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I've read a few things in the "natural" world saying that UC can be cured without drugs by following a specific diet like a vegan diet or the "specific carbohydrate diet." I'm skeptical and I don't know how a special diet would work for a child. Anyone have success with a diet?

 Reply posted for alanschachter.

I'm still skeptical. It says in the book that you will start to see improvement within a couple of weeks and if not then the diet won't work for you. It does say that it doesn't work for everyone. I'm willing to try it again when I'm not pregnant or breastfeeding. I just wished that my doctor backed it up.

 Reply posted for Sarah2008.

Sarah,

Diet has made a huge difference to me over the last 3 1/2 years but I still take Mesalamine every day - no steroid tablets or stronger medicines since I started scd. It takes a lot longer than a week to see real benefits and I lost quite a lot of weight at the beginning.

Extra good fats -high omega 3, butter, animal fat, coconut oil - are really  important to replace the carbohydrates. Read Life Without Bread. It gives lots of advice on the benefits of reducing carbohydrates which might be an easier way to start than scd although I definately benefit from the more specific scd advice especially on yoghurt/probiotics  and lactose.

From my own experience I think that symptoms can be improved quite quickly with diet but the real healing is very slow. Don't give up the medicines -certainly not without a doctor's advice. I decided to try diet because I was going to have to start stronger medication or  undergo surgery. I didn't need either and I still see improvement and only visit the doctor once a year for routine tests.

Recently I read that specific foods may 'trigger' a bad reaction but once the gut starts to heal properly on a complete change of diet such as scd or low carb it can deal with these foods effectively  once more and so sensitivity is reduced. This seems to fit with my experience.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

 Reply posted for Sarah2008.

It's great that he has been thriving after all he's been through and continues to gain weight.   I'll keep my fingers crossed that Sulfasalazine does the trick.  I'm not sure what part of the country you  live, just remember high spf sunblock. 

Keep us posted.

Lizzies Mom 

 Reply posted for Sarah2008.

Sarah- Their is a chance that he may be allergic to the 5ASA's.

My daughter tried Pentasa, Sulfasalazine and Colazal and they all gave her horrible diarrhea, increased frequency and stomach aches.

Watch to see if the Sulfasalazine makes him worse- my daughter reacted to it very quickly- even at small doses.

Hopefully it will work for him but just wanted you to know it is possible that these meds can also make things worse!

Good Luck!

 Reply posted for alanschachter.

I tried the Specific Carbohydrate Diet for a week to treat my IBD. Maybe it wasn't long enough, but it didn't help my digestive system at all. What it did do was make me loose weight which I didn't need.  I would rather try it again myself and see if it helps before I subject my very young son to such a strict diet.

 Reply posted for Sarah2008.

Also, he hasn't been loosing weight so the doctor hasn't prescribed a meal supplement.  He has a very hearty appetite and will eat almost anything.

 Reply posted for Lizzies Mom.

Yes, he was just diagnosed two months ago.  Once he was diagnosed he went on a high dose of Prednisone and Pentasa. The Prednisone helped him within a day and we started to wean him after two weeks. A couple of weeks after we started weaning him his diarrhea started coming back and the Pentasa wasn't working because his colon wasn't breaking the beads down. They were coming out whole in his stools.  Now we are trying a liquid formulation of sulfasalazine.  I'm hoping it helps otherwise it's on to bigger drugs and another colonoscopy. :(

 Reply posted for Sarah2008.

I'm wondering if your son has never been controlled w/his meds, therefore, still flaring and unable to retain any what would be "safe" foods?  Has his doc recommended meal supplements (pediasure / boost, etc)?   Our doc had put my daughter on Kids Essentials (1.day) It helped give her some much needed calories and nutrients her body was starving for. 

I know it gets frustrating and discouraging, but don't let it get the best of you.   Once he is adjusted to meds and vit supplements, his body should be ready to rebound slowly and foods will begin to be more agreeable (the food diary may then become more useful).

 Reply posted for Lizzies Mom.

I did keep a food diary in the beginning too and it didn't help.  No matter what he ate or didn't eat, he had horrible diarrhea.

 Reply posted for Sarah2008.

Trigger foods are those that simply don't agree with you.  They are different for everybody and it does take some time to get to know which ones are the culprits.  Unfortunately, everybody is different, so trial and error is the only way to figure out the safe vs. trigger foods.  I found keeping a food diary in the beginning to be very helpful, along with slowly introducing one new food item @ a time.

Lizzies Mom 

 Reply posted for Lizzies Mom.

What are some the trigger foods?  Do you find that bland foods help? 

 Reply posted for Sarah2008.

Diet definitely plays a role with my little one's gut.  When she was first diagnosed I was absolutely overwhelmed (having never even heard of the disease).  Our doctor is heaven sent and has been the most helpful.  I would say it took a good 6 months to figure out my daughter's "trigger" foods.   It also took a lot longer in the grocery store, trying to find "safe" snacks.  It is now second nature and is just a lifestyle change.  Since she has had CD for so long, she is very well adjusted and knows what she can / can't have and also knows how to cheat!.......she determines if it is worth it or not and if she isn't up to it, she'll just pass and say, "no thank you".  Everybody's gut is different, it is just a daunting task to determine what works for your little one.  Let me know if you need any other help, Good luck.

Lizzies Mom