Sara,
I believe that some members have found that romaine lettuce is often more easily tolerated than iceberg lettuce, FWIW.
Tex
LIST OF FOODS I'VE TESTED OR ELIMINATED
Moderators: Rosie, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Tex,
That's just remarkable. Though that's great news for my personal tastebuds, that means that not only can we not really tell by plant family how a food might agree with us - we can't even know whether a variety within the same genus *and species* might affect us differently. I guess that's not entirely surprising - we sure have preferences for different types of tomatoes and flowers and apples. BUT WOW anyway.
I'm going to start some lettuce seeds right now, so I can stop shaking my head over this fact. In my little urban space, I can't grow enough for a truly severe reaction ;) I wonder whether it even makes a difference to eat the leaves young... certainly it makes a difference in taste/texture. I've missed the fiddlehead ferns here this year - too big already... (not that I was planning to risk it, till I figure out what mainstays I can eat).
Love,
Sara
That's just remarkable. Though that's great news for my personal tastebuds, that means that not only can we not really tell by plant family how a food might agree with us - we can't even know whether a variety within the same genus *and species* might affect us differently. I guess that's not entirely surprising - we sure have preferences for different types of tomatoes and flowers and apples. BUT WOW anyway.
I'm going to start some lettuce seeds right now, so I can stop shaking my head over this fact. In my little urban space, I can't grow enough for a truly severe reaction ;) I wonder whether it even makes a difference to eat the leaves young... certainly it makes a difference in taste/texture. I've missed the fiddlehead ferns here this year - too big already... (not that I was planning to risk it, till I figure out what mainstays I can eat).
Love,
Sara
Hello all,
I was diagnosed with CC in 2006 from a GI doctor after I had a colonoscopy. Since then, if I had any flare-ups, it was just for a day or two, but pretty severe. However, recently I have had an attack of colitis that lasted for 3 weeks. Could not get it stopped. Finally ate only white food like bread, rice, oatmeal, and plain yogurt. After a few days of taking 2 oz. of Pepto twice a day, and Immodium 2 tabs twice a day, I finally had a normal BM. I'm taking it slow, and introducing bland foods, (no fresh fruit or veg). We'll see how this works!
Twyla
I was diagnosed with CC in 2006 from a GI doctor after I had a colonoscopy. Since then, if I had any flare-ups, it was just for a day or two, but pretty severe. However, recently I have had an attack of colitis that lasted for 3 weeks. Could not get it stopped. Finally ate only white food like bread, rice, oatmeal, and plain yogurt. After a few days of taking 2 oz. of Pepto twice a day, and Immodium 2 tabs twice a day, I finally had a normal BM. I'm taking it slow, and introducing bland foods, (no fresh fruit or veg). We'll see how this works!
Twyla
Hi Twyla,
Welcome to the board. You're a lucky lady to be able to control your symptoms so easily. For most of us, it's almost a full-time job, until we're finally able to reach remission.
I hope your good fortune continues, and you're able to get back to normal soon.
Tex
Welcome to the board. You're a lucky lady to be able to control your symptoms so easily. For most of us, it's almost a full-time job, until we're finally able to reach remission.
I hope your good fortune continues, and you're able to get back to normal soon.
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.
Hi Gloria,
I am new to all of this and I also have Interstitial Cystitis, for which I have a limited diet. After reading your list of foods, I think I will just live on bread and water.
Bunnykfl@aol.com
I am new to all of this and I also have Interstitial Cystitis, for which I have a limited diet. After reading your list of foods, I think I will just live on bread and water.
Bunnykfl@aol.com
Welcome, Bunny.
Bread and water would about kill me
- your food list for IC might help your MC, with minor adjustments.
There is a lot of variety in what foods are best for each of us, and whether we use medication and diet, or diet alone while working toward remission. The big suspect foods are gluten and dairy for the vast majority, and many also have problems with soy.
Gloria is not alone in having multiple intolerances, and is exceptionally methodical and clear in figuring which food might be behind a flareup of symptoms. But many people here have a much smaller list of foods they must avoid. (Gloria has also shared some excellent recipes in the forum called Dee's Kitchen - she's quite knowledgeable about baking with non-gluten ingredients.)
You have definitely found the right place for figuring out what foods work for you. I truly believe finding this remarkable group saved me from months of suffering and guesswork.
All my best,
Sara
Bread and water would about kill me
- your food list for IC might help your MC, with minor adjustments.There is a lot of variety in what foods are best for each of us, and whether we use medication and diet, or diet alone while working toward remission. The big suspect foods are gluten and dairy for the vast majority, and many also have problems with soy.
Gloria is not alone in having multiple intolerances, and is exceptionally methodical and clear in figuring which food might be behind a flareup of symptoms. But many people here have a much smaller list of foods they must avoid. (Gloria has also shared some excellent recipes in the forum called Dee's Kitchen - she's quite knowledgeable about baking with non-gluten ingredients.)
You have definitely found the right place for figuring out what foods work for you. I truly believe finding this remarkable group saved me from months of suffering and guesswork.
All my best,
Sara
WELCOME BUNNY and TWYLA!! 
Sara is a very kind soul and has given me more credit than I deserve. I do admit to being very methodical. That's probably my math brain at work - I was a high school mathematics teacher for many years.
As Sara pointed out, I have multiple intolerances, due to having double DQ1 genes. In addition, I'm fairly certain that I have mastocytic enterocolitis, which means that I react to foods high in histamines. The combination of these two conditions requires me to eliminate many more foods than I would by just having one or the other.
I don't have Interstitial Cystitis, but I am prone to having bladder infections. I realized today that I haven't had one in fourteen months - a miracle for me. That's the same length of time that I've been on the LEAP diet. Hmmm, I wonder if there's a relationship?
I am starting an experiment of using Claritin to manage the histamine problem. I hate to trade one drug (Entocort) for another, but I'm down to 12 foods and don't feel I can eliminate any more without seriously affecting my nutritional requirements. I am hoping an antihistamine regimen will allow me to add foods to my diet instead of eliminate them.
Gloria
Sara is a very kind soul and has given me more credit than I deserve. I do admit to being very methodical. That's probably my math brain at work - I was a high school mathematics teacher for many years.
As Sara pointed out, I have multiple intolerances, due to having double DQ1 genes. In addition, I'm fairly certain that I have mastocytic enterocolitis, which means that I react to foods high in histamines. The combination of these two conditions requires me to eliminate many more foods than I would by just having one or the other.
I don't have Interstitial Cystitis, but I am prone to having bladder infections. I realized today that I haven't had one in fourteen months - a miracle for me. That's the same length of time that I've been on the LEAP diet. Hmmm, I wonder if there's a relationship?
I am starting an experiment of using Claritin to manage the histamine problem. I hate to trade one drug (Entocort) for another, but I'm down to 12 foods and don't feel I can eliminate any more without seriously affecting my nutritional requirements. I am hoping an antihistamine regimen will allow me to add foods to my diet instead of eliminate them.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
Gloria,
I truly admire your ability to be methodical. I am pretty good at being clever, and at having inspired notions, but being methodical in a sustained way does not come naturally to me - and even when I work at it, I am prone to distraction. I would blame the gluten or my double DQ2 - but I'm blaming those for all kinds of other things these days. I do feel that as a fellow genetic double-whammy I have been very fortunate that my 'boat' doesn't seem too tippy these days, and I take nothing for granted.
That 14 month milestone is wonderful, and doesn't sound like a coincidence for me... congratulations on that success!
Good luck with the Claritin experiment. I had a weird dizziness experience when I first tried it, but later found out that a friend who was also recovering from the cold-virus going around also had a day of vertigo. So maybe it wasn't the Claritin at all. I'm reluctant to retry it until after our vacation, but will have a chance in July. As you know, I believe mast cells may also be involved for me... and I also believe that when my total system reactivity is 'hushed' those reactions seem to happen less often, and less strongly. I'm in the early stages of figuring it out, but encouraged. It has also been helpful (for my husband, too) that I'm clearer and communicating better: if I ate a new food yesterday, I'm not eating *another* new food today. Or - if I ate a new food this week and am not sure-sure-sure it worked, I won't be having it again until I get back to - whatever I think my current baseline is. At first he was just trying to get my list memorized, but my list isn't settled yet.
I am continuing to use Histame kind of like insurance. I take it when I have a glass of wine, or when I eat out, or when I have foods I believe are safe but not 'proven' - and also with a fish meal. The limits of my understanding may be limiting its usefulness, but I do know I am currently tolerating it.
I think you deserve even more credit, but I am very biased ;)
Love,
Sara
I truly admire your ability to be methodical. I am pretty good at being clever, and at having inspired notions, but being methodical in a sustained way does not come naturally to me - and even when I work at it, I am prone to distraction. I would blame the gluten or my double DQ2 - but I'm blaming those for all kinds of other things these days. I do feel that as a fellow genetic double-whammy I have been very fortunate that my 'boat' doesn't seem too tippy these days, and I take nothing for granted.
That 14 month milestone is wonderful, and doesn't sound like a coincidence for me... congratulations on that success!
Good luck with the Claritin experiment. I had a weird dizziness experience when I first tried it, but later found out that a friend who was also recovering from the cold-virus going around also had a day of vertigo. So maybe it wasn't the Claritin at all. I'm reluctant to retry it until after our vacation, but will have a chance in July. As you know, I believe mast cells may also be involved for me... and I also believe that when my total system reactivity is 'hushed' those reactions seem to happen less often, and less strongly. I'm in the early stages of figuring it out, but encouraged. It has also been helpful (for my husband, too) that I'm clearer and communicating better: if I ate a new food yesterday, I'm not eating *another* new food today. Or - if I ate a new food this week and am not sure-sure-sure it worked, I won't be having it again until I get back to - whatever I think my current baseline is. At first he was just trying to get my list memorized, but my list isn't settled yet.
I am continuing to use Histame kind of like insurance. I take it when I have a glass of wine, or when I eat out, or when I have foods I believe are safe but not 'proven' - and also with a fish meal. The limits of my understanding may be limiting its usefulness, but I do know I am currently tolerating it.
I think you deserve even more credit, but I am very biased ;)
Love,
Sara