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How long to stay on low residue diet?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/2/2014 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
I've been on a low residue diet since I was diagnosed with UC at the end of November. I last saw my doctor on December 4, and he told me to stay on the diet until my next appointment in March.

I'm doing great for the most part, but I wonder if the diet and lack of fiber is actually hurting me a bit. For the past two weeks or so, I will have a small BM first thing in the morning (due to the enema the night before), no bleeding or cramps, and nothing more. The next day will be the same. Then every third day (or so), I will have 3-5 very large BMs over the course of 1-3 hours. They're the sort of BMs where you better hold onto something...I can feel my guts working really hard even though I'm trying not to strain. The last BM or two will come with blood and cramps. After that I might have one or two small bloody BMs (also with cramps) later in the day. Then, the pattern repeats itself with a small (not bloody) BM first thing the next day.

What do you guys think - is the lack of fiber causing this? Thanks very much!
Posted 1/2/2014 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
The low residue diet is advised for people with active inflammation. It is meant to ease pain. It is not a therapeutic diet in the sense that it is no going to reduce inflammation or treat the underlying causes of UC.

If you are feeling good there is no reason IMO to adhere to a low residue diet. You should feel free to reintroduce things like fruit and vegetables and whole grains, but you should go slowly. If you are having doubts you can always call your GI's office and ask the nurse for some feedback. This kind of phone call is normal for a new IBD patient to make.

You might also consider eliminating the dicyclomine (if you are still taking it) as this might interfere with normal bowel function.

A lot of us deal with motility problems after our inflammation is resolved. I'm someone like you who has slow bowels even though I don't have any inflammation. I would experience things very similar to what you describe. I was already eating a fairly balanced diet and so ultimately I added a bit of psyllium to help bulk my stool and move it along more regularly. Psyllium is a good thing for everyone with UC to take IMO (it has good prebiotic potential), but like everything else it is something to add in slowly. I would work on getting fiber from diet back before adding psyllium though.
Posted 1/2/2014 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, that's very helpful. Apparently I didn't understand the purpose of the low residue diet. I'll definitely go slow, maybe I'll start with whole grain breads.

Also, I've only taken the Dicyclomine 2 or 3 times...it's not something I've used with any regularity.

Thanks again!
Posted 1/2/2014 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
Use the dicyclomine as needed...it won't interfere with normal bowel function. It definitely helps even out the peristalsis when the gut is spasming.

You're still flaring, so stick with the nightly enemas till you're having consistently no symptoms. When you get to the constipation phase (most of us do), still continue with the enemas, but it's then you could start adding foods that will help give you a more "active" bowel and to soften stool that'll be going through a tighter and possibly more inflamed rectum.

I initially suggest that you start a fibre supplement....I use the capsules for the dosage and convenience. That will help in a large variety of digestive issues. One capsule with one meal per day for maybe a week and see how you do.

What exactly do you eat on a daily basis by the way...

I wouldn't start on the whole grain quite yet. Maybe a small amount of whole grain in any product to see your comfort levels.

hang tough....low residue means different things for many of us. It takes a while to figure out symptoms.

Welcome to the forum,
q
Posted 1/2/2014 9:56 PM (GMT 0)

quincy said...
When you get to the constipation phase (most of us do), still continue with the enemas, but it's then you could start adding foods that will help give you a more "active" bowel and to soften stool that'll be going through a tighter and possibly more inflamed rectum.

I think that's where I'm at right now. The BMs I referred to are soild and often (not always) formed to some degree.

Initially I was not very happy with the idea of an enema, but I don't mind taking them at all and I'm happy to take them as long/often as I need to. I don't even mind getting them at my pharmacy, where apparently they don't know the meaning of discretion (that's another story). cool

My diet has consisted mostly of: white bread/english muffins; rice crispies; white rice; eggs; canned green beans and carrots; roasted carrots, parsnips and squash; mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes; chicken and ground venison; various broths; water, fruit juices, skim milk, and decaf coffee.

What brand/dosage of fiber supplement do you use?

Thanks!
Posted 1/2/2014 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
As per the recommendations from users on this forum I've added in psyllium (Metamucil caps) and it has helped me. I started slowly, as cautioned, and am now up to 4caps per day. I think it might be making my probiotic more efficient too, I'm feeling better smilewinkgrin
P.s., I'm not eating anything fibre...just the supplements. Any type of insoluble fibre is very hard on me still, so I'm avoiding.
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