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What to eat!!!???????

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 9/20/2013 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
So i've just been diagnosed with certainty and it turns out i have moderate Pancolitis. During the couple of
weeks prior to my my diagnosis i was put on 40 MG of Prednisone which seemed to control my symptoms of urgency and pain but not the bleeding and the D.Now ,following my diagnosis and telling my doctor that the bleeding and D have continued even with the 40 MG of Prednisone, i am now taking 45 MG of Prednisone with a slower taper schedule. Anyways , Prednisone makes me starving and while im not feeling any pain or urgency all i want to do is eat everything!! The problem with that is there are such conflicting views on what one can eat during a UC Flare mad !! I've done a ton of research since i was aware that i was flaring but everything seems to contradict everything else. Do i go low residue? Do i go gluten free? Do i try the SCD diet? Do any of these diets have any effect on the bleeding?? . I just want to get better and i know this is a trial and error type situation and that everyone is different but im just so confused at the moment. What do i do? confused
Posted 9/20/2013 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
First, welcome to the forum.

The next thing you need to do is figure out what maintenance medication you are going to take. You should start that medication now. The most likely first level med is going to be a version of mesalamine, which you should take both by mouth and rectally since you have pancolitis. This should work in conjunction with the pred to get your symptoms controlled most quickly.

As far as food goes, it ends up being very individual. The most likely culprits to any indigestions you're having are lactose and gluten. Lactose intolerance is very common among all adults, and when you're bowel is inflamed it is almost certainly causing some of the gas and diarrhea you're currently experiencing. Get lactose free milk, cut out the ice cream and soft cheese and you should notice some improvement.

Gluten intolerance is less common but still worth exploring if you think you can commit to a 3 week gluten free diet. Personally, I would put that off until you have better control of the symptoms and are on a regular medical treatment. Changing too many things at once can get confusing. On the other hand, many people here have had great results from adopting the SCD (which is gluten free) right from the start.

Glad you found us.
Posted 9/20/2013 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
welcome, another josh -

just pick one - preferably the one you're most likely to stick with - no way of knowing which one, if any, will work -

not conflicting, just different -

good luck -
Posted 9/20/2013 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Kazbern, thanks for taking the time to reply and giving me some valuable information!! Will definitely bring up maintenance med options when i go back to my GI in 2 weeks , hopefully by then the bleeding and the D will have stopped. Have already cut out all dairy and lactose for the last couple of weeks so i don't think that they are the culprit of the D. I think i will try to go gluten free next but im just hesitant because of the people here who recommend eating a low residue diet while going through a bad flare and as you said , maybe i should wait to get my symptoms a bit more controlled. Thanks again!!
Posted 9/20/2013 9:09 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, and things like low residue are meant as symptom management, not disease mitigators, so if you are finding that eating causes pain you can go low residue and get some relief. Many people with UC do better when they go in the opposite direction - adding fiber and probiotics may be a really good idea for you. Again, those changes might be something you consider when you have a better idea of your meds and get your symptoms under control.
Posted 9/20/2013 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hey soystud, Thanks for the reply!! I think for the next couple of days or week ill see how i do with the low residue diet and then if i don't see results ill start with the SCD. Its just tough being patient but i guess in this situation there's just no choice.
Posted 9/20/2013 9:15 PM (GMT 0)
@Kazbern, Right i hear exactly what you're saying , i have a lot of work ahead of me in finding out what works and what doesent but im already feeling more motivated and positive with the help of this forum . I just have a hard time being patient because i wanna live normally again!!
Posted 9/20/2013 9:22 PM (GMT 0)
To chime in. Def. avoid:

raw veggies
grapes
anything with peels! 
Non lactose dairy only (you can have this)
No nuts. 
No popcorn

I am doing the Low Fodmaps elimination diet to see exactly what I can't tolerate but I would try something like that later if I were you.  It too confusing in the beginning.  But I feel great! 

Good luck and you will find your way along with bumps in the road.

 

Posted 9/20/2013 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
There is a reason that everything is contradictory. Because there is no one answer for everyone. That's probably the major reason why doctors don't say much about diet, because there is nothing they can say that will work on everyone. You just have to do trial and error until you find out what works best in you.
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