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How do I handle the rollercoaster?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 9/6/2011 3:10 AM (GMT 0)
I've been in full flare mode since the beginning of July - 8 weeks! It has been a series of ups and downs. What I thought was the stomach bug I am not suspected the crohn's flare up. I've read the crohn's patients can get fever and chills and that's how it all started, followed by a week of chronic diarrhea. After three weeks, I realized that my crohn's had come back. I have not had a serious flare-up in at least 10 years, maybe even more, so I forgot about the symptoms. I used to be able to take my Rowasa and cut back on dairy but now, I'm thinking it's other foods like gluten too! This past week, I started to finally get some solid stools and there was no sign of blood, so I went into denial mode and now it's back to the diarrhea.

I'm so weak and dehydrated. I've been trying to sip herbal tea and I had a Gatorade. Can anyone tell me what's the best thing to have to get your electrolytes back to normal?  For the next couple of days, it's gonna be liquid only diet for me! I want so badly to get rid of this. Thanks for any advice 8)

Posted 9/6/2011 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hugs Kew!!!! I am getting better from a flare that started in early July myself, even spent 2 1/2 weeks in the hospital. One thing that helped me alot because I was getting so dehydrated, was taking 1/2 tab of Immodium. Normally Immodium will give me some rebound problems. So doc had me take 1/2 tab of Immodium to stop the diarrhea, and that in turn helped me stop the diarrhea not become so dehydrated. I would allow myself to go at least 3 times before I took the Immodium and that has seemed to help alot.

I also am watching my diet. I try to make myself eat something every few hours. I drink Gatorade all the time and that has been helping "me" too. Hope that helps some. Hugs!
Posted 9/6/2011 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
When I am in full on flare mode, the thing that helps me the most is sipping extra strength chicken broth. I use the cubes and the paste that comes in the small jars in the grocery store. I make it in my coffee "to go" cup, 20 oz cup, 2 cubes and a dab of paste so that it is extra salty. I take it with me every where I go. No one knows it isn't coffee and it helps calm any nausea and helps replace electrolytes.
Posted 9/7/2011 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
This is a slightly differnt perspective

Real chicken broth made from real chicken bones is very very healing. So is beef and fish broth. Cubes and instant stuff of course is not. You can add some veg, carrots and onins for example, cook the veg well then puree the veg. This is super healthy and healing.

You can by electrolyte replacement that does not contain high fructose corn syrup and all the other stuff in gatorade. I use ELETE but there is another one called Elyte (I think). They both contain the 3 or 4 key electrolytes our body needs. You can add this to knudenson's only juice and some water and you have as much electrolyes as you want, carbs and no added stuff.

A very ripe banana will all so add some electrolyte and carbs. A smoothie with a banana, probiotic yogurt maybe a bit of honey is yet another option for fluids, carbs and electrolytes

A bit more work, but perhaps a lot better for you IMHO

Dave - the health nut
Posted 9/14/2011 11:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi dfdavedf

I see you take amitriptyline for sleeping too...it helps me with the cramps as well...it is the only thing I have been on for a while now...just the past couple years starting to notice more and more progression...first the swelling of my optical nerve in my eye...of course on and off again diarrhea and constipation...and for the past year or so kidney stones...I catch any little thing that anyone around me has if they are sick...some days I don't even want to get out of bed...there are days I ache all over and days that I am fine...do you guys have that too?

Posted 9/15/2011 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with Dave regarding the chicken broth...pure natural ingredients with coconut oil added will help. Also, gatorade has too much sugar, which always irritates my hubby's stomach.
Posted 9/15/2011 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
I can't tell how bad your flare is unless I saw you....but mine got to the point where I woke up for college,went to the bathroom, and said thats enough and drove right to the hospital and they put me on IV steroids and all sorts of crazy strong medication. After a week I got out feeling better then ever and ever since (2 years knock on wood) I've been alright.
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