Am I hindering healing?

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Sue777
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Am I hindering healing?

Post by Sue777 »

Hi Team.
My gut is a lot calmer since I gave up gluten, but once in a while I eat something that gives me gas pains and gas. Not severe, probably what "normal" people experience in the course of a day. But each time I have that happen I wonder if that means I ate something that is going to inhibit/hinder my healing, or if I simply ate too much fiber and that's the reason for the gas?

If it's just too much fiber I can live with that but if I am hurting my healing process then I will cool it with some of the fiber. Does gas equal damage / irritation to our gut?
Sue
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
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Erica P-G
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Post by Erica P-G »

HI Sue,

In short....yes too much fiber will slow the healing as it is too rough for our intestines. If you are handling it, great...but perhaps experiment a little with what you are eating to be sure. Pick low fiber foods and test yourself, your body will let you know ;-)

Gas can be too much sugar, soluble fiber foods like beans and just plain fermentation in the gut from food not breaking down properly yet, in my opinion. Not enough bacteria to break things down good enough, then there is the absorption process that is taking a hit at the moment due to the gut not healed enough.
To Succeed you have to Believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a Reality - Anita Roddick
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
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Sue777
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Post by Sue777 »

Thanks for the reply. So I guess the goal is to keep the gut as calm and uneventful as possible? Too much fiber gives me a little gas but not diarrhea so I wasn't sure if I had to stop eating the fiber. If gas means damage, then I guess I do.
Sue
Sue
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
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tex
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Post by tex »

Erica is right — gas is the result of fermentation of sugars/carbs.

Tex
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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.
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Sue777
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Post by Sue777 »

tex wrote:Erica is right — gas is the result of fermentation of sugars/carbs.

Tex
OK, will try to pinpoint what items cause it, but is the fermentation disrupting the healing process or just causing some innocent grumbling?
Sue
Sue
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
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Erica P-G
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Post by Erica P-G »

HI Sue,

If it is the soluble fiber giving the gas, then I feel it is making it a bit rough on the healing process. Anything that rubs the intestines in a scraping kind of way is surely making it harder for the intestinal wall to heal. The intestines are inflamed enough as it is, fiber keeps fuel to the fire so to speak.

If it is sugar/carbs then probably not hurting the healing as much as causing uncomfortable rumbling and discomfort.
To Succeed you have to Believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a Reality - Anita Roddick
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
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Sue777
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Post by Sue777 »

Thanks, Erica..... appreciate the feedback.
Sue
Sue
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
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Gabes-Apg
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Post by Gabes-Apg »

Sue
the other aspect to this is that a key to a good long term MC Management Plan is that yes, we have to avoid major triggers, minimise inflammation and optimise healing BUT we have to live life, enjoy life and not feel like we are missing out or being punished etc.

find the happy medium / sweet spot of enjoying and living life, while minimising inflammation.

remember, progress not perfection.
Gabes Ryan

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Sue777
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Post by Sue777 »

Gabes-Apg wrote:Sue
the other aspect to this is that a key to a good long term MC Management Plan is that yes, we have to avoid major triggers, minimise inflammation and optimise healing BUT we have to live life, enjoy life and not feel like we are missing out or being punished etc.

find the happy medium / sweet spot of enjoying and living life, while minimising inflammation.

remember, progress not perfection.
I love this reply!!!! It provides a realistic, sustainable long-term goal and takes away some of the pressure, anxiety,feelings of doom and overwhelming restrictions that we sometimes impose on ourselves when try to "fix" this.
Sue
Sue
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
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Post by Kari »

Sue,

When I was in the early stages of healing, I was analyzing every single thing with my digestive system, obsessed with figuring it out and "fixing" it. That placed a lot of extra stress on my system, as well as on everyone in my life unfortunate enough to have to deal with me:). For at least a couple of years, I was living in this "paralysis by analysis" state. Then I had a wake up call when my son said to me "mom, have you considered that you may be living with this for the rest of your life". Hearing that was a catalyst for me to change my attitude, by starting to relax about it all.

It's 7 years now since I discovered the food connection in healing, along with this wonderful PP family (thanks Tex for all the work you do to keep this place going). My LC was diagnosed 10 years before that, but like so many here, I got no help from the medical profession - was told it is a "nuisance disease" and would go into spontaneous remission. During the 10 years leading up to discovering that it was the food that was "killing me", I kept getting worse, to the point that I spent a substantial amount of my days and nights in the bathroom. I always felt that my condition was caused by something I ate, but the GI said that food had nothing to do with it :shock: .

Even though I never have "perfect normans", I have my life fully back. My attitude towards MC, as well as towards myself, has softened and eased. I do the best I can, and leave it at that. Perfectionism tends to work against us in dealing with this disease. At least I know that's the case for me. Like everyone else in life, I have good days and bad days, but they have changed from mostly bad, to mostly good. When things flare up a bit, I have learned to stay calm and centered, knowing and trusting that it will pass.

All the best to you on your path to healing, and remember not to be too hard on yourself.

Love,
Kari
"My mouth waters whenever I pass a bakery shop and sniff the aroma of fresh bread, but I am also grateful simply to be alive and sniffing." Dr. Bernstein
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Post by Polly »

Hi Sue,

I live with the thought that my gut will never be perfect again. As long as I am in decent control and can take part in any activity I wish to, I do not worry about it!

Polly
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Gabes-Apg
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Post by Gabes-Apg »

My poop changes day to day... week to week etc
and there are days I have minor symptoms.

as Kari and Polly mention, it is having the energy to do what you want, and ability to leave the house do activities that you want.
my poop is always different after eating out or if I have a day that is different to the routine.
but it only takes a day or two to 'recover' from these events.

This week I have managed to work over 42 hours, at two different jobs. done extra commuting and not had any major digestion issues despite major change from my routine.
Gabes Ryan

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Sue777
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Post by Sue777 »

Wow... I love all of these responses - thank you! The mind is a powerful thing, and it works both ways: it can make us healthier and happier or it can slowly destroy us. "Acceptance" seems to be the key. I spent the past 15 hours traveling... 2 hour drive to the airport, an hour getting through TSA, an hour waiting to board, 6.5 hour flight, then baggage claim, then 30 minute Uber drive to FINALLY get to my daughter and son-in-law's house in Oregon! The flight was OK but I really hate the non-stop flights... I have a hard time sitting for that long and I get bored easily. Not to mention, there was an issue with the cooling system so it was over 80 degrees in the plane for the whole 6.5 hours.

Anyway, the point is, I somehow managed to NOT stress myself out for the week before the trip (like I normally do) and not once did I worry about getting diarrhea either on the road trip or the flight. And I didn't have any stomach issues! So yes, attitude is a big part of it, and the more I have successful outings the more relaxed I will be about future ones.

It's 2:16 a.m. (according to my body clock) but it's only 11:16 pm Oregon time but I think it's time to get some sleep so I can get up bright and early and enjoy my grandson! Thanks for the mental and spiritual help, guys.... we all need to heal ALL parts of our beings.
Sue
Sue
Diagnosed November 2004, Used Asacol and Lialda, sometimes worked, sometimes made it worse. Entocort always works but hate it. Remission only lasts 3-6 months and then back on Entocort. Enterolab test July 2017, now gluten free. Time will tell!
Polly
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Post by Polly »

Wow, Sue!

You should be so proud of yourself! That was quite a day. Have a great visit!

Polly
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tex
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Post by tex »

Sue,

Great going! Good for you!

:thumbsup:

Tex
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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.
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