Good bye to yogurt hello rice cereal - BAD CHOICE!! HELP!!

[Gabes-Apg]

in line with the advice of others

Success is not the key to happiness
Happiness is the key to success
If you love what you are doing
you will be successful

Albert Schweitzer


take some deep breaths, calm the mind, and be at peace with the journey you are taking.
As you get to know your body, and what works for you, there will be way more good days than ones full of symptoms.

[DebE13]

Babs, the mention of dairy and eggs caught my attention, especially the dairy. What did you use in your rice cereal? Milk? I've eaten the flaked rice baby cereal before but use almond milk and have done fine. Not sure if almonds are safe for you or not. The only problem I have is it doesn't fill me up.

I've been GF, SF, DF, EF for about two years now and still have primarily D every morning. For the past few months I've limited my diet further by eating only meat, potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice, almond milks, pears, bananas, and Lara bars. That's it. I was hoping to be much better than I am but I'm now taking 3mg of entocort every fifth day so I'm considering that as improvement, just a very slow road. A very, very, slow road. I don't feel I'm slipping backwards so I try to feel good about it. I was really a mess two years ago. Now I'm a mess in different ways now (thyroid problems) it is so frustrating when you can't pinpoint problematic foods. I'm still trying to find that last piece of the puzzle too.

Are you able to eat meat? I find I feel best when I get my protein for the day and that has helped with the weight loss. I use betaine HCL when my stomach gets the blah feeling. I find it helps but not with my D. I used to have stomach aches often and now I rarely get them. Previously they were caused by foods I ate (dairy and soy) but now when I get them it think it is from low stomach acid. Seem to work for me. Isn't the guessing game fun? All I can say is I wandered in alone in the dark for about four years trying to figure it out on my own. Thank God for the wealth of information here!

I don't get too excited anymore about supplements, treatments, and new cures. I've been let down too many times. I'm still open to new ideas and may or may not try them but stay focused on the food I put in my mouth.

Monique, do you know if the elavil may reduce the need for entocort? Ive been trying to get off since I starting taking it in 2011. I made it 23 days off earlier this year before I had to start again. Is taking elavil a lesser of two evils? I'm still ticked about my endo suggesting Prozac but maybe I could suggest elavil? I suppose the low dose for MC motives probably wouldn't satisfy him.

[wmonique2]

Deb,

About your question if elavil could reduce the need for entecort. I went off entecort without ever noticing any change but I am still on mesalamine (lialda). At one point I was on all, mesalamine, elavil and entecort but eliminated entecort and remained on lialdaI then eliminated elavil and mistake! the nausea came back full force. So now I am on 10mg elavil and mesalamine which for me, keeps the D at bay. Oh, I also take an anti-histamine to help with the histamine issue.

I have no nausea and no D whatsoever. I watch very carefully what I eat too. I am disciplined, food is fuel for me, not worth it feeling sick. With 40 years of diabetes, I am trained to do the right thing.

You could try elavil, see if it works for you. Small dose though. Might settle things down. From my point of view, it's much better than a steroid if it works for you. And if you suffer from insomnia, definitely a case of two birds with one stone :-)

Monique

[barbiem]

Deb - I am sooo sorry you are still having "D" but at least no pain. From the info I gather here there must be still something you are eating to cause the D still. I only had water with my rice cereal. Will not have it tonight and see what happens in the morning. And sticking to chicken and carrots and green beans and my soup for today to see what transpires. It is very difficult trying to pinpoint the food since it takes too long to get a response. that is my main frustration because when I first got diagnosed with ibs years ago it was easy as I would react instantly to the specific food. No problem. Took it out of my diet no big deal. this is not the same at all. So I do find it very frustrating indeed. And I can't afford the stool testing that everyone recommends here. So I am just starting from scratch again but am very nervous about giving up my yogurt (it's the casein not the lactose in it since I ferment it for 24 hours to kill all lactose and sugar). But I was way more sick on the rice cereal that's for sure!!!!!!!!! But as tex said, I may just have eaten too much too soon and it went to the bottom of my gut and fermented overnight causing disturbances in the morning.
I am going to ask for Elavil this week as I just can't take it anymore - I may go 10 to start and even higher for the depression. I am now a week on ketotifen for mast cell issues and the heart racing/palps after I eat has gone and I finally can sleep through the night. But definitely can't eat any different foods that's for sure.
I may give the betaine a try since it worked for you Deb - did you ever take enzymes too? wondering since I am deficient in enzymes chances are I am deficient in DAO enzyme as well. wonder if taking histame would help? too many extra stuff though that might cause a reaction. bummer.
babs

[lorimoose]

Babs,

This may or may not help since we are all different. When I came to this board, I was desperate for help. I had terrible diarrhea and terrible pain. My doctor had just put me on entocort- which I took full dose 9mg, until I started to get constipated, and then I lowered the dose.

Based on the diet advice given here, I put together a stew.

I ate the same thing 3 meals a day. I created a stew, which is kind of yummy and with few changes I still eat it most of the time. This is exactly what I ate for 2 months. You may need to reduce the veggies, or swap the chicken for beef. I did not add or change anything, until I was feeling much better. I drank water or decaf tea with every meal.

RECIPE:

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 32 oz box Progresso chicken broth
3 carrots- cut in slices
2 stalks celery- cut in small slices
1 can string beans
Salt to taste

Bring to a boil, lower flame and cook the above for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Remove chicken, cut into small pieces and put back in pot.

Separately cook one cup of WHITE rice. Add to the chicken stew.

I hope this helps you find a way to move forward with you diet.

Lori

[barbiem]

Oh lori thanks soooo much !! This is what I am needing - help with cooking!! I am not a cook in fact it was most likely my bad eating habits that got me here in the first place.

Just something to make besides the same boring chicken or steak and green beans and carrots and broth. THANK YOU!!

I will try it and see what happens!! Would love to try decaf tea!!

Can I use progresso chicken broth - doesn't it have a lot of bad stuff in it ?? I will try and find a natural type gluten free at the store tonight.

So excited. Any snack ideas ???

babs

[maestraz]

Babs,
I have been taking Wellbutrin since my diagnosis and have done well with it. You may want to discuss it with your doctor. I had previously taken Celexa, an SSRI, which seems to be a category of anti-depressants that causes problems for some of us.

[DebE13]

Like Lori said, we are all different so the suggestions may or may not work for you. At least they are options to try. It's always nice to hear what works for others with MC. I still have D but am so much better than two years ago. I'm much better now with eating the same foods day in and day out. I still get frustrated and bummed out at times because it is hard making dual dinners every night and not being able to eat out. On the flip side the alternative is even worse. I need to work on attitude....it's easy to get stuck in a rut of looking at all the crappy things we have to put up with. Pun intended Looking at it in a different light, noticing the progress is a much more productive way to deal with MC.

Do you eat soy? I was blown away when I found I had issues with it. When I first went GF I added a ton of soy products to my diet thinking I was being healthy when I actually was making things worse. I also wonder if it contributed to my thyroid issues. It may be worth a try to avoid it if you continue to have problems. It's in everything.

I've taken a ton of different enzymes over the years. None helped because I was still eating soy, dairy, and eggs at that time. Lots of money down the toilet. I do use Histame on occasion but don't have a strong feeling as to if it's helpful or not (in my case). I'm still experimenting with high histamine foods because the mast cell topic has my attention.

Sorry to hear you have other issues going on too, it does add to the stress of everything. I hope you feel better soon!

[tex]

Barb,

Here are the ingredients for Progresso Chicken Broth:

Chicken Broth, Sea Salt, Sugar, Autolyzed Yeast Extract, Carrot Puree, Natural Flavor, Salt, Chicken Powder, Chicken Fat, Celery Juice Concentrate, Onion Powder, Chicken Meat, Carrot Juice Concentrate, Spices, Onion Juice Concentrate, Garlic Powder.

That should be safe for most of us.

Tex

[sunny]

Babs, I've been just lurking this week as I've not been feeling well due to heart issues, and haven't made comments but thought tonight I would add my 2 cents...I was eating yogurt too (for the protein ) plus I love it!
I had no symptoms so I thought, no problem! Then I read Tex's book, now on 2nd reading, and it dawned on me that there could be ongoing damage internally since my old entero lab test showed I was sensitive to casein. but. The GAPS plan says that the yogurt is ok since it is fermented. Hmmm... Decided to go with the book and the suggestions of those who have been doing this so much longer than me. I was Gf for 5 years. Then C.diff developed & all he'll broke out. I have been GF , soy free, for 5 months , and dairy free for 3 months. Slowly, I am seeing results. My menu is boring....But I don't want the drama of running through stores or racing to the bathroom at home.
I have a hunch that trying so many different approaches may be setting you back in your healing. I finally decided to just keep it simple and not mix other plans or ideas with the one espoused on this site.
I am losing a pound a week, people comment, they are worried, you should see a doctor or something...I am seeing a doctor I say! Oh, well....you look too thin.
I say Thanks for your concern, I'm doing what I think is best....and I change the subject.
I know hard this is for you, but you are in a community of fellow suffers who are great at helping... I think I can rely on them.
Sunny

[barbiem]

Thanks again for the tips - I am definitely in need of an anti depressant. Reading how long this is going to take I just don't think I can do it. I would rather be dead. It seems to take everyone sooo long to reach a place of comfort. I felt I was at a place of comfort but wanted to add more foods in and just couldn't do it so figured I should try to let go of the yogurt. But I am feeling actually worse being without it because I am eating more of the same foods and my stomach doesn't like that. I also cannot afford to eat hormone/antibiotic free chicken and beef 3x a day everyday 7 days a week. So I am back to yogurt tomorrow - will try goats and see if any different. I was only having 1 BM a day with the yogurt and although I would get a bit of a stomach ache with the yogurt and a slight bump on the gum, I felt better then I do now being without it.

I guess like you said we have to do what is best for us and I will find out when I add it back in after being off of it for 3 days.
I also will see what the malnutrition clinic and the new gi specialist have planned for me on Tuesday when I visit them! Also will be starting next week so will keep you posted on that!! Continuing with ketotifen for now!
thxs again for all your feedback.
babs

[Leah]

I feel for you. It sounds like since you have had IBS for so long, that you were suffering from intestinal inflammation during that time period also. it takes a long time to heal- very long in some cases. You can try the very small dose thing Tex suggested, or switch to a different grain ( corn) or white potato …. starting with small doses.I have never been down to only a few foods, but it has taken me almost two years to be able to try DECAF coffee again. Patience, patience, patience

Leah

[lorimoose]

Babs,

In 12 and 1/2 hours, you went from planning to follow through with actions to help yourself heal, to going back to doing what you are doing, which you have repeatedly told us is causing you to starve and that you would rather be dead. Clearly, it is not working for you.

I hope you find a path to health and well being that you can accept.

Warmly,
Lori

[JFR]

Here are 2 posts I wrote in response to you on another thread. I stick by them.

"Lots of people are sensitive to casein, the protein in dairy. No matter how beneficial the bacteria in your yogurt may be (lots of people here have experiences that say it is not beneficial) it cannot help you heal if the casein in the yogurt is causing damage. If I were you I would stop eating it. In fact I did stop eating it. I used to make a quart of scd yogurt every week and I ate some every day. It is not the only change I made to my diet so I cannot say specifically that eliminating it is what made the difference but I have no intention of ever eating any dairy again, including scd yogurt. It is theory that says that we need to ingest "good" bacteria to help heal the gut. That theory may very well be wrong. Try eliminating the yogurt and see what happens."

"Try not to overthink things Babs. Just keep it simple. Most people who have been successful here have limited themselves to a few safe foods, not adding anything in for a few months. If you do this you don't need to have it all figured out."

The only thing I would add to these are to reiterate what many people here have said, be patient. Healing takes a long time. If you would rather be dead than make these changes then don't make the changes but don't expect things to get better either. Perhaps before you can be successful at making diet changes you need to work on your mind and attitude, developing acceptance of what is, whatever that may be. If you continue to fight against what is a reality that can't be changed just because you don't like it or want it, you will never get better. Before you can calm your gut you need to be able to calm your mind.

Jean

[ldubois7]

I agree with Jean, and the others. Especially about taking time to wrap your mind around what is happening to you, and how to come out with the mindset that this is difficult to do, but can be done! As I mentioned, it has taken me over a year to understand the things that were happening to my body (and I still don't have all the answers).

Work on your mental attitude first, and realize that even with all the limitations, eating a few foods that you don't react to will bring changes. I did both the MRT LEAP blood testing and Entrolab, and found the Enterolab especially helpful, and I picked up on a few issues from the MRT testing.

The hardest part is that there is not one set food we can all eat (I can only eat venison, turkey, haddock, sunflower seed butter cooked into a muffin, arrowroot biscuits, Teff flour, and coconut) and every person is different, and we have to walk that journey alone. Maybe you should talk to a therapist about how you feel right now. I felt the same as you several months ago, honestly, it seemed that everything I did set me back, but you have to persevere, and it will pay off!

Good fats in your diet will keep you full...like coconut oil, olive oil, and animal fats.

Take it one day at a time! We're here to help!