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I need help with what to eat and not to eat

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/18/2010 4:17 PM (GMT 0)
I was newly diagnosed with UC in Feb after being very ill for 2 weeks. I had an CT scan and it showed my large intestines to be 3 times their normal size. I was hospitalized for 8 days and was NPO for 7 of them. On the day of discharge I was told I could eat anything I wanted. Well lets just say that is as far from the truth as you can get. Some days I can eat just about what I want and others not so much. Salad is totally out of the picture. I am just not sure of what triggers my flair ups. I am on quiet a few meds which also messes with my bowel routine. Does anyone have any suggestions? I have had a colonoscopy while hospitalized and due to have another one on the 31st to see how large the ulcers are. The people I work with are very patient with me since they know that when I get up and walk away they know to cover for me, even though somedays it is 6-7 time in an 8 hour shift and multiple stops on the way home. Please if anyone has advice please pass it along.
Posted 7/18/2010 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
Personally for me, since I'm somewhat in a flare up... I stay away from all greasy foods, spicy foods, and dairy. I stick to a strict healthy diet and I've seen a difference. I would suggest which has been suggested to me on this forum to eat cooked veggies than raw veggies since raw can be harder on the colon. I personally have had problems with Asacol... how are you handling the Asacol? That medicine made me go backwards to the point of being hospitalized without knowing it was the Asacol at first.
Posted 7/18/2010 4:30 PM (GMT 0)
Everybody is different. Whats is good for others may be bad for you. Do your own experiments
Posted 7/18/2010 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
sweetie31105,
I only started the Asacol HD DR 800mg last month so I am not sure how it is working. I haven't been able to get it under control. Dr seems more fustrated than me. The 6mp I started a couple of weeks ago, but nothing seems to be helping immediately.
I am afraid to go anywhere with anyone unless I drive or my boyfriend drives. We only go places where I know where the bathrooms are along the drive and when we get there. I am so fustrated I just want to stay at home. Kinda scarry. I am very fatigued also.
Posted 7/18/2010 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
Totally know what you mean... had the same problems.... hope the doctor figures something out..... When I came down with this disease, I had just gotten a job in a child care facility and I was 2 months into my 3 month probation when I had to go on to temporary disability because as a teacher stepping out every 30 min- an hour isn't good for the class. At least you have a job that gives u the ability to step out when needed, but it's still frustrating.
Posted 7/18/2010 4:43 PM (GMT 0)
Personally, I always have to avoid high fiber foods, especially letttuces and especially iceberg lettuce, just like you. No celery, broccoli or raw veggies, nuts. No tomato sauces, coffee, alcohol when I am flaring.
Some do better with low fiber, some do better with high fiber. It sounds like you need low fiber too, if salad bothers you.

I tested sensitive to gluten and know it makes me feel bloated when I eat it. I'm not sure it affected my UC.

No matter what you eat, know that eating stimulates the bowels and we're more sensitive to that trigger. So try not to snack, because each time you eat you may find you need to head to the restroom. In case you haven't already figured that out! Don't eat right before you get into your car if you can avoid it.

I also am helped when I'm flaring by taking 1/2 an immodium tablet. It calms the gut without blocking it up, which is uncomfortable. If I am worried that I'll not have a restroom handy, I take as many as two at a time to get by (but I know it will make me uncomfortable later, oh well).

The colonoscopy will show what part and how much of your bowel is affected. That helps to determine what meds will work best for you.
I hope you feel better soon!
Posted 7/19/2010 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
When flaring I avoid raw produce except for banana. The foods that comfort my colon are farina (slow-cooked cream of wheat), plain boiled white rice, skinless poultry, and broiled fish such as scrod or flounder. Do you have gluten sensitivity or lactose intolerance? That can impact on your food choices. Basically, you can start a food diary to gauge what keeps you most comfortable, and supplement vitamins/minerals if you have to remove many items from your diet over time. It can be discouraging in the beginning when most everything seems to disagree, and you miss your favorite snacks/treats. Hang in there! Things will improve. / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 7/19/2010 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
For everyone is different.Experiment but do not go too far.Avoid spicy food,trans fats,less sugar,less fiber.Eat cooked food as much as possible.Try to eat fish,rice,dairy products(avoid milk go with yogurt),poultry,cooked eggs.Try high protein food.I make water kefir too(natural probiotic).Try taking alternative pils rich with positive bakteria which riches you colon flora.I have UC.I made colonoscopy two months ago.I am just flared at the end of the colon.Very small part (3-4centimetres).So far so good with my high protein diet.Do not have gases or abdominal pains.Live like a normal person.I run 6 km a day,play basketball and football.And as my doctor says: Minimize stress as much as possible''. :D Get well soon
Posted 7/19/2010 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
I would think Asacol should work or help by a month, if not maybe they should consider something else. Asacol stopped working for me and I switched to Sulfasalzine and had an instant improvement. Everyone is different though.

I would stay away from: raw veggies, nuts, maybe high gluten foods like too much bread, very greasy, very spicey, tomato products for some people, cut back sugars, acidy foods can bother some like fruit juices, peanut butter for some people, go with oilve oil and coconut oil if you can instead of other oils. Dairy isn't so good for many, lactose free may be better or goats milk.

Good foods are fish, chicken, turkey, red meat is good for recovery but possibly not if you are real bad, rice, steamed or cooked veggies, canned spinach, eggs...

Here is a link to a list you can look at and get an idea. Of course everyone is different so you have to experiment yourself a bit.
http://willperone.net/colitis1.php
Posted 7/19/2010 1:48 AM (GMT 0)
Food sensitivity varies with each individual so it may be a good idea to keep a food diary to monitor your daily diet. It may help you to determine which foods aggravate your symptoms.
Posted 7/19/2010 2:29 AM (GMT 0)
For me it depends on how bad my flare is. My colitis, when it is bad, goes about 1/2 way across my traverse colon. When that much of the colon is involved, I have to avoid roughage like raw vegetables. Normally my flares just involve the lower part of the left side (proctosigmoiditis) in which case fiber doesn't bother me.

I am lactose intolerant so I avoid dairy, or take lactaid.

Like many have said, food is very individual for each person, but avoiding "scrapey" raw fiber while flaring is a good idea unless you like to be in pain.
Posted 7/20/2010 1:46 AM (GMT 0)
I have found that porridge for breakfast helps me significantly. Lactose-free milk is tolerable. I avoid coffee and tea as they seem to get things going. However, like others have said - everyone is different. It's all trial and error.
Posted 7/22/2010 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone. I appreciate all the ideas and advice.
Posted 7/22/2010 1:35 PM (GMT 0)
Food diary is always a great idea but I wanted to note that gluten foods (bread, wheat, etc) never caused any symptoms for me and it turned out to be the cause of my bleeding. When I went gluten-free with no other changes the bleeding stopped. I liked (loved) bread in all it's forms and thought it was good for my stomach. Not.

Good luck. It took me many attempts before figuring out what was good/not good for my colon. I also tested negative for celiac.
Posted 7/22/2010 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
I have started a food diary but nothing seems to "trigger' a flare up. I am now down to 5mg of prednisone and am feeling like I am going backwards. When I am on the higher dose I feel better but since tappering I feel my symptoms getting worse. I am calling the Dr. in hopes he has a suggestion, next week is the colonoscopy and maybe some answers. I have most pain on the left just prior to having to use the bathroom and an hour or so before that the right side hurts. I am just a mess. My weight has shot up 20 pounds around my midsection and I am getting depressed but trying not to show it. So much going on right now so not sure if this is all stress or my UC. Ughhh want to go back to when I didn't have UC.
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