Guest guest Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 Hi , I, too, am interested in whether this diet works for IBS. I am in the group because my husband has UC. I have had IBS for about a year. About 6 months before that, things were fine. All I was doing was exercise, and drinking half my body weight in water. Then, slowly things started changing. I cannot pinpoint why. But, I think this diet my help me too, I just don't have the discipline right now to do it. My husband is losing weight, and I am gaining since we still have some illegals in the house (we also have children) that he wants us to finish up. So, that's my excuse for not starting it. Can't waste "food" , right? LOL Right now, I have a little organic bran cereal for breakfast, Arbonne vitamins, and magnesium, which seems to work. I know I could cut more carbs. BUT, we have found out it was my husband who was eating more carbs than we realized. We have had chips go stale, the sugar is still in the bag (because my daughter is not baking, and my husband is not eating), I'm buying less bread, etc, etc. Eventually, we will all be on this diet somewhat, since it's difficult to make two meals all the time. Oh! And the other great "side effect" , if you will, is he says his mind is so much clearer. He remembers names and his mind doesn't wander like it used to. Amazing! SCD and "IBS" Posted by: "My-Stitches" My-Stitches@... smallraccoon6 Sun Nov 29, 2009 8:55 pm (PST) Hi all!I'm fairly new to SCD and the group. My impression so far is that most folks here suffer from Crohns/UC. My reason for going SCD is "IBS" ( a label I don't much like because it's somewhat meaningless) .. Symptom-wise my problems for the past 11 years have been big-time bloating (intestinal gas AND fluid retention in reaction to eating) and constipation. (Not hard stools, just loss of peristalsis without the use of laxatives). Before discovering SCD I had severly limited my diet for a long time due to my inability to digest "anything". SCD feels like a get-out-of -jail card - you mean I can actually eat fruit and veggies at some point ?? Whohoo!I would be interested in the experience and success of anyone with a similar symptom-picture with SCD, as I can't really relate to the difficulties with diarrhea etc.I came to SCD from IBS and though I don't have exactly the variety you do, I was mixed. Never knew if it would be a C day, or a "loose" day though I've never had the runny D most people talk about. I, too, pretty much had learned what I could eat except I was using rice as a "bland base" to calm the IBS down, which it did not. Once I gave up the rice things calmed down quite a lot and fairly soon. I eat a ton of fruit. Doesn't seem reasonable with IBS but it's my best food group. Fruit, salads, plain roasted or boiled poultry, olive oil, almond butter and some nuts in my salads. Once in awhile I use winter squash but I havent had squash for so long I tend to forget that I can.Anyhow, things are definitely better, calmer, with SCD. I will, however, be very slow about introducing new foods, and for me that includes things like dairy and eggs that have given me trouble for a long time. I don't see offhand why SCD wouldn't help you; seems like it's worth a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 > I don't see offhand why SCD wouldn't help you; seems like > it's worth a try. > > Hi - yes, the reason I think SCD is the way for me to go is a) the theory of bacterial overgrowth explains (for the first time) why my body behaves/feels the way it does. Conventional IBS-advice just makes me feel much, much worse. b)prior to discovering SCD I tried the antibiotic Xifaxan, inspired by Mark Pimentel's book, and as long as I was on the antibiotic, my symptoms were about 80% reduced. This to me is a strong indicator that the problem is bacterial in nature. Now there's just a lot of tweaking and experimenting to do. Just went back to the intro diet (didn't realize at first there was one) and made a HUGE batch of chicken soup only to realize that it really made me gassy and bloated. Must have been the onion I had in there; picked it out as best I could but, alas, must have been too late..Can you tell I'm not exactly a cook, even misunderstood that part (later realized the recipe intially calls for not even using onion) :^).Oh well.. Thanks for sharing your experiences, it helps to hear from others with wacked-out GI-tracts :^)! Lilian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 I had a doctor tell me IBS is harder to treat than IBD but you can try diet modifications to relieve symptoms. IBS just doesn't show up on scopes. You may want to keep a really detailed food diary when you get into the diet so you won't have to backtrack. Even keep emotional reactions and events in a separate column. There may be certain foods that trigger symptoms you aren't even aware of right now. It's really cool (in a way) to discover avoiding *insert certain food* makes a huge difference. For instance, about the third week into the SCD, I had nothing prepared. I baked a potato and ate it plain--this was 2005 and for the first time in two and a half weeks, I had my usual 3am to 9am(ish) spell of being ill in the restroom. But it took that to realize what a difference the SCD was making as far as being able to sleep and not stay up sick every single night. One potato and that was my go-to, a major staple in my diet at the time. I had no idea I'd react to it. The yogurt seems to help everyone from kittens to elder cats to my mom (who doesn't have any IBD or IBS but refuses to go without it now) to me with cd. Eventually you'll want it daily after you get used to the difference between the sugary store-bought and homemade which is like Greek style yogurt. Debbie 40 cd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 b)prior to discovering SCD I tried the antibiotic Xifaxan, inspired by Mark Pimentel's book, and as long as I was on the antibiotic, my symptoms were about 80% reduced. This to me is a strong indicator that the problem is bacterial in nature. I was about to volunteer for Dr Pimental's antibiotics approach when I found SCD. I really think the diet, though slower, is a better way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 30, 2009 Report Share Posted November 30, 2009 Hi Lilian, Although I didn't discover SCD until I more than a year after I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, prior to my diagnosis, I suffered from frequent bloating, cramping, and constipation. I now realize that my diet was surely a contributor to that discomfort for many years, even before I had UC. I ate what I considered to be healthy - lots of fresh fruit and veggies, but I also ate chocolate every day and a fair amount of whole grain starches. My UC is considered to be very mild and SCD has been a great help to me. I think the best part, though, is that it has eliminated my constipation, bloating, and cramping 100%, unless I accidentally eat an illegal, too much advanced food (like raw nuts), or occasionally right around the start of my menstrual cycle. I now have the most regular digestion I've ever had in my life and it's wonderful! So - I think the diet will definitely help you, and even though you're not diagnosed with Crohn's or UC, I would suggest starting with the intro to help give your body a baseline to start from. If you're like me, you'll see changes in your bowel habits almost immediately - mine changed within the first week. You may be able to add more advanced foods in faster - but definitely listen to your gut and let it be your guide. Bloating, cramping, or constipation would all be signs that you should take it slower. Good luck! Kathy UC since 12/05 SCD since 7/07 > > Hi all! > I'm fairly new to SCD and the group. My impression so far is that most folks here suffer from Crohns/UC. My reason for going SCD is " IBS " ( a label I don't much like because it's somewhat meaningless). Symptom-wise my problems for the past 11 years have been big-time bloating (intestinal gas AND fluid retention in reaction to eating) and constipation. (Not hard stools, just loss of peristalsis without the use of laxatives). Before discovering SCD I had severly limited my diet for a long time due to my inability to digest " anything " . SCD feels like a get-out-of -jail card - you mean I can actually eat fruit and veggies at some point ?? Whohoo! > > I would be interested in the experience and success of anyone with a similar symptom-picture with SCD, as I can't really relate to the difficulties with diarrhea etc. > > Also, I would assume that IBS would represent somewhat less severe intestinal damage than a condition that includes bleeding, am I right? If so, could one expect to advance through the stages a bit faster, and are there any special considerations re: diet since diarrhea is not a problem but would actually be welcome (in moderation, not diminishing the hardship of a condition that includes severe D, of course)?? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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