Melanie
Unsure what path to take
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Melanie wrote:Would it also be a food intolerance that triggers the GERD? I'm having the worst time with that now. I have so much pressure/pain in my upper chest/neck it hurts to breathe! I know I've only been diagnosed with this condition since February but it feels like it's been FOREVER and I am just so tired of it.....
Sorry, I'm a bit down today. I am supposed to be going out of town for my nephew's graduation but I can't hardly function. It's on my husband's side and I feel such pressure to attend and they just don't understand what I'm going through. No one can know unless you're going through it. I'm afraid they'll think I just don't want to attend.
Melanie
Melanie,
I got rid of gerd when I started eating a low carb paleo diet. I used to take prilosec everyday and felt that I could not live without it but low carb, meaning no grains or sugar, got rid of it. That was years ago. It did not solve everything but the gerd seems gone to stay.
I understand about missing family events. I just missed my own daughter's wedding.It was on a Caribbean island where she is now living most of the time. I do worry that people think I am crazy or uncaring but I tell myself that I can't worry about that. I am clear in my own head about what I can manage and what I can't. Of course I wish it were different but it isn't and I can't control how other people think. It's hard and people don't understand. I hope you do what's best for you.
Jean
Melanie,
Yes, as Jean mentioned, GERD is definitely diet-connected.
http://heartburn.about.com/cs/dietfood/ ... foods3.htm
Are you taking enough Vitamin D? Low vitamin D is definitely associated with GERD.
Tex
Yes, as Jean mentioned, GERD is definitely diet-connected.
http://heartburn.about.com/cs/dietfood/ ... foods3.htm
Are you taking enough Vitamin D? Low vitamin D is definitely associated with GERD.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
I may not be taking enough vitamin d. I've never had my levels checked. I take between 4000-6000ius a day, but maybe that's not enough. In nicer weather such as today I try to get it the old fashioned way with some sun.
I think I will try either the SCD or paleo and hopefully that will help.
You're right, Jean, in that I cannot control what anyone thinks. I will try not to care so much!
I am going to make an appointment with a new doc to check my levels in many areas----including vitamin d. That way I will know for sure where I am at.
Thanks for all the advice!!
Melanie
I think I will try either the SCD or paleo and hopefully that will help.
You're right, Jean, in that I cannot control what anyone thinks. I will try not to care so much!
I am going to make an appointment with a new doc to check my levels in many areas----including vitamin d. That way I will know for sure where I am at.
Thanks for all the advice!!
Melanie
In Minnesota, 4,000 to 6,000 IU per day may be sufficient to maintain blood levels of vitamin D, but if you happened to be low to begin with, which many of us are, you may need a higher supplement rate in order to get your level up into mid-range. At that latitude (Minnesota), it's not easy to be able to derive a significant amount of vitamin D from sunlight, except during the summer. Therefore testing should be very helpful for making decisions on dosage rates. Be sure to order the test for 25(OH)D (pronounced "twenty-five hydroxy D"), rather than the other one, because the other one is worthless, and it's the one that many/most doctors will order unless instructed otherwise.
I'm taking 4,500 IU per day, and I live in sunny Central Texas, where droughts are the order of the day, and I spend a fair amount of time working out in the sun, including midday sun exposure.
Tex
I'm taking 4,500 IU per day, and I live in sunny Central Texas, where droughts are the order of the day, and I spend a fair amount of time working out in the sun, including midday sun exposure.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Wow, then I'll bet I am low in vitamin d. Thanks for the heads up on which test to order Tex. Why do I not find it surprising that doctors would commonly use the worthless one? 
Jean, upon further exploring the SCD, I see they recommend starting an intro diet (as does GAPS diet). But they have dairy listed--dry curd cottage cheese and homemade yogurt. I've been avoiding dairy. Did you do the intro diet? I'm not sure if it would be smart for me to introduce dairy at this point. Maybe I'll just skip the intro and jump right in....
Melanie
Jean, upon further exploring the SCD, I see they recommend starting an intro diet (as does GAPS diet). But they have dairy listed--dry curd cottage cheese and homemade yogurt. I've been avoiding dairy. Did you do the intro diet? I'm not sure if it would be smart for me to introduce dairy at this point. Maybe I'll just skip the intro and jump right in....
Melanie
Melanie,
I did do the dairy when I was doing SCD and I think that was probably why it didn't work well for me. I find strict paleo to be a better choice. My tendency is to remove everything that I think may be a problem. Right now I am only eating meat (lamb, pork, turkey) , well cooked greens (chard and kale), and nut butter (almond and walnut). I also eat a few blueberries and add coconut oil to my greens. I think the biggest problem with SCD is the dairy. I am very glad that I got the enterolab testing done. It has really helped me eliminate problem foods, the big 4 gluten, soy, dairy and eggs plus other meats nuts and grains to which I reacted plus potatoes and all other nightshades. Thanks to Tex and this forum I realized that mast cells were probably a major issue so I went low histamine too. I find that I don't mind a limited diet if it keep me out of the bathroom and able to leave the house safely. Good luck figuring this out.
Jean
I did do the dairy when I was doing SCD and I think that was probably why it didn't work well for me. I find strict paleo to be a better choice. My tendency is to remove everything that I think may be a problem. Right now I am only eating meat (lamb, pork, turkey) , well cooked greens (chard and kale), and nut butter (almond and walnut). I also eat a few blueberries and add coconut oil to my greens. I think the biggest problem with SCD is the dairy. I am very glad that I got the enterolab testing done. It has really helped me eliminate problem foods, the big 4 gluten, soy, dairy and eggs plus other meats nuts and grains to which I reacted plus potatoes and all other nightshades. Thanks to Tex and this forum I realized that mast cells were probably a major issue so I went low histamine too. I find that I don't mind a limited diet if it keep me out of the bathroom and able to leave the house safely. Good luck figuring this out.
Jean
Hi Melanie,
On SCD it is my understanding that lactose is the problem (not all dairy). By making your own yogurt, and letting it ferment for 24 hours, the lactose is completely "digested". I bought an electric yogurt maker. Those instructions are for 8 hours, but you must do 24 hours to get rid of the lactose. It has a more bitter flavor, and I can only do a few tablespoons at a time mixed with an all natural sugar free applesauce. I buy the little four packs at the grocery store and check the labels to make sure it is sugar free.
And I have no problem with the hard cheeses or farmer's cheese. Apparently they are free of lactose. I can not have sour cream. cream cheese, or mozzarella.
I bought a second hand copy of Breaking the Vicious Cycle. I think it is a "must read" if you opt for SCD. Today I got my copy of Lucy's Specific Carbohydrate Diet Cookbook. I'm looking forward to trying some new "legal" recipes. I can see why the reviews on that simple little cookbook are so good. Many have said that they bought 4-5 cookbooks and Lucy's is the one they keep going back to.
Almond milk and almond flour are "legal" items on SCD, but I have seen some of the members here state that they are sensitive to almonds. I have not had any problems with almonds.
Like you, I mostly had my watery D in the morning, once, twice, 3 x, and then I could go off to work and be OK. On occasion, I would have a problem later in the day. More than once I had to postpone errands after work as I knew that I needed to get home. Looking back, I'm sure that those days were all food related. Haven't had a problem since I went SCD.
I have now become a fanatic about reading food labels. As someone else said, soy is evil. I think my body knew it before my mind knew it. I stopped eating breakfast sausage over two years ago. I just told my husband "they don't agree with me anymore". Guess what, on a box that he had recently bought, soy protein concentrate was the 3rd ingredient. I'm figuring that they used it as a cheap filler. Again, soy is evil! I'm looking forward to trying homemade breakfast sausage ala Lucy's cookbook.
Because I am new following any diet, I must admit that I came across SCD 1st. I took a copy of the program to my pcp, and she was fine with it, so I went with it. It eliminates grains, gluten, sugar, and lactose.
Someday I hope to add back rice and potatoes, as they are allowed on gluten free diets, and I assume that is why many are fine with them. I am just going to the extreme as I get this under control.
I am still new at all of this, and others have been at it for years. I'm sure that they know more. I am just so excited about my 9/10 day success that I just want to share it.
I wish you all the luck in the world in whatever program you decide to follow. It is very hard at first, but even after just two months it is getting easier.
Marion
On SCD it is my understanding that lactose is the problem (not all dairy). By making your own yogurt, and letting it ferment for 24 hours, the lactose is completely "digested". I bought an electric yogurt maker. Those instructions are for 8 hours, but you must do 24 hours to get rid of the lactose. It has a more bitter flavor, and I can only do a few tablespoons at a time mixed with an all natural sugar free applesauce. I buy the little four packs at the grocery store and check the labels to make sure it is sugar free.
And I have no problem with the hard cheeses or farmer's cheese. Apparently they are free of lactose. I can not have sour cream. cream cheese, or mozzarella.
I bought a second hand copy of Breaking the Vicious Cycle. I think it is a "must read" if you opt for SCD. Today I got my copy of Lucy's Specific Carbohydrate Diet Cookbook. I'm looking forward to trying some new "legal" recipes. I can see why the reviews on that simple little cookbook are so good. Many have said that they bought 4-5 cookbooks and Lucy's is the one they keep going back to.
Almond milk and almond flour are "legal" items on SCD, but I have seen some of the members here state that they are sensitive to almonds. I have not had any problems with almonds.
Like you, I mostly had my watery D in the morning, once, twice, 3 x, and then I could go off to work and be OK. On occasion, I would have a problem later in the day. More than once I had to postpone errands after work as I knew that I needed to get home. Looking back, I'm sure that those days were all food related. Haven't had a problem since I went SCD.
I have now become a fanatic about reading food labels. As someone else said, soy is evil. I think my body knew it before my mind knew it. I stopped eating breakfast sausage over two years ago. I just told my husband "they don't agree with me anymore". Guess what, on a box that he had recently bought, soy protein concentrate was the 3rd ingredient. I'm figuring that they used it as a cheap filler. Again, soy is evil! I'm looking forward to trying homemade breakfast sausage ala Lucy's cookbook.
Because I am new following any diet, I must admit that I came across SCD 1st. I took a copy of the program to my pcp, and she was fine with it, so I went with it. It eliminates grains, gluten, sugar, and lactose.
Someday I hope to add back rice and potatoes, as they are allowed on gluten free diets, and I assume that is why many are fine with them. I am just going to the extreme as I get this under control.
I am still new at all of this, and others have been at it for years. I'm sure that they know more. I am just so excited about my 9/10 day success that I just want to share it.
I wish you all the luck in the world in whatever program you decide to follow. It is very hard at first, but even after just two months it is getting easier.
Marion
Congratulations on your 10 good days and may there be many more.
Those of us who react to dairy are reacting to the casein in it rather than to lactose, so yogurt is out, at least for me. I LOVE yogurt and wish I could eat it, but...it's full of casein.
If you don't react to it you are so lucky. And cheese..I am pining for it!
I react to rice, so am off it completely.
Each of us is different. Trial and error, and PATIENCE (which I don't have it).
Those of us who react to dairy are reacting to the casein in it rather than to lactose, so yogurt is out, at least for me. I LOVE yogurt and wish I could eat it, but...it's full of casein.
If you don't react to it you are so lucky. And cheese..I am pining for it!
I react to rice, so am off it completely.
Each of us is different. Trial and error, and PATIENCE (which I don't have it).
Melanie- I know exactly how you feel. I look back at photos and see fun events that weren't fun for me. I look at them and it's a reminder of how sick I felt that day. A few years ago it was my step son's out of town wedding, before that was relatives from Florida that came to stay at our cabin up north. I felt so sick and was crabby the entire time because of the pressure of being a good hostess. I just couldn't do it. It made me sad and all I could think of was how I was supposed to share one toilet with about ten other people and how I was supposed to use it quietly while most of the guests were only feet away. I'm not a lover of crowds even if they are friends and my D issues compounded the issue. It's hard when almost everyday the "excuse" is that "I'm not feeling well." Sadly, it creates a lot of tension.
Don't ever apologize for being down- this is a hard disease to come to terms with. The best encouragement I can offer is to allow yourself to feel a bit down but don't linger there too long because it can become destructive. Keep moving forward and improvements will come- it just will take time and lots of trial and error.
Don't ever apologize for being down- this is a hard disease to come to terms with. The best encouragement I can offer is to allow yourself to feel a bit down but don't linger there too long because it can become destructive. Keep moving forward and improvements will come- it just will take time and lots of trial and error.
DebE
This is a timely post for me. I just returned from our cabin in northern MN where my son and family joined us. I am at the end (hopefully) of my first significant flare since I had remission in 2010. I will post about that in a separate post. I have previously played the (near-perfect) hostess, cooking foods to please everyone. This time I cooked one main dinner and let them know they were on their own for most of the rest. In addition, I rested when necessary. Marliss, I did make your monkey bread, which everyone loved! I have decided, regardless of how I'm feeling, I'm taking the pressure off of me and am not (cannot) do all this anymore!