Hi everyone,
Well, I'm having a tough road getting to complete recovery here. I seemed to be doing really well for a couple of weeks, and now I'm back to cramps and D. It's not terrible, but it's enough that I'm discouraged. I've removed all grains from my diet, as well as soy and dairy. So, mostly what I've been eating is bananas (lots - maybe 3/day) with sunflower seed butter, potatoes with olive oil, and veggies and eggs, fish and meat. Oh, and I found some of those Lara bars and have been trying them. Now I'm wondering if my stomach can't handle the sunflower seed butter, and I'm wondering if I can't handle green beans, and maybe even potatoes. And I also wonder if the Lara bars have too much dried fruit in them for me to handle. My diet seems to be getting more and more limited, but I'm loathe to give up the nut butters and the potatoes, since those are the two things that really make me feel full. I'm hungry to the point of feeling sick when I don't have carbs since I can only eat a little meat before I start feeling nauseous. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm so discouraged and am afraid to eat anything. What do others do when you can't figure out your allergies?
Thanks,
Beth
Discouraged
Moderators: Rosie, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Beth
Gosh I hate to see things not working for you. It is not so long ago that they were not working for me.
I ate green beans for a long time and had some remarkable transformation when I discovered the lectin connection. Yes, it took me a long time to figure out that green beens are legumes just like red beans or black beans.
Seeds like sunflower are also lectins. I have always done better with almond butter but if I rember you had a problem with those also.
Wayne posted a great thing about potatoes and how their skins contain toxic glycoalkaloids, something that I have found to be very true for me.
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5150
Do you peel your potatoes?
The Lara Bars are pretty concentrated sugar even if naturally so. When I first tried them they did not work very well untill I discovered that I did better to eat half a one at a time.
How much meat are you trying to eat at any given time. I found that small portions five or six times a day were much easier than three big meals untill things began to heal. I feel that protein is an important part of healing so don’t give up on it. Not being a doctor I can only guess that the nauseous feeling on eating meat comes from the stomach . I can not say for sure but that would indicate low stomach acid or enzmes.
Will be interested to hear what others think.
Love
Matthew
Gosh I hate to see things not working for you. It is not so long ago that they were not working for me.
I ate green beans for a long time and had some remarkable transformation when I discovered the lectin connection. Yes, it took me a long time to figure out that green beens are legumes just like red beans or black beans.
Seeds like sunflower are also lectins. I have always done better with almond butter but if I rember you had a problem with those also.
Wayne posted a great thing about potatoes and how their skins contain toxic glycoalkaloids, something that I have found to be very true for me.
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5150
Do you peel your potatoes?
The Lara Bars are pretty concentrated sugar even if naturally so. When I first tried them they did not work very well untill I discovered that I did better to eat half a one at a time.
How much meat are you trying to eat at any given time. I found that small portions five or six times a day were much easier than three big meals untill things began to heal. I feel that protein is an important part of healing so don’t give up on it. Not being a doctor I can only guess that the nauseous feeling on eating meat comes from the stomach . I can not say for sure but that would indicate low stomach acid or enzmes.
Will be interested to hear what others think.
Love
Matthew
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kate_ce1995
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 1321
- Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 5:53 pm
- Location: Vermont
Can't eggs be a common allergan to? Maybe try a week without eggs and see how you do with that.
I can't offer a whole lot as I'm having my own stomach issues these days. Last night was awful...it was either the chocolate a vendor sent us a work, the grilled cheese sandwich, or the chiropractor (started on the way home from the chiro).
Hang in there.
Katy
I can't offer a whole lot as I'm having my own stomach issues these days. Last night was awful...it was either the chocolate a vendor sent us a work, the grilled cheese sandwich, or the chiropractor (started on the way home from the chiro).
Hang in there.
Katy
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MaggieRedwings
- King Penguin
- Posts: 3865
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 3:16 am
- Location: SE Pennsylvania
Morning Beth,
Please, do not get discourage. I for one know that it is a hard and tough road to walk and have been doing it totally GF and being a vegan since 2001. I still have very rough mornings but I have had remarkable improvement. It took a long time for me to sort out the intolerances and the worst one to give up was soy since being a vegan it was a mainstay of my diet for protein. But I have done it. It has been hard for me to do but I have introduced seafood to my diet because of the lack of protein - the eggs don't cut it for me and probably are another intolerance.
I started the Paleo diet a couple of weeks ago and am having some improvement on it but the hardest thing for me is the nuts. Whenever I eat them I seem to get nauseous too.
If you love to cook the GF way can be less than boring but it just takes improvising and waiting for the system to accept the diet.
Keep at it and believe me, everyone here will give you the encouragement and support to keep on keeping on.
Love, Maggie
Please, do not get discourage. I for one know that it is a hard and tough road to walk and have been doing it totally GF and being a vegan since 2001. I still have very rough mornings but I have had remarkable improvement. It took a long time for me to sort out the intolerances and the worst one to give up was soy since being a vegan it was a mainstay of my diet for protein. But I have done it. It has been hard for me to do but I have introduced seafood to my diet because of the lack of protein - the eggs don't cut it for me and probably are another intolerance.
I started the Paleo diet a couple of weeks ago and am having some improvement on it but the hardest thing for me is the nuts. Whenever I eat them I seem to get nauseous too.
If you love to cook the GF way can be less than boring but it just takes improvising and waiting for the system to accept the diet.
Keep at it and believe me, everyone here will give you the encouragement and support to keep on keeping on.
Love, Maggie
Maggie Scarpone
___________________
Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
___________________
Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
Thanks, everyone, for your encouragement. So, where do I begin? I have no idea what is making my body so unhappy, especially when I'm already eating so little variety. I always eat small meals throughout the day or else my blood sugar gets really low and I begin to feel horrible. Have to be really careful about this and bring snacks with me everywhere because I teach privately, and I'm no good if I about to pass out or am shaking with hunger. But the problem is that I no longer have any idea what to put in my body. I've been eating a lot of eggs to get some inexpensive and easy protein in - it gets really expensive to eat good-tasting protein several times a day. I know people have talked about eating canned salmon, but I can't tell you how revolting that sounds to me. I grew up on tuna noodle and salmon noodle casserole, and crunching through those bones - I think I'm scarred for life! ") I was reading the long thread last night where you were all coaching Cristi through the worst of her illness, and I think I read that just about everything was mentioned as a possible allergy - bananas, eggs, nuts, potatoes - all of the things that right now have become staples of my diet! I'm thinking what I'll try for breakfast is some thinly sliced chicken breast, a cooked apple and some almonds. I have a feeling I'm going to be hungry very quickly, though! Any other suggestions you have I would definitely appreciate.
Best,
Beth
Best,
Beth
Hi Beth,
Yep, there are occasionally some bumps in the road back to good health. When I was recovering, I had problems with sunflower seed, (even sunflower oil), so I avoided it. For some reason, I couldn't tolerate bananas, (maybe it was the fiber, because I eat 2 or 3 a day now, with no problems). I ate lots and lots of potatoes, though, and never had any problems with them. Despite all the bad publicity about potatoes, (due to the high carb content, and the glycoalkaloids), very few people actually experience GI problems due to potatoes.
The items you suspect have relatively high fiber, so maybe you're ingesting a little too much fiber. Fiber was certainly a major problem for me, when I was healing. In place of green beans, you might try something like broccoli and/or squash, as they are at the low end of the fiber scale, and I suspect that's why they have always worked so well for most of us. Here's a site with approximate fiber content ratings for various foods:
http://www.tufts.edu/med/nutrition-infe ... fiber.html
I agree with Matthew about the nausea. If you're not accustomed to eating meat, your body may be having a problem producing sufficient hydrochloric acid, and/or the enzymes which are necessary to initiate the digestion process. A 600 mg betaine hydrochloride tablet, (available OTC), at the start of a meal, will generate additional acid, and I found that when I was reacting, they helped my digestion noticeably.
And last, but not least, sometimes we just get sick, and never really know why. That's not only true of MCers, but the general population as well, of course.
I hope you can get back on track ASAP.
Wayne
Yep, there are occasionally some bumps in the road back to good health. When I was recovering, I had problems with sunflower seed, (even sunflower oil), so I avoided it. For some reason, I couldn't tolerate bananas, (maybe it was the fiber, because I eat 2 or 3 a day now, with no problems). I ate lots and lots of potatoes, though, and never had any problems with them. Despite all the bad publicity about potatoes, (due to the high carb content, and the glycoalkaloids), very few people actually experience GI problems due to potatoes.
The items you suspect have relatively high fiber, so maybe you're ingesting a little too much fiber. Fiber was certainly a major problem for me, when I was healing. In place of green beans, you might try something like broccoli and/or squash, as they are at the low end of the fiber scale, and I suspect that's why they have always worked so well for most of us. Here's a site with approximate fiber content ratings for various foods:
http://www.tufts.edu/med/nutrition-infe ... fiber.html
I agree with Matthew about the nausea. If you're not accustomed to eating meat, your body may be having a problem producing sufficient hydrochloric acid, and/or the enzymes which are necessary to initiate the digestion process. A 600 mg betaine hydrochloride tablet, (available OTC), at the start of a meal, will generate additional acid, and I found that when I was reacting, they helped my digestion noticeably.
And last, but not least, sometimes we just get sick, and never really know why. That's not only true of MCers, but the general population as well, of course.
I hope you can get back on track ASAP.
Wayne
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.
Beth, You do know that you can get boneless, skinless salmon now, don't you.
Usually tuna in the grocery store has added "broth" - who knows whats in that. Salmon just has added color (at lest the brand I purchased last) but here's a link to Vital Choice which is a great place for seafood.
http://www.vitalchoice.com/shop/shop2.cfm?category=7
Perhaps you are just totally turned off for either salmon or tuna (tuna isn't canned with skin or bones though). If so, I just don't know what to suggest.
Good Luck and I hope you find some answers real soon. Have you tried doing the elimination diet Jean posted?
The only other suggestion I have is to perhaps ask your doctor for a run with Entocort. Just a suggestion. I have no idea how you feel about meds.
Love, Shirley
Usually tuna in the grocery store has added "broth" - who knows whats in that. Salmon just has added color (at lest the brand I purchased last) but here's a link to Vital Choice which is a great place for seafood.
http://www.vitalchoice.com/shop/shop2.cfm?category=7
Perhaps you are just totally turned off for either salmon or tuna (tuna isn't canned with skin or bones though). If so, I just don't know what to suggest.
Good Luck and I hope you find some answers real soon. Have you tried doing the elimination diet Jean posted?
The only other suggestion I have is to perhaps ask your doctor for a run with Entocort. Just a suggestion. I have no idea how you feel about meds.
Love, Shirley
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
-- Winston Churchill
Hi Beth,
Sorry to hear about your continuing problems. It is often a long and tedious process to fine tune our diets. Sigh.
You already have lots of good info above. For different filling foods to try I would suggest avocado (guacamole), baked sweet potatoes, and olives. Guacamole is really good on top of a baked potato. If you think the eggs are OK, you can add GF mayo (like Hellmann's or Kraft) as a topping. One of my favorite potato toppings is a mayo/mustard mixture.
I agree that the nuts/seeds may be too much oil and fiber at this time. If I were you, I would try to make each meal roughly 50% meat/poultry/seafood and 50% veggies/fruit. Use nuts/seeds only very sparingly.
I can attest to how wonderful the Vital Choice salmon is. It IS expensive and must be shipped from WA state, but it contains far less mercury than other brands. And I'm like you - not a fan of skin/bones, so I buy the skinless/boneless variety. Did you see Joanna's suggestion for making salmon patties using potato too?
The best animal source of protein is turkey. Also, turkey is not a major immunogenic food. I always keep a supply of Boar's Head sliced deli turkey breast (the 47% reduced salt one is totally safe) on hand. Also, the prosciutto is safe too. You can add it to salads, stir-fry it, throw it into veggies, or just grab a handful for a snack when you are hungry. I like to make a "wrap" by putting turkey breast into romaine leaves and spreading guacamole on top!
Good luck and keep us posted. You WILL get there. I know what you mean about the $$$ involved in eating well. I have decided that I am worth it - whatever it costs to make me feel my best I will spend. Even if I have to cut corners elsewhere (which I do).
Love,
Polly
Sorry to hear about your continuing problems. It is often a long and tedious process to fine tune our diets. Sigh.
You already have lots of good info above. For different filling foods to try I would suggest avocado (guacamole), baked sweet potatoes, and olives. Guacamole is really good on top of a baked potato. If you think the eggs are OK, you can add GF mayo (like Hellmann's or Kraft) as a topping. One of my favorite potato toppings is a mayo/mustard mixture.
I agree that the nuts/seeds may be too much oil and fiber at this time. If I were you, I would try to make each meal roughly 50% meat/poultry/seafood and 50% veggies/fruit. Use nuts/seeds only very sparingly.
I can attest to how wonderful the Vital Choice salmon is. It IS expensive and must be shipped from WA state, but it contains far less mercury than other brands. And I'm like you - not a fan of skin/bones, so I buy the skinless/boneless variety. Did you see Joanna's suggestion for making salmon patties using potato too?
The best animal source of protein is turkey. Also, turkey is not a major immunogenic food. I always keep a supply of Boar's Head sliced deli turkey breast (the 47% reduced salt one is totally safe) on hand. Also, the prosciutto is safe too. You can add it to salads, stir-fry it, throw it into veggies, or just grab a handful for a snack when you are hungry. I like to make a "wrap" by putting turkey breast into romaine leaves and spreading guacamole on top!
Good luck and keep us posted. You WILL get there. I know what you mean about the $$$ involved in eating well. I have decided that I am worth it - whatever it costs to make me feel my best I will spend. Even if I have to cut corners elsewhere (which I do).
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
-
artteacher
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 731
- Joined: Wed Aug 24, 2005 11:13 pm
.
Hi Beth,
I think you can tell that all of have been there, and we empathize. Any of those things could be a problem: for instance, eggs make me sick all by themselves, although in baked goods they seem to be fine. Almonds, or any nut, actually can make me sick if I eat too many, or if I don't chew them to a butter consistancy, or if they have the skin on them. (Elaine Gottschell, who wrote the specific carbohydrate diet book) says in her book that that type of fiber is forbidden in the first 3 months of a diet to control diarrhea. Lara Bars and bananas probably have sulfites in them. All dried fruits except dates and figs are dusted with sulfites unless specifically mentioned on the packaging, and bananas are dipped in sulfites before shipping - supposedly it leaches into the fruit itself through the cut end of the banana. Anyway, significant amounts of sulfited fruits and bananas make me sick, so I'm assuming that's what's doing it.
Caltrate 600 Plus helps me a lot, taken at the beginning of a meal. It will get me over a rash of D, so that a clean diet then will be enough. Once that inflammation from trigger foods starts, it's hard to stop by diet alone, I think.
Another thing I've been considering is a hormonal problem. Pituatary problems, and Addison's disease both cause diarrhea and IBS symptoms. I read about JFK recently while researching, and was surprized at his symptoms (that he went to great lengths to hide from the public). Chronic colitis was one of them.
Anyway, I hope this helps in some way. We're all so different.
Love, Marsha
I think you can tell that all of have been there, and we empathize. Any of those things could be a problem: for instance, eggs make me sick all by themselves, although in baked goods they seem to be fine. Almonds, or any nut, actually can make me sick if I eat too many, or if I don't chew them to a butter consistancy, or if they have the skin on them. (Elaine Gottschell, who wrote the specific carbohydrate diet book) says in her book that that type of fiber is forbidden in the first 3 months of a diet to control diarrhea. Lara Bars and bananas probably have sulfites in them. All dried fruits except dates and figs are dusted with sulfites unless specifically mentioned on the packaging, and bananas are dipped in sulfites before shipping - supposedly it leaches into the fruit itself through the cut end of the banana. Anyway, significant amounts of sulfited fruits and bananas make me sick, so I'm assuming that's what's doing it.
Caltrate 600 Plus helps me a lot, taken at the beginning of a meal. It will get me over a rash of D, so that a clean diet then will be enough. Once that inflammation from trigger foods starts, it's hard to stop by diet alone, I think.
Another thing I've been considering is a hormonal problem. Pituatary problems, and Addison's disease both cause diarrhea and IBS symptoms. I read about JFK recently while researching, and was surprized at his symptoms (that he went to great lengths to hide from the public). Chronic colitis was one of them.
Anyway, I hope this helps in some way. We're all so different.
Love, Marsha
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm a little confused about what I should take - should I take Caltrate 600 AND betaine hydrochloride? My real problem is constant cramps no matter what I eat, and then about 3 or 4 times a day rushing to the bathroom. It's not always D, but it's definitely not healthy. Sometimes I feel like my poor little rear end is burning, even if it's not really D.
I'll give the elimination another whirl. Maybe I ate something that just set me off on a bad bout and now I need to clean out my system.
This is not fun.
I'll give the elimination another whirl. Maybe I ate something that just set me off on a bad bout and now I need to clean out my system.
This is not fun.
Hi Beth,
If I were in your shoes, I don't believe that I would try both at the same time. You might try the caltrate first for a while, and if it doesn't help, then you might try the Betaine HCl.
"Battery acid" D is usually associated with intolerance to dairy products, in our experience. Is there any chance that you might have accidentally ingested any type of dairy protein?
Diverticulitis can present similar symptoms, but you're a bit young to have that problem, though it's not impossible. Did the pathology report on the biopsies from your colonoscopy by any chance mention the presence of diverticulosis, or "tics" as they are sometimes referred to in the trade?
Wayne
If I were in your shoes, I don't believe that I would try both at the same time. You might try the caltrate first for a while, and if it doesn't help, then you might try the Betaine HCl.
"Battery acid" D is usually associated with intolerance to dairy products, in our experience. Is there any chance that you might have accidentally ingested any type of dairy protein?
Diverticulitis can present similar symptoms, but you're a bit young to have that problem, though it's not impossible. Did the pathology report on the biopsies from your colonoscopy by any chance mention the presence of diverticulosis, or "tics" as they are sometimes referred to in the trade?
Wayne
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 Wayne,
I suppose it's possible that I had some dairy without knowing it. I went out to eat on Saturday, and maybe they put butter on the fish? But my stomach has been bothering me longer than that, so I don't think that's it. And as far as I can remember there was never any mention of diverticulitis. I'd be very surprised if I had it since I'm only in my early 30's. Then again, I haven't had any kind of biopsy or internal exam done since I was diagnosed three years ago. I'm wondering if
Polly - I have a question for you. I was reading in one of your responses to Cristi from this past summer about you kept going with your diet for nine months before you saw any change. What diet did you stay on? And how did you know that you were following the right diet since you were still having D? And did you have cramping after you ate? Just trying to figure out how to determine what I can eat since everything seems to be bothering me.
Here's what I've eaten so far today:
Cooked apple with cinnamon and a little maple syrup and flax seed oil. A few slices of chicken breast from the deli (they said there were no additives), and a few almonds.
Yukon gold pototoes w/ little bit of olive oil, steamed brocolli and few more slices of deli meat.
Banana
More of the same potato, brocolli and chicken mixture.
Drank three cups of slippery elm bark throughout the day.
Now I'm starving but scared to eat - I've got cramps right up under my rib cage just as I have all day, especially right after I eat. BM twice today that has sent me running with that burning urgency. Results are a lot of skinny threads. Haven't tried any PB or antacids - anyone think I should?
Thanks,
Beth
I suppose it's possible that I had some dairy without knowing it. I went out to eat on Saturday, and maybe they put butter on the fish? But my stomach has been bothering me longer than that, so I don't think that's it. And as far as I can remember there was never any mention of diverticulitis. I'd be very surprised if I had it since I'm only in my early 30's. Then again, I haven't had any kind of biopsy or internal exam done since I was diagnosed three years ago. I'm wondering if
Polly - I have a question for you. I was reading in one of your responses to Cristi from this past summer about you kept going with your diet for nine months before you saw any change. What diet did you stay on? And how did you know that you were following the right diet since you were still having D? And did you have cramping after you ate? Just trying to figure out how to determine what I can eat since everything seems to be bothering me.
Here's what I've eaten so far today:
Cooked apple with cinnamon and a little maple syrup and flax seed oil. A few slices of chicken breast from the deli (they said there were no additives), and a few almonds.
Yukon gold pototoes w/ little bit of olive oil, steamed brocolli and few more slices of deli meat.
Banana
More of the same potato, brocolli and chicken mixture.
Drank three cups of slippery elm bark throughout the day.
Now I'm starving but scared to eat - I've got cramps right up under my rib cage just as I have all day, especially right after I eat. BM twice today that has sent me running with that burning urgency. Results are a lot of skinny threads. Haven't tried any PB or antacids - anyone think I should?
Thanks,
Beth
Beth,
I don't want to cause unnecessary worry, because I'm just thinking out loud here, but your last paragraph suggests the possibility of a dysfunctional gallbladder, which is somewhat common with MCers. The primary symptom of gallbladder disease is pain just under the ribcage, especially right after eating.
Does this sound like what you are experiencing?
http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/w ... 0010_2.htm
Again, you are a bit young for this problem, but a compromised immune system can make even children susceptible to gallbladder problems.
Wayne
I don't want to cause unnecessary worry, because I'm just thinking out loud here, but your last paragraph suggests the possibility of a dysfunctional gallbladder, which is somewhat common with MCers. The primary symptom of gallbladder disease is pain just under the ribcage, especially right after eating.
Does this sound like what you are experiencing?
http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/w ... 0010_2.htm
Again, you are a bit young for this problem, but a compromised immune system can make even children susceptible to gallbladder problems.
Wayne
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 Wayne,
The part about D and complaints of gas and abdominal discomfort are certainly apt, but I don't think the rest of it applies. It's not pain so much as it's enormously uncomfortable.
I have a big writing deadline to get done by Friday, and I have to say the fatigue and the constant cramping are really getting in the way! I'm feeling quite sorry for myself tonight, even though I know it could be a lot worse than it is.
Beth
The part about D and complaints of gas and abdominal discomfort are certainly apt, but I don't think the rest of it applies. It's not pain so much as it's enormously uncomfortable.
I have a big writing deadline to get done by Friday, and I have to say the fatigue and the constant cramping are really getting in the way! I'm feeling quite sorry for myself tonight, even though I know it could be a lot worse than it is.
Beth
Beth,
You certainly have a right to feel sorry for yourself. The symptoms you're experiencing make life quite miserable, and they make it extremely tough to concentrate on projects of any significance. People who haven't been through it don't have a clue as to how unpleasant it actually is.
I hope you start feeling better soon, so that you can do your best on the project.
Wayne
You certainly have a right to feel sorry for yourself. The symptoms you're experiencing make life quite miserable, and they make it extremely tough to concentrate on projects of any significance. People who haven't been through it don't have a clue as to how unpleasant it actually is.
I hope you start feeling better soon, so that you can do your best on the project.
Wayne
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.