Rehab for CED - experience report from Andrea

A rehabilitation program offers the opportunity to take a holistic look at your own state of health, get away from everyday life and recharge your batteries. The aim is to improve quality of life in the long term and find new ways of dealing with the disease. For people with a chronic inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, services such as nutritional advice, exercise therapy or psychological support can be particularly important in this regard.

But how does rehab actually work in practice and how does it feel to leave everyday life behind for several weeks? This is precisely the perspective we would like to shed light on in this article. Andrea, who has been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, tells us about her personal impressions during her rehab stay. In her experience report, she tells us how she experienced her stay, what expectations were fulfilled and what insights she was able to gain about herself and how to deal with her illness.

Contents

Rehab for CED - experience report from Andrea

Testimonial from Carsten (54) with a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis

Question 1: When were you diagnosed with IBD?

I received my diagnosis in 2021.

Question 2: How has the disease affected your life and your everyday life?

At first I only had mild symptoms, but for several years now the colitis has been almost permanently active. I have also received various biologics for treatment. A normal working day is currently not possible.

Question 3: What prompted you to apply for rehab?

I was recommended rehab to get fit again and get back into life.

Question 4: How was the procedure organized?

I had to fill out a few documents for the application or have them filled out by a doctor. About three weeks passed between the application and approval. My rehab started two and a half months after I submitted my application. So everything went really quickly. German pension insurance covered the costs for me.

Question 5: Did you have certain expectations, hopes or perhaps worries beforehand?

I had hoped for an improvement in my health situation. I also hoped to get to know other sufferers. I was worried about my diet and my intolerances. I also feared that I would be physically overtaxed and that my overall health situation would deteriorate as a result.

Question 6: What was your first impression of the rehab facility?

I really liked the interior. At first, I was briefly irritated by the typical "hospital smell", but fortunately this unsettling feeling quickly subsided and I immediately felt at ease.

Question 7: What was a typical day in rehab like?

7:30 am: Breakfast

1-3 therapies/applications

12:00 p.m.: Lunch

1-3 therapies/applications

17:00: Dinner

After that, the rest of the time was free. At the weekend, there was a maximum of one treatment on Saturday. Sunday was then free and you were allowed to leave the hospital grounds for day trips.

Question 8: What kind of therapy did you receive?

The rehab clinic I went to specialized in the treatment of IBD, among other things. For example, there were psychological discussion groups on the subject of IBD and we IBD patients were also together in the teaching kitchen. Overall, there was a wide range of therapies on offer. In terms of exercise therapy/sport, for example, there was equipment training, water gymnastics, endurance and gymnastics. Psychological support was available individually or in groups. There were also physical therapies, such as heat treatments and massages. There were also nutritional consultations, medical consultations, such as ward rounds, and socio-medical discussions and support from the social services. Among other things, these helped me with questions such as: "What happens after rehab?" - were very helpful. And then, of course, there were specialist lectures on IBD, nutrition, sport and much more.

Question 9: How long were you in rehab? Was it inpatient or outpatient?

I was in inpatient rehab for 4 weeks. Initially, only 3 weeks were approved, but then I was given an extra week due to medical necessity and that was a good thing.

Question 10: Were there any moments that stuck in your mind in a particularly positive or negative way?

On the positive side, I was able to get to know people like me and sometimes felt like I was living in a parallel universe. The only negative things were individual experiences and a few health problems.

Question 11: How did you experience the exchange with other affected people?

The exchange with other IBD sufferers was the most valuable thing I was able to take away with me. It was the first time that I had seen so many other patients with IBD and I realized that I am not alone with my problems. Everyone has their own individual problems, but overall we have something in common.

Question 12: What was the most important thing you learned from rehab?

So far, I haven't been able to implement any routines from rehab because a new episode came and my plans were (once again) destroyed.

Question 13: How do you feel today compared to before rehab?

I feel less alone and more self-confident.

Question 14: Is there anything you would have liked to have known before rehab?

Rehab can change your course and turn your whole life upside down - I wasn't prepared for that. But I wouldn't have wanted to know that in advance.

Question 15: What advice would you give to other people with IBD who are considering rehab?

If you want to do it yourself and can imagine living somewhere else for three to four weeks, then rehab is definitely recommended. Emotionally and physically, however, it can be a challenge, especially because you have to deal with the topic of IBD and your own physical limitations on a daily basis. Overall, however, it is a very nice experience and you get to know many other like-minded people.

Question 16: When would you recommend rehab?

A doctor should always be involved in the decision. "Classic" times are, for example, after severe relapses or operations to recharge your batteries.

Conclusion

Andrea's experience report impressively shows how valuable rehabilitation can be for people with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Rehabilitation offers not only medical and therapeutic support, but also space for personal reflection, exchange and new perspectives. Even if the stay can be physically and emotionally demanding, it offers the opportunity to recharge your batteries, develop new coping strategies and take away important ideas for the rest of your life. Contact with other sufferers in particular can convey a feeling of understanding and solidarity that is often lacking in everyday life. Andrea's experience also makes it clear that rehab is not a miracle cure, but a process that requires time, openness and a willingness to self-reflect. It is important to check together with the treating doctors whether and when rehab makes sense.