Newish member and confused about Pentasa and dietary issues

Good morning!

I was diagnosed in March 2006 and started on pentasa and a steroid. I got pregnant right after I'd finished the steroid and delivered the baby 3 weeks early (small intestine ruptured) and had a C-section and bowel resection (last 2 feet small intestine) the same day (Jan 2007). Since then, I'm back on steroids - tapering down - Pentasa and Questran. I also take an iron supplement and get monthly B-12 shots. I've gained about 40 lbs (not a bad thing, though). The questran really controls the D, the B-12 and iron help with my energy level, but what the heck is the Pentasa doing? My aunt (a nurse) now works for a gastroenterologist and was surprised that my GI put me on Pentasa instead of Remicade...she said her doc rarely prescribes this.

My other issue is with food. I have really really smelly gas only at night - while sleeping. I've taken phasyme and according to my hubby, it does help with frequency of gas (my bombs - as he puts it) but it doesn't really help with the odor - and unfortunately for both of us, it causes major pain and bloating so I prefer not to take it (long story short, he was trying to be supportive and not embarrass me by NOT telling me I still have a gas problem - I thought I was getting better through dietary restrictions). I've eliminated dairy, soy and corn products from my diet; I've cut down on the known gas offenders - beans, broccoli, potatoes, etc. My next step is to go to unprocessed foods - the expense does scare me a bit, but I found a place (unfortunately about 15 miles away - one way) that sells an awesome rotisserie chicken (free range, no antibiotics, organic diet, etc) for $5.99 - I could eat that nearly every day - (maybe I'll have to!) I've found that some kosher products help - I don't know why.

My questions are do you have major smelly gas and how do you control it? Are you pro/con Remicade? Does smoking make your problems worse (and how)? What about medical marijuana? What about coffee, caffeine, sodas, sweet teas? How the heck can you eliminate soy when it is in nearly every product? Do you find that unprocessed/organic foods help you eat a wider variety of foods? If I only cook my fruits and vegetables will that help - as in, no more potato chips - unless I get a health food store brand- but I could eat boiled/mashed potatoes if I make them myself?

Thank you guys, I really would appreciate your input!

Hi Mmrah:

If you are on questran and it is helping that means you are suffering from fat-malabsorption. That can be a major cause of the smelly gas. Try to cut down on the fat in your diet -- for instance, try baked potato chips instead of regular if you must. I have found a "Kettle" brand of baked potato chips that meets my cravings and is low fat. I also find that when I use questran it contributes to the smelly gas. That's another reason I have reduced the fat in my diet. It allows me to get by with less questran. I only use it when I know I'm going to have a high fat meal (when I'm on the road eating out for instance) or when I start having symptoms. I have a lot of diarrhea, but diarrhea caused be fat mal-absorption is different -- greasy, gassy, explosive, large. Have that and it is time for some questran. Works great, but I don't like the side-effects -- gas, bloating, smell -- so dietary changes have really helped me minimize how much I need.

Adding yoghurt to my diet has really helped too. I use Liberty plain organic yoghurt. It has several live cultures.

Belleenstein:

thank you for your comments, I want to make sure I'm getting the message properly...

smelly gas is from NOT absorbing fat properly? And cutting down on dietary fat should help? Ok, now that I think about it, I do have a pretty high fat diet - I tend to cook better on the weekends and have less issues. I think I'm a smart person, but this disease just makes me feel inept sometimes.

also, what is the name of the kettle chip - that is also my favorite - particularly barbecue....that and baked doritos - which I seem to be able to eat in very small doses even though it is a corn product...

I was worried about yoghurt - I thought it was a dairy product - I seem to have minor issues with dairy right now. I'll check out the brand the next time I get to the health food store, though.

Thanks again for your comments!

Fat malabsorption isn't the onlly thing that will produce smelly gas and diarrhea but it is one of the offenders. "Kettle Creek" is the brand name, made in Seattle, but you have to get the baked kind, not the regular chips. Unfortunately they cost more, but I just need a handful to satisfy my craving.