Community Forum

I have had 3 surgeries involving the ileum over 17 years.  A total of 2 1/2 feet have been removed.  My last surgery was 8 weeks ago and I have had severe diarrhea in the mornings since.  I cannot get out of the house and must return to work in 2 weeks or we could lose everything.  I have tried lots of Lomotil and Tylenol with Codeine with little success - oh and Questran for bile absorption.  Any ideas?

 Reply posted for rondo17.

Having gone under the knife x3 over the past 48 years, I can certainly understand your diarrhea problem.  Have you tried metamucil?  I take the generic brand 2-3x a day, or more often as needed.  It may well be that you experience less urgency once you are back at work, or at least that is my experience.  I also take Questran (generic) for the chronic diarrhea.

 Reply posted for breezy.

Hi Breezy

I was wondering if you knew if sugar of any sort is a carb? Is it bad to ingest any sugar? How do you get around your sugar cravings? I have just started this diet that you suggested and I am finding it hard to say no to chocolate. It seems like the longer I am on a no carbs diet the larger my craving gets for chocolate. This must be a withdrawal my body is going through! What kind of store yogurt do you buy? I am from Canada so we may not have the same brand as you but I am interested. I am finding it hard to find things to eat as well. Once you take carbs out what else is there? I might buy that book you mentioned to help me with recipes. I am getting kind of sick of eggs! What in the heck do I eat for breakfast? I don't know if oatmeal is a carb! So many questions. It is all so new to me. I like how I have been feeling though. I think it is making a difference.

Thanks a bunch

Naomi

 Reply posted for rondo17.

try some fiber suplment

limiting your intake of fluids

and some loperamide hydrochloride ( imodium) liquid

the stuff tast real bad but it works i take it in adition to the lomotil remember lomotil is a synthetic narcotic and your body builds tolerance to it over time so you may need a larger dose.

 Reply posted for rondo17.

I am so glad GF is helping you.  Reducing carbs is major.  I make sure my carbs are from fruits and veggies.  I do eat sweet potatoes.  Be careful with yogurt.  Yogurt in the stores have too much lactose and they contain added sugars. 

I am not in the LI area, I am down south.  I am from the land of peaches.  There is actually a restaurant in the area that features GF choices. 

Hope you have a great 4th.

Breezy

 Reply posted for The Grammie.

I go to places like Whole Foods or health food stores and look for gluten-free items.  Gluten-free is no wheat, barley or rye.  I'm also trying to decrease the amount of carbohydrates in general.  That will come with time.  I eat no regular bread, rolls, crackers, or pasta.  It all has to be gluten-free.  This doesn't work for everyone, but I was desperate and felt it was worth a try.  So far so good.  If you're interested I can even attach recipes.

 Reply posted for rondo17.

please tell me more about this gluten free diet. food does not appeal to my granddaughter much she feels hungary then can't eat .. told this is one of the symptos\ms of active crohns. even after surgery  just 2 months ago.. removed huge mass and part of colan and intestine. would appreciate any information about this thanks

 Reply posted for breezy.

I have been on a gluten-free diet for 8 days now, and things have completely turned around.  I need much less medication and the pain and diarrhea are gone.  I will be able to return to work in about a week, at least part-time to start. I can't believe the complete change!

 Reply posted for breezy.

Thanks so much for the information.  I knew about this before but never tried it, but now I am desperate.  We are going to the health food store today for gluten free things.  I don't know if you live on Long Island, but if you do, there is place that bakes gluten free breads and pizza etc, Joan's GF Great Bakes at 1905 Bellmore Ave Bellmore NY.  My wife is actually a baker, so she is checking out recipes for me.  I already take a probiotic, and I'll have that chicken soup more often.  Thank you so much again.

 Reply posted for rondo17.

Yes, going back to work is scary.  I went back to a new job, new company.

The soup is basically chicken and stock with carrots.  You cook the chicken for 4 hours.  The stock it creates is full bodied and delicious.  The chicken melts in your mouth.  It is a good basic soup with no nasty starchy carbs.  I got the recipe from www.breakingtheviciouscycle.com.

Yogurt- I am going to make my own.  The yogurts in the grocery are not the best for you.  They have added sugars, added milk solids, and are not "cooked" long enough to break down the lactose.  The above website has alot of good information on it.

Anti Inflammatory diet for me is no processed foods.  I focus on Fish, chicken, healthy oils (primarily olive), vegtables, and fruits.  I eat very little dairy or added sugars.  If I do eat breads, muffins, etc (very rare) they are homemade and gluten free.  I am working on some recipes now.  The best reference I have found for an anti inflammatory diet is a book by J. Scala, The New Eating Right for a Bad Gut.

Remember that your intestines are traumitized.  They need to be pampered for a little while ;). 

Tell me some of your favorite dishes and if I have an IBD Friendly version I will be happy to share!

Breezy

 Reply posted for breezy.

I don't usually do well with soup, what soup is this?  By anti-inflammatory diet, do you mean low-carb?  Do you have any recipes?

 Reply posted for breezy.

Thanks for the information.  I've tried bananas and rice, but not daily.

 Reply posted for rondo17.

I have had 2 feet removed (2 surgeries) in the last 18 years!  My last surgery was 9 months ago.  It took several months for me to become formed and then it was not every day.  I still have issues.  I learned a very good trick- I eat a banana every day.  It helps.  I can tell the days I don't.

The foods I eat make a tremendous difference.  I am a low carber and I am about to buy a yogurt maker.  You may find resting your gut will help.  I use the Specific Carb Diet chicken soup and juice to let my digestion take a break.  I focus on eating an anti inflammatory diet.

Hang in there, it gets much easier.

Breezy