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Crohns and Colitis Exchange

This is a place for members with Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis to get ... more

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HannahLeigh89

Joined: 02/27/2010

My Story:

I'm 22 and I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in 2006 after struggling for a couple of years to get a diagnosis. I've tried many, many medications and regardless of what I do, I can't seem to find remission, but I'm trying to not let it get to me. I had a total colectomy (removal of entire colon and rectum) with ileostomy placement in 2010, and I had my ilesotomy reversed in 2011. I have a J-pouch (internal pouch that serves as a fake rectum), and so far, it has been a constant struggle to maintain nutrition and try to balance exercise and rest.

I'm enrolled in college pursuing an associate's degree in both nursing and psychology, with which I will graduate in May 2013. My plan then is to get my bachelor's and perhaps either go to med school or nurse practitioner school. I currently live with my mother in a small town in Missouri with a long haired dachshund and a Siamese kitten.

I don't have many hobbies because I don't often have energy to pursue these hobbies after getting my homework for class done. I enjoy playing video and computer games (including World of Warcraft, although I haven't played in a couple years.) I watch a lot of Adult Swim and Comedy Central when I have the time. I also enjoy cooking when I have the energy and the ability to eat what I make.

I suppose that's it for now.

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Reply: Living with Crohn's

The narrow stools indicate to me that you either have some pretty severe inflammation...

Posted by HannahLeigh89

6 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Living with Crohn's The narrow stools indicate to me that you either have some pretty severe inflammation...

Reply: my 3 year old has abdominal pain

I would recommend starting a new thread for this discussion because this one is old...

Posted by HannahLeigh89

19 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:my 3 year old has abdominal pain I would recommend starting a new thread for this discussion because this one is old...

Reply: Suspected IBD

It depends on how much blood you are actually losing if you should wait a week or...

Posted by HannahLeigh89

It depends on how much blood you are actually losing if you should wait a week or not. The weakness and pain/stiffness in your joints lead me to believe that you have an electrolyte imbalance going on. If you can, I would try to stay away from any food that is crunchy or really chewy (like jerky) and anything that is spicy. No raw fruits or vegetables. Stick with bland foods, like baked/mashed potatoes, rice, toast, cottage cheese and yogurt (if you can eat dairy), and clear liquids. I would recommend Pedialyte if you can stomach it, because it will replace some of the electrolytes that you're missing. I hear it doesn't taste very good. But Gatorade isn't actually very good for you if you're having diarrhea because it does have a lot of sugar which can make diarrhea worse. Also, Pediasure or Ensure will help with nutrition if you're having trouble eating, but because of the high nutrient content, they upset my stomach, so I would start slow with them. I make my dad milk shakes daily with an Ensure, vanilla ice cream, and canned apple pie filling that he really enjoys. He had UC and had his colon removed nearly 20 years ago, and has recently had jaw surgery so now he cannot chew. His nutrition is lacking, obviously, but this has helped him to put weight back on.

If you become too weak or fatigued, then this is a sign that you've lost too much blood and need to seek help immediately. But having 3-4 bloody bowel movements a day is probably safe until your appointment, unless again, you're losing a lot of blood in each BM. And sometimes a little blood can make the water look red, because it isn't supposed to be there at all and it's scary. Also, another note, pay attention to what you're eating/drinking. Some dyes are not digested when you are having diarrhea, and this can alter the color of you're stool. But you sound pretty sure that it's blood. (Probably TMI, but if I drink Koolaid, whatever color the Koolaid is, my stool is that color. And I would not recommend Koolaid with diarrhea, lol.)

I hope I've answered your question. I'll give you a couple tips straight from my doctor, that I cannot vouch for because I have not tried them, but she said they've worked for a lot of people. 1.) Bananas, peanut butter, and Fluff brand marshmallow cream on white bread. Make sandwiches. Supposed to be great for diarrhea and easy to digest. I don't eat peanut butter, haven't tried it.
2.) Apparently the World Health Organization released a recipe for decaffeinated tea that they use in Africa to help children to dysentery. 1 liter water, 1 tsp. salt, 8 tsp. sugar, and 5-6 decaf tea bags. She recommended lemon flavored, to cut the salt. I tried cranberry apple and it was disgusting. Couldn't drink it. The salt is supposed to help your body draw in the water in your digestive tract to relieve diarrhea symptoms.

Again, hope this helps. If you have any more questions, let me know and I'll try to remember to check the board again soon. Good luck and best wishes!View Thread

Posted byHannahLeigh89

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Suspected IBD It depends on how much blood you are actually losing if you should wait a week or...

Reply: Weight Loss But No Symptoms

Well, it is pretty common to lose baby weight rapidly if you're breastfeeding,...

Posted by HannahLeigh89

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Weight Loss But No Symptoms Well, it is pretty common to lose baby weight rapidly if you're breastfeeding,...

Reply: Sharp pain in left side of abdomen

Yeah, with a fever that high, you need to be seen.

Posted by HannahLeigh89

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Sharp pain in left side of abdomen Yeah, with a fever that high, you need to be seen.

Reply: Sharp pain in left side of abdomen

What are your bowel movements like? Are they a normal consistency for you or has...

Posted by HannahLeigh89

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Sharp pain in left side of abdomen What are your bowel movements like? Are they a normal consistency for you or has...

Reply: Diarrhea after surgery?

You better be sorry, miss! I read that and my jaw about hit the floor, lol. We gotta...

Posted by HannahLeigh89

8 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Diarrhea after surgery? You better be sorry, miss! I read that and my jaw about hit the floor, lol. We gotta...

Reply: Diarrhea after surgery?

Oh Arbob. You don't get to go and have surgery and leave me clueless, lol. The tech...

Posted by HannahLeigh89

8 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Diarrhea after surgery? Oh Arbob. You don't get to go and have surgery and leave me clueless, lol. The tech...

Reply: Crohns, Clomid and Trying to get pregnant

Oh good luck! That's very exciting. I've not heard of Crohn's increasing your need...

Posted by HannahLeigh89

5 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Crohns, Clomid and Trying to get pregnant Oh good luck! That's very exciting. I've not heard of Crohn's increasing your need...

Reply: UC and sinus infections

Antibiotics can be hard on the gut, but having a run down immune system from battling...

Posted by HannahLeigh89

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:UC and sinus infections Antibiotics can be hard on the gut, but having a run down immune system from battling...

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