what are GUMs?

GrammyLou · Post by **GrammyLou** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 8:33 pm

I am a newbie and am just finding my way around this site. There is an unbelievable amount of helpful information here. For many years docs told me I had IBS and I was usually okay as long as I avoided dairy and especially chocolate. But in Jan 2017 I started having diarrhea and have been battling it all year. Actually I don't know if what I have can truly be labeled "diarrhea" since I usually have only 1 (or occasionally 2) bm's per day. But they are always (what I learned to refer to here as) "puff poops"! I have not had a normal bm in close to a year now. I finally had a colonoscopy with biopsies done a couple months ago and they diagnosed me with LC. I was put on budesonide for 6 weeks, but it didn't seem to make any difference. Things were fairly quiet for a while (though always puff-poops) but in the past couple of weeks I've been experiencing a lot of cramping and frequent mild nausea. I have started avoiding gluten and dairy, and limiting sugars. Today I thought I ate really well, but now, this evening I am feeling rather crummy (tired and nauseous) again. Then, reading another post somewhere here I saw someone mention that canned tuna has soy! WTH! So looks like soy might be a problem for me. And it seems like no matter what milk substitute I try, I have issues with it. Then I read that all milk subs have something referred to as "GUMs". Can someone tell me what that is? I think at this point I need to go on an elimination diet. Can you point me to one somewhere on this site? This site is really a Godsend, as the docs are really not overly helpful...

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 10:08 pm

Eating plan that is basis for a elimination diet is outlined in our guidelines to recovery section
http://perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=79

Stage One eating plan

Gums are 'filler' type ingredients to give products texture etc
most of them are soy based (as soy is cheapest ingredient)
they are common in gluten free products.

Post by **tex** » Thu Oct 26, 2017 8:01 am

Louise,

All gums are made from legumes (except for one — xanthan gum is made from the slime that results from feeding some form of sugar to Xanthomonas campestris bacteria). Most people who react to soy also react to most (but not necessarily all) legumes.

Tex

JulieHaggy · Post by **JulieHaggy** » Thu Oct 26, 2017 10:49 am

I've been using RICE DREAM rice drink as a milk substitute. It does not contain any gums.

GrammyLou · Post by **GrammyLou** » Thu Oct 26, 2017 8:36 pm

thanks so much for the replies...and for pointing me to the Stage One diet! I started today and have had nothing but banana, chicken, turkey, and white potatoes. So far, so good. I am hoping that I have caught this early enough that I will be able to heal quickly. On the other hand, I am soon to be 60 years old, and from what I hear, the older you are, the longer to heal. But I am committed to sticking with it. The toughest part is that my husband and I love to go out to eat and I hate to spoil his fun and say I can't go. Not quite sure how to handle that, but for the first month or so, at least, I plan to just eat at home so I can be sure what I am ingesting.

Pam V · Post by **Pam V** » Fri Oct 27, 2017 6:46 am

Hey GrammyLou,

I turned 60 this past May, the month I was diagnosed with LC. My husband and I love going out to eat and after a long week at work, it is something that we really look forward to. I stayed away from restaurants at first but have spoken to the staff at a few local restaurants that we have frequented regularly. I have found three restaurants that have been very accommodating - I have found that most restaurants marinate beef (who knew?) but I have been able to order salmon or haddock, cooked dry, and a baked potato with nothing on it. I am getting to the point where I can have some steamed vegetables (they confirm for me that there is no butter on them) - and even though they aren't cooked as mushy as I would make them at home, I can have a small serving. One restaurant that we love has been very clear with me - the best Italian food - and they have said that I probably can't eat safely there. I will occasionally have a glass of wine now so I go with my husband and son and will have a glass of wine or cup of tea while they eat. I never thought that I would say this but I really don't feel bad seeing foods I can't eat. My taste buds have changed and I am motivated to stay on my gluten, casein, soy, egg free diet as I am feeling so much better.

Good luck, GrammyLou and Happy 60th to you!

Love,
Pam

GrammyLou · Post by **GrammyLou** » Fri Oct 27, 2017 9:07 pm

Thanks so much for the reply, Pam! So helpful to know that it is possible to go out to eat! I see that you are from Boston? I have been in Colorado for 20+ years, but grew up north of Boston (Peabody) and still have lots of family there so I visit once a year or so. I really appreciate the support. I was diagnosed back in April. Doc put me on Budesonide for 6 weeks but it didn't have any noticeable effect. At the time I wasn't feeling too bad (just had "puff-poop") so I mostly just ignored it. But this past month I started having lots of cramping and nausea, so I started searching the web...which led me to this group. I am now trying to do an elimination diet to figure out exactly what I am sensitive to. Ho hum. I guess I shouldn't complain too much. I could have much worse problems, but I sure do miss eating fun food!

GrammyLou · Post by **GrammyLou** » Fri Oct 27, 2017 9:21 pm

Also, Pam, I LOVE Winnie-the-Pooh! Used to read it to my son when he was a little guy, and now waiting for grandkids to get big enough to appreciate it :)

Pam V · Post by **Pam V** » Sat Oct 28, 2017 5:15 am

It’s a small world, GrammyLou! My Mom grew up in Peabody and I have many wonderful memories of spending time with my Grammy on Roycroft Road in Peabody. I grew up in Natick and now live with my husband and kids near Foxboro in Franklin. I get up to Peabody about once a year or so now to put flowers in the cemetery. Great memories of the North Shore.

The new movie about how Pooh came to be ~ Christopher Robin and Me opened this weekend at a little theater not too far from me. I’m hoping to get there and will bring some rice cakes to snack on instead of popcorn:). Some of my favorite quotes come from books I read as a child ~ Winnie the Pooh and Anne of Green Gables

I never heard of Puffy Poops until I found this forum. I had them for about a year pre diagnosis and tried to ignore them ~ passed them off as taking too many fish oil supplements. I’m tapering off Budisonide now (started taking in June) ~ no more Puffy Poop. I did the Enterolab testing too so I know exactly what I can eat. I was reluctant to do it at first ~ partly the cost but I think it was more that I didn’t want to have to see that dairy and gluten were permanently out of my diet. My husband convinced me that knowledge is power and I’m glad I did it.

I miss the ease of being able to grab what I want for food easily but have honestly gotten to the point where I enjoy what I eat. I think you will too. In the beginning I ate the same thing for every meal ~ white rice and protein ( ground or grilled turkey, beef or bison). I learned about histamine from this group and the importance of not eating “leftovers” so I make a big pot of rice and protein and freeze it in single servings. I make beef and chicken bone broth now and freeze that to add to my food. Now that it’s been awhile, I vary my food a bit ~ almond butter on rice cakes, rice cereal with almond milk, etc. I also have issues with GUMS but have found that I can have Blue Diamond Almond Milk without any problem. Their chocolate milk is a real treat to have occasionally. I have a hard time keeping it in the house as my son and husband love it too!

I’m so happy to have met you, GrammyLou! Wishing you all the best. Maybe we can neat for
coffee or a safe meal when you come East again!

Love,
Pam

Pam V · Post by **Pam V** » Sat Oct 28, 2017 5:28 am

....I gave the wrong name of the movie ~ it’s Goodbye Christopher Robin:)

Marcia K · Post by **Marcia K** » Sat Oct 28, 2017 6:09 am

Hi, Grammy. My husband likes to eat out, too. We eat out once a week and I am usually fine with a plain steak, salmon or even a plain hamburger if nothing else is available. Most restaurants offer baked sweet potatoes and plain steamed vegetables. I always take a GlutenEase when I eat out in case I get glutened. It is difficult at first until your gut heals, but as time goes on you'll be able to expand your horizon. I have to admit sometimes when others are eating pasta that smells delicious I miss it, but then I remind myself that gluten is poison to everyone and I don't like that my family is eating it. I love Winnie-the-Pooh, too. When we dropped our son off at college his freshman year I slipped a quote from Christopher Robin under his pillow. I can't remember the exact quote but it's the "you are stronger than you think and smarter than you believe....

skp · Post by **skp** » Sat Oct 28, 2017 8:47 am

As a fervent Winnie the Pooh fan I conducted Pooh-ins in college with Pooh readings. I am now 67. Winnie the Pooh was on top of my wedding cake and I have a huge stuffed Winnie the Pooh that was given to me in college. The movie hasn't come to Asheville yet but I am eager to see it.

Grammy, you are with the best group of people in the world, literally, on this forum. I, too, did the Enterolab testing as I wanted to cut to the chase. As one of the few that also struggles with Constipation instead of just D or puffy poops, I have found advice that has been immeasurable to me. We eat out now at restaurants that I know are safe for me and the staff are terrific at paying heed to my needs. We each find our way through the continued support from this forum.

Welcome,
Susan

JFR · Post by **JFR** » Sat Oct 28, 2017 9:01 am

GrammyLou and Pam,

It's a small world. I grew up in Lynn and still have family on the North Shore. I now live in Brattleboro VT. I am 68 and by being scrupulous about my diet, avoiding all foods to which I am sensitive, I have been able to achieve remission.

Jean

Pam V · Post by **Pam V** » Sat Oct 28, 2017 9:55 am

Jean,

It is a very small world! My Dad grew up in Lynn and we spent many holidays at my Uncle’s home on Lakeview Terrace. My other Uncle was the Principal at Pickering Junior High School. You are an inspiration to me ~ what better motivator than hearing full remission by being careful with your diet. Enjoy this lovely fall day in Vermont. GrammyLou, my hubby just came back from a business trip in Colorado ~ he said it is just beautiful!

Love,
Pam

Pam V · Post by **Pam V** » Sat Oct 28, 2017 10:40 am

Marcia, my younger daughter began college this year and they had parents write a note for the kids to get on their first night. I wrote the same Pooh quote! Susan, I would have enjoyed your Pooh-In’s so much!

What a wonderful group of people I’ve met in this forum. Truly the silver lining of MC!

Happy weekend to all ~

Love,
Pam