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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 1/10/2012 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hey everyone! I thought I would try and draw on advice from those of you who have more experience w this nasty disease. I have real problems in the morning dealing w this disease. The D and cramps are so bad that I have a hard time motivating myself and trying to remain positive throughout the day. I am not normally the type of person that feels sorry for themselves, but it's been really hard with this flare up. Thankfully there are days when I don't have to get out of bed, but it's the days that I do have to that I am struggling with. What do y'all do when the D and cramps are so bad you just wanna stay in bed?
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31yr old female diagnosed 8/11, symptoms since 2003
Tried Lialda with bad side effects
currently on low dose Prednisone and Librax
Vicodin 7.5 prn for pain
Ambien for sleep
Posted 1/10/2012 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
Here are things you can do right away that might help you feel better.

Eliminate foods with lactose in them (regular milk, soft cheese) and/or use lactase tablets when you eat them.

Eliminate gluten (anything with wheat, barley or rye). This might seem challenging, but once you get the hang of it isn't very hard. Gluten and lactose are the most common bowel irritants.

Examine your diet and see if you can improve it by moving away from processed foods. Start taking a vitamin D supplement (I take 2000 iu/day). Start taking an omega 3 fatty acid (fish oil is most common, I use flax seed oil).

Make sure you're getting enough water, and calcium. I drink lactose-free milk and eat a yogurt as often as I can.

On the topic of yogurt, make sure you're eating one with active cultures. You might also consider taking a probiotic - folks here can give you suggestions.
Posted 1/10/2012 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
I have been trying really hard to watch my diet, although it's been difficult to change some old habits. I do take a probiotic every day. As far as vitamins, I was just told not to take any vitamins after being hospitalized in December for passing a total of three kidney stones. The doc said the vitamins could be causing the kidney stones. Thanks for the info, though. I really appreciate it! :-)
Posted 1/10/2012 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
Vitamin D is often low in American adults. Talk to your DR again about whether vitamin D could cause kidney stones. You know what also raises the risk of kidney stones? Crohn's disease.

I take my vitamin D in a little tiny gel capsule. I do not take a multivitamin, nor do I take calcium.
Posted 1/10/2012 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks kazbern! I will ask my doc about the vitamin d. I have already left a message for him today, but I have a feeling he's going to tell me to go to the hospital. He seems to be getting tired of me, but he's the only doc I have right now as I am waiting on a referral to a new GI.
Posted 1/10/2012 6:13 PM (GMT 0)
I second what Kaz says, eliminite the gluten and wheat for a few days. It's worth a try.
I like plain gluten free waffles and drizzle some pure maple syrup and a few berries.
I still eat wheat products, but find I do better if they have sourdough in them, as the gluten is pre-digested.
Posted 1/10/2012 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
It's the nature of the beast that make the mornings generally the worst part of our days, and for some of us it does calm down some as the day goes on and then can start up again before the day ends...it's such a nasty disease and does take a lot away from us...there's no way I could stay in bed though, I'd poop myself for sure, it's what forces me to get out of bed in the mornings, though I'd much rather sleep in LOL.

I exercise regularly now (for the last 10 yrs) and it's definitely helped (don't get me wrong, my mornings are still awful but I don't exepct that to change since I've always been in a flare my entire 20 yrs of having the DD thanks to some complications with it) you may want to check out my sig below to see the others things that have also been helpful...no full remission but I don't expect that to happen since it hasn't yet in my 20 yrs of having this DD, but I'll take whatever help I can get.
Posted 1/11/2012 4:14 AM (GMT 0)
CrampyandCranky, in response to what you asked, what helps me to feel better is talking to my mom, or my family, anyone close that you can share details about your condition and not have someone else feel overwhelmed. For me its mom, because to me she is like superwoman (has her own problems) but knows how to make me feel better with my own.

Restore your faith or positive energy in whatever you want to believe in. Living blindly anymore just doesnt cut it unless you have something, anything to live for and feel appreciative or thankful for. Something you can look forward to.

Start exercising lightly. Exercise, especially yoga or meditation with deep breathing can relax you and make you feel brand new.

I think for me, even on the worst days, i picked myself up and showered and ate even though i felt like total crap, I think maybe I was just trying to not make myself feel worse by not doing what was normal to me.

Hope this helps you, good luck. :) Just remember you're not alone.
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