New suscriber - fed up and anxious

[egar]

Hi, I've had Crohn's for 10 years now and (touch wood) all in all, have had not to bad a time of it (either that or I'm in denial - hmmmmm). Anyhow, over last year and half have lost father and grandfather and mum had a heart attack (better now) so all in all very stressful time. Have been on steroids since around October 2007, 150mg azathiropene? and 600mg mezalazine per day. Can't get down lower than 15mg prednisolene a day. Have been sent for an MRI scan which they didn't really tell me the reason for - OK, except that I'm in pain but I was expecting a colonoscopy. Anyhow, worried absolutely sick about it all and thinking the worst. Normally have diahorrea with my Crohn's but don't this time - all confused and upset. Anyone out there with suggestions to cheer up? Re: food - I haven't changed my eating habits at all - should I?

 

[Isla]

Were you in remission before October?

They probably gave you an MRI to rule out an obstruction. At this point all you can do is listen to your doctors as not all of our diets are the same nor are all of us on the same medication.

The only suggestion I have is if it is a partial obstruction, narrowing of your intestines that slows things down, or are constipated try a liquid diet. Juice, watter, coffee, jello, and broths. Do this for 24-48 hours then slowly add a food. If 6-8 hours you haven't used the bathroom you could try a natural laxative like senokot.

 

[Racer X]

At this point all you can do is listen to your doctors as not all of our diets are the same nor are all of us on the same medication.

I agree with Isla, you should listen to your doctor. But the second part of Isal's quote explains why nobody including your doctor can tell you exactly what to and what not to eat.

You may want to give the BRAT diet a try for a week or two.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BRAT_diet

I started with the BRAT diet. After a week or so my symptoms decreased significantly. Then I started to add foods one at a time. I soon discovered what foods hurt me and what foods helped me. Now that I have a base food list to work from. I also take vitamins to fill in any gaps. My doctor runs blood tests to make sure I was not missing any key nutrients.


Best Wishes,

Tim

 

[Guest]

hi Egar, & welcome

until you get all the results from all tests your doctors want you to have, none of us can really know what's happening right now.. but in the meantime you can do the best to aid your body by looking after your diet (easily digestible & nutritious foods), getting plenty rest, trying not to get stressed out...

it's possible you have, due to all the recent bereavements, developed IBS - this pain may not be Crohns. but by the same token, Crohns can definitely be exacerbated by emotional upset, and can present in different ways.. sometimes diarrhoea, sometimes constipation etc etc....

i am really sorry to hear of your losses - i know what that's like, and it does take a long time to accept, and our bodies/minds are affected more than we realise sometimes.

 

[Creepy Lurker]

I agree with Isla, you should listen to your doctor. But the second part of Isal's quote explains why nobody including your doctor can tell you exactly what to and what not to eat.

You may want to give the BRAT diet a try for a week or two.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BRAT_diet

I started with the BRAT diet. After a week or so my symptoms decreased significantly. Then I started to add foods one at a time. I soon discovered what foods hurt me and what foods helped me. Now that I have a base food list to work from. I also take vitamins to fill in any gaps. My doctor runs blood tests to make sure I was not missing any key nutrients.


Best Wishes,

Tim

That's odd... According to the Low Residue Diet booklet that I got from the hospital, I'm not supposed to eat bananas, yet that diet lists them as low fibre. I wonder which one is correct? I love bananas!

 

[Racer X]

That's odd... According to the Low Residue Diet booklet that I got from the hospital, I'm not supposed to eat bananas, yet that diet lists them as low fibre. I wonder which one is correct? I love bananas!

Creepy,

I was told that allowing the banana to ripen makes it easier to digest. I usually wait until there are a lot of brown spots before eating them.

The doc said to avoid fiber. I can eat bananas everyday with no ill effect. This seems to suggest that a nice ripe banana may be ok for you to.

 

[Keara07]

Bananas were given to me in the hospital 4 days after my resection when I was allowed to eat again...they were considered by the dietician low-residue, as long as they are over ripe and soft. I didn't eat them though only for having no appetite. They sit well now and I am still on a very restrictive diet.