Hope for Ensure Plus diet as a treatment to bring down inflammation

[Susabelle]

I wasn't sure where to post this tread as it is a treatment using the liquid diet, so thought I would post a link:

http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?p=948966#post948966

 

[Fosterfamily2303]

Did you loose weight doing this ?

 

[Susabelle]

Not really, I little bit but mainly because I struggled drinking my full allocation of Ensure Plus (it is a pretty rich milkshake) and had the energy to do exercise which I hadn't before.

Ensure plus is high in calories to help patients maintain or gain weight.

I did notice the side effects of the steroids were reduced, the dreaded moonface disappeared (though mine wasn't too bad as I was on a low salt diet anyway).

 

[Clash]

If you have trouble drinking them you can always use a nasogastric tube. My son did this when he was doing EN. His was supplemental not exclusive (EEN). He used a prescribed formula (peptamen 1.5). He was given the option of using Ensure or Boost but had trouble with the texture so opted for the NG tube. He would place it every evening, take in the formula while he slept, then he would remove the tube before showering every morning.

There is a subforum about Enteral Nutrition in the treatment section. There are a number of kids who have been on EEN or EN orally and by NG, NJ or various other means.

So glad things seem to be working well for you on EEN.

 

[Susabelle]

Thanks! I'm happy with the result, especially because my consultant was so resistant to the idea that anything but steroids would help. I just want to come off prednisolone as soon as possible.

I do hear they try EEN with kids and it seems silly not to give it a go with adults as well.

I think I have trouble drinking them because it is like drinking full fat cream, but the flavours themselves are quite nice. I've recently had them with ice, diluting them helped as well.

 

[Susabelle]

So I promised an update after I had my next test and I'm so happy to report my calprotectin is now under 30 and completely in the normal ranges :dance:

This means I've done the Ensure Plus diet for 9 weeks. it was tough but it worked

I'm now following the elimination diet (as per Dr Hunters 'The Essential Guide to controlling Crohn's Disease, Colitis and other IBDs) and I've had some plain chicken today.

My dietician is on board which is great, so she will help me do the elimination diet and is very quick to answer emails. I have another consultant appointment on the 18th so will wait to see her reaction, but the results speak for themselves.

So happy the inflammation has been switched off!

 

[ronroush7]

Great news.