Part of Healing Process or Symptom of Sensitivity???

humbird753 · Post by **humbird753** » Tue May 14, 2013 10:09 am

Hi - I have been totally GF/DF/SF (meaning without any cheating) for 2 months. Trying very hard to eliminate D. No eating out, and staying with the same foods. This past week I started noticing a decrease in number of bathroom visits, but it is different in that I have to push to make myself go. In getting a bit more graphic about it, it is A LOT of liquid that I have to force out. It is a brown color.

The question I have for those who have gone through the healing process is, "Is this a stage of the healing process"?

As I said already, I am going a lot less frequently - maybe couple of times a day.

I did the Enterolab testing for the 4 major sensitivities (gluten, dairy, eggs and soy and was only sensitive to gluten and dairy). My regular diet consists of breakfast of hard boiled egg, rice cake with almond butter, a banana, and apple juice or just water. Lunch is always leftovers from dinner the night before of meat (chicken, meatloaf, spare ribs or fish), sweet potato or rice, well cooked California medley veggies or canned carrots or green beans. I snack on Lara bars or corn chips. My drink of choice is water, and my dinners consist of these same types of foods. I feel I am eating well.

Anyone know if this type of bowel movement is part of healing or is it a sign that I may be sensitive to one of the foods I continue to eat?

All comments are appreciated. Thank you.

Paula

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Tue May 14, 2013 12:48 pm

Sounds like you are still having WD. HMMMMM. It's all so different for all of us. I don't think I ever went through a period of time that I had to push liquid out, but i have had that symptom here and there if I ate something I shouldn't have.

My guess would be the banana, almond butter, Lara bars, or apple juice. I would take out one thing for a few days and see if you improve any

leah.

Post by **tex** » Tue May 14, 2013 12:54 pm

Hi Paula,

Of course this is just a guess, and it's certainly possible that you might just be at a normal stage of healing, but your description of straining, followed by liquid D suggests a possible blockage. By blockage, I mean a stenosis (narrowing) of a section of your colon. Do you by any chance have a copy of your colonoscopy report (written by the GI specialist who did the colonoscopy, based on his or her notes taken during the exam)? If a stenosis was noticed, it would be included in the report. My own report clearly noted a stenosis, but the doctor never mentioned it, during our discussions. My symptoms were similar to yours at times, but not at all times.

That said, if you are not noticing signs of constipation (cramps, occasional nausea, feeling too full, maybe headachy at times, etc.), then a stenosis or blockage is not likely to be the problem. We all have different bowel patterns, and this might just be your pattern at this stage of the healing process.

If you are taking Imodium, or a similar medication, that could be a factor, also.

I agree with Leah's suggestions, in case one or more of the foods you are eating regularly might be the source of the problem.

Tex

patc73 · Post by **patc73** » Tue May 14, 2013 4:38 pm

Paula, I've been having the exact same symptoms as you're having: watery brown D, maybe three or four times a day, with an urge to push even if it's all liquid. I remember the same feeling when I first became sick before being diagnosed two years ago. This is after having several months of relative Normans (just a little soft), then a sudden two-week bout with C. My current D began after I had rotisserie chicken from my local market, which had never bothered me before. That was three weeks ago, now. My Questran isn't helping this time, so I've been trying to eat carefully to control the D...no luck yet. Is there something that will "shock the system" into reverting to Normans? beat_deadhorse:

Post by **tex** » Tue May 14, 2013 9:09 pm

Pat wrote:Is there something that will "shock the system" into reverting to Normans?

A few members have used prednisone to do that.

Tex

OttawaGrl · Post by **OttawaGrl** » Wed May 15, 2013 6:59 am

Hi Paula,

I have had the same symptoms. For me it went away when I removed some of the veggies I was eating. Green beans I have found is a big no no for me. Very well cooked carrots, squash and sweet potatoes seem to be all I can eat for veggies. Like Tex said about the stenosis, I have an intussusception (a telescoping intestine) so it gets narrow as well. I find the veggies make it worse and I end up with the same issue you are describing. If I stay away from most veggies I don't seem to have that issue.

Tracy

patc73 · Post by **patc73** » Wed May 15, 2013 8:01 am

I don't know if I want to try prednisone, because of the side effects, but I can try to eliminate most veggies and see if that helps. Thanks, guys!

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Wed May 15, 2013 10:42 am

I agree with Leah. I would suspect the fructose-containing bananas, apple juice and Lara bars, and the nut-containing products which can be tough to digest. I am also VERY weary of corn chips -- I think they are frequently cross-contaminated with gluten. It may depend on the brand and how many other snack products they make on the same lines. Of course the bulk corn itself may come cross contaminated with wheat too. Not to mention the potential for health issues from GMO corn and glyphosphate(Round Up) in your non-organic corn chips.

I wonder if the canned vegetables might contain added "natural flavors" or other additives? They usually contain a lot of sodium, not to mention the BPA from the inner-lining of the can. Perhps switching to well-cooked fresh carrots and green beans might help?

I've often had stools start off as a norman and end up as watery D. To me that means the inflammation and reaction is higher up, and my lower colon is fine.

humbird753 · Post by **humbird753** » Wed May 15, 2013 11:10 am

There is definitely a lot to think about when trying to reach remission with MC. I wanted to mention another thing that crossed my mind while reading another thread about "leg cramps." I don't have leg cramps myself, but responses to her question mentioned magnesium supplement as a possible need for her. It also said that magnesium can cause D in some people. I do take 250 mg per day. I think I am going to start by eliminating my magnesium supplement for a week and see if this makes any difference. If I have no relief, I will then try eliminating each of the foods recommended here one at a time for at least a period of 3 to 4 days each to see if that will make a difference.

Thank you for your responses.

Hope you are all doing well.

Paula

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Wed May 15, 2013 4:54 pm

Paula
as MC'er that now mainly has C not D.

I have frequently had issues with what you described, I call it Constipated D.

I think my weakened pelvic floor and the angle of the later part of the bowel contributes/exacerbates this situation.
maybe try a small kids stool (or some large books) put your feet on them so your knees are above the stomach level.

(our Westernised sitting position for pooping is not good! we have made our toilets to high 'for comfort' )

I will see if I can find a link that explains this. I have been using this technique for almost 20 years, when a physio helped me out with my IBS.