A quest for my intestine's rest

[Foodlover]

Hello fellow Crohnies,
I’m 16 and have just recently been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. Over the last year I have first of all been firstly alarmed by a mega weight loss (13kg). As most teens, I was rushed to a nutritionist with whom for months I tried very much in vain to convince I was not anorexic. It is quite strange however I must have been denial as I seem over the months to have left my diarrhoea (and boy did I have it), gas etc in the toilets even though I felt I was being as open as possible with the dietician. Finally after having discovered blood in the WC, I was sent to a specialist who very quickly prescribed a colonoscopy. Since then I have been quite lucky as the whole process went quickly. I was put on heavy corticoids and just got out of the hospital where I was for the last week. I have to say I have had my outbursts (“it’s not fair”) but now I’m moving into a more practical phase I guess. As my username must have given away I am a big foodie, love it all and particularly Mediterranean cuisine (I live in France). So I am very freaked out about the dietary changes. I’ve gathered we’re all different so all have different reactions but I am having a hard time working through this. Also what is the average number of flare-ups in a lifetime? Can I ever drink again? What sports do you recommend? Seeing as I just got here I'm also very much open to any advice at all!
Thank you so much for this forum which has brought me so much comfort already! :ysmile:

 

[David]

Hi foodlover and welcome I'm sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis and hope you won't be going back to that dietician.

Let's see:

1. There is no average number of flareups I'm afraid. Some people stay in remission for a LONG time and others spend most of their time fighting to stay in it. Hopefully your remission comes quickly and stays there And as new treatment options come available, stays there for a LONG time.

2. I definitely wouldn't drink when in a flare. When in remission, well, that's up to you. As you mentioned, everyone is different. Some seem to do well with alcohol, others not so much.

3. Yoga can be a good "sport" for people with IBD if the teacher understands your condition

Again, welcome!

 

[joshzpate]

Hey Foodlover,

I was diagnosed when I was 17, (21 now) so I know what you mean when you say you have your "outbursts." Getting the whole disease wrapped around your brain isn't easy, but it starts with making good choices and leading a healthy lifestyle.

Choosing safe foods will be real important for you, but it doesn't have to be a painstaking process. Eat what you can and try to make as many good choices when ordering as you can. For me it started with ordering less fried, greasy things and learning how to cook more meals at home. Many IBD books have recipes and lots of good nutritional info and the web is full of stuff that will help you get through it. Mediterranean food, honestly, doesn't sound like the worst, so go in and find out what they have on the menu that will work with you and sounds the most healthy - grilled chicken kabob, mmm...

It's important to remember that you have a disease that will be with you for the rest of your life (or until someone finds a cure, fingers crossed) and you can significantly reduce, or at least put off, worst parts of the disease if you stay conscious of your dietary decisions. And you don't have to be scared of that. If you like writing or journaling then start a food diary, if you like reading then read some good IBD books, if you like cooking then cook meals for yourself. Basically, what's important is finding out how you can help you - and stick to it. It doesn't help to know that you can't drink milk and then go out and have a big ole' milk shake.

As far as sports go, I lost a lot of weight when I was diagnosed and played baseball throughout high school. I didn't face many complications when I played sports, but I bet if I'd had watched my diet more closely I could have prevented a lot of the bathroom attacks and thus kept some of my weight. At the time the cost/benefit of eating like a normal (American) teenager was where my mind was focused, not getting in remission.

Lifestyle choices and changes are almost a matter of habit and if you can get yourself into the right mindset with a good ultimate goal, I believe you can play any sport you want.

I'm glad to hear you are getting speedy treatment though. A good GI and a solid state of mind is key to getting through the worst parts.

A normal life is completely possible and you've got the support from tons of fellow chronies here. I'm glad you are getting the help that we are here to provide and good luck on the road to remission.

 

[Angrybird]

Hello and welcome to the forum, am glad you have decided to join How are you doing now and what meds have you been put on? As mentioned we are all different with how this disease behaves and what will work for it, I would just say is that do the best you can to be healthy and fit and if there is a food you know is going to aggrivate the tum then try to avoid it as best you can.

AB
xx

 

[Foodlover]

Hi,
Let me see as I just got out of the hospital I'm still on corticoids (sulopred 40g a day) amoxicilline (3g a day) and inexium 20mg a day. I'm also still on what I call a basic diet, rice, meat, pasta, no fruit, no fibres.
xx