Re: Newbie with questions

[Guest guest]

> Hi everybody,

>

> I've been a lurker for some time now and think this group offers truly

fantastic resources, support, and information. I'm a relatively new SCDer with

some questions, but first let me give you some of my background.

>

> I was diagnosed with CD in February 2008. My only symptom prior to diagnosis,

and which is still the only symptom that reminds me that I have this affliction,

is abdominal cramping due to stricturing of the jejunum and terminal ileum. I'm

thankful that I've never had D, C, fatigue, or any of the other awful symptoms

associated with this disease. However, the cramping I experience can be

excruciating to the point of total debilitation. I'm sure many of you can

relate!

>

> After two failed trials, I began the SCD in earnest in July 2009 (I still

receive Remicade treatments every 8 weeks - I am on no other medication). I've

been 99% faithful to the diet since then, with a handful of times that I've

fallen off the wagon. My health has really been at its best since last July,

with only a few occasions of cramping. The SCD is the only thing that has

allowed me to put any real weight back on after my initial loss. That is thanks

to yogurt made with half and half and the nut butter brownies. Even the

high-carb, low residue diet normally recommended for CD patients failed to put

much weight back on for me.

>

> I've been symptom free for sometime now, until a few days ago when I had one

of the worst cramping episodes of my life. Stupidly, and much against my better

judgement, I had been daily drinking an herbal tea for some time that contains

licorice, an illegal ingredient. I probably also had some bananas that weren't

fully ripened.

>

> Now for my questions (and I'm sure I already know what the answers will be

from the long termers):

>

> 1. What are the odds that the tiny amounts of licorice in the tea as well as a

few under-ripened bananas could have triggered a full blown recurrence of the

stricture and cramping?

It's not a question of odds with this disease complex. We've all heard about

what would seem to common sense as some incredibly unlikely scenarios

arising among various individuals on this board.

These diseases are idiosyncratic.

Also, its 9 months in, which means, for whatever reason,

your gut ecology was more sensitive to destabilization by

a new bacterial/fungal/yeast overgrowth.

At another point, maybe this wouldn't bother you. Or maybe it always

would over time - that's the thing you can't know. So if you reacted to

this, it's better to avoid it.

>

> 2. Assuming one is 100% faithful to the diet, is it unusual to have

symptomatic episodes from time to time, even after a long period of perfect

health? I'm aware of the 3 month flare, but what about flares that come at 6

months, 1 year, 2 years, etc.?

Totally normal to have a 9 month flare (or 6 or 1 year or two). Though they

can decrease in severity and duration the longer you are on the diet.

They are probably more likely to arise when you are cutting some corners.

>

> I was on the verge of telling my GI doc that I was ready to stop the Remicade

treatments, but I think I'll maintain them indefinitely. Sometimes I don't know

if it's the diet or the medication that is keeping me well.

Probably the combo, if you know the remicade works for you.

Mara