Trying to figure out this healing process

Beth · Post by **Beth** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 8:05 pm

Hi all,

I started taking some imodium over the Thanksgiving holidays, and it has really made a huge difference. I was worried that taking it would just mask the symptoms and that the extra dye and other ingredients would be a problem. Far from it. It just seemed to stop the D cycle in its tracks. I only had to take it once last week when the D started back up, and Norman came right back.

Here's my question: I've been eating chicken and potatoes and tiny bit of applesauce for a good month now. Obviously it's boring (though I must say that roasting my chickens on high heat makes for miraculously moist poultry), so I started adding back in kabocha (Japanse winter squash). It doesn't give me D, but it gives me some cramping. Am I slowing down my healing by adding this in? Or is a little cramping that can be relieved by some baking soda water not too much of a concern? I can handle the cramping if it's just a short-term thing, but if I'm actually actively hurting myself, obviously I would stop immediately. Any thoughts?

Thanks!
Elizabeth

jmayk8 · Post by **jmayk8** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 8:18 pm

I would say stay away from the squash. Since you are getting the cramping I think it's a problematic food for you. That's just my opinion though..good luck!
Jenny

Post by **tex** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 8:31 pm

Well, a "little" cramping may not be significant, but if it's enough to prompt the use of baking soda, I have to agree with Jenny, that it may be detrimental. IOW, cramping is generally not a marker of a happy digestive system.

Tex

sarkin · Post by **sarkin** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 9:20 pm

Elizabeth,

I'm not sure. (Jenny, love the picture!)

I had some cramping this week... and then it just disappeared. I think it is possible that sometimes, we have less drastic symptoms just from adding/changing a food, because we are changing gears - and we're not starting at a whole and hearty place. I bet careful and gentle experimenting will let you determine whether kabocha is the culprit - maybe by alternating with other squashes, or sweet potato, with days of "the usual boring stuff" in between?

Or you could swap out another component - tiny bit of homemade pear-sauce, instead of applesauce?

I'm still working on balancing my keen observations with the possibility of staying open that - maybe that food would have settled differently, on a different day (which could be better or worse...)

Glad the Imodium is helping - that's good news! And OH YEAH, the high heat is the secret poultry magic weapon!! (We have a special 'chicken rock' we use for cooking chicken 'al mattone' style...)

Nice to hear good news from you, even with the ups & downs,

Sara

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 9:41 pm

Beth,

I'm so glad to read that the Imodium is helping you. I've been reluctant to use it often because I've read that people eventually need to keep increasing the dosage. It works very well for me, too. I suppose I need to rely on it more often.

I don't have an opinion on the squash. My telling reaction is gurgling. We each have to figure out what kind of a reaction is significant, I guess.

Gloria

Beth · Post by **Beth** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 9:42 pm

Thanks, all. It's definitely the kabocha that's creating the cramping. When I just stick with potatoes, my stomach is MUCH happier. But my mouth is much happier when I eat kabocha.

If I eat a little, it's not a problem. It's when I get overly enthusiastic that the cramping kicks in. I think I'll use the same suggestion about applesauce, Tex, and just keep it below the kabocha intake below cramping threshold.

Sara - thanks for the encouragement! I wish I could eat sweet potatoes and other squash, but they've been out of my diet for a long time, sadly, since I LOVE them. It's back to the three food diet for me, with a wise portion of kabocha for a happy palate.

'Night all . . .
e

sarkin · Post by **sarkin** » Sun Dec 04, 2011 9:52 pm

Elizabeth,

If "a little" kabocha (or pears or...) works, and a lot is too much, maybe you can very carefully reintroduce certain foods. You'll have to be your own experimental subject to figure out which foods, and how little is too much, but...

Wishing you the next helpful food,

S

jmayk8 · Post by **jmayk8** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 5:31 am

Thanks sara :)

nancyl · Post by **nancyl** » Mon Dec 05, 2011 10:04 am

Elizabeth,
Have you tried carrots that are well cooked? I found that along with potatoes and chicken worked really well. I had a problem with sweet potatoes. We are all so different.

Nancy