Elimination Diet Here I Come!!

CarrieAnn · Post by **CarrieAnn** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 1:54 pm

So I posted under the Discussions for treatment options if you want to hear my whole history (Tex responded; thanks Tex!!!) Long story short...I've been on just about every medication for my CC and nothing has worked (including Endocort and Lialda) so I'm going to start the elimination diet tomorrow. I figure it'll be a little easier right now, as I don't have the kids for the next 5 days...

I'm not going to give up coffee...I would be a walking zombie without it!

(but I drink it black anyway)

So...wish me luck everyone!!!

Carrie

sarkin · Post by **sarkin** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 2:34 pm

Carrie,

Good luck - you and I are not the only coffee-drinkers here (and like you, fortunately, I've always had it the "right" way - black!). It seems weird that coffee works for quite a lot of us, where 'healthy' foods don't... but here's hoping your regular coffee routine keeps working!

The tests do help speed up the process of the elimination diet, but no tests look at every single food, so at some level, we're all working with the elimination process, just some of us with more diligence than others. It's totally worth it to feel better - for me, within a week of gluten-free/dairy-free, I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. Still plenty of healing left to do, and a few more foods to figure out, but getting the worst behind me was huge. I hope you have the same experience and good luck.

All my best,
Sara

CarrieAnn · Post by **CarrieAnn** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 2:52 pm

Thanks so much, Sara. Yeah...I know the tests would make the process quicker but sadly I just don't have the cash right now and my D has been so bad I've lost a lot of weight and have a VERY hard time staying hydrated. (D probably 15-20 times a day) I'm drinking over 80 oz of water and have still been very close to needing an ER visit

SO...I really need some relief sooner rather than later and it's a heck of a lot cheaper to buy some bananas, potatoes and chicken! I'm dedicated and I KNOW I can do it! At this point, I'm willing to do anything!

Post by **tex** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 3:13 pm

Carrie,

You've already overcome the biggest hurdle - deciding that you're really serious about getting your life back. People who are dedicated, get results.

Tex

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 3:18 pm

I adapted to black coffee (i was always a lactose free latte gal)

some good support friendly warning, elemination diet can be a bit of a roller coaster ride, as you elminate one ingredient you will feel better and then another ingredient will start to cause reactions, hang on and try to stick with it.

it took me about 6 months to elminate my main irritants,

take care and all the best for success

Sharaine · Post by **Sharaine** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 3:54 pm

Good luck, Carrie! :yourock:

Please do keep us posted.

Sharaine

sarkin · Post by **sarkin** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 4:07 pm

I agree with Tex - you've already done the hardest part. (Well, grocery shopping when you feel awful is a hurdle unto itself...)

I cannot say enough good things about the chicken, potatoes, bananas approach. I ate chicken soup and little else and give it a lot of credit for a jumpstart on feeling better. (I even put bananas *in* my chicken soup at one point - it was delicious, but my tastebuds were probably a little confused by that point.) For quite a long time, my husband would say, "do you want some rice?" Nope! (Though many people do tolerate white rice.) He kept trying new food thoughts, but I was very happy to stick with a known, safe thing.

I know what borderline dehydration feeling, where you're just staring at the possibility of an ER visit (as do many others here). You are not alone - and you will get your health and your life back.

Keep us posted, and ask whatever you need to. FWIW, I didn't do the Enterolab testing until some months down the road. I did find it useful, but you will get there your own way. With MC, sometimes the long hard road is actually the true shortcut.

Sara

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Wed Aug 24, 2011 7:25 pm

CarrieAnn,
You go girl!! I know how difficult it can be with kids in the household. I have 2 little ones and they are now used to asking if things are gluten free or dairy free. It's cute. And it may be in their future, so they might as well know about it...

GO GET EM!!!

:party:

MaggieRedwings · Post by **MaggieRedwings** » Thu Aug 25, 2011 4:34 am

Great decision Carrie and I totally understand not having the funds for testing. You have cleared the biggest obstacle and that is deciding to do the elimination diet. Keep us posted and my fingers are crossed for you. It will work but can take some time.

Love, Maggie

jmayk8 · Post by **jmayk8** » Thu Aug 25, 2011 4:45 am

Good Luck, keep us posted!
Jenny

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Thu Aug 25, 2011 7:13 am

GOOD LUCK CARRIE!

We're all rooting for you!

Love,

Polly

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Thu Aug 25, 2011 7:38 am

Carrie,

With your determination, you should be able to follow an elimination diet pretty closely. I hope it gives you the answers you need to achieve remission. Good luck!

Gloria

CarrieAnn · Post by **CarrieAnn** » Thu Aug 25, 2011 10:33 am

Update:

So I started the diet this morning. But I have other news...

Had a visit with my GI this morning and she was totally supportive and understood completely about the food sensitivity/tolerance issues. She even said that when her patients don't have luck with anything else that she recommends this (or trying to cut at least gluten out to see if it helps).

So...since my last visit to her less than 2 weeks ago I have lost 7 lbs.

Of course, being a young lady in her early 30s who has had 2 children, normally that would be great news. However, that makes 15 pounds in like 2 months...and I haven't been trying or doing anything different from the norm. I'm waking up every 40 minutes or so all night long to rush to the bathroom so I'm exhausted. I'm waiting for the pathology results from my scope on Monday (should have them by the end of the day), but apparently the ENTIRE left side of my colon is very inflamed and they saw small ulcers all over the place...also 2 weeks ago my blood work showed that I was low on sodium but my potassium was okay, so she wanted blood drawn again today to check my electrolytes.

So...I'm waiting to hear back about the blood test and the biopsy and I guess we'll go from there! In the meantime, I've had some bananas and tea today!

Keep your fingers crossed!

Carrie

CarrieAnn · Post by **CarrieAnn** » Fri Aug 26, 2011 8:40 am

Going to emergency room today. Fluids and electrolytes have gotten so low I'm dizzy and falling down and shaky...tried to drink electrolyte mix yesterday and today but started vomiting (as well as the bathroom visits every 20 minutes or so)

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Fri Aug 26, 2011 8:49 am

Oh no! I hope they can ease your symptoms in the hospital, at least with a rehydration IV.

By the way, regarding your colonoscopy:

the ENTIRE left side of my colon is very inflamed and they saw small ulcers all over the place

Doesn't this mean you are dealing with ulcerative colitis and not MC? There shouldn't be ulcers present in CC or LC.