Ileostomy Diet and SCD

[Patas88]

Hi guys- I'm new to this forum and pretty new to Crohn's (diagnosed 6 months ago). My GI doc recommended SCD the day I was diagnosed, so I have been following it ever since. Now I have an ileostomy with really high output and it seems like all the foods I ate before are now not recommended and all the "illegals" will lower my output. Has anyone else experienced this complete dietary reversal? I'm having trouble going back to drinks like Gatorade and processed food like crackers because now I am so much more aware of the sugar and added ingredients.

 

[PsychoJane]

Hi Patas,

Let first say I have not followed the SCD diet but I have been following the paleo for a little while and now I am just kinda following my own thing which is a lot of moderation on gluten, dairy, processed food, etc. I went too look for a few things in the scd allowed list as I am not perfectly at ease with the lines of this diet.

I think I might have a few suggestion for you but it also depends on when you got your surgery? I assume it is fairly recent has you have been diagnosed 6 months ago, how long has it been for the ileostomy?

At first, the output will is likely to be quite watery, things get better over time though. Thankfully! Food that helps me thickening it often consist of starchy food which can make the whole deal tricky as these aren't "allowed". Going through the list of safe food that helps me: strawberry, squash (puree), apple (puree), peanut butter, egg, meat and cheese. I don't know has of yet if you are ok with these things.

When it comes to gatorade, I would encourage you towards a "homemade" version which could probably fit in the SCD lines: normally I simply get half orange juice(500ml), half water(500ml) and a pinch of salt(half a tsp). I believe you could also do something without the orange juice getting water, salt and honey. Coconut water is pretty amazing on it's own to help keeping the balance too!

Anyway, I hope this helps a bit =)

 

[bobisacrohny]

Anyone have good experiences with fiber or found a food list that is best after this surgery or ileum amputation has been done as it seems to have a mind of it's own?

 

[annawato]

I don't follow the SCD diet but do have very high liquid output. Food wise, anything that is a soluble fibre will help thicken your output. Google soluble fibre and see what fits into the diet for you. Keep in mind that initially very fibrous foods should be avoided but they can be introduced after a couple of months, just do it slowly to see what suits you.
Dehydration wise the following recipe was given to me by my GI, it is the optimum mix for absorption by the bowel:
1 litre of water
8 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
Juice of a lemon or lime or orange (any citrus)

Medication wise, Loperamide or gastrostop is good (I was prescribed 12 per day but check with your own doctor) also Amitriptyline slows everything down as it is constipating - this is what has helped me most.

Things will settle down a little with time, I still have a very high liquid output but I have learnt to deal with it now. Keeping an eye on your elecrolytes is important too - potassium, sodium and calcium. Potassium supplements should only be taken if you know you are low in potassium. calcium I take about 1500mg a day and sodium I add salt to everything. Again ask your doctor about these for you.
You may find you can't follow the sCD diet for awhile but with time everything will settle down and you can again.
Good luck with it all,