Hunger....

[Dana]

Hi, everyone! Hows everyone doing?
I was diagnosed with Crohn`s Disease in July this year (2011).
I've been put on a formula diet for about 4 weeks now and I have only 2 more weeks to go but I've been having a really hard time.
I miss food so much, so much that I think I forgot the taste of chocolate!

And well I was wondering if anyone had to go through this too?. :confused2:
or if anyone had an idea for taking my mind off food and a way for me to forget about food.

*sigh* I'm having such a hard time and I know this is only the beginning. .... :ywow:

Thanks.

 

[Lydia]

Aw, hugs. I hope the next 2 weeks fly by. I remember missing food so much one time, I smelled blueberry pancakes where ever I went, when there were none.

 

[Tesscorm]

Hi Dana,

Other than the hunger, I hope things have been going relatively well for you since we last chatted! My son's dietitian warned him that at weeks 3, 4 he would hit a bump :ybatty: and that the cravings/hunger would be a bit tougher but that it WOULD pass! So, I guess this is my only suggestion... just know that it will pass, it did for my son. Just try distraction (lame, I know... :yrolleyes: ) Are you allowed jello? If yes, maybe try to freeze it? Or, if you purchase unflavoured gelatin, you can mix it with whatever juices you are allowed for a different 'flavour' (I made it with apple juice). Just for something different...

(By the way, my son's doctor told me that as frustrating as the hunger was, it is a positive sign of the treatment!)

One other suggestion, and you're going to think I'm crazy... :rof: but my son started watching the Food Network. And, surprisingly, I've heard of lots of other people who have done the same. I guess it makes you feel a bit 'closer' to food... I can't explain it. I used to ask my son why he was torturing himself but he said it made it easier. There's another teen on this forum that I know went through the same thing, Dogluv; she was on the diet at the same time as my son. Maybe if you PM her, she can give you some tips.

Otherwise, are things going ok? :Flower:

 

[Dana]

hi, Lydia.
I hope my two weeks end soon.
I keep smelling bacon every where I go.

 

[Dana]

Hi Tesscorm.
Everything is going really good right now. Thank you for asking
I'm not allowed to eat anything not even jello. Thats why i'm having such a hard time. I keep smelling bacon but no ones cooking in my house. Its sad.
I watch the food network too but lately it just makes me want to eat.

 

[Tesscorm]

Hi Dana,

Wish I could suggest something more for you... I do remember my son feeling the same way at about week 4; it seemed he was doing so well without food and all of a sudden he just wanted food! But, like I said, that harder period did pass... You're almost at the end, more than half way there! :mario2:

Are you allowed herbal tea? Can you try some different flavours of herbal teas? How about broth? My son was allowed clear broth - I sometimes gave it to him in a 'cup' instead of a bowl sometimes just to change it up a bit.

Hang in there! You're pretty incredible to be able to do this diet!!! :medal1: It takes a strong person! And you're almost at the end!:applause::headbang::applause:

Good luck hon!

 

[Dana]

Hi Tesscorm,
I have bad news and good news.
Bad news: I have to do 2 more weeks so 8 weeks in totally. BUT....
Good news: I get to eat soup and jello and also juice! I'm so happy!

My blood works came back great and everything is starting to brighten up in my life with crohn's.
I can't wait until my 2 weeks are over! Cause than I get to eat actual food again!

 

[Tesscorm]

Hi Dana,

Glad to hear that your test results are good!! :ycool:

But, sorry to hear about the extra two weeks! OMG, think that would have pushed my son over the edge at the time! By the last two weeks, he was counting down the hours, I think!

But, stick with it!!! Probably be a bit easier as you can see the benefits from your tests! You're ALMOST there!

Woohoo about the soup, jello and juice! Bet you never thought you'd be so excited about chicken broth and jello, eh? LOL :lol2: ENJOY!

I'll be thinking of you!! :rosette1:

 

[Dana]

Hello Tesscorm,
When the doctor told me I was so happy and after we went to Tims for chicken soup but I was only allowed to eat the broth... but I was so happy
I think i'll be counting down the hours when the time comes. I can't wait to eat actual chew-able food.
Thanks so much!

 

[CaliChi]

Do you have a plan of what to eat when you come off the liquids and super soft foods?

Sometimes when we come off these liquid things we just want to run out and eat pizza (or bacon in your case) because we haven't had it so long, but when we do that we risk hurting our insides and wasting all the weeks of loving care we just gave it, ya know?

Since you have another 2 weeks, maybe you can start making a plan for how to continue your loving gut care if you don't already have a food plan in place for the transition. <3

 

[CaliChi]

Also, I was on TPN for over a month after my first hospitalization. I had a tube in my arm and wore a back pack of "baby formula" every day with a pump that would feed me automatically. I didn't even have anything going in my mouth because I had ulcers in my mouth and esophagus -- so I totally relate to how exciting the prospect of eating again can be. Hang in there and be gentle with yourself. You're doing great!

 

[Spooky1]

Hi,
been on liquid feed through tube in stomach (gastrostomy) for 7 1/2 years, plus sip feeds. very boring, i sip water, occasional cup of tea, and a few nibbles sometimes. but yes its so boring. well done to all you getting through your weeks without food, i had naso-gastric tube before that so was well used to it. i think the psychology of it plays up to start with as its quite a peculiar concept not to eat. think every animal species does, so we are abnormal.

funny you said about food network. i watch too. there's definitely something going on there, perhaps psychology again, its normal to eat and want food, maybe the brain is trying to keep you attracted to it for survival or something. interesting. i sincerely hope that your digestive tract is all the healthier for it.

best wishes

 

[Dana]

Do you have a plan of what to eat when you come off the liquids and super soft foods?

Sometimes when we come off these liquid things we just want to run out and eat pizza (or bacon in your case) because we haven't had it so long, but when we do that we risk hurting our insides and wasting all the weeks of loving care we just gave it, ya know?

Since you have another 2 weeks, maybe you can start making a plan for how to continue your loving gut care if you don't already have a food plan in place for the transition. <3

Hello CalChi.
Well for me I sill have to take the formula but every week I can reduce one bag (I'm taking 6 right now) but at the same time I have to go on a low fiber diet. Which is totally fine with me cause like you said if i start eating solid food like bacon or pizza right away it might hurt my stomach and I seriously don't want that to happen :/
Thanks so much for the advice.

 

[Dana]

Hi,
been on liquid feed through tube in stomach (gastrostomy) for 7 1/2 years, plus sip feeds. very boring, i sip water, occasional cup of tea, and a few nibbles sometimes. but yes its so boring. well done to all you getting through your weeks without food, i had naso-gastric tube before that so was well used to it. i think the psychology of it plays up to start with as its quite a peculiar concept not to eat. think every animal species does, so we are abnormal.

funny you said about food network. i watch too. there's definitely something going on there, perhaps psychology again, its normal to eat and want food, maybe the brain is trying to keep you attracted to it for survival or something. interesting. i sincerely hope that your digestive tract is all the healthier for it.

best wishes

Hello.
7 and a half year is a long time . do you still have the naso-gastic tube? are you able to eat solid food?
I hope you're doing alright cause thats a long time with no food. :yfrown:
haha yes I think theres something psychology-ish about it cause the food network some how makes me feel better even though I can't eat anything.
Thank you for sharing.
Hope you are well and better <3

 

[Spooky1]

hi,
i don't have the naso-gastrict tube now, i have a plastic tube through the abdoman and goes right into the stomach. i do nibble away, but sometimes i just have the feed. it is boring though but used to it.

 

[Dana]

i'm sorry to hear that. I guess i shouldn't complain so much if i'm allowed to eat after a while.
I hope you get to start eating more food soon.