Any relief with a low residue/low fiber diet?

tcorbett · Post by **tcorbett** » Mon Jan 10, 2011 3:23 pm

HI All,

I am currently on SCD for my MC - but, I am having issues either with chicken (my mainstay) or my potassium supplements, I have been getting heartburn or something similar. Or it could be low stomach acid - which would explain some undigested foods in the bowl!

To make a long story short, I am considering a low residue diet - wondering if anyone has found relief from watery D with this?

Thanks for listening

Theresa

Post by **tex** » Mon Jan 10, 2011 4:23 pm

Well, I had to do that in addition to cutting out gluten, dairy, corn, soy, and most sugars, when I was recovering. Sometimes, (actually, most of the time), my BMs were pretty small, volume-wise, but I have never seen any reason to be proud of high-volume BMs, anyway, so I wasn't concerned about it. LOL.

Tex

Pat · Post by **Pat** » Mon Jan 10, 2011 6:30 pm

Theresa,

In the SCD book they say to stop all supplements except meds you must have. They only recommend certain supplements and Freeda's are one of the companies they tell about. If you haven't read the book you must do that. Maybe check it out at the library or order used on Amazon ( that's what I did). You really have to get down to rock bottom and then start adding things back in one at a time. This advice is the same advice given by Tex, Polly, etc. right here on this forum. Hang in there we're gonna figure this out.

Pat

MBombardier · Post by **MBombardier** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 11:21 am

The low residue diet is what did it for me. I cut out gluten and still had the D, then people on the board said I should try the low residue diet. I had been thinking I still needed my morning smoothie with blueberries, spinach, and flax seed. It's been three months and I still cannot add any fiber to my diet, but I'm sure over the course of time I will eventually be able to do so. I'd like to be able to at least eat an apple someday.

tcorbett · Post by **tcorbett** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 2:15 pm

Marliss,

Thank you so much! I have found already if I eat corn stuff - I feel bloated and just not right. Rice is fine, I use white right now. If I have a veggie, it has to be cooked, I have stayed away from fruit the past few days, I haven't even craved any, not even applesauce! I hear you, I would love a good crisp apple, or fresh orange! Someday! Patience, patience, patience!

I hope you have some relief soon! I too am gluten-free.

Theresa

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Thu Jan 13, 2011 3:25 pm

I am suspecting nut butters are irritating my gut, so I'm not taking them for a while. Patience, patience, patience, and soft, soft, soft.

How can we satisfy the urge to CRUNCH on something?

Gloria

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 6:53 am

Hmmmmmmm, crunch? I guess a carrot is still out of the question because of the fiber. Will have to think about that. How about crushed ice? No flavor but at least you could experience the crunch.

I agree that low residue is a big help until the gut heals.

Hugs,

Polly

Post by **tex** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 10:28 am

Gloria wrote:How can we satisfy the urge to CRUNCH on something?

As unhealthy as it sounds, fried pork skins are about the only potential candidate in this category. Always read the label, to be sure, of course, but unless you buy a "flavored" version, most brands have a minimum of ingredients, and the ingredients are safe for someone with MC. And, they are definitely crunchy.

Tex

hoosier1 · Post by **hoosier1** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 7:29 pm

Low residue is a MUST for me. Used to do the "heather van vorous" diet before the gluten demon hit me. But all in all, the less fiber for me, the better.

MBombardier · Post by **MBombardier** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 7:55 pm

I don't like potato chips, but I do satisfy the crunch craving with a few KETTLE Foods -brand chips now and then. They use sea salt, only all-natural real food ingredients (no GMO), are gluten-free, MSG-free, trans fat-free, and fairly inexpensive.

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Fri Jan 14, 2011 11:04 pm

I forgot that I occasionally eat white corn chips when I feel like I HAVE to have something crunchy. They don't seem to bother me.

Gloria

Kimberly M · Post by **Kimberly M** » Sat Jan 15, 2011 6:29 pm

Pardon my ignorance but what is the SCD diet and "low residue" diet? I am relatively new to the group and trying to figure out this whole diet thing. I am currently gluten free but still having issues. Thinking I need to have the Enterolab testing to help me figure things out. Does insurance typically cover Enterolab?? Thanks for any feedback:)

Kim

Post by **tex** » Sat Jan 15, 2011 7:23 pm

Hi Kim,

SCD stands for the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, developed years ago by Elaine Gottschall. http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/

Basically, it disallows all grains and dairy products, except for yogurt. Of course, for many of us who are sensitive to casein, yogurt is off limits, also.

"Low residue" refers to a low fiber diet - I think, at least that's the way that I interpret it. If there's an actual diet with that name, I've never looked into it, but presumably someone else will be able to offer more details.

Since the Enterlab tests are still relatively new, (as medical tests go), many insurance companies do not yet pay for them, and many GI docs do not recognize them as useful, (of course, most GI docs insist that diet has nothing to do with MC). If your GI doc happens to be one of the enlightened ones, and is willing to order the tests for you, then your insurance company is much more likely to pay for them. If not, you can call or e-mail the lab, to get the billing codes for the tests that you are interested in, and call your insurance company, to find out if they will pay for the tests.

Tex