Elemental diet

[greypup]

My daughter (16 yrs) was given permission to try liquids and low residue foods after 3 weeks of TPN at dx.

Yesterday she had a smoothie, apple w/out skin, boiled egg throughout the day and night. By evening she had abdominal aches. This is after having an abscess, bowel to bowel fistula and obstruction resolve.

She and I are both thinking after reading on this forum many hours over the last few weeks, that it will be better to go to an elemental diet rather than these whole foods.

Do you agree?

If so, can you guide me how to do this?

Is it possible to make your own ED from organic ingredients?

Our GI doc has kind of left us to figure some of this out on our own - I guess that's not uncommon. I'm also searching for the right dietician who knows the elemental diet and is teenager friendly. But in the meantime, we need to begin.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

Linda

 

[alex_chris]

Yesterday she had a smoothie, apple w/out skin, boiled egg throughout the day and night. By evening she had abdominal aches. This is after having an abscess, bowel to bowel fistula and obstruction resolve.

Hey there, I can't comment on the other questions you have, but I can say even in deep remission just having a smoothie and boiled eggs would be a big problem for me. Smoothies are much to intense for my intestine, and boiled eggs by themselves and in larger quantities are a no no as well.

If she has Crohn's, from my 14 years of experience I always recommend to just go for the "neutral is good" diet. Everything from porridge to polenta. An apple with that is of course also great.

P.S.I doubt you can really make ED that is a full replacement of a normal diet yourself. But you could definitely make something close.

 

[greypup]

I had no idea about smoothie and eggs. Where can I find this info?

Linda

 

[happy]

Hi greypup,
I really recommend some help from an IBD dietician who has worked with people who are returning to eating food after liquids. I went through this process, and it is not easy. One must return to eating very slowly, and yes I think that it is a good idea to start with elemental drinks first after TPN. Here is the thread that discusses my return to eating http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=31028. Here is info from another poster about returning to eating: http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=15451&page=2. Look for Post #43 by soupdragon69 on that thread.

Goog luck.

 

[greypup]

Happy,

I read a lot of your thread. You are amazing, dedicated and extremely strong. I love it. Thanks for sharing this link. It is SO useful. And congrats on your success!!!

Linda

 

[happy]

Hi Linda,
Well thanks for the thanks and compliments. (Blush) If you have specific questions, just ask.

You had asked about making your own elemental formula. This book: http://www.amazon.com/Crohns-Getting-remission-Enteral-Nutrition/dp/0982123442 has info about that. It is a very good resource for EN despite the cartoon cover.

Post #5 on the "Enteral Nutrition Books & Useful Links" page of the Enteral Nutrition sub-forum has a good resource about IBD and Nutrition with some info about EN, and returning to eating after EN, near the end of the booklet.

May your daughter soon be feeling better and able to tolerate some solid food.