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Still in Remission from Spinach/Sunflower Seeds 3 Years Later

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 10/25/2012 1:13 AM (GMT 0)

Probiotic,  I just checked the Trader Joe's Brand Sunbutter and it does contain "evaporated cane juice"... sigh...

Probiotic said...
Zuchini- that sunbutter at TJ's- it is pure rught? No sugars or other additives? Will go look for some tomorrow.

Posted 10/25/2012 1:27 AM (GMT 0)
Kiss- ok. And you did better with helpforibs diet than with scd? Scd is so hard for me to commit to :(
Posted 10/25/2012 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah checked out Trader Joe's brand today and saw the cane juice- big no no for me. Found some pure sunbutter at wholefoods- had four tablespoonfuls with spinach for lunch and my simmering flare worsened within two hours- it seems sunbutter just doesnt agree with my gut for now. I think I am a lost cause- Allergic to and/or failed all mesalamines, imuran, remi, humira, worm therapies (3 different types), fecal therapy, and retarded release phosphatidycholine, and non-respoonsive to both oral and transdermal LDN... Only pred works like a charm for me, but I am preded out. So it was naive of me to think a bitof sunbutter was going to omock out my UC.
Posted 10/25/2012 2:21 AM (GMT 0)
:( does diet stuff help probiotic? or is it the same as the rest?
Posted 10/25/2012 3:29 AM (GMT 0)
Probiotic If you dont mind me asking, could you please list everything you had starting 12 hours prior to the flare up.

I have had very bad days and getting better now. I recently started the spinach and sunbutter but I have been experimenting with food for 3+ years and maybe I can help.

Maybe some other food is triggering the flare up. For instance for the longest time I used to think the yogurt is good for UC. In fact a doctor told me 2 years back that I should drink yogurt shake as much as possible. This made my condition bad to worse. I have tried pretty much everything possible in the IBD/SCD diet and still learning new things. If you dont mind sharing your diet plan I can try helping you.

Hope you get better soon
Posted 10/25/2012 4:25 AM (GMT 0)
One cure- are you still on scd?
Posted 10/25/2012 5:17 AM (GMT 0)
ChrissySoul Frankly I am partly on SCD and partly on a diet that I have figured out over the last 3 years using trial and error. So call it SCD or just a restricted diet but there always something or the other I learn every few weeks. Last year I was on path of remission and for a month there was no flare up. I thought I was completely cured and then my ignorance dragged me back into a mess so I had to get back on a restricted diet.

Leaving the drama aside :), I have developed an excel sheet which tracks what I eat when I eat and how it impacts me every day and I have been doing it for two years.
Posted 10/25/2012 5:20 AM (GMT 0)
That's pretty cool :) do you have grains potatoes and such?
Posted 10/25/2012 6:01 AM (GMT 0)
ChrissySoul: Here is a list of what works for me and what doesnt

Ok Foods
1. Rice/potatoes/legumes(beans) spices to taste but not very spicy: generously washed then drained then super boiled. I know SCD suggests to stay away from potatoes but I dont eat a lot anyway. Rice helps in solidifying BM so when I had very loose stools rice helped a lot.
2. Tomatoes (seeds removed and super chopped in a smoothie maker)
3. Onions very sauteed but very little oil topped with powdered turmeric
5. avocados, bananas, apples,
6. Plant fusion protein shk (lots of glutamine) i read somewhere that it helps in building intestinal muscles
7. Flour Tortillas baked to light brown on a pan (not microwaved)
8. Egg whites (still trying to figure out which brand works. Some brands cause a lot of problems)
9. green tea with fennel tea for flavor (no sugar)
10. spinach boiled, drained + Sunbutter (i almost forgot to mention these)
11. Red wine, Vodka (sometimes)
12: bell peppers with seeds removed (cooked) i eat this only sometimes

Meds: Fish oil, multi-vitamins, lialda (now balsalazide)
Meditation (sometimes)

Trigger foods for me
1. Milk products (ALL of them :( , I loved milk).
2. NO YOGURT (i know its a milk product but worth mentioning). It has billions of good bacteria and my body doesnt like it :(
3. Foods with seeds (tomatoes with seeds, hard cucumber, peppers with seeds)
4. Raw foods (so sandwiches could be problematic)
5. Some kind of breads. (still trying to figure which ones are fine)
6. Egg yolks and boxed egg mixtures
7. blueberries (strangely works miracles for some but NO NO for me)
8. Granola bars or anything thats has grains/fiber which is not easily digested
9. Beer, sodas, NO Colas at all


As I understand, when you have UC, your intestines are weak anything that is hard to digest will be problematic. So when you start getting better, some foods will be ok to eat. I am not a doc so please dont quote me on that :)
Some of these foods will work for some and wont

hope this helps
Posted 10/25/2012 8:51 AM (GMT 0)
Onecure- I eat my usual paleo diet, and a ton of probiotics. Nothing new on that front. Was not doong too hot lately- indeed a single re-experiment with SCD yogurt about 3 days prior to the s & sf seed re-experiment started me getting a bit worse, then things stabilized, then things plunged badly again after the several tablespoons of sunbutter. Spinach I already eat every few days without major issues- it softens my stool vs my normal staple of well cooked green beans but unless I have a lot it does not flare me outright. So the sunflower seed butter definitely flares me somewhat. If I want to keep experimenting I will have to limit myself to maybe a teaspoon a day tops initially. The thing is, my UC is now in a pretty intracible state because of my intolerance to or non-responsiveness to all meds. Interestingly, theone thing it responds well to is pred, and as little as 7.5 a day can put me back into a very tolerable simmer without flaring, and ten would keep me in basically permanent remission. Of course, that isnt acceptable to me long term, so I am planning on finally ending this battle after over 25 years of UC.

Have tried to avoid thinking about surgery forever, and about the only thing I havent tried is triple antibiotic therapy. That is very hit and miss accordinjng ti the studies, and I dont want to risk a massive full blown flare making it semi-emergency or high dose pred surgery- thou I may try a hail mary with rifixamjn if ai can get my doc to rx it, which is not a slam dunk at all. Hate having to finally resoort to surgery, but, others success aside, little things like spinach and sf, tweaking diet or supplements, coconut macaroons, vit e enemas ans the like are simply not going to cut it for everyone. Have not been able to get meaningful pred free remission since last winter, and even then had jnflammation and pain- this is no way to live a life.

Post Edited (Probiotic) : 10/25/2012 2:56:19 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/25/2012 9:35 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for sharing that list onecure. I'm thinking about a stricter diet again too. I used to be on SCD for 8 months or so but I stopped it. I might go back on it again.

I'm eating really crappy stuff right now like sugar and other things I shouldn't be eating and I definitely notice a difference. Sure SCD didn't help with bleeding (was I too impatient?) but I felt a lot better while now I'm being in pain most of the time.

It's just so hard for me right now because everyone got used to me eating everything again and I need to justify myself why I go back on a strict diet. Right now I'm on Entocort and it's been a great help for me. I think I go back on a stricter diet once I start tapering. I also want to try the sunbutter and spinach thing :)

I still have a question onecure. Did you make that yogurt yourself? Did you ferment it for 24 hours? That's how I did it and I'm thinking about making me another batch. I have problems with milk products but the yogurt seemed to be fine. Also have you tried just white bread, not the whole grain one? According to helpwithibs.com white bread can be tolerated better. I need to find a good bread myself without all that crappy stuff in it (corn syrup, sugar, ...).
Posted 10/25/2012 10:44 AM (GMT 0)
I have two questions. I've been on this diet lately and have to admit it's been helping a great deal. My first question is, what is it about Spinach and Sunbutter/Sunflowerseeds that helps this particular illness? Second, if you had to take one with you to a deserted island. Which one would it be, the Spinach or Sunbutter?
Posted 10/25/2012 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
Update: Day 8

I woke again today early and well rested after about 7 hours of this time uninterrupted sleep. I had my first bowel movement which was formed and no blood at all. Last night at work I had a ton of energy and when I got home I even walked with my wife 3 miles. My coworker even noticed I was jumpy and said wow your hyper today. I feel the same way today since I got up. I decided to start juicing fruits and veggies also so that my wife gets some beneficial nutrients also. I think this diet and the spinach is just the begining and I started to add alot more with the juicing as of this am. My energy is through the roof and I feel great...I plan on takng my Canasa for about a week or more to just keep things settled then will try to go off of it but want to give the diet time first.

I beleive it is the vital nutrients from the greens and the seeds we never got before. I plan on eating this stuff daily and juicing fruits and veggies and berries from here out. Oh I spoke to my wife at work and she said the juice I made her was like drinking 10 cups of caffein but in a good way..Its all about feeding your body not your stomach I truely truely beleive..I guess time will tell if I am right but so far a big thumbs up...

For those of you who didnt watch this video of the importance of proper nutrition then you need to watch it..Kiss originally posted it..Do yourself a favor and watch this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLjgBLwH3Wc

On a side note,

This summer was the first time I grew salad in my garden. I never grew it before and my step brother had given me a package of seeds so decided to do it this spring. Anyways I planted 5 rows of this stuff and it seemed to grow like weeds and came up really fast. Before I knew it I was eating this stuff by the huge bowl  full’s because I couldn’t keep up with it and it tasted so good. I never really put two and two together but my only remission was this summer for 3 months coincidently when this salad was in peak and I was eating huge amounts of it daily. I had so much of it that I was giving bags of it to my neighbors. Now my remission lasted about 3 full months and during that time took no meds at all. The garden lasted the most of the summer and the salad was one of the first things I had to pull up maybe because I started it soo early..I don’t think it is a coincidence that not long after the salad crop was over and my huge consumption of it ended that my symptoms came back. I just wanted to share this with all of you and those who read my past posts about being in remission this past summer for 3 months..I never put the two together but I am seeing the light now. 


Steve

Post Edited (twiggs) : 10/25/2012 8:54:16 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/25/2012 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
Are you doing the diet from helpforibs twiggs? Or something different?
Posted 10/25/2012 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
I am eating more of a Paleo diet. Grass fed meats and fresh fish and Salmon lots of cooked greens (cooking concentrates them and makes them easier to digest). Just started juicing again fruits and veggies and berries and kale. I can't say I have not been eating any pasta or bread but when I do I do it in moderation. Most of my diet comes from the meats and veggies and eggs and some potatoes. Limited in form of pasta and eat udis bread but am not gluten intollerant.I also eat mussels and clam but no shellfish like lobster or crab shrimp as I am allergic. I have been eating of course lots of spinach and 3 table spoons of the sunflower seed butter for 8 days now. When I eat potatoes I usually opt for sweet potatoes..It is more my own diet...Like my grandma say's who is 94. I ate pretty much everything but always in moderation..I try to stick to that with the exception for the green veggies.. I eat more than my share of them and plan on continuing getting the phytonutrients this way. I beleive the greens and the nuts and the berries and fruits and just going to make this recovery much faster..

BTW did you watch the video Kiss had on her message earlier? about the woman Dr with MS? In case you didnt here it is. It really is an eye opener. Give your nody what it wants and needs. Dont feed your stomach feed your body..Whats the worste that can happen if we all did that you know? Link incase you missed it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLjgBLwH3Wc

Steve

Post Edited (twiggs) : 10/25/2012 9:40:55 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/25/2012 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
I actually just watched that. I have tried these diets before, but actually have been having sunflower seed butter/ spinach a couple days now. Pretty yummy. With your diet do you just jump in or do you start with a couple foods and add slowly?
Posted 10/25/2012 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on it much more now since the begining of my recent flare which started a month ago which I am pretty much out of now. This summer I ate everything but also ate tons of salad and I mean tons of it. once that salad was gone I didnt give myself the green factor anymore and then I slipped into a flair. I had not taken my asacol or anything either and thought I was cured per say and felt as normal as ever.. I drank on weekends and ate anything.. Then 4 weeks ago it slowly came back..I am now feeling tremendously better and beleive it will continue as long as I stay on my diet of lots of greens and the good stuff daily. I am going away to florida for Thanks giving and want to be off my canasa and med free a week prior. This is what I am shooting for although I will bring some just in case. Oh I forgot to mention I do eat clams and mussels once a week also..I am allergic to shrimp lobster and crabs so stay away from that.

Steve

Post Edited (twiggs) : 10/25/2012 9:53:24 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/25/2012 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
That's cool I like the idea of paleo because its less limited than scd. I have a food list for paleo and it's a lot more open. Rhys wy exciting tho :) did you ever do an intro diet type thing? Or just go for it
Posted 10/25/2012 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
I went for it..Dove right in but note this. Especially when flaring even a little bit I never never ate raw anything..It was cooked well. I wont even eat it now for a few reason other than the obvious that raw is hard on the gut especially if your in any kind of a flare and two when you cook greens especially you concentrate them. If you tried to eat what that lady says you would hate anything green really fast but she does mention cooked greens..I cooked down a huge bag of collard greens and it was a good sized cereal bowl full when done..When you say you tried that diet what do you mean? Did you eat raw salads and such or?
Posted 10/25/2012 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
hey Steve/Twiggs, & Kiss -

thanks for posting the video - great stuff - pretty much what i'm eating these days - except the OREGON meats - yikes ! maybe someday -

i hope everyone on this forum at least watches - i honestly believe many on here would be much healthier if they would eat these foods -
Posted 10/25/2012 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Soy, I east an occasional liverworst sandwich time to time.. I almost forgot to mention that. It is the only thing I can eat thats an organ that I like.. Udis bread mustard and a good quality liverworst.I opt for mustard cause it has alot of Turmeric in it.. I try to stay aeay from mayo just because..Gotta go just remembered my wife bought some and am goona make a sandwich! :-)

Steve

Post Edited (twiggs) : 10/25/2012 10:58:43 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/25/2012 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
Probiotic I can only imagine the pain you have gone through. When I first realized what I have gotten into I had no clue what to do. I am from India and my parents and several homeopathy doctors I visited suggested me to take yogurt and probiotics. I tried for the longest time and it didnt work for me. in fact it worsened my situation.

Some doctors dont realize that in UC what suits one might not suit another. The doc here in US did not restrict me from any kind of food. Eventually I was started on Lialda and some Homeopathy medicine (which i took only for 6 months and stopped because I didnt think it was working). From a diet perspective I had to try Process Of Elimination (POE) . I ate very simple NO spice diet for weeks to get back to normal.

I started eating only boiled rice and split peas soup (with lots of turmeric in it) all day every day for almost 5 days when I started the specific diet. I was never a rice eater and since UC rice is my staple food :(. Rice gave good form to BM and split peas was just for taste but it also has good fiber and turmeric had curing properties. I built my diet list from scratch testing everything thing possible in the indian and american diet plans. I was in remission after 8 months but I was stupid to get back on yogurt early this year. It dragged me back to the mess and I am still trying hard to recover. I even went through a bacterial test and doctors did not find anything wrong but the Good bacteria in yogurt and probiotics does not agree with me at all.

I am not sure if you have tried POE to build your own diet but in my personal opinion getting back to very basics should help anyone with UC. It is difficult to eat the same thing three times a day but if it helps then we dont really have an option. I also believe that every person knows his or her own body more than any doctor in the world. Doctors for sure have theoretical knowledge but if you monitor closely you will know what your body likes and what it does not.

Once I am back to remission I am planning to get back on a Homeopathic medicine plan to stay in remission (from a different doctor). The only problem with Homeopathic medicine is that it takes a long time to take effect and at least I did not have that much patience and hence the custom diet.

Andrina No I have not made yogurt at home. Although my mom has sent recipes from India but as much as I love yogurt I am too scared to eat it. I have tried top of the line organic yogurts and the best probiotics available but they both gave me bad flare ups. I might try yogurt but it wont be years after being in remission.
Posted 10/25/2012 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry I haven't replied for a while - I wasn't getting notices that people had posted!  Here goes...

Probiotic - I know it seems counterintuitive to continue eating something that seems to be upsetting you, but I went through the same experience and it ended up healing me.  Although the texture of the spinach and Sunbutter doesn't agree with an ulcerated colon, whatever is inside these foods will heal you in the end.  I really struggled at first but kept at it, and it really did work.  I hope you'll give a chance, because you sound upset about your situation right now.  I've been there.

ChrissySoul - Yes, the IBS diet helped me more than the SCD diet.  I doubt that it would have done much without the spinach and sunbutter, but eating the IBS foods (white bread, pasta, etc.) made eating the spinach and sunbutter easier.  Often times I would take the filling for the spinach quesadillas and spread it on a thick piece of white bakery bread.  White bread is a soluble fiber and makes eating 'scratchier' foods like spinach easier to digest.

Steve - I am SO excited for you and your progress!  :-)

Posted 10/25/2012 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
Probiotic, I hope your not trying to eat the spinach raw..! I was not able to eat it raw and had to cook it and can eat all I want of it. Cooking greatly reduces the roughage of it. Let us know..

Steve
Posted 10/25/2012 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
hi im curious about this sunbutter/spinach diet. So i have a trader joes down the street. Just go there and buy some sunbutter and eat it raw? is it butter or like peanut butter? do i have to cook with it? i already eat a fair amount of sunflower seeds everyday. Thanks. Sorry i should read through the whole thread but i was hoping for some cliff notes. thanks
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