Diet when not flaring? After surgery guidance

[Margie63]

My daughter just had surgery for a blockage and fistula which is why the 6mp or Mercaptopurine or Purinthol was not helping. The doctor said no medication would help a blockage not even Remicade. She was not completely blocked but almost.

Anyway, both of her doctors, surgeon and hospital doctor said that when the Crohn's is gone you can eat anything you want, meaning when you are in remission food will not cause your flares.

I was under the impression (from things I had read) that you always had to strictly watch your diet. Now I would hate to put her on a strict diet for nothing if they are right.

I need people with experience to give me some guidance.

ALSO, what medications seem to have the least side effects? The 6mp caused her significant hair loss.

Thanks.

 

[IAmTheWalrus]

When I'm not flaring I literally eat anything, the greasiest, spiciest stuff I can get my hands on. hehe.

Some people have trigger foods, although don't cause a flare, do cause an upset so it's all trial and error.

If I O.D on grapes I get very crampy but it's worth it, I love them.

 

[Zalanicht]

I can eat absolutely everything. Only "rough" meat like steak goes right through me so I don't have it a lot but other wise everything is a go! But everyone is different so there's no better way to figure stuff out then to try it.

I had my ileum removed due to a blockage and I'm on Imuran as a remission drug if you're wondering.

 

[Margie63]

Side effects from Imuran

I have heard of a lot of people who are on Imuran after surgery. Does it cause hair loss and is it an immunosuppressant?

 

[Jennifer]

Food does not cause flares. It's a common misconception that has no scientific backing. People think that just because a burrito gave them gas or diarrhea then they must be in a flare from the burrito. That's false. True some foods can cause symptoms just like food does for anyone who doesn't have IBD but just because we may have gas from beans or diarrhea from corn doesn't mean we're in a flare. I've been in remission for over 10 years after my resection and I do eat whatever I want. If you want to stick to a diet that's fine just know that you don't have to unless you're actually in a flare. Food can cause more unwanted symptoms while you're already flaring which none of us really need but that's really the only time you watch what you eat with IBD. Everyone has different foods that cause them symptoms and sometimes keeping a food diary can help you figure out what foods trigger symptoms for your daughter. For instance I have a hard time eating any raw veggies like a salad and that happens whether I'm in a flare or not yet there are many people on this forum who are able to eat a salad just fine. Everyone is different. Does that mean I don't eat salads? Heck no! I love them and pop a Lomotil (anti diarrhea med) when I have one.

Same goes with medication, everyone is different. I'm currently taking 6MP and have never noticed any side effects from it. I used to take Asacol and never had side effects from that either. All of the medications out there have a long list of horrible sounding side effects but that doesn't mean you'll get all or any of them for that matter. Unfortunately medication is going to be through trial and error. Make sure she stays on a maintenance drug after her surgery because Crohn's is a chronic illness and must be treated even while you're in remission with little to no symptoms.

I really do hope her surgery goes well. No medication can help a blockage caused by scar tissue as scar tissue is permanently damaged tissue. If it were just inflammation then some meds may help but a blockage is serious and sometimes you simply cannot wait for the medication to take effect. I'm sorry you're both going through this and I truly hope she feels much better after her surgery.

Edit: That portion about food above is after they are fully healed BTW. We go through a liquid to bland and then gradually introducing more foods once we're feeling up to it after surgery.

 

[Jennifer]

Imuran/Azathioprine is an immunosuppressant just like 6MP. Hair loss is not listed as a side effect but then again its not listed as a side effect for 6MP either. I've never taken it before but you can learn about the drug here: http://www.crohnsforum.com/forumdisplay.php?f=64 and here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0000602/