Sudden diet change = diarrhoea?

Has anyone ever changed their diet suddenly and had diarrhoea/other digestive problems as a result? Since my diagnosis in 2010, my diet has generally been very healthy (usually 3 - 4 servings of fruit per day, fish and 2 - 3 servings of vegetables). I generally refrained from gluten, lactose and anything high in refined sugars. Except for lactose (which i could tolerate only a little of, such as 2 slices of cheese) I generally could tolerate both gluten and high refined sugars without issues but I chose to (more or less) refrain from these food groups because I felt doing so would make my overall diet healthier. As recently as June this year I had no issues with a pizza roll for lunch and a few pork buns for evening snack.

However, next week I am having a colonoscopy done so I am starting a low residue diet. To make the diet a bit more exciting I have reintroduced gluten, lactose and high sugars. For instance 2 days ago I had a focaccia with a slice of cheese for dinner and a bowl of jelly for evening snack. Last night, along with the foods stated above I also had a bowl of instant mashed potatoes. These food items would definitely be something I'd stay clear of normally (especially since some of them have a lot of preservatives/artificial colours/flavours) but I figured as I had no real issues with these, even post-UC, I might as well try them again just for a few days prior to my colonoscopy.

However, yesterday morning I had my first BM after starting the low residue diet and I had diarrhoea, not a lot, but the first portion was completely liquid and yellowish in colour (followed by a few clumps of soft formed stool). Yesterday, I roughly had the same foods as 2 days ago when I started the low residue diet, and I had a porridgey type BM that evening (again, not a lot of stool but what came out was like porridge). Today (continuing the same diet), my first BM was formed but very very soft and my second BM was diarrhoea again (all my stool since starting the diet has been yellowish in colour which I sometimes had even when eating healthy).

Is it possible that I have developed a sudden extreme intolerance to gluten/high sugar/lactose so quickly? Or is it possible that my intestine is undergoing stress from a sudden change in diet and it will take a few days to adjust? Or is this the result of me eating almost zero fibre? I never usually have diarrhoea, at least nothing this significant. I will hopefully be able to get my G.I to test me for Celiacs next week.

There are a lot of possibilities,especially the instant mashed,contain lots of sulfite.
Old Mike

Thanks for the advice guys. Definitely helps. Sorry for the long post.

I am just a little surprised that I would have such a significant reaction to these foods when I previously had no issues with them in the same portions (although in past instances I did only take each food item individually as opposed to altogether like I am now).

Quincy: yes the jello would definitely have artificial flavours/colours all the bad stuff. I am on the low residue diet in preparation for my upcoming colonoscopy (this Tuesday). I was told if you start the diet early and fast for 2 days instead of 1, you can get away with drinking less of the bowel prep laxatives, or even none at all.

Today is my last day of eating then I'll probably start fasting from this evening up till the colonoscopy.

yer I kind of regretted it on day 2 of the diet but I was already half way through so I figured might as well continue haha.

yes, i'll definitely be taking some of the bowel prep for sure, just probably not all of it.

Thanks quincy. Will probably update this thread if there are any issues after the scope. :)

I have had the weirdest thing happen to me. I got absolutely drunk and threw up a few times about 3 days ago. Since then I've been using the washroom once every day and a half with no urgency. I eat about 3-4 big meals a day too. I find this weird because I usually go about 3-4 times a day.

Yes, doing well....my only issue is the external hemmie that I'm not treating as diligently, as I know better. My experience tells me that if I let it go too long that my rectum will soon react as well.

This hasn't been a great year with lots of personal "issues".. While working on them, the limitations I have regarding availability of purchase regarding some personal items is frustrating. My peg squareness is getting much bigger and the round hole getting smaller..sigh.

My butt will eventually pay the price.

Looking forward to your report on the scope. Hope the doc takes some pics...smile!
q

I will...thanks for the offer!
q

Thanks Fla! My fingers are crossed .