I don't eat thanksgiving dinner because it just kills me

So I am thinking of skipping thanksgiving. The last few years, going to thanksgiving parties have basically brought me a ton stress and frustration. Every time I get advice about Crohn's or questions on why I am on meds instead of going the organic route. Or "why do you look so tired, wake up!" Or "you do know doctors just want to make money and that's why your doctor put you on such expensive drugs." Along with a bombardment of advice and questions which are sometimes really hurtful.
Aside from that there's the food issue, I don't eat thanksgiving dinner because it just kills me! The pain afterwards is so not worth it. So I eat something before I go. And then I get criticism because of that. And I have explained to them time and time again everything and it's like I'm talking to a wall. And now I'm flaring( guess it was the anti biotics I had to take :sad: ) and feel like if I go like this I'm seriously going to explode if someone tries to give me another piece of advice. I don't know if I'm being irrational and should stick through it or stay home. What do you think?

Some people really need to get Crohn's for a while so they 'get' it - if you get what I mean... I don't mean permanently, I just mean long enough to stop their freaking inane advice in their tracks forever.

Anyway, there's no doubt what I'd do. Skip it!

I feel your pain. I have decided to skip thanksgiving this year.  I'm in the middle of the biggest flare I've ever had along with some strictures as well.  All of which is very painful.  Seems anything I eat causes a great deal of pain.    Unfortunately, I don't have much self control around food so I decided it would be best to not be around it on Thursday.  Luckily, my mother-in-law understands completely if I don't come.   She also releived me from cooking the stuffing.

Hope you feel better and have a happy holiday

Thanks for your responses! The pain is definitely intensifying of this flare up and it now feels like my intestines are in a knot and I'm having 6 loose BMs a day. So there is no way I'm going I think I'll just lay in bed that night with a hot water bag on my belly and watch lifetime on tv.
And gumby44, the least of my worries is the food. I would just be so uncomfortable and in pain and frankly don't want to hear advice from people all night. I've gone before in yoga pants and a blouse when flaring because I get so bloated and it just hurts to wear jeans. And I've gotten a ton of crap about it all night, how I don't make the effort, how I'm not wearing makeup and don't look feminine enough. Thanksgiving for my family is basically a day everyone gets together and criticizes everyone and I'm just not up for it this year.

Was thinking about skipping Thanksgiving this year, but I am going and bringing my own meal (my mashed potatoes since theirs are awful and some Ensure).  I will get questions and comments and I know his family thinks Crohns is curable because his niece "had it once and is fine now".  I am going because it will be good for my husband and I am strong enough to handle the questions right now (and not enough on pred rage to blow--I think)

If the stress is too much, you can opt out.  Fanily can be wonderful, but there is nothing that says you HAVE to spend time with them.  Pick your spots.....

I'm so happy to have found this forum! I have just been diagnosed with CD (in July) after having a rather painful and difficult year. I'm trying to figure out foods that I can and cannot eat.

I am from Louisiana and absolutely LOVE Thanksgiving and all of the delicious rich foods that go along with it. However, after the many days I've spent in bed (and the bathroom) writhing in pain due to eating foods that I will now never eat again....I know I am not going to be able to eat much of anything on Thursday.

My family is also not very knowledgable on this disease and there won't be many changes made to the menu.

I hate that on the days that I actually am feeling good, because lets face it....after a bad few days, it takes several days to start to feel normal again I am finding.....I am feeling very emotional about this. Thanksgiving is really bringing it out.

I apologize for hijacking your thread. I know I'm new to this, but I've been searching for information for months and this is the best thing I've found so far.

:)

Hey Gumby...yup your skip list is all I usually eat at turkey day (except the salad).  When I was younger, stuffing sandwiches were my favorite leftover.  I am a carb lover and they love me.  I tired chicken last night.  If it goes well today, I wil try a small amount of turkey (which is always overcooked) and some rolls.  I won't miss the in-laws stuffing, watery mashed potatoes and even more watery gravy.  Upside---won't have to pretend to like the food this year   And hubby is making me some homemade chocolate pudding to bring to eat.

I ate the full dinner, and I paid for it yesterday had to stay home with bowel and bladder spasms all day..I hope to have a better day today..I watched it last year, and I can remember sitting at the table after making a big meal only able to eat jars of baby food on more than one occasion...

I skipped it too, not a big deal at least for me. It is much less stress for me and well worth missing.