New Member, needs advice!

[nkeene]

Hi everyone, I was recently (as of last week) diagnosed with Crohn's disease. This past week (3 days after I was diagnosed) I also moved into a dorm for my freshmen year of college. I didn't have any type of chance to adjust while I was still living with my parents, and am just now figuring out what I can and can't eat. Because I'm not on medication yet, I'm trying to eat what I've read your supposed to eat while having a flare up. But because I live in a dorm and eat in a cafeteria it's been extremely difficult finding things to eat. I've essentially been living off of microwaved mashed potatoes. Today I did talk to the head chef who is going to make meals for me specially off a very short list of things I can eat, which I think is gonna help a lot. But what do I do when I go out to dinner with my friends? (I've learned college students eat out a lot). Should I go back home and commute to school for classes until I'm on medication and better? I need help

 

[kllyeve]

Hey there and welcome!! Congrats on getting into college!!!

I was diagnosed older so was past this stage but here are my two cents -

1) eat before you go out - you will probably be able to find at least one thing on the menu that you can eat but just in case.

2) Order plain fish or plain chicken, baked potatoes, plain rice, steamed vegs(if you can tolerate them) Most places can make these things - unless you are at McD's or Pizza places. At a pizza place I would get a thin crust vegetarian with very little cheese as sometiems the meat/ dairy can cause problems - get a gluten free crust if you can.

4) If you have a small fridge in your room get some Diabetic Boost/ Ensure. I drank this for almost a year as I couldn't tolerate much food. Get the diabetic kind as it has more portein with less simple sugars so sticks with you longer.

3) How is your energy level? Can you handle your studies and looking after yourself - laundry bills etc. I am sure your parents wouldn't mind helping - but the commute may be just as tiring if not more.

4) Get on some medication - I am not sure why you didn't walk out with your diagnosis AND a prescription for something - even just Pentasa. The faster you can get this under control the less run down you will become.

5) Make sure to talk to your Profs so they know why you randomly run out of lectures to the bathroom - people are more understanding if they know. Get a letter from your doctor if that is what the college requires. You don't want to be stuck in an exam and have no proven medical reason why you might have to leave to go to the washroom. IF they know they can make accomodations so you won't be penalized for your medical condition.

Good luck and hang in here!! There are some other "kids" your age around but with school starting again they may just all be busy.

 

[EthanPSU]

Hey nkeene, I feel for you. I was diagnosed right before going in college. At college, for my freshmen year, where I had to eat cafe food, I would mostly eat salads and our chineese bar, because I found that they arnt that bad for me. And yeah, we went out to eat about every other night, but when you're out, just get what you know you can handle. I thankfully was ok with pizza and had it about every other day since we ordered a ton of it. My sophmore, junior, and senior year we luckily got a apartment on campus which had a over and fridge and a whole kitchen, so I just made all my meals from then on.

 

[Thermo]

Some will disagree with me and of course this varies from situation to situation but if you have to watch what you eat too much and can only tolerate a handful of foods it means your disease is not in remission. I would look into going on some type of medication so you can focus on school which will dictate the rest of your life. Don't let Crohns take away this opportunity to enjoy yourself, believe me it will do plenty of this as the years go on. My advice is see a doctor and get on some type of medication.