Tam
firstly Gday from Australia
I am one that attained remission pretty much via diet management (with a bit of help from wholistic therapies, minimal medication for the first 2 months via lomotil and questran)
I was age 40 when diagnosed and after my first week of reading this forum, i decided that if I am going to be well enough to work and support myself for the next 15 years or so, that diet management was my best long term option
I wont lie to you, it is not easy. there is a bit of work transforming your eating plan and lifestyle. I can reassure you that all the effort, patience, is way worth it!!
I work full time, i used to travel for work, but have changed to a job that doesnt involve travel (it does make it much easier)
once you figure out your major triggers, and set up an eating plan/lifestyle plan that works for you, it all becomes part of the routine.
based on colonscopy biopsy results - my MC was in remission in under two years. and i have not had a major MC flare since then. I do have other immune system related issues (mast cells/histamines, dental, sclorisis, pcos all my life)
Hope this helps
I am new!!
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Thanks again for all the responses,
I started the entocort yesterday, I have not started the diet yet, it's so overwhelming to look at all the things you all of a sudden cant eat! I think I am going to start with Gluten free. Again it just seems so impossible to do the things they say you should do, like a gluten free kitchen?? I can't expect everyone to change their diet because I have to. And all of the cross contamination...just a lot to absorb. And my doc did not even mention a modified diet. Crazy...
Tam
I started the entocort yesterday, I have not started the diet yet, it's so overwhelming to look at all the things you all of a sudden cant eat! I think I am going to start with Gluten free. Again it just seems so impossible to do the things they say you should do, like a gluten free kitchen?? I can't expect everyone to change their diet because I have to. And all of the cross contamination...just a lot to absorb. And my doc did not even mention a modified diet. Crazy...
Tam
Tam
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Tam
modified kitchen is overwhelming at first - but once you get it set up - easy peasy.
small section of cupboard with 'tam safe' stuff chopping board, containers etc
make sure your items are washed correctly.
it is very rare for doctors to mention or suggest diet. Most will calmly acknowledge it when patients return and report good results due to diet.
what you will notice on this forum is that self management - you making decisions that best suit you (family, lifestyle, budget, results) is the key to success.
you dont have to 'expect' everyone to to change their diet. moreso - ask for their support and help as you work towards wellness and getting your life back!
I am sure they dont want you to spend days in the toilet with D!
you might be surprised how supportive family and friends can be. I have friends that will use a new dishcloth and wash glasses, cups, plates, cutlery especially for me when i am coming over, as they know the importance of things being 'gabe safe'.
people at work know about my gabe safe diet and will get gabe safe foods for work morning tea's so that I can be part of it.
modified kitchen is overwhelming at first - but once you get it set up - easy peasy.
small section of cupboard with 'tam safe' stuff chopping board, containers etc
make sure your items are washed correctly.
it is very rare for doctors to mention or suggest diet. Most will calmly acknowledge it when patients return and report good results due to diet.
what you will notice on this forum is that self management - you making decisions that best suit you (family, lifestyle, budget, results) is the key to success.
you dont have to 'expect' everyone to to change their diet. moreso - ask for their support and help as you work towards wellness and getting your life back!
I am sure they dont want you to spend days in the toilet with D!
you might be surprised how supportive family and friends can be. I have friends that will use a new dishcloth and wash glasses, cups, plates, cutlery especially for me when i am coming over, as they know the importance of things being 'gabe safe'.
people at work know about my gabe safe diet and will get gabe safe foods for work morning tea's so that I can be part of it.
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
-
Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
take a few deep breathes
it is alot to digest (pun intended) at first.
make a list 'the Tam transition' of the things you need to adjust/change/vary- then each day try to do one thing on that list.
if you feel crap one day and dont do it - cie la vie
if you feel awesome and do three things on that list - woo hoo - do a little happy dance!
there are no mistakes - just learnings.
it is alot to digest (pun intended) at first.
make a list 'the Tam transition' of the things you need to adjust/change/vary- then each day try to do one thing on that list.
if you feel crap one day and dont do it - cie la vie
if you feel awesome and do three things on that list - woo hoo - do a little happy dance!
there are no mistakes - just learnings.
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Okay Tam, I am going to say something that a few people may not like here. ALL of us are not SOOOOOO sensitive to gluten that cross contamination is an issue. I have a family that I shop and cook for and also couldn't imagine having separate pots, cutting,boards, toaster...etc. So, I decided to just do the best I could at not purposely eating any gluten and see how it goes. Turns out that I was able to heal anyway.
Since this is so overwhelming for you, then just take it one step at a time. Tackle gluten first. When you have a grip on that change, move on to dairy. We all have to do this our own way, but just know that if you choose to do it that way ( instead of getting rid of most offenders all at once), you may just take longer to heal.
Good luck
Leah
Since this is so overwhelming for you, then just take it one step at a time. Tackle gluten first. When you have a grip on that change, move on to dairy. We all have to do this our own way, but just know that if you choose to do it that way ( instead of getting rid of most offenders all at once), you may just take longer to heal.
Good luck
Leah
Leah,
Thank you. I am sorry if I sound like I am whining right now, I don't mean to. I maybe am on information overload. I am going to take one step at a time.. I noticed that you live in the same area I do. my Doc said that there is a pretty high rate of MC in this area. Have you heard the same? Environmental?
Thank you. I am sorry if I sound like I am whining right now, I don't mean to. I maybe am on information overload. I am going to take one step at a time.. I noticed that you live in the same area I do. my Doc said that there is a pretty high rate of MC in this area. Have you heard the same? Environmental?
Tam
Tam, I also seem to be able to handle some cross contamination. I have over time though tried to reduce it (though I still make the family favorite yeast finger rolls for holidays and an occasional birthday cake.) I have become much more conscious though of the flour in the air and cleaning up my mixer afterward. I've slowly started making more meals without gluten and my husband is also feeling better without it (kids are grown) though he still eats it elsewhere. It really isn't as hard as you think it's going to be and once you see how badly some foods affect you, you won't want any part of them. Deb
Tam--If there is one thing that I did NOT want to hear it was that I had to make major life changes via my eating habits. I felt extremely deprived and just wished for someone to move in and cook for me and tell me what to eat for the rest of my life. Not terribly practical or realistic, but I was sooo tired all the time that anything and everything seemed monumental and now I was being told to cook things that I wouldn't normally eat (broth, rice) and I just resented it! I was not on Entocort, but was on Pepto for 15 days which banished my diarrhea while I went G-F, D-F, S-F. I was extremely whiney. I think we all are when this first hits us. I couldn't think about anything else but food and my physical state and I resented that as well. In other words, I was just a mess.
Two months later, I have discovered through Enterolab testing that my sensitivities are not as awful as I thought at first, though I am pretty careful about reintroducing foods, and that this is doable. I have more energy and I don't feel like a victim any more. I am taking my life back and you will too, soon enough, but give yourself some time to mourn your losses because that is just what they are.
I think that the scariest thing about this is that it feels a little like your body has betrayed you. Things that I always have eaten have become enemies to my intestinal tract and things I have never paid attention to are things that are delicious now. I never would have guessed that for instance, a good cup of herbal tea would be so appealing. I am glad that I can appreciate what I do have now instead of what I don't have.
I wish you the best of luck as you negotiate with this disease.
Two months later, I have discovered through Enterolab testing that my sensitivities are not as awful as I thought at first, though I am pretty careful about reintroducing foods, and that this is doable. I have more energy and I don't feel like a victim any more. I am taking my life back and you will too, soon enough, but give yourself some time to mourn your losses because that is just what they are.
I think that the scariest thing about this is that it feels a little like your body has betrayed you. Things that I always have eaten have become enemies to my intestinal tract and things I have never paid attention to are things that are delicious now. I never would have guessed that for instance, a good cup of herbal tea would be so appealing. I am glad that I can appreciate what I do have now instead of what I don't have.
I wish you the best of luck as you negotiate with this disease.
Jane
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis 12/19/12
"When it gets dark enough,you can see the stars."
Charles A. Beard
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis 12/19/12
"When it gets dark enough,you can see the stars."
Charles A. Beard
No Tam, I didn't notice you live close to me. What city are you in? I'd love to meet you in person :) I met up with Zizzle when she was here for business and it was a great time. Sometimes it feels so good to be able to talk to someone who is going through the same thing because let's face it, nobody else really wants to heat about our bowels!
I didn't know hat there is a concentration of MC in the area, but I think mine was triggered by the fact that I am IgA deficient. It tends to make one more prone to autoimmune diseases. This is my third (sigh). I believe his because I was never a big NSAID user, never took anti-depressants, and really haven't overused antibiotics either. I am a personal trainer and nutritionist, so I have only worked part time for the last 16 years, so I don't think stress is my thing either. But on a positive note, I feel better now then I have in a long time :)
I am hoping to take my nutrition and now MC knowledge and put it to good use helping others in this area with their diets. I just haven't gotten there yet. Working on a website now. Then new business cards. Then I can approach my GI doctor and see if he can help me ( but it's kaiser, so I doubt it). I might try to set up a lecture at the community center. We'll see.
Anyway, let me know if you'd like to get together sometime. You can private message me for my phone number.
Leah
I didn't know hat there is a concentration of MC in the area, but I think mine was triggered by the fact that I am IgA deficient. It tends to make one more prone to autoimmune diseases. This is my third (sigh). I believe his because I was never a big NSAID user, never took anti-depressants, and really haven't overused antibiotics either. I am a personal trainer and nutritionist, so I have only worked part time for the last 16 years, so I don't think stress is my thing either. But on a positive note, I feel better now then I have in a long time :)
I am hoping to take my nutrition and now MC knowledge and put it to good use helping others in this area with their diets. I just haven't gotten there yet. Working on a website now. Then new business cards. Then I can approach my GI doctor and see if he can help me ( but it's kaiser, so I doubt it). I might try to set up a lecture at the community center. We'll see.
Anyway, let me know if you'd like to get together sometime. You can private message me for my phone number.
Leah