Foods for a Flare
Posted by IBD/IBS Author, Jun 1 2007, 09:44 AM
Being told that my dog probably has IBS got me thinking about foods to eat during a flare. I don't know about anybody else but when I'm flaring (10 or more D bm's/day) I find eating extremely hard. But, over the years I've figured out a pretty decent list of things I can eat that don't tend to make me nauseus, gassy, crampy, or worsen the D.
Here's a general list that might help others during bad days too:
bananas
RICE
toast
applesauce
baked CHICKEN breast
linguini noodles with the smallest amount of olive oil
toast with barely a smear of canola margarine
ginger cookies (said to help ease digestion)
coconut cookes (said to help quell diarrhea)
cream of rice cereal (NOT cream of wheat - I am not wheat or gluten intolerant, but I find oatmeal and cream of wheat really HARD on my gut at any time!)
white corn tortilla chips (sounds weird, but a few don't seem to hurt)
EGGS - scrambled or poached
RECHARGE (similar to Gatorade in that it replenishes electrolytes but is not acidic like Gatorade - find it in the health food aisle of most grocery stores)
popsicles - when you have really bad D sometimes the sugar as well as the water from these helps to replenish your system
So, that's what works for me during a flare. The ones I have put in all CAPS are those foods that I seem to turn to the most when I'm flaring 'cause they settle the best. We're all different in what works and what doesn't but here's hoping some of these suggestions help.
Cheers,
Elizabeth
Author of Living with IBD & IBS[color="#800080"][/color]
www.ibdandibs.com
Now my dog has IBS!
Posted by IBD/IBS Author, May 31 2007, 10:01 AM
Yep, that's what the vet thinks. Kayla, my black lab is 13 years-old and has been having bouts of diarrhea for nearly a year now. It's been getting worse the past few months and my husband and I had chalked it up to the fact that she's 13 years old. Well, at her annual exam yesterday the vet, a very good, honest one, not a quack, said that it really sounds like IBS, or maybe even IBD do him. If she were younger, he told us, there were tests they could do to be sure (I'm sure he's talking about a colonoscopy, but if her is, I hate them enough, I wouldn't put my animal companion through one!!)
So, anyway, there aren't many changes for what we should do for her other than what we've already been doing - rice & chicken rather than kibble when it gets really bad. There is an Rx that we've given her before that acts as both an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory which seems to help, so he's given us more of that. Because of the anti-inflammatory property of the RX, and that it helps get her poo back to normal I guess I think it's probably more IBD - why not? The anti-inflammatory meds. I take help my IBD, so why not the dog.
Anyway, while I think it's sad for Kayla, I find it quite funny that my sweet little girl is taking after me - two girls (one human one dog) in the same house with IBS & IBD. Who woulda thunk it!
Cheers,
Elizabeth
author, Living with IBD & IBS
www.ibdandibs.com
Eating with IBS & IBD
Posted by IBD/IBS Author, May 29 2007, 04:59 PM
So, this past Memorial Day weekend has me thinking about eating with IBS & IBD. But first, I guess I should give a touch of background on me and these two diseases. I've had IBS since I was in high school (back in the '80s) but didn't get a name put to it until 1998. In '97 I was diagnosed with colitis (IBD - inflammatory bowel disease) - you don't want this. While the two are not "linked" - one does not cause the other, and just because you have one doesn't mean you'll ge the other - I have most definitiely found in the past 9 years that some things, like food and stress, affect both.
BTW, having both IBS & IBD is very uncommon and any GI I see tries to prove that I don't have both, but haven't yet been successful.
Anyway, back to food. Back in '97 when the colitis really kicked in I was having severe diarrhea (D), 10-30 bm's per day. I couldn't eat anything other than the B.R.A.T. diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast), and lost a ton of weight in a matter of months (went from 120 lbs. to 96 lbs.). After several doctors, and tests I had my diagnoses - colitis & IBS. I took the Rx the doctor prescribed and then set out to see if food was a factor. I was told that it wasn't, but I didn't believe that. Ultimately, I kept a food diary (logging everything I ate, how I felt after I ate it, how many bm's per day, etc.) and went on an Elimination Diet -the book, Breaking the Vicious Cycle can help you with this somewhat difficult, but very effective and worthwhile way of identifying food triggers - and after nearly 4 months I had a pretty decent list of things I should NOT eat - oranges, caffeine, milk, lettuce, uncooked vegetables, yellow corn, preservatives, red meat, cream sauces, spicy foods, alcohol, and on and on.
The list of things not to eat could have seemed overwhelming, and to many of my friends and family it was, but for me it was simple. I felt better, pooped less, and began to gain weight when I stayed away from the foods I knew bothered me. I had a choice, I could eat those foods I knew settled well with my gut, or I could eat anything and pay the consequences later.
At first, it was really hard to go out to a restaurant, or to a party, or to a friend's house for dinner knowing they would all have things I couldn't eat. And this was nearly 10 years ago, when food sensitivities, and gluten intolerance, and lactose intolerance, etc. were not as well known as they are today. But, over time, what I lhave earned is this - you are the only one who can control how you eat and how you feel. When going out to eat choose restaurants with flexible menus, ask the server questions - is this dish spicy? can you put the sauce on the side? can I have a cucumber and tomato salad instead of a lettuce of salad? Etc. Be in control. The worst thing a waiter or waitress can say is no, or that they may have to charge you a few dollars extra to make the substitution.
When going to a party or friends house, volunteer to make something then make something you know you can eat. For example, yesterday we went to a friend's house for a BBQ - I knew they would have only hot dogs and hamburgers (I can't eat either) so I brought along turkey burgers which I can eat, I also volunteered to make two side dishes which I knew I could eat. So, I had a great day, came home well fed and with a happy gut and my hosts were none the wiser and thrilled that I had contributed, which meant less cooking and work for them. Again, be in control of what you eat.
If people ask why you don't eat something or other, you can tell them your problem (although talking poop isn't always good dinner conversation), or better yet, just tell them it doesn't agree with your stomach, or your doctor has advised against it, or simply you don't like it. Being in control doesn't mean you're being rude. You're doing what is best for you.
Making changes to your diet is not easy, don't be fooled, but I have found it to be well worth it. It has been years since I have had to deal with uncontrollable diarrhea, gas, or cramping. My life is much more my own because I am in control of it. But, this does mean I have to plan ahead - I can't just grab lunch at McDonald's, in fact, I've not eaten at any sort of fast food restaurant in nearly 12 years - I plan my meals, I even plan my schedule around meals when I can, or take foods I know I can eat along with me for snacks and lunches.
Start to listen to your body today. Keep a food journal for 1 month and see if you can identify what foods trigger your symptoms. Then stop eating those foods and see how you feel. You just might feel better.
Cheers,
Elizabeth
Author, Living with IBD & IBS
www.ibdandibs.com
Travel Advice
Posted by IBD/IBS Author, May 26 2007, 10:18 AM
Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
If you've read my book: Living with IBD & IBS then you know I'm a big advocate of being prepared when you travel - whether by car, air, rail, foot.
By plane is how I travel long distances most frequently and the thought of being enclosed in a tin capsule with 200 other people and only 2 or 4 bathrooms has never been too comforting to me. In fact, when the big D first hit in '97 I started getting claustrophobic on airplanes and once even had a mild panic attack. I nearly leapt out of my seat and ran for the nearest exit! Now, nearly 10 years later I travel frequently, to far-flung places, and generally travel well. The first thing I do is to book an aisle seat nearest to the bathroom. Second, I make sure I have things to do to keep my mind off my gut - books, iPod, laptop, whatever helps keep your mind occupied. Third, I stick to eating what I know won't upset my gut - that usually means bringing safe foods to snack on. Also, don't eat or drink anything in the few days before traveling that could set-off you gut.
Stress is the biggest trigger for my gut (food is second) so I try to keep as much stress out of my life as possible. But, even so, sometimes just the thought of getting on an airplane can trigger a flare. When this happens I tend to go into "just-get-through-the travel-portion-and-then-you'll-be-okay" mode - for me this means, eating only rice or applesauce for breakfast. The less I put into my body, the less that comes out. But you don't want to risk dehydration to you do have to eat something, and be sure to drink plenty. I choose water mostly. But Recharge or Gatorade help to replenish lost electrolytes. You can find Recharge in health food stores or in the health food aisle of most mainstream grocery stores. With Gatorade I find I have to cut it with water, usually 50/50, or its just too acidic and causes stomach upset.
In addition to a book, magazines, iPod, and water, my Emergency Tool Kit includes a change of underwear and pants (I've only had to use them once and it wasn't on an airplane it was in a grocery store. It took months before I went back to that store), Imodium or Pepto Bismol, Tylenol (I don't take any NSAIDS and Tylenol isn't always easy to find), A notecard on which I've written, "I have a bowel disease and need to use the bathroom urgently. thank you for understanding." If I really need to go and there's a line of people I have flung this card into the hands of the person who is first in line as I've dashed past them to snag the next available bathroom stall. Sometimes there just isn't time to chat and ask permission. I've never had anyone angry at me after seeing this card.
For car travel my advice is pretty much the same. But I do have once piece of advice which can come handy if traveling on small highways, side roads, in the middle of Nevada where there's nothing for hours, etc. If you have to go, and it's urgent but there is no hope of finding a bathroom, or a forested area, find a place where you can pull of the road as far as possible. Have all other passengers leave the car and go for a walk. Then, open both the front passenger door and the back passenger door and use them as shields - similar to a bathroom stall. It's not pretty and a bit gross but you can then do your business in some privacy.
Oh yeah, be honest with those you are traveling in a car with about your situation and let them know that if you say you have to go, that means you have to go NOW, not in half an hour when you planned to stop for lunch. Better yet, drive as much as you can. I find that being in control of the situation helps me to be in control of my situation and it takes my mind off of my gut. Generally, I get where I'm going with a minimum of stops.
That's my advice for now. There are gazillions of other things I've learned that will ooze out as we go along. They're all in my book, too.
Have a great and safe weekend!
Cheers!
The toiddy is up and running!
Posted by IBD/IBS Author, May 25 2007, 02:45 PM
Yesterday's debacle with the city's main sewer line being replaced has come and gone and all the plumbing is a-okay today.
Even though I feel like I have some good control over my IBD & IBS it's things that are out of my control that still throw me for a loop.
I'm tired today, have been for a week now. But my gut is calm even if I do feel bloated and simply not hungry. This happens to me sometimes. I just don't feel hungry. I eat because I know I have to. I'm one of those people that other people seem to hate - I have a hard time keeping weight on. This is a real problem when the big D hits, and other people just don't get how losing weight can be a problem. My stock answer to these people has become: "Well, if you don't mind having two intestinal diseases you, too, can be thin. . . and have those days when you generally feel awful, can't leave the house, have no energy, etc. But, yeah, it's great to be able to lose weight! FREAKS!
When I was at my sickest with this about 7 years ago (I weighed a disgusting 96 lbs. - I'm 5'7") I actually had two women throw nasty comments my way, abuot my weight, while I was in the grocery store. Why is it that if people are overweight they generally get some sympathy in society, but if you are underweight it's okay to ridicule and throw nasty comments at this person. It is a funny society we live in. I say, live and let live. Worry about yourself, not what other people around you are doing, look like, etc. Who knows why someone is overweight, underweight, sad, or depressed.
Well, have to get back to work for the moment. Oh yeah, I'm a freelance writer, BTW. I write my own stuff - books mainly - and also write mag. articles, PR things for businesses, and edit and proofread for a wide variety of businesses and individuals. I used to work in corporate PR, in an office, traveling all the time, but when the big D hit and I was living in my bathroom (20-40 bm's/day) many years ago I had to give it up and find a better way, for me, to work. Self-employment is hard, but it's a lot less stressful for me and I love that I get to write every day.
Cheers! Be well and happy.
Hello / Intro
Posted by IBD/IBS Author, May 24 2007, 03:39 PM
Hi All,
My name is Elizabeth and I've been living with both colitis (IBD) and IBS for at least 10 years. At least that's when I received my diagnoses. I've probably been living with both of these since high school - so nearly 20 years.
I've been through the bad, the ugly, and the really ugly with these diseases. But have, "come out the other end" of things and have learned to live a decent, fulfilling, and rewarding life despite the potty problems both IBD & IBS pose to my day-to-day life. I even had some friends who convinced me to write a book about my experience. How I went from rock bottom emotionally and physically to living a productive life. If you're interested the book's title is: LIVING WITH IBD & IBS: A PERSONAL JOURNEY OF SUCCESS. You can buy it at barnesandnoble.com or amazon.com Or see an excerpt on my website: www.ibdandibs.com________________________________
Even though I've been doing really well for years. I've not had a bout of diarrhea in months and months. Today was a tough psychological day for me and my gut. I live in an urban area and today the city is replacing our sewar lines. MEANING, we can't use our toilets until they're done with their work, which could be as late as 7:00 tonight. We got the notice about this from the city a week ago. I was concerned, but didn't think too much about it. I work out of my house, and I figured I could still use the toilet just wouldn't flush it until I was given the all clear. But this morning I woke up and nearly had a panic attack when the day's reality sunk in. Normally, I would have picked up my computer and hit a coffee shop for a few hours, but we're having some work done in the yard and I have to be on-site for that. So, the idea of being somewhat held hostage, without a flushable toilet, really had me in a panic. Thankfully I turned to some of the skills I've learned over the years and have been having a productive and good day.
A little yoga and a 10 minute meditation helped. And an Imodium tablet was just the insurance I needed to boost my confidence.
Well, I'll write more later.
Cheers.
on I got a little cocky!