Re: 3 month flare?

[Guest guest]

At 08:45 PM 8/8/2009, you wrote:

Sooooo, what is this? Is this

the dreaded 3 month flare? Intolerance (I haven't changed a thing in this

time)? Die-off? How is die-off different from a flare? I have been

looking for the answer to these questions here and elsewhere and it seems

like we don't know...is that the case? Is it so different for each

individual that there is no answer?

Likely the three month flare.

What we sometimes call " the three month flare " is because

(tah-dah!) it occurs around 3 months on SCD.

As you're aware, the objective of SCD is to starve out the bad bacteria.

Well, it has been observed that right around three months on the diet,

you've done such a good job of starving them that their numbers are

dropping rapidly. You've gotten rid of most of the weak sisters amongst

the bad bacteria and the remaining ones are the stronger ones.

So in effect, right now, you're saying, " Away with you! " and

they're saying " H-ll no, we won't go! " and creating havoc for

his poor gut. So it is absolutely critical that you hold fast at this

point and not let him eat any illegals, because if you feed the bacteria

right now, you'll let those stronger ones multiple, and then they'll be

that much harder to starve out.

The " three month flare " can occur anywhere from 9 weeks to 16

weeks. It can also occur again at 6-7 months, and 10-12 months. Those

bacteria are stubborn. But YOU (and he) are more stubborn.

My suggestion would be to drop back to easier-to-digest foods for a

couple of days. Have him rest as much as possible, and don't push. Then

gradually (probably not quite so gradually as the first time) reintroduce

his regular foods.

—

Marilyn

New

Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001

Darn Good SCD Cook

No Human Children

Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund