Help me help him...

[Thompson]

My father in law was recently diagnosed with Crohn's. I think the world of him. I have never heard him say a bad word about anybody, my daughter worships him, and he takes it upon himself to help us in any aspect of our lives, without us even having to ask. He was in the hospital for 2 weeks when they learned he has Crohn's. He just turned 60 years old, and has never had any major health problems, and it seems that this really has him down. We have never seen him like this, I'm not sure what he is taking specifically, but he is irritable, and it seems like our kids are getting on his nerves, and I know it breaks his heart. Everyone is so concerned, because he is always so laid back, and happy-go-lucky. I can tell it worries my husband and mother & brother -in- law. I can't imagine what he is going through, but I want to learn what I can to help, because they always help us, and I want to be there for them for a change. I hate it for him, because it seems as though so much has changed overnight. Due to the meds, he has to avoid sunlight, certain foods, and it seems like on top of having this, all he hears is "no, no, no". That has to be aggrivating. My mother in law is the best cook, and she has no idea what to fix him anymore, and she is worried about the side effects of the meds he has to take. From what I understand, he is on a low fiber/ low residue diet. I think he will be fine (he's one of the strongest people I know), but I just thought I would try to seek information regarding what I am hearing he is struggling with, so I was wondering if anyone had any advice/information on the following:
1) How to handle or ease the irritability.
2) Cooking/sites to find good recipies (I ordered a cookbook tonight).
3) What NOT to do.
Any insight will be greatly appreciated and useful. Thanks so much

 

[CLynn]

Thompson, you are so sweet and caring to be trying to find all this out. Sounds to me like he is going thru normal emotions and maybe some side effects of a steroid medicine, possibly prednisone. It causes mood swings and some find they are more easily angered on it as well. Does your mother in law know what he is taking? Would be good for you to know. Plus, I am sure the man is just not feeling very well at all currently. I have been on that diet, it doesn't last forever, but it is important during flares when there is worry of stricturing/blockage. I drank alot of V-8 and fruit juices to help with the blandness of that diet. He will be fine once he gets his system settled and healing, with so many caring family members around him. It's so overwhelming to find out you have this disease, and that you will have it forever.

 

[Astra]

Hiya Thompson
and welcome

Do you know which med he is on? Certain meds such as steroids like Prednisolone can make you irritable.
You mention sunlight? His med could be Azathioprine (Imuran) which advises to stay away from sunlight, but I believe it's ok covered up.
As regards to diet, we have a vast array of recipes here on the diet and fitness sub forum. Whilst the low residue is ok in the short term it's not advisable in the long term: our intestines need some continuity such as fibre intake. And... low res can get boring!!
Ask your FIL to start keeping a food diary, a useful tool in the elimination process. And slowly reintroduce certain foods back in.
I would advise your FIL to start listening to his body, rest, rest and then some!
Fatigue is a killer, and a major contributor to irritabilty too!
And tell him no NSAIDS, like Ibuprofen, Advil etc
Any questions, just ask, always someone here to help, good luck
lotsa luv
Joan xxx

 

[Robert747]

Hello,

It is really hard to give advice as we all deal with things in our own way. However if this helps I am approaching mid fifties and had 13 Crohn's free years until last month - had a major flare / sepsis and spent ten days in hospital (it was probably my own fault for giving up medication / tests years ago). There were some very dark days in hospital when your mind goes places it shouldn't - I am now on a 6/8 week liquid only diet and taking Azathioprine (no sunlight, etc). However less than a month on I am feeling really great - just a bit tired. So really I am sure this will pass and normal service will be resumed.

Wish you all the best,

Rob

 

[Angrybird]

Hello and welcome to the forum :bigwave: I think it is wonderful that you are looking in this disease and finding out on how you can help. I also agree that the irritability in part sounds like he is on steroid medication and Prednisone is the most likely to have this as a side effect. I myself am on Azathioprine (this may be what your FIL is on) and I have been warned about going out in the sun, I have been told to either cover up or make sure I am using a high factor sunscreen - they key is to be vigilant in not leaving the skin totally unprotected.

Diet wise there is a lot of conflicting information on whether this helps or not with an IBD like crohns. I personally think there is always a benifit in keeping a food diary of what definetly upsets the tum so these foods can be avoided. It may be surprising on what he finds he can actually eat. It tends to only be when on a flare up when a more restritive diet may be required to help get things calmed down.

Finally just have a good nosy around the forum as there is a lot of info here perhaps see if you FIL may be interested in having a look as well....

AB
xx

 

[Thompson]

Thank you all so much. This site is wonderful. Sorry I haven't gotten back sooner. My in laws do not have the internet (craziness right lol), but my MIL came over to look into some of the info I had come across, and I think it helped her. I came across some things on pinterest also. Thank you all so much for the input, I wish you all the best.

 

[kd82286]

Got to be the roids!!!:-( Also it's difficult no matter what your age to accept that you have a disease that will be with you for the rest of your life. But don't worry once the pain fades and he is tapered off the steroids that I feel certain he is on he will be back to normal personality wise. As for reducing stress until then, just try to give him as much space and privacy as possible. Low fiber/low residue diets stink but they help. I am a popsicle junky(banana flavor when its colonoscopy time) when I am forced to be on that one. Grits and scrambled eggs too. It may sound crazy but avoid the things at the grocery store that look healthier because they are made from "real fruit" or "real veggies". This means that it probably has real SEEDS and other things that are hard on a healing colon. I also found that pureed soup was another low residue fav for me. Good Luck! As always let us know if you have anymore specific questions. Remember it gets easier to.