Food, does it affect us or not???

[crazycanuck]

My first doctor who I have since lost faith in once answered my question,

"Does food make a difference in how I will feel and how often I'll go to the bathroom?"

He said, "No it won't because basically its like having a rash on your arm but instead its in your intestines, if I had a rash on my arm and it became worse suddenly, I wouldn't go to my doctor and say its because of the food I ate."

My second doctor who I have been very impressed with and has been great also said diet doesn't play a major role.

I don't buy this. If this is true why can I not eat McDonald's fries, Chinese food, or a nice bowl of ice cream without making a sudden dash for a bathroom 100% of the time???

So my question is does food affect you majorly like it seems to with me? I know stress plays a major factor with me and sometimes the stress will make anything an evil food. Also what have your doctors told you?

 

[imisspopcorn]

I think I have symptoms irregardless of what I eat. When I flare, I avoid certain things because they exacerbate my symptoms....I think it is like asking if certain foods cause Crohn's???...Now, I know people who use the SCD and say it works for them...So who knows.....It's kind of a crap shoot, excuse the pun.

 

[my.december]

Alright, so to use doc #1s analogy...

If I had said rash on my arm (which could very well be from the food if I was mildly allergic), if I scratched it, would it not spread or itch/hurt more. I've found that's usually the case whenever I have a rash.

So it seems the irritating foods could be like the scratching. IDK...

But I know there are definitely foods I do not tolerate. A lot of them seem to be things that can be hard on a *normal* person's gut... they kill mine.

 

[crazycanuck]

Haha well I thought the pun was funny, but yeah I guess thats what it is. But even like now when I'd say I'm in remission I had a bowl of ice cream last night and spent an hour in the bathroom because of it.

December yeah that was my point after (which he brushed aside) too danged confusing this disease is I think.

 

[D Bergy]

If you feed a pet human food leftovers, and the same breed of animal pet food for that animal, the second ones lifespan will b considerably longer than the former.

Most all of the sickly pets that people have in my extended family have been fed table scraps as a main food source.

To say diet does not affect us in many ways is like saying you can run your car on whatever you can pour in the tank.

Any one that raises show animals or race horses, etc, pays considerable attention to diet for top performance and health. Why humans would be an exception to that rule just does not make any sense to me.

Dan

 

[Crohn's 35]

Like meds, we all react differently to food as well. Some people have no problem with milk and I do, some can eat Ice cream and I cant but frozen yogurt is ok... As a general rule, fast foods are not good for you, and if you have had a resection, fats and carbs are so hard to break down. I guess it depends on how you want to feel, eat what you want and you pay the price... Trust me been there done that.

 

[Peaches]

If you feed a pet human food leftovers, and the same breed of animal pet food for that animal, the second ones lifespan will b considerably longer than the former.

Most all of the sickly pets that people have in my extended family have been fed table scraps as a main food source.

To say diet does not affect us in many ways is like saying you can run your car on whatever you can pour in the tank.

Any one that raises show animals or race horses, etc, pays considerable attention to diet for top performance and health. Why humans would be an exception to that rule just does not make any sense to me.

Dan

Oddly - my lab was NEVER fed table scraps and he ended up with Addison's disease and bad osteo arthritis and died at 11. My FIL ONLY fed his pound puppy the best human food - and he lived to be like 15 or 16. So, maybe not always true?

I think GI's are hesitant to get into diet as a cure discussions with people - so when food gets brought up they hedge a lot. I can understand what dr. #1 was saying - he just didn't bring the point round very well. Of course food is going to effect you according to what your disease process IS doing and what it HAS done to your system - that should be a given. CC - you may just be lactose intolerant in general regardless of your Crohn's.

 

[Guest1]

I think it's really a roll of the dice when it comes to this disease. The symptoms vary SO much from person to person and for that alone, I think it's difficult to say what does or doesn't hurt our insides. When I first spoke with my GI, he asked me if food affected me. I said yes, to an extent and elaborted that sometimes a certain food will trigger an episode and sometimes it wouldn't. Without hesitation, he said "Okay, well it's not IBD then". That was an ignorant assumption on his part because you'll find PLENTY of people on the forum who are like me in that department.

I forgot who it was, but someone on here a while back had said they think that when you're in a bad flare, they don't think it matters what you eat, but that *anything* will make you feel like death which could be true for a lot of people. There's times where I've eaten chocolate with absolutely no problems and then eaten it and had to crawl to a bed because I thought my insides were going to explode.

 

[kenny]

If you believe the research being done by Epidemiologists than not only does food play a role. But the occurrence of this disease has a cultural link related to food consumption. (fixed that up a bit)

Look at the book "Eating Right for a bad gut" in the recommended books section here. It discusses the prevalence of Crohns in various cultures and a strong link to dietary imbalance that results in Prostaglandin production (immune response) within our gut.

I have a varied reaction to things now. KFC took me down this week. A subway cold-cut combo the week before. Managing my diet is all I can do. It is the ONLY thing I have control over and I would drop any doctor that tried to tell me food made no difference. I have all kinds of specialists and support people telling me the exact opposite. The whole thing is all about the food.

 

[Crohn's 35]

have a varied reaction to things now. KFC took me down this week. A subway cold-cut combo the week before. Managing my diet is all I can do. It is the ONLY thing I have control over and I would drop any doctor that tried to tell me food made no difference. I have all kinds of specialists and support people telling me the exact opposite. The whole thing is all about the food.

KFC is a major no no for me, havent had that in 7 years. Subway, had a roasted chicken...yep it will be a while.

 

[crazycanuck]

Yeah its just so hard though. I agree with everyone here to a point its for whatever a reason a hard concept to wrap my head around. I have problems with my gut but the food I put in it won't affect if I have to run to a bathroom. I have some foods I can eat 100% of the time without that effect and I have some that 100% of the time will make me run for my toliet.

 

[shazamataz]

Yup, I am not sure about this yet. I still have a very bland diet and not much variety which is a bit of a concern.

The only specific time I have noticed anything unusual was the day after Christmas when i had eated quite a chunk of ham and had trifle with cream and custard and mandarins in it. Dunno if it was that or not that caused me to have an unusual day of D, because there have also been a lot of tummy bugs going round here over the holidays!

 

[Pirate]

Ham is a killer for me. Fast foods, I can't even make it home from town after eating fast foods. One time I can eat pizza and not have a problem, other times I am down for the count. I think food does play a part in it, but I think it isn't the cause of it.

 

[shazamataz]

Yeah, a lot of people here have mentioned pig meat as an issue. I've been eating bacon from time to time up til now with no issues. I like the taste and need the protein. Hmmmm, perhaps ham is out though? Don't like it much anyway!

 

[mwb3779]

Crazy anyone who tells you the fuel you add to the system doesn't play a role in the overall care of the system is just crazy (pardon the pun). Ham is a staple food for me. Its one that has never caused me any issue. Almost every fast food is like wishing for the bowel ninjas to come out and play. Grilled or boiled chicken is fine for me. I just tried a piece of stripped fried chicken. Figured the skin and most of the fat is gone. I have been paying for it all night. It was just a little bit, but I knew it when I ate it. For me my stomach tells me "that wasn't very bright Mike" right after I eat it. I then get to play the waiting game of how long it takes to destroy my innards.

Most of the reading I have done on the role food plays in our bodies has specified that the more crap we put in the more crap that comes out (again no pun intended). The SCD diet works for some. I tried and there is just too much I can't do. I'm unfortunately stuck with Crohn's and Diabetes. The different diets don't go well together. I follow what is ok for my gut to eat and for some reason the diabetic part has been fine. Life is just to complicated to say everything isn't mingled somehow. Everything works together. Including food and gut.

 

[beth]

Another vote for the 'of course it bloomin does' here. Some foods I can tolerate a little of, like pork, but others like citrus fruit, nuts, cabbage can really upset things.

 

[Cackman888]

Interesting thread guys, i am also certain that food has to have an impact on our condition, the increase in coeliacs and people with IBS and IBD is phenominal and leads me to believe that certain foods aren't geeting time to grow as they are being forced out of the ground with pesticides, fertilizers and many other chemicals............

 

[scrapman]

What I eat makes a difference with me. For example, yesterday I was so busy/stressed at work silly me forgot that I had crohn's! I was in my truck driving down the street and pulled into the first fast food place I saw, then proceeded to ordered my old favorite, a spicy fried chicken sandwich and large fries (fried foods are a no-no for me). Believe me when I say yesterday's lunch has had an effect on the way I feel today(major bloat) and how many times I have been to the bathroom today. If your doctor was a rub a rash on his arm with hot peppers, a raw onion, or a variety of other foods, he'd probably agree that they affected the rash!!!

 

[pb4]

How can it not? Research even states that IBDers tend to eat a diet much higher in sugar/fat, processed foods and fast-foods compared to those that do not have an IBD....those foods, along with caffeine, can all exacerbate IBD symptoms...the CCFC hasn't even ruled out food/diet as a possible trigger for IBD so how any doc can be adamant the food does not play a role is a doc that I wouldn't have any faith in.

I altered my diet, I used to be a junk-food junky (fast-food and tons of sugary foods/candy) and it's true what they say, you are what you eat....granted not everyone that eats/drinks poorly gets IBD (obviously there's the predisposition factor) but still, the healthier you eat/drink the better for your whole body, and mind. The damage is done (with having CD) cuz once you have it, you have it for life unless someone finally gets around to finding a cure for us that is.

Researchers have basically determined that diet and stress is hugely impacted on those with IBS so although IBS and IBD are 2 seperate entities, it only stands to reason that with how similar they are regarding symptoms I have no doubt that food/diet plays some role with IBD as well.

 

[crazycanuck]

I do agree food has to play a role in it. Sometims it baffles me that people and even doctors tell me about my disease when I and it seems like a lot of people just on this thread have said food and diet DO play a factor. Aren't we the ones doing the research should be done on??? Maybe food doesn't make my disease worse, and maybe food didn't trigger it but it HAS to cause my symptoms to worsen for a brief amount of time otherwise why all of a sudden after eating Mcdonald's fries do I go to the bathroom 100% of the time right?

 

[pb4]

The odd thing too is that for many CDers they share similarities as to which foods bother them the most, salads seem to top the list along with raw veggies of any kind and fruit...I am so thankful that there are not foods that put my gut into pain like they do for many others...for me, regardless of what I eat I have to poop it out (urgency and frequency being my main issues) but I've never been one to experiance much of any gut pain, regardless of what I eat...only during my most severe flares I get severe lower back pain (also doesn't matter what I eat)...this is why it was so easy for me to alter my diet and avoid anything unhealthy/processed cuz I'm one of the lucky ones that can eat all fruits, veggies, nuts/seeds and such without getting D or gut pains from them.

 

[Mazen]

Food has definitley an effect. Some people have definite intolerances like lactose or gluten intolerance, others need to avoid certain foods that irritate the intestines like nuts, raw vegetables and fruits , stringy meats etc.... Also most should avoid too much sugar as it lowers the immunity and feeds the bad bacteria in our gut.

2 very good books on the subject and written by certified dieticians who should really know how food affects the bodies better than doctors are "The New Eating Right for a Bad Gut" and "What to Eat for IBD". They teach you how to eat healthy while not irritating our damaged intestines. And they also recommend supplements which our bodies need due to the disease.

A more radical dietary approach is the SCD; it also recommends a healthy diet but with some restrictions and requires lots of cooking, so it is harder to follow.

 

[Crohn's 35]

Hey Mazen how you doing? Long time no update.

 

[Mazen]

Hi Pen, I've been updating in the Remicade club section since I took my first infusion about 2 weeks ago. I'm feeling fine actually, but still have the drain in my abdomin and it is still leaking. But other than that I'm feeling very good. Let's hope the Remicade closes the fistula and I can avoid surgery. Take care

 

[tamesis]

I don't officially have an IBD, but it's funny, i find that what irritates me one day, may be completely fine the next, or vice versa....It's odd.....

 

[jennyfoust]

it's so silly, what the doctor said. everyone is right. maybe if you had a rash on your arm, and not inflammation in your intestines, food wouldn't be a problem. seeing as how, it's the other way around...

i am the most healthy i've been in years. i eat most of the same foods all of the time, but i do get a little variety. i haven't had bad symptoms in months. this weekend, i ran out of pentasa. pentasa is the only medicine that i take for crohn's disease. i didn't realize i was running low, then it was the weekend and the pharmacy was closed. one day and a half went by, and i started to feel it. i started to feel pain, hot prickly, sticky pain, kind of like a sore throat, in my abdomen. i'm still pretty tired. my hips hurt. things will go back to normal soon enough, but it made me think.

i think i constantly have a little inflammation. i think certain foods really hurt that inflammation, but nothing really sends me to bed, except for forgetting my medicine. when i forget my medicine, the inflammation gets worse.

the problem is inflammation. no matter what you eat, that's the pain. i experience pain, no matter what i eat.

i wonder about these things a lot. food. inflammation. why? what? how? i haven't gotten very clear answers or descriptions from my doctors. i'm figuring it all out as i go, from this forum, other people, and my own body.


even before i had crohn's disease, even before i ever felt sick at all, like when i was a teenager, if i ate fast food or fried food, it hurt my stomach and i felt terrible. i have healthy friends, and my husband, fast food kills them. they don't have crohn's disease.

we should not be eating that food. none of us, crohn's disease or not. it's bad. it makes us feel bad, and it doesn't give our body what it needs to work well, to thrive.

diet isn't the issue, it's our immune systems, but certain foods increase inflammation and certain foods are just more irritating than others.

 

[crazycanuck]

So could it be summed up that there are certain foods that will make things stable but there are foods which will trigger a response no matter what? The response being a trip to the bathroom.

 

[kenny]

So could it be summed up that there are certain foods that will make things stable but there are foods which will trigger a response no matter what? The response being a trip to the bathroom.

That would be an acute response and it might even be the wrong place to look. The chronic or cumulative response that seems to lead to episodes of flare-ups may be a lot harder to put a finger on but I think it has a big role to play.

My treatment team is looking at the whole package right now. Not just food but other allergens/triggers. I think we are all trying to get our heads around the issue anyway we can. And it seems that much harder when you start to look at this autoimmune response holistically. As in the whole person and not magic crystals and whatever :tongue:

I have been thinking of my overall allergen load and the stress that seems to exacerbate my responses. Maybe it is different for people who have not expressed environmental reactions like allergies or asthma? But I think it is all tied together in my case.

 

[kristyn]

My doctor and I have talked about this a lot- he said there is no hard and fast rules with food and it is different with everyone. Dairy products kill me-except for cheese. Corn, nuts, popcorn, soy sauce bother me most of the time- but every once in a while they are fine. When I am in a flare up anything can do it- rice, crackers, bananas, applesauce. Spicy foods are fine, raw vegetable- not so great. I guess it just depends on how your digestive system reacts. My biggest trigger is stress. Any kind of stress will make anything run through me in 10 minutes.

 

[CrohnsHobo]

I know some food really bother me, some that bothers others don't bother me, and vice versa. My Dr. feels that sticking to one particular diet like SCD is a waste of time. He said I am better off not eating what makes me feel lousy and just stick to that. No hard and fast rules.

 

[83rabbitgti]

no method at all to the madness. i know i can not have popcorn at all! last time i had popcorn i was in the er getting shots of demerol. nuts i cant have really either. im not supposed to have salad but i do and i dont think it affects me much. mcdonalds.... well stay away from anyways! doctors are only people too, i wish they were more than that just like the rest of us do too i bet but the best bet is to use your best discretion. i was having bathroom problems for years before i found out about my crohns. one night i was eating some italian food with a lot of capers and the next day i was admitted into the hospital where i stayed a week, i will never have another caper lol!

 

[crazycanuck]

Yes stress is without a doubt a huge one. Mcdonalds and Chinese food (with or without msg) are probably my biggest triggers though. I've never eaten Mcdonald's much even before Crohn's but after finding out my Uncle bought me some and I tried it not thinking much of it as I hadn't eaten it since diagnoses....I never made it out of the car which we had parked in the parking lot it was that sudden. Not even stress will cause me to do that. That's why I don't buy the fact my doctor told me food doesn't play a major role.

 

[AndreaWI]

no method at all to the madness. i know i can not have popcorn at all! last time i had popcorn i was in the er getting shots of demerol.

My grandpa (who has Crohns) almost died about 15 years ago from eating popcorn! I don't remember the details because I was young, but he was in ICU for a while. Scary!