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Lucy · Post by **Lucy** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 8:31 pm

Welcome,

Just have a minute, so thought I'd mention that if you do the simple diet suggested early on in this thread, you might want to make sure that it is not injected as frequently, store bought and restaurant meats are. Chicken is difficult to get, especially at a restaurant, without being injected or a problem as far as the gluten and soy is concerned, unless, of course, you are eating at a restaurant that has a gf menu and the chicken item is on that menu.

If you don't have a Whole Foods near you, then you might check at one of the more upscale grocery stores in your area for meats that are not injected. One brand that you see in some parts of the country in regular stores is Saunderson Farms. If you can't find that or another known brand that is not injected, then, you might go with a Kosher product. Just to be sure, take your cell phone to the store with you during the work week, and call the toll free line that should be right on the package, and inquire as to any allergens that might be in the product. I think gluten and soy would be the things to really expect some to have. Often the brands that are not injected will have the mysterious words, "all natural" on the package, whatever THAT means.
After all, all the things most of us are sensitive to are natural, right!

If you can't find a toll free no. on a product, at least copy down any other contact information from the container, and contact them once back home.
Believe it or not, it's gotten LOTS easier to shop since I started on this journey back in November of 2003, after being diagnosed in November 2002.
I was sick LOTS longer than that, unfortunately.

My best to you. Just eat plain for a while, with LOTS of leftovers so you won't have to cook so much. After a while, we all find a way to make our lives simpler. You most likely will as well.

Yours, Luce

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 6:40 am

Morning Brenda and Welcome.

Sorry I am late on the welcome. Just wanted to let you know that a GF diet is definitely a help with this disease. Also very surprised your doctor said it would go away in 2 weeks. Sounds like this one is less informed than most GIs.

Tex - Oats are totally out for me too.

Love, Maggie

bren711 · Post by **bren711** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 8:22 am

you are ALL so kind and so helpful! thank God for you all...it feels good to know Im not alone, (although Im sure we would all love not to have this)
I have taken all your suggestions into consideration and will be considering a GF diet.
I miss my latte from dunkins..loved the caramel latte..but overall I feel like Im taking care of me..I'm 42 and its time I take care of me!
you all have helped!

Littlekicker · Post by **Littlekicker** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 9:33 am

Hi Bren and WELCOME!!
As you can see, I am a newbie myself. I went back and checked this a.m. and I added this website to my "favorites" on 11/8/08 but did not register until this month...
I can understand your thankfullness for this website!!
I started the GF diet the day after Thanksgiving and it has been a blessing dispite the confusion and expense. I am sure I am still getting some gluten (MSG?) I have been on Entocort 9mg/day and my D subsided within the first 3 days.
I wish you luck!!

JLH · Post by **JLH** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 9:40 am

There is great info on this site on starting the GF diet but here is a slide show.

http://www.webmd.com/diet/slideshow-gluten-free-diet

bren711 · Post by **bren711** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 5:09 pm

The cramping is horrible..I am taking belladonna occasionally for it, but the cramping is the worst, then its what comes after next...I am so tired!

G'ma Mary · Post by **G'ma Mary** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 9:49 pm

Bren;

Sounds as if you are having a bad day today. I'm so sorry to hear about the cramping now.

when I had horrible cramping, I would use heat - both internal and external. I would use a heating pad on my abd and warm peppermint or ginger tea to drink. Didn't totally take away the cramping, but it would comfort my soul and relax me some, which always helps with pain.

Keep us posted on how you are doing.

G'ma Mary

harvest_table · Post by **harvest_table** » Thu Jan 15, 2009 10:21 pm

Hi Bren,

Sorry your having such a hard time, glad you found us. This is a great group.

Just curious, why are you taking Belladona?

Joanna

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Fri Jan 16, 2009 6:16 am

Hi Bren,

Sorry about how you are feeling and do hope you are doing better. I am with Joanna on the same question re: Belladona. Not something to be taken lightly or in my case, not at all. Just curious.

Maggie

bren711 · Post by **bren711** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 8:35 am

hi
the belladonna was used for the cramping. it does help. I am doing ok for now, I had had a bad couple of days this week, but Im hoping things will turn around soon, as I figure out what to eat..I feel so limited on food. I feel like Im living on Chicken, bananas and toast and soup..although I made homemade chicken soup and that really upset my stomach, could of been the carrots, celery..
thanks for all your responses!
Brenda

Post by **tex** » Sun Jan 18, 2009 9:47 am

Good Morning Brenda,

Yes, the celery definitely could have been the problem. Besides all the irritating fiber, celery contains an enzyme that can generate a toxic chemical, if exposed to sunlight. Usually, when that happens, though, the celery will develop discolored, brown areas, where the chemical change has taken place, and the discoloration is a sign that the celery should be discarded. Even without that chemical change, though, the fiber in celery can easily cause a severe MC reaction, for anyone who is still in the healing stage of MC recovery.

Also, if you are trying to control your symptoms by diet changes, the first thing that you need to do is to stop eating the toast, and any other forms of bread, pastries, pasta, etc., - anything that contains wheat gluten. Gluten is most likely the reason why your intestines are inflamed, in the first place. Rice is safe for almost all of us - just be sure to read the label, to make sure that it's not enriched with wheat gluten. Baked or mashed potatoes are safe, and they are a good source of energy. Just be sure to leave off the milk, butter, cream, croutons, etc. Well-cooked squash, green beans, or broccoli, are usually well tolerated, also, if you want some veggies, for variety.

Also, note that bananas cause problems for many of us while we are healing, because they have a very high fiber content. For over two years, I lived on pork and chicken, potatoes, rice, and occasional well-cooked squash, green beans, or broccoli. I also ate eggs, but some of us are intolerant to eggs. If you're not intolerant of them, they are an excellent source of protein, and you definitely need plenty of protein to aid in healing the damage to your intestines. After my gut finished healing, I found that I could eat virtually anything, again, except for gluten, of course, but it took roughly three years, to complete the healing process, because I had been sick for so long, and I had a lot of intestinal damage.

I hope you're feeling better today.

Tex

bren711 · Post by **bren711** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 1:02 pm

I am having a very bad flare up today
. I had a very small piece of pizza, with cheese only last night with dinner, (like a small square) and Im so sick today..would that cause that? just that? Im wondering what to eat during flare ups..any advise would be appreciated..
thanks

JLH · Post by **JLH** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 3:14 pm

YES, unless it was GF pizza. Little bits count, I'm sorry to say. Even specks count.

Post by **tex** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 5:46 pm

Brenda,

Sorry to hear that you're having such a bad reaction. Yes, unfortunately, just a crumb can cause some of us to react that way. We have to carefully avoid every spec of gluten.

When I was really sick, I usually ate homemade chicken soup - mostly broth, with chunks of chicken, and a few diced potatoes, well cooked, of course.

Tex

bren711 · Post by **bren711** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 7:50 am

thank you so much for getting back to me Tex and Joan..what are you thoughts on peanut butter, not a lot, with some saltines? Im testing the waters with everything, and I'm just so tired. Yesterday was a horrible day with flare up..I will make more chicken soup also, I thank God for you guys and your support!
Should I go on the entocort? I have been avoiding it, for fear of getting fat and swollen from it..

MICROSCOPIC COLITIS SUPPORT

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