Surviving the holidays

[Ozboz]

Hey guys whose got some tips on staying on the straight and narrow during the festive season.

Today I have a bday bbq to go to then monday have dinner at my aunt's for Christmas eve then christmas day lunch and dinner also going away with family for new year's and there all talking pizzas and other wonderfull stuff I can't have

My problem is I seem to get frustrated with everyone when they're drunk and I seem to find comfort in food I shouldn't eat then I over eat and start to suffer or either just leave I don't want to leave bu I get like this heavy tired feeling in my body after a few hours of been around drunks and start getting angry and not pleasant I don't wanna leave everytime but I also don't want to suffer the next day or 2 so what do you guys do over this tie of year to survivr

 

[heatherb]

Hi

I empathise - I really do! I'm going to a dinner this evening (oh what merriment and joy THAT will be) and then Xmas day at my cousins house. My cousin has planned this ultra rich and indulgent menu which most people would give their right arm for I'm sure. Her sister is coming over from the UK too so it's extra special. So no doubt the champagne will be flowing with the same alacrity as the food.

I guess whilst I'll join them in a glass of champagne the food will be an issue. Then the amount I eat will be an issue because it gets commented on EVERY single time I'm there. She just doesn't 'get' the problem. I just calmly say 'it's OK I might go back to it later'.

Regarding your situation just try to relax I guess. Easier said than done I know. Maybe eat little bits at a time so you're nibbling throughout the day whilst they're getting hammered? I'm sure they will be suffering a hangover for the next day or two also! I usually take solace in that fact. Particularly with my cousin and that side of the family... they're a nightmare. Problem is they do a 'boxing day brunch' which, again, involves more champagne and usually eggs benedict sat on the deck. I'd love to plough into it with gusto but I can't. And yes, I get grumpy.

If you start feeling like you want to leave it's OK to do so (I can't I'm trapped out in the Waitakere hills and there's nowhere around haha).

Other than that I guess just ride the storm. After this daft holiday season you can be firmly back in control.

Hope that helps... more of a ramble than advice - sorry!

H

 

[CrohnsChicago]

Its going to be REALLY hard! This is my first holiday with crohns. I have already slipped up this week with all of the holiday parties, eaten many things I shouldn't have but on the plus side I made sure they were FAR smaller portions (more like sample portions) and I tried to wait a bit before I went back for a second (sometimes third!) plate.

I felt the effects in my gut and have been taking immodium and trying to eat simple at home in the days before the parties and after. It has helped some. But I am still learning lol.

Don't be afraid to walk away. Or even bring a healthier option to the parties like a hearty salad (if you can handle the veggies). Drink plenty of water, not other things to help keep your stomach full. I have also heard that eating something healthy BEFORE you go to a party with food reduces the consumption of bad foods during the event.

I will be trying these things and whatever tips others offers right beside you. Good luck!

 

[spencer2012]

dude trust me, ive had crohns for 16 long years and ive been thru it a 1000 times.it seems hard now when people get on your back about why you dont eat this and why you dont eat that. truth is, its none of their business. your most important issue here is your health and your well being. short term and overall. NEVER feel like you should make yourself poorly to be polite. when people ask me why dont you try this at parties i just smile and politely say no thanks. if pushed further i simply say "no thanks i have crohns". youll soon find that everyone knows someone who has it but has never bothered to educate themselves in it so you suddenly become a focal point and once your over the initial embarrassment of your illness youll find it quite an enthusing subject for others. learn to talk openly is the key. you havent done anything wrong. you didnt choose it so dont be ashamed. before long youll soon see that wherever you go youll take it all in your stride. and the ones that dont take the time to understand are not your friends anyway. ignorance derives from lack of education so who better to educate the people than you. and if they still persist, fuck em. the partys probably lame anyway. take care brother, god bless

 

[Ozboz]

Crohn'schicago what does immodium do for you I bought a pack for the holidays buthaven't tried it yet been having cramps

 

[Cross-stitch gal]

Sounds familiar. Only difference is it's with my in-laws and the drinking seems to come out at weddings and funerals. Plus, the majority there don't speak much english so questions quite often are directed at my husband about me.

Wish I could say that there's an easier way around food, alcohol and relatives. But, I can say that I'm there with ya.

 

[CrohnsChicago]

Crohn'schicago what does immodium do for you I bought a pack for the holidays buthaven't tried it yet been having cramps

I use the Immodium Multi-Symptom relief (not the regular Immodium AD). It helps keep my diarrhea at bay if i am out for a long period of time and eating and drinking things that I fear may affect me. It also cuts down on the bloating and gas/cramping pains I normally get immediately after eating.

I am sensitive to the stuff so I only take half of the dosage recommended on the bottle otherwise I may get backed up for a few days. Half dose seems to hold me over for the day.

 

[Sunnylight]

Its going to be REALLY hard! This is my first holiday with crohns. I have already slipped up this week with all of the holiday parties, eaten many things I shouldn't have but on the plus side I made sure they were FAR smaller portions (more like sample portions) and I tried to wait a bit before I went back for a second (sometimes third!) plate.

I felt the effects in my gut and have been taking immodium and trying to eat simple at home in the days before the parties and after. It has helped some. But I am still learning lol.

Don't be afraid to walk away. Or even bring a healthier option to the parties like a hearty salad (if you can handle the veggies). Drink plenty of water, not other things to help keep your stomach full. I have also heard that eating something healthy BEFORE you go to a party with food reduces the consumption of bad foods during the event.

I will be trying these things and whatever tips others offers right beside you. Good luck!

yah, it sucks with all the xmas cookies and holiday food... the yu regret it later as yu fell it digest threw yr stomach...