelligent Community 12https://community.usms.org/thread/54113?ContentTypeID=1Wed, 06 Dec 2006 06:03:01 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:5e0146e0-aefb-4abb-b536-681a98ed2253Former MemberI&#39;m sorry to hear of your struggles and diagnosis. I also have a Chronic medical condition, albeit not quite as intense as yours--epilepsy. Psychologically I just have to take it one day at a time. Go by time put in the pool, not by yardage. See how you feel afterwards and adjust as needed. Each day will be different. Congratulate yourself on making it to the pool that day, no matter how far you end up swimming. Go home and take the rest of the day off and stare at the ceiling if need be. Regarding the Crohn&#39;s...I have 2 good friends who both recently went through the surgery for it. They are now healthier and happier than they have been in decades. I hope you eventually find something that can help bring you to a level of comfort.<div style="clear:both;"></div>https://community.usms.org/thread/54066?ContentTypeID=1Tue, 05 Dec 2006 12:57:14 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:95cd8c48-16c1-4791-92a6-723d98e01c10Former MemberHmm? About the closest I think I ever came your situation was when I was diagnosed with a bladder tumor and I found myself off of my sportbike for about three weeks (motorcycles were one of my hobbys before swimming came about). This was about 7 years ago, I was 25, and I thought it was the end of the world. I think I was more upset about the disruption this condition had brought to my life than the reality that the tumor might in fact be malignant (it was benign after all was said and done). Coming out of surgery with a foley and having to deal with that at home did not make things any better. Things worsened when I found myself having to remove it with my wife&#39;s assistance and the on call MD on speakerphone late Sunday night due to a recurring &quot;problem&quot; that would cause the foley to bring about intense pain. Anyhow, after my first post surgical checkup with the MD, I looked back on the situation and could not believe how absurd my thinking had been all along. Your undiagnosed condition might be a little more involved and require a longer course of treatment than mine did but I think that in the end, you will make things work. Be strong and just try to look at the positive things in your life, as difficult as that might be right now. I don&#39;t know what help an internet forum can really provide but if there is anything any of us can do, I am sure we will oblige. Keep us posted how you are doing.<div style="clear:both;"></div>https://community.usms.org/thread/54029?ContentTypeID=1Tue, 05 Dec 2006 12:38:36 GMT3187ac58-ba85-4314-b79a-c45cd885e09a:b915b188-7d8e-4381-a43a-91e8029a5760Former MemberSorry to hear of your troubles. I do not suffer as you do but can only really give you a few words of encouragement/advice. Try to find even just a little time to go swimming, but don&#39;t pressure yourself with times and distances. Make the water your escape, think about form and stretching out. I&#39;m not saying this as a doc or therapist--just from my own feelings and emotions of being in the pool and focusing on form...it just took my mind off everything else. Good luck and hope it helps.<div style="clear:both;"></div>