I used to come here a lot - hello everyone

My name used to be "desdwel" but I think it was all deleted because it was a while ago.

Anyway, my real name is John - I have a link to some videos I have on youtube. (And no I'm not trying to sell anything!)

Ulcerative colitis was so difficult for me to deal with for a HUGE part of my life. Right now I get up and do the things mentioned in my profile...use the bathroom about 3X...and the rest of the day is good.

I can't say how difficult it's been in the past because it's almost unbelievable to remember my past. Using the bathroom over 20X per day??? Well, those who are there or who have been there know what I'm talking about. I don't think I'll ever get over the trauma.

Anyway...why has it subsided? I can't say for sure. I have avoided "processed" foods for years now so maybe that's it? I mean, I still drink occasionally and I seem to be okay so I can't say it's beer...or wine anymore. There is something in the back of my mind that says processed foods are evil. All those additives...etc.

I can't think of why else I am so much better. It took years of a diet change. My stress level is still high - as usual - so I honestly can't say it is stress.

I truly feel for all of you dealing with this. I have had so many down years, and days, and mornings...you'd never believe it.

My colon has been through so much that I still feel panicked, even when nothing is happening. I'm sorry for all of us, but look forward to a much better place some day.

God Bless,
John

Post Edited (John55Phoenix) : 2/13/2013 5:50:11 AM (GMT-7)

Welcome back! Glad the UC has subsided.

For those of you searching for answers - like I was for years and years - I thought I'd tell you about some of the dietary changes I made over the years.

First of all I used to avoid coffee like the plague. But now I drink about two cups every morning. At first I felt crazy drinking something that seemed to make things worse, but after improving I realized it wasn't the coffee at all. I actually drink it now to "get everything out" so I don't have to worry for the rest of the day.

I faithfully take 1 TB of psyllium husk powder every evening. You can buy any brand. Again I used to think why take something high in fiber and will make things worse? Well at first it does cause more gas but what it does is regulate the system. Also I have this itch in the back of my neck telling me colitis is somehow fiber - lack of - related.

So on to the subject of fiber.... I have a feeling that the "American" diet is really bad. Way too many processed foods and not the right fiber for good digestion. So over the years I've included brown rice, cooked vegetables, and generally buy preservative free foods entirely. They are more expensive but hey I've improved. I buy cage free eggs....low sodium butter...and try to buy the lowest salt items. I do love salt but have lowered it considerably.

Anyway..I can go on and on about my dietary changes and also worry any day a flare could start. It hasn't for a while so I'm keeping things the same. Also, I pray...but I've always done that. I remember praying and praying and literally crying in terrible flares and not getting any answers. But, maybe all my agony had led me here to try to get people to eat less processed foods? LOL...I don't know.

I look at my brother buying packs of pre-cooked donuts....and white bread....and...things like snack-ums...and packaged ham. I shake my head back and forth thinking he may get colitis someday. Again, I can't be sure it's diet but it seems like that it has been for me.

Feel free to email me any time.
John

Welcome back. I hope your remission continues.

What does your daily meals consist of?

"What does your daily meals consist of?"

Well today for instance...

Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs (brown cage free), fresh ground pepper, a little salt
1 piece natural cracked whole wheat bread (preservative free from "Trader Joes") - I usually make poached eggs and put a little chopped bacon on top.  the bacon is applewood smoked/natural low salt from trader joes.  and of course butter!    I eat very little margarine if at all...

Lunch: high fiber spaghetti/natural with all natural marinara sauce (again very little or no preservatives bought from Trader Joes)

snack: some crescent cookies I homemade last eve. pecans/flour/powdered sugar/butter/vanilla...
(again not many preservatives because I made them)

Before dinner I have that psyllium husk powder mixed in some mango/orange juice (Simply brand).

Dinner: I made some ranchstyle beans the other day in a crock pot. so pretty much preservative free and very low salt...ill have them on a preservative free tortilla (again from Trader Joes) and cheese of course with my mom's homemade hot sauce with some fresh cilantro and frozen green beans on the side.  The green beans are 100% green beans with nothing added.

(oh I may have a couple beers before that :) )

So you'll notice most if not all of the food I eat is either homemade or preservative free.....
Preservative free food is lower in salt, other junk and also sugar usually.

I usually make things like parmesan chicken, or even the other day I had a steak, or Ill bake chicken and then have it on a bed of brown rice and I always try to include some kind of vegetable (cooked usually).

John

Post Edited (John55Phoenix) : 2/13/2013 10:54:35 AM (GMT-7)

John55Phoenix: I see you like Trader Joes. I love that store myself. A lot of healthy food in there!

Hi John, yes of course I remember you!

Welcome back.....stay well!

q

Hi John, thank you for sharing your story and your dietary changes. The comment above that you posted resonated with me the most...courage, persistance, HUMILITY, FAITH- indeed...its a struggle to keep the faith on most days when you hit those dark moments and you have multiple things going on all at once. I like you made a huge dietary shift-only organic (yes this can be bank-breaker on some weeks), no white flour, no white sugar, no preservatives and nothing out of a box or a can (garbanzo beans are an occassional exception) or frozen (except for frozen fresh grated coconut that is). It has helped a great deal but not completely. Then I am back to rice or soup broth on most days. I should try the psyllium husk again with mango juice or pear juice- does taking the asacol in the evening have a different impact vs. in the morning?
I really think that the mind-body connection is a big one... blessings and good health!