Hi all,
20+ years with Crohn's and first time posting here. After failed Remicade and Humira treatments, I had a small bowel resection about 10 years ago and was doing well without maintenance medication until about a year ago. I had a peri-rectal abscess in the past which healed pretty much fully but another abscess appeared last summer. I had surgery that confirmed another fistula and had a seton placed and it's been a struggle to get it healed. I notice that the abscesses seem to coincide with periods of frequent strained, watery bowel movements. In the past, I was told to avoid fiber, which I did pretty much always. I didn't specifically eliminate it but I didn't really try to include it in my diet either.
About a month ago, I learned about inulin fiber and prebiotics. I had read that it can absorb water in the gut which is (and probably always will be) an issue for me. I started using a tablespoon (~25 grams) in a cup of black tea in the morning as part of a light breakfast and I've noticed a quick reduction in movement frequency. Instead of 10 times a day, I'm down to about 3 a day, sometimes 1 or two on a good day, which was about the frequency pre-Crohn's when I had a (presumably) healthy gut. The movements are still soft and watery but I feel better about the frequency in maybe giving my gut (and my fistula region) a better chance to heal.
Curious if anyone else has had some relief with inulin fiber and what dose.
20+ years with Crohn's and first time posting here. After failed Remicade and Humira treatments, I had a small bowel resection about 10 years ago and was doing well without maintenance medication until about a year ago. I had a peri-rectal abscess in the past which healed pretty much fully but another abscess appeared last summer. I had surgery that confirmed another fistula and had a seton placed and it's been a struggle to get it healed. I notice that the abscesses seem to coincide with periods of frequent strained, watery bowel movements. In the past, I was told to avoid fiber, which I did pretty much always. I didn't specifically eliminate it but I didn't really try to include it in my diet either.
About a month ago, I learned about inulin fiber and prebiotics. I had read that it can absorb water in the gut which is (and probably always will be) an issue for me. I started using a tablespoon (~25 grams) in a cup of black tea in the morning as part of a light breakfast and I've noticed a quick reduction in movement frequency. Instead of 10 times a day, I'm down to about 3 a day, sometimes 1 or two on a good day, which was about the frequency pre-Crohn's when I had a (presumably) healthy gut. The movements are still soft and watery but I feel better about the frequency in maybe giving my gut (and my fistula region) a better chance to heal.
Curious if anyone else has had some relief with inulin fiber and what dose.
