Calm after freak out

[Renée]

Hi everyone!

I'm an elementary school teacher (in french, so don't judge my english!) from Montréal, Québec, Canada. I've been diagnosted with cd last year. It was a really weird experience for me because I went alone for my colonoscopy. Don't do that, people! I live at a walking distance of the hospital and I was embarassed to have people exploring my rear end, so I thought it would be okay to go by myself. Haha! The thing is, they drug you a lot, then they tell you important stuff and it just sounds like : blablabla Crohn's disease blablablabla (man! I can see my inside on camera! wo!) blabla very important that you blablabla (I wonder if this girl is a student or a nurse...) you see this red area blabla (I'm sooooo sleepy!) blablabla an appointement blablablabla (zzzzzzzzzz....) medication blablabla.:smile:

Last month a had a flair up just before I go back to work. I was super stressed out. New school, new collegues, new students, new everything. So I was hospitalised for 6 days. They scanned my insides and I was connected to a cortisone bag 24/24. I had a major potassium deficiency too. The more I stayed there, the more I was stressed out. I was afraid to miss the first day of school. On the bright side, I saw a nutritionist for the first time and my medication was change for the better. After I freaked out and cried, the doctor let me out (yeah... I take my teaching that seriously) he made me promise to take yoga classes and I have an appointement in a month.

Now, I'm good. I love my students. I'm more relaxed. I follow the doctor's and the nutritionnist's advises and I don't even have pain. (knock on wood) Bonus, I'm now friends with a 81 year old lady from the hospital and I feel like I'm making a difference in her life. Pretty positive stuff!

So, my mission is mostly to reduse my anxiety level. It was a wake up call for me.

Thanks for reading this! Supporting each other is a great plan! Let's do that!

Renée

 

[Crohn's 35]

:welcome: Renee! So glad you joined our community. You will learn a lot here, I know I have. You sounded like you were only in twilight for your scope, I am put out, and don't wake up groggy, just hungry lol.

I have had Crohns a long time and I do believe stress can aggrivate our symptoms, and I was not really depressed so to speak but had a short temper. My husband and gp recommended Pristiq, and I hated that thought, but since then I have had fewer flares and it doesn't alter your brain or feel weird, or I wouldn't take it. Hate taking pills for anything. I am so glad I am taking Pristiq, my doc is not a pill pusher but he says this so mild it takes a few months to work. Been almost a year and I hardly cry any more lol.

A nutritionist that I have here is great, she is a digestive order nutrionist and she was dead on and knew more than my Gi. Gi's need to update on that .

So glad you are here. School for everyone is nerve racking.

 

[Gemmajoy]

Welcome Renee

I hope you carry on feeling better. I too am a very anxious person and I know this is something I need to work on.

Just wondering what both yours and Pens nutritionist said is a good diet to stay on. What foods to avoid?

Sometimes the only thing I can stomach is mash and cheese. Eggs and chocolate really don't seem to do me any good. But I'm craving chocolate so bad!!

 

[Renée]

@Pen : I am already on Cipralex. It's a happy pill. I'm like you, I hate pills but I realised that the effect was good on me. So, I take it. Maybe I would have my dosage adjusted in august next year. Thanks for the welcoming wagon!

@Gemmajoy : The nutritionnist said that we have to avoid all residu (grains, veggies or fruits peels and seeds, leafs, coffee, tea or other stimulants, gasy stuff like beans, apples, cabbages, melons. She said that all veggies and apples should be cooked. Things with little skins like green peas should be mashed. All fruits and veggies are great in a juice. Nuts are a big no.

This is the very strict diet that you follow when it's not going well. You can eat anything in moderation when you are well. Don't hesitate to ask me questions. Maybe I forgot something.

Renée

 

[scottmyster]

HI Rene'e, Welcome to the forum. i know it's hard to stay with a strict diet but, it works. i have had crohn's for 21 years now and counting and i follow a strict diet too. i boil almost everything even meat and chicken especially chicken man that stuff is really greasy once you've seen it boil and let the water settle a little bit. i avoid citrus fruits, any that is greens, basically the same stuff you stay clear of it's a challenge but i meet it head on and continue with my diet. but, it's nice to meet you and the forum is a very supportive place to be people here are great and a great well of knowledge. Hope to seening you around the forum. best wishes

 

[xJillx]

Welcome Renee! Oh yes, it's always important to have a second set of ears after a procedure. I never remember a thing! I even bring my husband to all of my appointments, because he'll catch things I miss.

Your story really hit home, because we are a lot alike. I used to teach, and yes, I took it that seriously, too. It stressed me out beyond belief. I'd arrive at school at 7am, stay until 5pm, and put in at least 2-3 more hours of work at home. I don't know why I was that way; I guess it's just my A type personality. Needless to say, I decide to take a break from the profession. I now have an office job that I enjoy and is a lot less stressful. So, I know exactly where you are coming from! But I am happy to hear you are feeling a lot less stressed; stress is not good for the Crohn's.