Talk to me about diet

[LindseyAnne81]

I'm still undiagnosed, but my GI suspects Crohn's. He originally thought my symptoms might be caused by gastroparesis, but my gastric emptying study was inconclusive and I have had several symptoms come up that are more in line with Crohn's than GP.

I am following a GP diet and taking Domperidone. That combination has helped significantly with the daily nausea and weight loss I was experiencing. How is a Crohn's diet different than a GP diet? I eat a low-fiber, low fat diet. I tolerate dairy fats in moderation better than fats from meat. I greatly miss whole grains.

 

[UnXmas]

I'm really not sure what you mean - there's no one "Crohn's diet", nor a "GP diet". Low-fibre can help many people with Crohn's, but there are many other aspects of diet that benefit some with Crohn's, and not everyone with Crohn's responds to diet in the same way.

What symptoms are you experiencing that you would like to try to address with dietary changes? Is the low-fibre, low-fat diet you're on at present helping you feel better?

 

[seamus o'toole]

I remember about ten years ago it was all low fiber, no dairy, no spicy, no night shades. No help at all. There really is no one diet its a long experiment. I kept a general diary and found a combination hoe sever and what I could eat that week. Turns out my emergency diet is cheese, eggs and crackers so it's everything I was advised against when I started. Potatoes are usually fine but watch high oils. So this is your adventure finding out what fits you and when. Sometimes you have periods when food of any kind makes it worse. My absolute advice is stay hydrated. Dehydration can put you in the ICU as much as anything. Start simple and slowly add uncomplicated dishes or single items and see how it goes. If I am not to bad I can eat jalapenos but a green bell pepper will put me on the want to die list.
All the best.

 

[LindseyAnne81]

Thanks. I have been following a low residue diet for about a year now, but I started that at the same time as starting Domperidone. Domperidone is an anti-nausea med that also works with motility, and my doctor started me on it with the assumption that I have gastroparesis. I'm now wondering if I feel so much less nausea because I am taking this medication, not because of the low-residue diet.

I think since next week is Spring Break (I'm a teacher), I will be doing some experimentation with my diet to see if I can widen it a little bit. I really miss fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Every now and then I crave a big greasy cheeseburger with onion rings, but I'm not foolish enough to go for one of those.

 

[seamus o'toole]

Baby steps on diet change and keep notes. That's my only real advice. I have been a lacto-ovo vegetarian for 40 years so I don't get the burger craving but I did have to finally give up any deep fried Chinese restaurant food and I do get a craving for good onion rings. Such is life.

Enjoy your break and good luck!

 

[UnXmas]

Thanks. I have been following a low residue diet for about a year now, but I started that at the same time as starting Domperidone. Domperidone is an anti-nausea med that also works with motility, and my doctor started me on it with the assumption that I have gastroparesis. I'm now wondering if I feel so much less nausea because I am taking this medication, not because of the low-residue diet.

I think since next week is Spring Break (I'm a teacher), I will be doing some experimentation with my diet to see if I can widen it a little bit. I really miss fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Every now and then I crave a big greasy cheeseburger with onion rings, but I'm not foolish enough to go for one of those.

I used to take domperidone too, as I also have gastroparesis, but after a while it stopped working for me. It is an anti-nausea med, so I think that may be what's helping you as a low-residue diet wouldn't help with nausea much, I wouldn't have thought.

 

[chicky402]

Hi. I have been doing a lot of research on diets for crohn's. I think it's just a matter of what your body tolerates and what triggers your flare ups. Also, if you are unsatisfied with what your GI doc is telling you don't be afraid to get a second opinion. I just got diagnosed a little over a month ago after surgery and Tuesday is my first visit to GI doctor after being diagnosed. If she is not informative and doesn't want to give me answers then I would go to a different doctor. Do your research and look up doctors and don't be afraid to doctor shop. I went a year with being so unbelievably sick and I wanted to die. I learned that it is best to keep seeing doctors and find the right one for you. Good luck.

 

[Justin1982]

I'm still undiagnosed, but my GI suspects Crohn's. He originally thought my symptoms might be caused by gastroparesis, but my gastric emptying study was inconclusive and I have had several symptoms come up that are more in line with Crohn's than GP.

I am following a GP diet and taking Domperidone. That combination has helped significantly with the daily nausea and weight loss I was experiencing. How is a Crohn's diet different than a GP diet? I eat a low-fiber, low fat diet. I tolerate dairy fats in moderation better than fats from meat. I greatly miss whole grains.

Disclaimer: Prior "Quack" of a dozen or so did a rapid gastric study and told me I had dumping syndrome. Dumping is common in people who have gastric bypass.

Cleveland Clinic in no shorter words told me the tests all dozen plus prior doctors had done were FULL OF CRAP.

Dumping study is NOT useful in diagnosing Crohn's. It'll just show the transit time of food. So if you have lots of Diarrhea, it'll be quick. No groundbreaking diagnosis.

Crohn's patients are a diverse group..... Since being on the upside right now, I'm able to eat more for the first time in my life. Actually gaining weight instead of a nose dive, too.

I personally avoid alcoholic beverages, carbonated drinks, raw vegetables, greens, spicy foods, onions, and beans. All those foods will make me regret the day I lived.

 

[seamus o'toole]

can't drink beer. carbonated drinks will often irritate. wine is acidy. Thank goodness hard liquor seems to sit fine. It actually settles things down. a drink not a bottle. True about the diversity I know more people that have crohns and diet is different. A few shared foods but after that everyone is different. So anyone with the perfect diet for everyone should be avoided.