What food slows down transit time?

[TexasCoach]

Post Right Hemi Colectomy

 

[ronroush7]

Have you done a food diary to see what foods aggravate your gut?

 

[Grant]

Hi TexasCoach, after my 1st major surgery which was a right hemi I was ill prepared for the deluge of diarrhea that followed. I saw my GP who suggested some moderately fibrous cereal. And it worked. I would never do it again after my history of strictures nowadays.
And maybe a small dose of Loperamide might be in order.
Best Wishes
Grant

 

[TexasCoach]

Hi TexasCoach, after my 1st major surgery which was a right hemi I was ill prepared for the deluge of diarrhea that followed. I saw my GP who suggested some moderately fibrous cereal. And it worked. I would never do it again after my history of strictures nowadays.
And maybe a small dose of Loperamide might be in order.
Best Wishes
Grant

Im taking dose of that.

 

[shamrock15]

Didn't see this before. Here's a list of some foods I eat to slow things down a little. Beef, potatoes, banana bread, special k cereal. Don't go overboard on water as large amounts can cause flushing. Excess chocolate can also lead to flushing.

 

[If*]

Hello, it can be an experiment with what does and doesn't help/work. Especially early on. Did you loose your ileo valve? It can change transit time for some.

Proteins that are lean, if you eat meat. Chicken, skinless. Tofu, like in Miso soup.
Eggs. Yogurts without added sugars.

Fats can not absorb properly causing excess d to start with after a resection. I would use caution of fast foods, deep fried, oily items. However, I lean towards healthy fats because they are a necessary for better health/nutrition. Example, fish like salmon, organic butter grass fed for K. Peanut butter, Almond butter. Also coconut oil once progressed healing after resection.

Starches like potatoes, baked can help some. Breads made with nut flours. Well cooked legumes.

Fruits like bananas, mangos are very fibrous.

Trying to bulk too fast after a resection can cause wind pain. I would use caution. It is a healing process, and in time the body can adjust. A food diary can help, but if it is early things can change. So try not to let your diet shrink too much.

I don't know if they prescribe the medication that is a bile salt binder/absorber, I have forgotten the name. It can help with transit time, but can wear off suddenly, so try not to ignore the gurgle warning.

Also fast transit foods can cause excess wind and a foul odor from undigested foods. Too much sugar can also do this in some.
Also stay hydrated, I don't believe water causes more d. Sugary beverages are likely to cause more d. Proper fluid intake is important for electrolyte balance.

Be well, God bless.

 

[pnwgirl]

Have they talked to you about a low-residue diet?

 

[TexasCoach]

Have they talked to you about a low-residue diet?

I have done low residue, right afterwards.
I think potatoes help.
I go about 3/4 times a day, nothing solid.
It seems like water, liquids seem to be the biggest culprit.

 

[Grant]

Hello, it can be an experiment with what does and doesn't help/work. Especially early on. Did you loose your ileo valve? It can change transit time for some.

Proteins that are lean, if you eat meat. Chicken, skinless. Tofu, like in Miso soup.
Eggs. Yogurts without added sugars.

Fats can not absorb properly causing excess d to start with after a resection. I would use caution of fast foods, deep fried, oily items. However, I lean towards healthy fats because they are a necessary for better health/nutrition. Example, fish like salmon, organic butter grass fed for K. Peanut butter, Almond butter. Also coconut oil once progressed healing after resection.

Starches like potatoes, baked can help some. Breads made with nut flours. Well cooked legumes.

Fruits like bananas, mangos are very fibrous.

Trying to bulk too fast after a resection can cause wind pain. I would use caution. It is a healing process, and in time the body can adjust. A food diary can help, but if it is early things can change. So try not to let your diet shrink too much.

I don't know if they prescribe the medication that is a bile salt binder/absorber, I have forgotten the name. It can help with transit time, but can wear off suddenly, so try not to ignore the gurgle warning.

Also fast transit foods can cause excess wind and a foul odor from undigested foods. Too much sugar can also do this in some.
Also stay hydrated, I don't believe water causes more d. Sugary beverages are likely to cause more d. Proper fluid intake is important for electrolyte balance.

Be well, God bless.

The medication that is a bile salt binder absorber is cholestyramine. Manufactured as Questran here in UK.
It does work but fatty foods lead to it losing effectiveness.
The other thing is if like me you have suffered with strictures then fibrous fruits are out. My diet is mainly low residue with a lot of fatty food, I dont eat healthily but have been told to not worry about cholestrol as my transit time is very fast.
I do miss fruit & fibrous cereal's though, also nuts & mushrooms in particular.
Rgds
Grant

 

[If*]

Hi Grant, thank u, that was the med. It can be a hindsight thing for some, fatty foods and transit. Not sure if you still have your gallbladder, but too much fatty foods and fast transit often after a resection(s)can cause gallstones or gallbladder issues. Not for all, but as a heads up. It makes diet, eating kinda tricky and annoying.

Once the gallbladder is gone it can make eating even more challenging.

ita with fiber and strictures, grrr another pain in the butt.

I totally get you gotta eat to live
Too much fun, (not)

Be well, God bless.

 

[Grant]

Hi If*. I have an additional problem & I suspect its not uncommon amongst longterm Crohns patients. After being on & off steroids for over 30yrs I now have an osteopena in my left hip. The Dr's recommend plenty of calcium rich foods like cheese on a daily basis, which of course can cause kidney stones.
When I embarked on this journey over 30yrs ago never did I believe things could be so complicated.
Best Wishes
Grant

 

[shamrock15]

Grant - watch out for oxalates in your diet. I know chocolate and red meat are two big sources and I love both of them. Dramatically reduced intake of both as I have had stones. Has the doctor done a bone density scan for you?

 

[Grant]

Hi shamrock15, I've had 2 bone density scans. My spine is fine & the osteopena in my left hip remains small thankfully. Its so difficult to know what to eat @ times. I have a lot of red meat & chocolate:ybiggrin: I need to keep my weight up because when I lose it I lose it very quickly. I dont think there are any easy answers, particularly after multiple surgeries. Seems to me the more bowel one loses the less options are available. I mean I've had to give up Red Wine :ymad: as well & thats very annoying as I love it, but it just destroys my insides & gives me appalling diarrohea. So another thing on the "banned list".
Grant

 

[If*]

Wow, the lovely 'banned' list. Oh my gosh it can get pretty long. I don't drink any alcohol at all, not worth the pain.
I can/do drop weight fast too, and it becomes a eat or die situation. So, out the window goes 'healthy' at times. I like chocolate too and LOVE Cheese, like havarti and provolone. OMgosh heat it up on a tortilla and yum!

I had thought i read a k supplement can help with oxalates? I take one with the d3.

you gotta eat to live, so do your best til you can do better
this is a really weird illness, as it is so not consistent, other then being crap.

be well, God bless.

 

[shamrock15]

Have you had your kidneys scanned yet to see if there are any stones forming?

Aside from that, it sounds like we have traveled a lot of the same road Grant. Right now things are looking much better over here. After stone attacks about every six months for almost three years I have now gone a year without any issue. Maybe things are improving. I think one key was no longer being on pred. I think its scavenging of calcium from my bones was a big factor in my stone formation. If I get any more scans done (none scheduled, woohoo!!) I will hopefully get that confirmed.

 

[Al X]

Is dairy..ie cows milk and its products..a definite no no ? how about goats milk and associated products..new to this all and desperately seeking..lol..alex

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

Shamrock, that makes so much sense about pred robbing calcium from the bones. I've been on pred for a few months and my fingernails have definitely become much softer, so I figured it must be a calcium thing, but I wasn't sure if I just wasn't absorbing it due to the flare or what. And I knew that pred can rob muscle and bone mass so I really should have put two and two together (I think pred is affecting my ability to think as well, hah). I just tapered down to 9 mg, I started at 40 mg and now I'm tapering down by 1 mg every 5 days, so I'll be off of it reasonably soon.

Alex, the short answer is that we're all different, so you'll need to figure out what works for you. Personally, I am lactose intolerant and don't do well with cow dairy, but goat cheeses don't give me any trouble. I've been eating goat cheese almost every day lately without issue. I've also done fine with soy yogurts and almond milk. Since you're new to this and aren't sure what foods are affecting you, I'd recommend that you keep a food diary. Write down everything you eat and what symptoms you have, how many bowel movements per day and what consistency, etc. That will help you figure out any potential trigger foods so you'll know what you can eat and what to avoid. I've been in a flare since July and I've been journaling everything and it's been extremely helpful to me. I confirmed some things I already knew (like, corn products give me gas) and I learned some new things (gelatin is not my friend). I'm also tracking things like my weight and my prednisone taper in my journal. So start journaling, it's very helpful!

 

[Grant]

Hi Shamock15. Not my kidneys in particular no. I'll cross that bridge should it happen I guess.
Rgds
Grant

 

[TexasCoach]

It seems like I can not pinpoint anything, I have had like 4 solid bowel movements in 4 months since surgery.

 

[Al X]

Shamrock, that makes so much sense about pred robbing calcium from the bones. I've been on pred for a few months and my fingernails have definitely become much softer, so I figured it must be a calcium thing, but I wasn't sure if I just wasn't absorbing it due to the flare or what. And I knew that pred can rob muscle and bone mass so I really should have put two and two together (I think pred is affecting my ability to think as well, hah). I just tapered down to 9 mg, I started at 40 mg and now I'm tapering down by 1 mg every 5 days, so I'll be off of it reasonably soon.

Alex, the short answer is that we're all different, so you'll need to figure out what works for you. Personally, I am lactose intolerant and don't do well with cow dairy, but goat cheeses don't give me any trouble. I've been eating goat cheese almost every day lately without issue. I've also done fine with soy yogurts and almond milk. Since you're new to this and aren't sure what foods are affecting you, I'd recommend that you keep a food diary. Write down everything you eat and what symptoms you have, how many bowel movements per day and what consistency, etc. That will help you figure out any potential trigger foods so you'll know what you can eat and what to avoid. I've been in a flare since July and I've been journaling everything and it's been extremely helpful to me. I confirmed some things I already knew (like, corn products give me gas) and I learned some new things (gelatin is not my friend). I'm also tracking things like my weight and my prednisone taper in my journal. So start journaling, it's very helpful!

thanks for the advice..gonna start a diary asap..i wonder how honest it will be..lol..alex

 

[shamrock15]

Sorry - one other kidney risk that I just remembered - large doses of vitamin D have also been indicated as a risk. At the time I was on my pred I was also taking it. Be careful if you are potentially a stone former.