Lessons Learned: Ice-Cream

If you've read some of my earlier posts, you will know that I've only been diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease since October of this year (2014).

One of the many joys of being diagnosed is finding out what foods could potentially set it off.

Very early on I discovered that take-away Chinese Food was a nightmare for my stomach.

As is wine; I found this out the hard way. However, I had a night out where I stuck with vodka and cider yet my stomach was solid like a rock (in a good way). It didn't make a peep when I had 3 shots of vodka, yet the night I had half a glass of wine it went into meltdown. At least I was at home at the time.

As of last night, my list consisted of these two things only. Two foods/drink that I could say ‘yes, I'm positive that this will be no good for me.’ When you think about it, both things are not healthy or good even for the best of stomachs, so it shouldn't really be a surprise.

Then last night, I can confidently say I can put a third item on the list.

Yep; ice-cream.

Things were going well for me last night. I hadn't had any stomach issues and I managed to down all my dinner; which is good because I need to gain some serious weight.

Then for dessert, Mum suggested ice-cream. I wasn't worried (didn't think twice). I've had ice-cream before without any worries, so I made myself a big bowl.

Within a couple of mouthfuls my stomach made some gurgling sounds (if you have any IBD issues, you know exactly what I’m talking about – you can even feel it). I shook it off though and continued to eat.

It wasn’t long after I had finished that my stomach starting to hurt. And the pain was extremely bad. Just as bad when I had my flare up.

I went into my room where I went to lie down. I’ve discovered a position that stops these pains almost instantly and the pain was disappearing.

The gurgling of my stomach hadn’t and it took seconds (literally) between me lying on my bed, to me on the floor of my room, shitting my pants as my Crohn’s attacked.

I really didn’t have any time to make it to a bathroom and after it had stopped, I went to my bathroom to clean myself up.

Sorry, if you’re eating dinner while reading this, by the way.

To say being a 21 year old, who literally craps her pants out of the blue is a mortifying experience would be an understatement.

I even (once I cleaned myself up) had to grab carpet cleaning products to…ah…well clean up anything extra.

Yep, 21 and living the dream.

I almost forgot what it was like to have that happen. But when it did, the feelings came running back. It’s a stark reminder of how Crohn’s Disease can work.

Even today, when I eat things I feel like I’m going to be sick. I’m hoping it will pass in the next few hours hopefully, and while it might not have been the ice-cream, I cannot help but be suspicious.

So this morning I put ice-cream on the list.

While I won’t count it out completely, I don’t think I could never deny myself ice-cream forever. I'll just make sure that I don’t have to go anywhere the next day when I eat it. And make sure I’m not out in public when I partake.

So, discovering what foods may or may not play a factor is always fun to discover. Just make sure you’re at home just to be on the safe side.