Citric Acid = sharp pain

I went on a two-week cleanse and gave up inflammatory foods like nightshade veggies, all sugar and dairy and ate organic fish, beef and chicken. I used fresh lemon juice and lime with olive oil and had no prob! Also gave up caffeine, all gluten and alcohol. It was tough but I did it! I also had never had such normal bowel movements ( I feel comfortable sharing that here-lol). So fast forward a month later and my diet's not perfect, but I'm doing better. I don't have my two cups of coffee a day habit any more and I rarely drink diet coke. Today, I went out to lunch and had tomato-based tortilla soup and indeed had a diet coke. Soon after came the stabbing stomach pains, cramps, and my stomach swelled like a beach balla- just so frustrating because I have had diet coke many times before and had no prob. Why sometimes a reaction and sometimes not? My girlfriend said people with autoimmune diseases need to stay away from citric acid. Thought I knew everything about good/bad for crohn"s. what she said kinda makes sense! Anyone else experience this? Eating out is fun but so frustrating! Feel like I"m going through a landmine when I order. Any thoughts on the citric acid issue? Please share!

I don't know about the citric acid, but it sounds like between the acidy tomato soup and the diet coke that you may have gotten too much gas, which explains the bloating and pain. An ulcer would not have caused bloating and swelling. I have the same experience that I can eat some foods and have no problem, and then have the exact same food and have problems on another occasion....so frustrating. I have quit all carbonated drinks due to bloating/gas reactions. The only exception is when I'm nauseated and have a little ginger ale. I hope you feel better soon.

Agree w all. I too doubt that you have an ulcer. Tomato juice opens the low esophageal sphincter and causes reflux and as long as you do sometimes tolerate it, I don't think you might have a problem w your stomach. It's just the combination of both.I have GERD and gastritis and the reaction of tomato juice and coke would be nonstop vomiting, excessive saliva and severe burning of heartburn in addition to reflux and these will require my getting a Zofran injection to calm things down. I know that people's reactions differ. Ask your GI to prescribe you a temporary antacid like Maalox and Riopan gel though the latter can sometimes aggravate colitis (out of experience). I can't tolerate tomato juice and coke. The only thing I can allow myself is tea w some drops of skimmed milk.
Hope you feel better soon:)