New friendly member, very confused!! :0)

[lardossen]

Hi, I'm Rich, 28.
I was diagnosed with UC about 2 years ago. I quickly went into remission just as I went travelling (although at the time I thought it had gone away permanently!) so I don't know too much about my problem. I was given some steroids at the time which did the trick but the side-effects were not pleasant

I'm now living in Germany and recently, I think due to stress (there is usually a correlation for me), I've had another flare-up.
The doctors are helping here but not very good at answering my questions (not their fault - I need to learn better German), and I'm feeling a bit frustrated and alone with my problem.
I'm happy I've found this forum and that there are other people out there I can relate to finally!

I've always been fairly skinny, and now I'm finding it really hard to put weight on despite going to the gym and weight training regularly.
Does anyone else here find that their stomach seems to bloat periodically while the rest of the body loses/fails to gain weight??
Please someone say yes!
What food/situation makes that happen?!?!?!? :ybatty:

I have scanned the forum for information about food/diets/what to do to help my stomach look a bit nicer, but as UC doesn't seem to be as serious as CD (I stand to be corrected, always), should I take the advice for CD diets for myself??

And is UC stress-related?

I always try to make the best of any situation and don't want to have a 'disease' on my shoulder like a chip, and will not feel sorry for myself either - I'm adament I can lead a normal life but am I jumping the gun??
Any tips on how to help with the mind-over-matter aspect would be great!!

And for any knowledgeable body-builders out there - is drinking protein drinks, weight-gainers, taking creatine and carnitine good or bad for you?
I've been trying them recently but I can't tell if they are having an effect due to my recent flare-up, which may be related directly to them or to my stressful situation (moving city and job, leaving girlfriend).

So confused!

Thanks for reading,

Rich

 

[jed]

hiyo Rich, welcome to the site

(bit tired at the moment, buut i'll try answer a couple of questions for you)

the protein drink thingy, i think a lot of people with UC and crohns drinks these to keep good vitamins going in. just try to make sure they are not the high fibre versions of them, high fibre can be very bad for us

while i dont think there's any scientific evidence, i think most people here will tell you stress can definately worsen our situation.

bloated stomachs are also a common thing with me, either thru inflamation, or lots of prednisilone (steroids).

UC can be everybit as serious as crohns, but the one benefit of UC is that if it gets so bad you need surgery, then the removal of your large intestine will cure you. crohns has the ability to flare anywhere from mouth to anus, UC only happens in the large intestines.

carbonated drinks aent the best thing for either, so try keep away from them.

i'll try be more helpfull 2mrw when i wake up a little bit.

and they're both very serious diseases (we even get our own website), but they dont have to control your life. you can learn to live with them for a very long life

 

[Guest]

Hi Rich, and welcome don't worry about being confused - i live in permanent confusion. lol

yes, the bloating is very often due to inflammation, and therefore its possible to lose body weight but still have a swollen tummy. i'd guess that your swelling is only there when you're having a flare?

i'd agree that protein and vitamin supplements are a healthy choice for anyone suffering from a condition which affects their diet and absoption, but like Jed says check out the fibre content - that can really hurt our sensitive intestines.

do you follow a diet plan at all? i'm not referring to a strict official diet, just one based on knowing what foods agree/disagree with you.

& yes again - stress certainly seems to exacerbate symptoms, even bring on a flare-up. conscious effort to do some proper relaxation every day would be a good idea - time out for your mind and body.

this type of condition does cause a lot of misery, and i know what its like to feel alone with it - when i was first diagnosed with Crohns i hardly knew anyone with it. i'm really pleased you've found us - you're not alone any more - and everyone on here is lovely & supportive. i'm sure there'll be a lot of advice from other members.

 

[lardossen]

Thanks for your quick replies!
My diet? Hmmm, I don't eat a lot of carbs, they seem to bloat me but I need more if I want to put weight on the rest of my body I guess!
I avoid fizzy drinks, and mainly eat salads and stir frys.

This has worked for me for a while but now I'm having a flare-up I don't know what to do! I'm eating more pasta of late, but nothing seems to make a difference, which is the most frustrating thing ever. I'm healthy by normal standards, exercise, don't drink excessively (hardly at all compared to my bar-management days) yet I'm still being punished seemingly :ymad:

AAAAAAAARRRRRGGGHHHH!

:voodoo:

 

[Guest]

Rich - i can't confess to knowing what kind of foods affect UC - but based on experience with Crohns and IBS, i would say that stir-fries could possibly be upsetting things, uh and maybe some of the salad ingredients too but don't take my word for this - it may be different for UC sufferers.

fizzy drinks out - good idea. and cutting back on alcohol.

we have a lot of threads here on diet - you'll see mentioned low-residue in a few of the threads, which is a really gentle yet nutritious way of eating, which many Crohns/IBS sufferers turn to when things are bad. it just means avoiding anything which is difficult to digest, such as undercooked veggies (hence my wondering about the stir-fries), certain fruit like pineapple, nuts, seeds, potato & fruit skins. oh and kicking out acidic and or spicy things too. low residue food which is considered gentle covers such things as rice, pasta, mashed potato, eggs (not fried), softly cooked chicken and fish, and soft fruit such as bananas, well cooked veggies like brocolli/cabbage, but not sweetcorn. soups are great, as are puddings and jellies.

i don't know if that's of any help - have a read around the forum, there may be more UC-specific advice than i can give.

 

[lardossen]

thanks so much for taking the time to respond :smile:

i'll look thru the forum topics in more detail

you've been a great help, really

 

[Guest]

you're more than welcome

 

[Nancy Lee]

Hi Rich and welcome to the forum!!

I agree with Dingbat & Jed on the diet items.
I cannot eat stir fry OR salad...I have to completely stay away from lettuce.

Anything that causes gas can make your tummy bloated.
For example, cabbage, cauliflower, brussle sprouts, onions, turnip,
bean sprouts and foods like that.

Also any carbonated drinks are very gas producing.

Anything with nuts, seeds, & popcorn can be a hazard.

If you are looking to put on a few pounds try some Ensure drinks
that come in different flavours in handy cans.

I have found that stress plays a huge part in my Crohn's.
Try to take the time to relax, do whatever you normally do to calm yourself..
Some of us meditate, listen to music or read here in the forums.

Any further questions just holler as usually someone is close by.

Once again welcome...

Healing Hugs~Nancy

 

[Noel]

Welcome Rich,

There is plenty of great advice from great people with in this forum

I also read the forum to relaxe me and helps me know i am not alone with this beast.

 

[Kev]

Welcome Rich.. I had written one of my typically long winded replies, and posted it. But it doesn't seem to be here. Hmmm, perhaps a bug or computer glitch ate it.

Of course, I was brilliant, as usual... but I can't recall what I wrote at the mo. So, if it doesnt' turn up.. I'll call off the hunt, see if I can replicate my past genius, OK?

 

[FruitLoop]

Hi Rich - I think stress causes flare-ups and I also believe certain foods will prolong a flare up and irritate the intestines.

Personally I have no problem with weight gain as the steroids make me eat like a pig !!

I find that the more I find out about IBD the more empowered I feel and therefore less helpless.

"know thine enemy" or whatever the quote is :lol:

 

[soupdragon69]

Hi Rich,

Welcome to the forum! Keep posting and asking ok? We are very good at listening but cant guarantee the answers will be 100% accurate as none are medically qualified. However, I will say personal experience, understanding and empathy go a long way here!

Hope you get some relief soon.

 

[lardossen]

thanks to everyone for their replies and support

 

[xapplex]

Hi Rich.
I had UC for like 3yrs.(sry havent pousted my story) when i came live to Uk my sister took me to check up why i have D. was diagnosed UC and my large bowel was 15cm shorter like shuld be. in that time i was runing to toilet 7times.i had 2corses of steroids and both failed. had urgent surgery and my larger bowel was removed.when i tryed eat a lot more my stomach was bigger. try eat rice it helped me with D i was going less to toilet.

How many times do you go toilet?

Hope you will be fine