Here are some quick ideas and tips to make life easier on you and your friends! New tips are at the bottom of the list.
1) Keep a food list. Going to a party? Take a list of all the things you can eat. Keep it handy and discreetly check what's being served to see if you can digest it. Or, better yet, find out the menu ahead of time and plan accordingly.
2) The Medicine Report. If your on medication (and who among us isn't? <G>), write down what you take and how much of it a day on a piece of paper. Put this paper in your wallet of purse. That way, if there is a medical emergency, there is a written record of your medication nearby.
3) Experiment on your good days. Feeling really good today? Today may be the day to try a new food. If you can digest it, you'll still feel good. If you can't, the pain won't be as bad as if you were having a bad day.
4) Share your thoughts. Do you have good advice for others with Crohn's, Colitis, or IBS? Why not send it to me and I'll put it on this page. That's right, #4 is a shameless advertisement, but it's still a good idea!
5) Liquids for less. Going on a liquid diet? Ask the dietician at your hospital about Ensure coupons. Usually you can get dozens for free. It won't help the taste of Ensure, though. This recipe for Carob Ensure Delight could be of assistance for that!
6) Do what you can. Don't be upset with yourself for the things you can't do.
7) Find support. The internet's great, a lot of on-line services have medical BBs, and your area may have a support group that meets.
8) Take your medicines!! Don't stop taking them without talking to your doctor. Remember to bring them with you and take them on vacations.
9) Be careful of what you eat. Listen to what your doctor says and then see what foods are a problem for you. This often varies from person to person.
10) Work with your school. Find out what options are available for you. Does your school provide special services for students with disabilities? Do they have a homebound program? Make sure they know about your illness so that you don't have problems with things like missing more than the maximum number of school days allowed to miss.
11) Know how to melt lactose free cheese. OK, maybe it's
not a great tip for everyday life, but if you don't like how
lactose free cheese melts, try this:
This works especially well on lactose free pizza.
12) Here Today, Gone Tomorrow. From "Cheerios30": With Crohn's Disease the best thing I have found to do when you have to go to the bathroom in public just go, nobody is going to care.....and next week they won't even remember, and if you are around people you don't know who the heck cares you will never see them again, trust me it is much better to go then to sit in pain, and taking the chance of having an accident.
13) Get Plenty of Fluids. From Brooke: What works for me, when I am having a flare up, is Cream of Wheat (something real bland) or some good soup, and GATORADE. Gatorade is such a lifesaver. With UC and Crohn's, you lose a lot of blood and electrolytes. It is important to get them back =)
14) The Liquid Diet Escape. From Sarah: If you ever have to go on clear fluids before a test and are completely fed up with broth, water and apple juice, gummi bears are legal! ;~) They may not be liquid, but they are clear enough for clear-fluid victims to eat.
15) Cook in Bulk. From "Tygress": When your flaring and feeling ill, make meals enough to last for three days or more. This way you won't have to cook anything, just microwave.
16) Keep a Journal. From "Tygress": Keep a journal. You don't have to write everyday, but it is helpful to get all the emotions out on paper. It's kind of like performing an exorcism.
17) Use Hot Water to your Advantage. From "Tygress": Take long hot baths - time in a spa wouldn't hurt either. I find the hot water even in a shallow bath tub is very relaxing. It eases the discomfort and relaxes the bowels themselves.
18) Digestion Counts. From "Tygress": Relax a few minutes after every meal. Don't hurry off to do something just sit a while and let the food set in.
19) Sleep on the Couch. From "Tygress": Sleep on the couch. You don't shift position and therefore you spasm less.
20) Mix it Up. From Mick: I have been on an exclusive diet of Ensure and Ensure like products for going on 3 years now. I like to put the cans in the freezer for about 30 minutes (depending on your freezer) till they get thick. I take a glass and I dissolve a heaping tablespoon of Sanka in just enough warm water to dissolve it, then add one can of almost frozen choc ensure and one of almost frozen vanilla Ensure. Just another idea to make things palatable.
21) Yogurt for Thought. From Bryan: Trouble digesting lactose? Believe it or not, many yogurts have little or no lactose (read the nutritional info on the package). For a real treat, blend ice, yogurt, and your favorite fruits for a low-fat, high-energy shake that will keep you going all day!
22) Stretch and Bend. From "Mad9235": Yoga is a great way to get rid of stress, muscle, pains, and poor circulation I have going to class for a while and I loved it. It was very relaxing and mind cleansing. I've been practicing at home when I am stressed out about anything. I know how IBD and Crohn's can be stressful. Ask your pediatrician about going to a class to try it out.
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