A Ray of Hope

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 6:30 pm

I'm almost reluctant to share this because I don't want to jinx it.

I've been craving fruit these past two weeks, which is pretty natural when running a fever. I've resisted, but on Wednesday I decided to try 1/4 of a banana, sliced in my cereal. I haven't had a banana in 1 1/2 years and haven't had any fruit in more than 15 months.

I waited all day for a reaction, but none came.

The next morning I thought for sure that Norman wouldn't show up. He came, just as picture-perfect as he's been. (Only the PP understand). Next day, same thing.

I've been on 2 Entocort a day, so that colors my testing. Also one small test isn't a sure-fire test, but maybe, just maybe I will someday be able to eat fruit again. Maybe this time is different.

Gloria

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 7:38 pm

Gloria,

This is terrific news!

Obviously, significant gut healing has occurred to date, even with the continuing Entocort. How excited you must be to be able to eat some fruit......finally.

Will keep fingers and toes crossed for continued improvement.

Hugs from a fellow double DQ1,

Polly

TooManyHats · Post by **TooManyHats** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 8:14 pm

Everything that can cross is crossed for you. I hope this is your time!

Post by **tex** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 9:44 pm

Gloria,

That's definitely some good news

Tex

jmayk8 · Post by **jmayk8** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 10:12 pm

congrats on the good news!
I couldn't imagine not eating fruit for that long! Ive actually been eating strawberry, apple and banana baby food lately and have been doing well with it..

ant · Post by **ant** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 10:43 pm

Dear Gloria

Good to hear your progress. If the gut is healing other things should slowly get into a virtuous circle of improvement.

Polly wrote

significant gut healing has occurred to date, even with the continuing Entocort.

I have always wondered if Entocort, apart from reducing symptoms, hurts or hinders gut healing?

Best, ant

MBombardier · Post by **MBombardier** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 1:40 am

Yahoo!! Great news!!

mbeezie · Post by **mbeezie** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 4:07 am

Gloria,

Awesome news! Here's too many more bananas! Just don't overdo . . . keep the rotation.

:manynanas:

Love,

Mary Beth

irisheyes13 · Post by **irisheyes13** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 7:50 am

Congrats and continued success with healing Gloria. I bet that banana must have tasted mighty yummy after all that time.

Here's some more happy dancing bananas for ya!
:manynanas:

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 7:59 am

Ant, good question. Actually, I didn't word that sentence well - what I meant to say was that even though Gloria must still take Entocort, it is obvious that the gut has healed. Maybe not 100% but definitely improved.

Your question is interesting, though. In general, it seems that it may take longer to heal from diet alone, but who knows? Some find it takes a long time with the Entocort and diet, too. Does anyone else have thoughts on this?

Love,

Polly

mbeezie · Post by **mbeezie** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 8:31 am

I have no idea on the healing time either way. For me, with diet alone, I made gradual changes over an 8 month period - first gluten, then dairy, then soy, then MRT. In the 9th month I had success and started to have formed stools. I think in Gloria's case we can suspect that she wasn't healing becasue she was continuing to have reactive foods, like chicken. Correct me if I am wrong Gloria, but hasn't it been about 9 months since you removed chicken and a few other things?

Mary Beth

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 8:51 am

MB,

This is so interesting. I did food eliminations stepwise as you did (exception - no MRT available back then) and also saw my first formed BM after about 9 months! So if it has been 9 mos. for Gloria, then maybe we can say, cautiously, that for folks with double DQ1 genes who eliminate their most reactive foods, healing takes at least/about 9 months. You and I did diet alone, while Gloria took Entocort (but she needed to because she contiued to eat reactive foods unknowingly). It will be interesting to see if Gloria has turned the corner.

Love,

Polly

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 11:02 am

I received my MRT test results on April 2 and stopped eating chicken and all other reactive foods immediately, so it's been about 10 months.

I eliminated two additional foods (amaranth and nut butters) as recently as a month ago. Those eliminations resulted in additional improvement and I was able to be on 2 Entocort per day consistently. Now that I'm on Levaquin, I've reduced to 1 Entocort per day, and even at that, I've been straining the past couple of days. It's looking pretty promising that my gut is finally healing.

It's probably time for me to slowly begin adding new foods.

That's a new experience for me, and I'm not even sure how to begin, but I'm looking forward to a more varied menu.

Gloria

mbeezie · Post by **mbeezie** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 12:00 pm

Gloria,

Use MRT as a guide - I would certainly avoid reds and yellows.

Mary Beth

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Sat Feb 05, 2011 1:00 pm

Wow Gloria that's such great news. It must be like winning the lottery to be able to ADD a food. I can't wait until I can tolerate a simple salad again. Your hard work, patience and all the knowledge you have gained from the testing is really paying off.. Congratulations

:party:

Take care and thanks for the great news.

--Joe