How does one deal with the setbacks to healing caused by diarrhea or constipation? I was on an antibiotic for 10 days and it upset my stomach initially despite a heavy probiotic regimen. I then doubled my probiotics which got things under control, but the damage was done. Last night I had a flare up of my skin condition, coupled with the stress of dealing with it alone since my husband is off on a work trip this week. End result, diarrhea 3 times this morning, but luckily the pain is not as bad as with antibiotics.

I'm going to increase my probiotics again instead of tapering them off, but I feel terrible inside. I'm dealing with the stress of my skin breaking out, my armpit is super painful and I can't lift anything with that arm. The doctor I saw today refused to give me a cortisone shot for it and I'm going to find another one tomorrow who will do it since my regular doctor is on vacation this month. If this thing is left to itself it could require surgery, but these docs think they know my body better than me! I just feel like life is beating me down with a hammer repeatedly and it's really hard to cope. Sorry to go on and on about this. I know many on here have it worse than me, but I'm at my most depressed in years. Nothing has been as hard to deal with as this fissure despite all my other health challenges. Thanks for reading this

I'm really sorry to hear that you're feeling so down. I certainly can understand your frustration with the doctor you saw, because I've met enough doctors myself, who think that they know better than I do. Infuriating, really. I hope that you feel better soon. Can you give your husband a call? For a long-distance morale boost?

Thank you so much for your kind words. They really mean a lot. I will definitely be calling my husband when he's back from dinner. It was hard saying goodbye​ this morning, I've become very dependent on him for so many things. A far cry from the woman who just a few months ago was stubbornly independent. I think I will call my mother as well and lean on her shoulder.

Great that you can call your husband soon, and even better that you can call your mother too. Both my (late) mother and my husband have both always been my rocks.