I have constipated crohns and thought maybe I should post this

[kathyrussell]

I am new to all of this and I am scared and trying to find answers nobody told me what to eat I am learning the hard way and on a waiting list to see a second specialist as the first one was not too helpful

http://jeanetteshealthyliving.com/2...[wiki2="Fiber"]fiber[/wiki2]-diet.html:heart:

 

[mnsun]

I think your link is a good start; whole foods is the way to go. A lot of people SEEM to benefit from a Selective Carb Diet (I never followed this rather strict protocol as I already found a personalized protocol to keep MY symptoms at bay, but if I started having problems I would consider it. See my post by searching: MY Supps for MY Dis-ease) I'm not familiar with "constipated crohn's", but here is my opinion post I made as my advice to someone who is currently having problems:

Personally, I could handle white flour/processed grains, but for only so long. I think these foods have a longer, slow burn effect, so to speak, and ultimately kill off good bacteria. Sure, the effects aren't as immediate--for me--as sugars (HFCS,aspartame,acesulfame potassium,sorbitol,sugars,crystalline fructose,...just use stevia or honey sparingly) or caffeine.

After determining whether you're sensitive to lactose or gluten, or not, I would stick to a modified low residue diet: chicken, hard boiled eggs, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, herbal teas (ginger, peppermint), cooked carrots, steamed broccoli, vegetable drinks (100% juice), bananas, other 100% juices. If your not sensitive to lactose, I'd take an unflavored whey protein with a banana, cinnamon, handful of nuts, and stevia/honey in a blender with cold water.

Maybe search the site for safe foods. Personally, I would maybe cut out grains for now and slowly introduce sprouted bread (like Ezekial's orange bagged, frozen bread). Maybe make smoothies with nuts or nutbutters and sweeten with stevia or REAL raw honey (upwards of 70% of store bought honey is fake).

If I were flaring, I would eat one food at a time and not combine fruit or its juices with other food groups. I would also take enteric coated fish oil (3-4 grams of Omega 3, a day) and good probiotics (Jarrow EPS is cheapest on iherb.com) at least 15billion (depends on brand though) a day. Additionally, S. Boulardii is specifically helpful for diarrhea (I'm currently taking a NOW product of this).

 

[mikeyarmo]

The link does not seem to be working anymore unfortunately .

Regardless, I also suffered from constipation when my Crohn's was active and truthfully did not find a lot that made it helpful.

I think the worst advice dealt with eating more fibre (like bran flakes) as even at that time I think my fibre intake was adequate and I don't think the bran flakes were easy to digest at all.

Better advice I got was to make sure I was drinking enough water and getting enough exercise (even walking). Caution has to be taken here also though as I know too much water was also bad for my stomach when my Crohn's was active and you don't want to over do you body by exercising too much either. Simply walking a bit every day that you have the energy for it though should be beneficial.

In hindsight, I think some other factors that helped with the constipation (even though I did not recognize it at the time) were eating certain fats and reducing stress.

I know I used to stress all the time about my lack of BMs and had a daily counter of how long it had been since I last went. I think it would have been much more beneficial if I did my best not to stress about it and tried activities that actively reduced stress in my life.

In terms of fat, one of the better BMs during this time came after I started incorporating a lot of avocado into my diet. It resulted in the first unpainful BM I had had for the following few months. If you can tolerate it, I think that certain fats (like avocado, flax seed oil, fish oil or olive oil) can help improve the frequency and softness of your bowel movements.

Good luck to you and everyone else who also deals with constipation from IBD!

 

[Johnnysmom]

My son uses Miralax. It is a safe over the counter laxative here in the States. Works great!

 

[scoopz]

Possibly increasing vitamin C, more fruit juice ect.

 

[Stephy Chelle]

Hi Kathy! My name is Stephanie and ironically enough I came on today to post the issues I am currently having to see if I could get some advice and you are having the same issues as me. I usually have loose stools after EVERYTHING I eat, even foods that are "safe" with me having IBD. Now I'm currently diagnosed with intermediate colitis. I have inflammation in my small and large intestine, I'm waiting to have one more test to HOPEFULLY determine if it's crohns and/or colitis. Fingers crossed. Anyway, I've been on my meds for 2 and a half weeks now: florastar, hyoscyamine, Amitrptyline and omeprazole. I'm constipated now! I'm not sure which ones worse, loose and runny or nothing at all. I'm beyond frustrated with this disease I've had for all these years and still don't have a clear cut diagnoses or strategy to start feeling better. The responses to your post have helped with my constipatedness. Haha Thank you!!!