Week 2

Golfingail · Post by **Golfingail** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 7:29 am

Well I'm starting week 2 of my recently diagnosed MC. Seems that I have been going thru a sort of 'grieving process'. At first I believed that only the meds he prescribed were going to be necessary. Wrong. Then in doing research, found I probably needed to totally revamp my eating habits, which I was generally pissed off about and denied & ignored. Wrong. After 3 days of raging D, painful hemmy & all over discomfort, I began to accept that I need to change & began to toss out all the gluten, dairy, soy products in my kitchen that I know my husband won't miss anyways. Yesterday I mainly drank water with a few slices of lemon and lime. Really refreshing! Cup of chicken broth. Didn't really eat much solids - baked a sweet potato - - am trying to calm my innards for a few days. (Believe me I won't starve to death). Only woke up once last nite and wasn't really a bad episode at all - haven't had all the bloating, gas, pain either. So I am going to try to stay with the liquids as much as possible for another day. Did find severall products at the grocery that are gluten free, almond milk, and plan to bake some chicken breasts for dinner tonite. And so it goes - one day at a time.

ldubois7 · Post by **ldubois7** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 7:38 am

Hello!

Yes, it is exactly that...one day at a time! Take it slow and try to keep a good attitude!

Just one comment....read the ingredients in all the gluten free processed foods you purchase. There are usually hidden ingredients in them. If you're not sure of an ingredient, ask on this site or google it.

Best of luck in your recovery!

Post by **tex** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 8:21 am

Hi Gail,

Yes, we all tend to go through a period of grieving with this disease, and some people seem to get stuck in the denial phase and have trouble accepting their condition and moving on. Good for you for getting past that phase so quickly, because until we reach the acceptance phase and move on, not much will change.

You seem to be on the right track, and I agree with you and Linda that one day at a time is the way that we get our life back.

:goodonya:

and may your recovery go as smoothly as possible. Please keep us posted on your progress.

Tex

Golfingail · Post by **Golfingail** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 8:44 am

Do have a question on shellfish. Sometimes I can eat it and sometimes I can't. Am wondering if I need to stay away from it too?

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 10:39 am

Have you noticed that the problem is more with "older" shellfish?. Fish (as well as meat/fowl) build up histamine levels as they age. And many with MC have issues with histamines. Best to eat as freshly as possible....... and don't save leftovers for long.

Polly

Golfingail · Post by **Golfingail** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 11:25 am

I have never heard of histamine intolerance before and am trying to research it on line. Thanks for this info! I have stopped taking nsaids and Benadryal. But living in Florida we are contending with pollens etc a lot so I may take it from time to time. Didn't know it might help with food intolerance too.

Post by **tex** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 12:47 pm

Gail,

To add to what Polly wrote: Many of us find it necessary to either throw leftovers away, or promptly freeze them in serving-size containers, and then thaw them in a microwave and reheat them right before we are ready to eat them. This minimizes the risk of an increase in the histamine level because histamine levels continue to increase at refrigeration temperatures, but deep freeze temperatures (zero degrees F) prevent additional histamine propagation. Histamine problems associated with IBDs are usually a dosage issue. IOW we each have a certain dosage threshold below which we are fine, but if we exceed that limit due to the total effect of all foods in our diet, then we begin to react.

The links in the first post in the thread at the link below should be helpful:

Mast Cells And Microscopic Colitis

Believe it or not, even pollen allergies can adversely affect our gut.

Tex

coryhub · Post by **coryhub** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 3:16 pm

Hi Gail,

Keeping a food journal was essential to me in the first year. It helped me track and develop a "safe" food list. Once I stopped the Entocort I discovered that mashed potatoes, chicken and canned green beans did not bother me and it's still one of my favorite meals. I've read that shellfish is high histamine compared to fresh fish which is low histamine. I love fish but when I reheat it at work it smells the office up so I don't eat it as much as I'd like to. Like you after many bad episodes I was finally convinced to throw away the food in my pantry. Now I have a "gluten free pantry" and even made a sign saying that. I love to go to the farmer's markets but also I also buy boxed items. For instance, Annie's Homegrown, Rice Pasta & Cheddar, Gluten Free Macaroni & Cheese is always on hand cause it's easy in a pinch. Don't give up because it's a process and I think Tex did a survey and it took most of us around three years to get this deal down as there is no diet plan & we are all different. You'll soon enjoy the challenge and the journey.

Cory

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 7:20 pm

Hi Gail. Congrats on making it through the denial stage. We have all been there :) This process does take a long time, but it gets better. I gave up most foods that could possibly be suspect and pretty much stuck to that for a good six months. The good news is that I started feeling so good, that I was able to test many foods back in with success! Try to also stay away from Raw fruits and veggies for now. It's very hard on the system. And also be careful with processed GF products.

By the way, Benadryl is a great antihistamine ( especially in the PM). I take an Allegra in the am and a Benadryl in the pm.... Helps big time for me.

Good luck
Leah

Golfingail · Post by **Golfingail** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 8:03 am

Thanks to all of your support so very much! This site is fabulous! Two days of altering my lifestyle and I already see a big improvement! I rec'd my book in the mail last nite and am busy this morning trying to understand it all. Am wondering about eggs - what is in them that we shouldn't have? Are egg beaters ok?

Post by **tex** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 8:30 am

Gail wrote:Am wondering about eggs - what is in them that we shouldn't have? Are egg beaters ok?

The EneroLab test for eggs detects antibodies to the primary protein in the egg whites (albumen). Egg Beaters would be even more inflammatory than whole eggs, because they are made exclusively from egg whites.

It's great to hear that you're already feeling better.

Tex

ldubois7 · Post by **ldubois7** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 8:36 am

The albumen (whites) that are what is tested by Enterolab. Egg Beaters are made with egg whites.

There are lots of recipes that use flax eggs or chia eggs in place of chicken eggs, though. I use flax eggs.

Google eggless recipes, or no egg recipes to see what you find.

Golfingail · Post by **Golfingail** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 8:36 am

Thanks much!!

Golfingail · Post by **Golfingail** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 9:36 am

Is dairy restricted because of the lactose? I saw some lactose free cheese and wondered if this would b OK?

ldubois7 · Post by **ldubois7** » Fri Feb 21, 2014 12:41 pm

The lactose is the sugar in dairy, and can cause gas/bloating & other digestive distress, but it's the casein (the protein) in dairy that we build antibodies to, and causes our D symptoms etc.
Personally, I tried the lactose free cheese and it was better to go without than tolerate the taste & texture. :( But, a lot of times there is soy in the 'fake' cheeses, so read the labels carefully!