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I'm having a particularly bad day.  Just wondered how you all cope with your disease every day at work.  My disease is Crohns, and I made the mistake of eating lunch today.  Since lunchtime, I've been in the bathroom for most of the afternoon, and then I had a crying jag during my 15 minute break (I made sure I was alone).  Sometimes I really feel like I'm losing it.  Do most of you not eat during the work day?  I'm finding that is the only way to cope with this disease outside my house.  I am planning an overnight trip next weekend and fear I will have to fast the whole time or I will ruin the trip for my husband. Every time I plan something like a day trip or a doctors appointment I find myself fasting the day before.  It seems to help in the short term, but I don't want to develop an eating disorder either.

 Reply posted for SaintElmosFire.

Posted for anyone and everyone

Hi, I am new to this site I have had chrons since 1985 early 30's I am 55 now.I have been one of the lucky ones no surgeries I take sulfazadine after all these years I still do not know how to spell it. I am having more flare ups and I have started taking iron pills,because of my enemia that I just started having.I guess I will take them from now on.Chrons is really beginning to depress me.I am not married want to be some day but there is always that but? I do not want to put someone through all this.I am feeling down and out nd just wanted to share with people that are going through the same thing.Thank You for taking the time ..dc

 Reply posted for necromancer.

Why not list your questions & see who can offer advice here?

 Reply posted for RJB10345.

Diarreha is the bodies inability to absorb water. I take fiber 4x a day, lomotil at least two times day, eat small portions, dont eat Thanksgiving Dinner sized portions at any meal, take 5 other meds/24 pills daily. Have tremendous ups and downs emtionally, try to stay on a routine, sleep and eat at the same times.

 Reply posted for SaintElmosFire.

 Is there anyone here I can talk to, I was recently diagnose with colitis and I wana know how were you able to cope up with the situation. I have a lot of questions.

 Reply posted for SaintElmosFire.

Keep your chin up - it won't always be this bad. Eat simple foods in small portions. When things are not so good for me, I tend to stick to jelly (jello? - sorry, I'm from the UK, heehee!), plain white toasted bread, porridge, plain mashed potato, plain oat biscuits, melba toast. x

 Reply posted for SaintElmosFire.

Glad to hear your overnight wasn't too bad; I worry about trips (and having to cancel them) for my husband's sake too.  I do as much research as possible to be 'familiar' with the new place ahead of time -- online or travel books, even if it's local.  I eat plain, "safe" foods while traveling (and most of the rest of the time) - boring, but less chance of increased problems.  Low residue always -- raw vegtables a big no no for me like most folks, and low residue helps your intestine heal and reduce pain.   When I'm in a flare up I get hungry but have no appetite, but I've learned to try eating something - no matter how small - whenever I think I can handle it, several times a day.  Bananas, a bit of good quality cheese with crackers, no-sugar applesauce - just strike while the iron is hot!  It also gives your stomach a base to tolerate the meds.  Sometimes I just have to cut myself some slack and accept I'm going to feel bad for a while, build some extra time into my schedule to get normal things done, and make time to do things I want to/enjoy, and just forget the things that can wait or I don't want to spend the energy on.

Hang in there.  :)

 Reply posted for SaintElmosFire.

Thank you all for your suggestions and your support.  I am going to look into much of what you've all suggested.  I got through the overnight weekend without too much trouble.  However, this week I'm back to the same old crappy feeling and not eating.  I am starting to realize that I need to be grateful for the good days I do have.

 Reply posted for SaintElmosFire.

HI- I feel so badly for you because like others, I can relate to your story.

 Reply posted for SaintElmosFire.

Well I just go to the bathroom before I go to work. I eat normally though, for breakfast I have a huge meal, lunch I usually have a tv dinner an snack, and on my two breaks I eat a snack, then when I get home I eat a big dinner. If I am having a flare I just eat something small if anything. I can't go to the bathroom whenever I want at my job, they fired some pregenat lady for going to the bathroom too much! So if I have to go, I just hold it until break, I usually don't go the bathroom that much anymore.

 Reply posted for SaintElmosFire.

SaintElmosFire - For most of the 45 years I have managed my Crohn's disease, I took Metamucil twice a day.  (Available at any drug store.  It says it is for help in keeping folks regular, but it really does a good job at absorbing water for folks like us!)  A heaping teaspoon in 4 ounces of OJ after breakfast and another one in water after dinner.  I did it religiously, as it absorbed much of the "excess fluid" caused by things moving too quickly through the small intestine and into the large bowel.  Over the years, I got better at recognizing when a flare was starting and got to my doctor in time to knock them down sooner.  It is interesting to me, as I have been reading this community board for a while, that Metamucil is not mentioned very often.  I would always suggest that before anyone adds something new to their routine that they first check with their doctor.  I would also agree with other posters that you keep your diet to low residue and eat several smaller portions during the day.  Know, too, that for some of us there has been various degrees of depression that come along as a side effect of the Crohn's during a flare.  A mild antidepressant during this time might help make the world look a little better.  I had good luck with Lexapro.  Good luck on your journey! - Bob

 Reply posted for SaintElmosFire.

Hey there.  Sorry you had a bad day with Crohn's.  When I flair, I usually back my diet down to easily digestible, low residue foods.  Also, I eat 6-7 small meals daily.  This is a good starting point: http://www.healthcastle.com/low-residue-fiber-diet.shtml.  Like I said, this is a starting point only since Crohn's does different things to each of us.  I add Pedialyte to it since it is absorbed faster than plain water and is better than Gatorade or Powerade in that is isn't so carb, salt and sugar packed.  Funny story about Pedialyte, if you can bear with me.  2 summers ago the Pro Beach Volleyball tour came to town, Hoover, AL, and they bought up all the pedialyte, both branded and generic, within 15 miles of me!  That pretty much sealed the deal for me.  If pro athletes chose it over Gatorade or Powerade, it had to be better.

Oh - one more thing.  I avoid soft drinks with caramel color as they seem to be over carbonated and irritate me.  I also avoid coffee .

Hope this helps you.

 Reply posted for SaintElmosFire.

I know exactly what you're going through. Many times at work and school I've forced myself to be hungry in order to avoid uncomfortable situations. This isn't supposed to happen though. During a flare, I went on a trip to Delaware  for a week, and the long car ride made me uneasy. However, I focused on eating simple foods, like salads and breads of all types. I kept myself from malnourishment during this period with vitamins. Taking my medication usually upset my stomach, so I would plan to take it very early in the morning or at night when we're all settled in. Also, I spent the mornings on the balcony of the hotel (ocean front view - very nice) which enabled me to relax and be prepared for the what the day might bring. Starving yourself is never the answer. However, with tedious planning, you can still make the best of your days at work, and your trip. Another helpful tip is to be prepared by carrying toilet paper and extra medication wherever you go. I really hope this was somehow helpful. Good luck!