Those with Crohns/Colitis

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HaffiesRock

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How do you cope with your horses and riding while in a flare?

Does anybody live on an elemental diet (fortisip or similar) for long periods of time?

Thanks
 
I've lived on a 'low residue' diet for about 6-8 months twice now, prior to surgery, when working with horses, frequently with 7-10 day periods where I couldn't eat anything during that time.
You really have to prioritise your workload if possible. Get someone to do the heavy stuff (mucking out, lugging hay), and only ride if you feel you can concentrate enough. Its important to conserve energy, and to make sure you're not getting dehydrated.
If the pain is doubling you over or horribly bloated, don't ride. Its worth remembering that feeling bloated might be distension of the bowel, and you need to be careful.
Just have the Fortisip, or sports drink with added electrolytes before riding, and see how it goes. Plus, be kind to yourself, and don't do the 'must be tough' horsey thing, its really, really not worth it!
 
Thanks Paisley. I am on a small yard and one lady in particular is a godsend to me. The others however, have no idea.
I hate being so useless and I can't drink enough of the fortisips to give me enough energy to do much more than the basics. Never mind, hot bath and early night tonight. Tomorrow is another day, which hopefully, will be better than today.
 
I was on complan for a year to give everything a rest. I found it easier to let people know my problem. I put on a fair bit of weight with the complan but have lost it now. I just did what I could when I could. If I wasn't well enough to ride I just didn't worry about it. Luckily mine is under control at the minute but a flare up is just the worst, it's horrible.
 
HaffiesRock said:
Thanks Paisley. I am on a small yard and one lady in particular is a godsend to me. The others however, have no idea.
I hate being so useless and I can't drink enough of the fortisips to give me enough energy to do much more than the basics. Never mind, hot bath and early night tonight. Tomorrow is another day, which hopefully, will be better than today.
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Ahh, I totally sympathise! And the Fortisips are just yack. Its also impossible to explain to other people how draining it is when you have a flare up. They just hear 'upset tummy', which is like comparing a headache to a migraine. I once had food poisoning and just thought it was a bit of a rough week!
Go as steady as you can, and don’t worry –stress is bad for you ;). Might be worth a visit to the GP to get a short course of steroids, 5 days or so to calm things down
 
Thank you.

I went up to the ponies tonight with the sole intention of feeding, checking and leaving but felt renewed when I saw their fuzzy faces so I tacked up my boy and went out for a walk in the woods :) Even managed to poo pick and pull a few ragwort plants. Tired now but feeling less useless :) treating myself to a chocolate fortisip as a reward.
 
Still no better so off to see the consultant tomorrow. I fear pred or 6MP maybe on the cards :( Only 3 days till Equestrian Life too :( Feeling sorry for myself and out of chocolate Fortsips.
 
Fortisips just made me sick! I've been on Infliximab about 18months now and it's been amazing! Wonder drug! Still have to manage the horrific fatigue though. Its amazing how people just dont understand how ill we actually are. Chin up though. Think we all sympathise.
 
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