32 replies to this topic

[ginsinnot]

I admit, I haven't had a colonoscopy while on the Whole30. And maybe Robin will have something to add...

But my thought would be, if your doctor says it's time for the scope, then it's time for the scope. It seems from my reading, medicine isn't "compliant" or "non-compliant". So the prep, really wouldn't be an issue on that front.

That said, I'm thinking there are a few things you could do to make things easier/smoother. So many preps now are short and supposedly "easier" as they don't require diet modifications and you just take the prep that "cleans" you out. I can't stand that, thos preps are way harder on the body.
A few days (at least 2) before the scope, I'd switch to soft foods. On the Whole30, that would look like more sweet potatos/squash and less of the leafy greens or raw veggies/fruit. More avocado. More eggs, less meat. More broth.
Obviously, the prep to empty your bowels for a clear picture, is going to clean things out, including the good bacteria. Following your scope, you could increase your intake of sauerkraut or add a probiotic supplement to encourage healthy flora.

Even before the scope, you could try more of the "soft" foods that are Whole30 and see if that gets things moving again.

Hope you feel better and your scope goes well.

[Robin Strathdee]

Gin said it all! That would be my advice, too. Maybe you could discuss your plans with your doctor and ask for a gentler prep in exchange for soft or liquid foods a few days before. I remember once, I had a kind nurse that agreed to give me the oral prep solution, but hold off on the enema and the long-release pill as I hadn't eaten in 3 days (in hospital). My guess is that they'll deal

Hope all goes well! Check in with us soon!
Gin - happy to see you!

[kdz2]

Hi All -

Hoping maybe some of you can help me out. I'm 26 years old and have had Crohn's for five years. I have been on several medications, including Prednisone, Asacol, and most recently, Humira, and stopped responding to it after about 2 years. Determined not to go on yet another dangerous medication, I started my first Whole30 at the end of February (my last day is this weekend!) and have followed the plan religiously. Although I have noticed changes in my energy, my Crohn's symptoms unfortunately have not subsided or changed. I am following the plan very strictly-well-cooked vegetables, steak/chicken/fish, mashed sweet potatoes, avocadoes, and have excluded eggs, nightshades, and nuts/seeds this whole time. I also supplement with gelatin cubes and take fermented cod liver oil and a probiotic. I know it's going to take longer than 30 days to heal, and I plan to stay on a plan like this, but it's getting frustrating not seeing any positive results

If anybody out there can relate, I would greatly appreciate your input. When you started to change your diet, what type of symptoms were you feeling/how long did it take for you to start noticing changes in them? As I said before, I know it will take awhile for me to start healing, as I had a horrible diet prior to starting this for a very long time. I just wanted to know if maybe there is a better way to approach this diet/lifestyle or if any changes could be made to help? I am looking into the SCD diet to gradually build up and see if I'm possibly eating something that does not agree with me, but will decide after reading some more on the plan...

Thank you!
-Kristin

[Robin Strathdee]

Hi Kristin!

It would help to see a typical day's worth of food for you, and to know which of the Crohn's symptoms you suffer from. I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling well, but I'm confident this change will help you in the long run.

[kdz2]

Hi Robin!

Typically for breakfast, I have 3-4 slices of uncured ham from Trader Joe's with some guacamole, and a banana. On the weekends, I usually do bacon and some mashed sweet potato. I also have a glass of "Nanogreens" by Biopharma (water w/ scoop of the green powder).

For lunch, it has been leftovers from any previous night's dinner, which has consisted of: baked chicken thighs glazed with Annie's organic mustard, coconut oil, and sea salt/sage, grilled grass-fed steak coated with olive oil and garlic salt/pepper, or baked fish with olive oil/salt/pepper/garlic. I also always have a side of steamed broccoli/cauliflower/asparagus to accompany.

I take two probiotic capsules + Vitamin D (5000 IU) in the morning and then two more probiotic capsules + 1 teaspoon of fermented cod liver oil in the evening. I also take Vitamin B12 daily.

As for my symptoms, I have cramping, urgency, loose stools (can usually notice vegetable fibers/skin), and lethargy (although my energy is better than before, it still takes a lot to walk distances and climb stairs). It also just feels like everything I eat just goes right through me and that I'm not getting the nutrients my body needs.

[Robin Strathdee]

It sounds like you totally have a handle on which veggies agree with you and how you need to cook them (I CANNOT do raw broccoli, for example). I might suggest some starchy veg in there to help slow things down just a bit, and maybe leaning toward the lower end of the fat recommendations to see if that helps with your motility and absorption. I also have to completely avoid nuts as they'll keep everything else from processing properly - so that's a good exclusion for you.

Just a strange observation: How long have you been taking your greens supplement? When I got sick the year before my diagnosis, my MIL had me trying to drink something similar and it tore me up. Seriously. My body could not handle it. Something to think about, I suppose...

My suggestion is to play with your fat and fiber contents and see if that helps. It will take some time, especially if you're struggling with a serious flare.

[Blythe]

Glad to know I am in the company of people who actually believe food has something to do with Crohns Disease!! I have had it for 19 years...I have been on everything but luckly no surgeries. I am currently on Remicade (about 5 years) and doing great, my scopes have been clean and my colon looks "perfect". With that said I want to stop my Remicade, it just scares me. The doctors say if you stop then your body builds up immunities and it may not work again. Obviously that scares me to death because it works so well for me! I am scared I am not disciplined enough to remain so restrictive(just being honest). I am on day 20 and feel GREAT...I can tell what does effect my stomach now, no nuts for me! Anyway, is there anyone out there that has stopped Remicade and had long term success on this awesome eating plan??

[Blythe]

Hi kdz2- can you tolerate eggs? that was always good for me when i had a flare.. i mixed them with a banana and cinnamon and made a "pancake", it worked for me. I also can not handle broccoli and always avoided red meat while I had a flare up. Sweet potatoes seem to be a safe option too....
I think it is great that you are trying this plan! I know how hard it is when you feel so bad...Hang in there!!!

[kdz2]

Hi Blythe!

Yes, I recently added eggs back into my diet (was avoiding them during the 30 days because I was following AIP), and I am doing fine - no reaction, thank goodness! I never really had a problem with them, but I took them out just to be safe. I have a hard time with vegetables, but can tolerate as long as they are very well-cooked. Thank you for the tips, I will keep them in mind!

My doctor is urging me to go on Remicade and that is the reason I started this lifestyle change. I really would like to try to get better through diet rather than strong medications. I go back to the doctor in two weeks after about two months since my last appointment. I plan to use this appointment as a gauge if this is working for me - hopefully my exam and blood panels will show improvement!

[kdz2]

Hi Robin,

Thanks so much for getting back to me - your suggestions are super helpful! I have been taking the greens supplement since about half way through my whole30 (so for a few weeks). I have wondered if it is beneficial for me or not because I really can't handle greens otherwise... maybe I will see if I notice any improvement if I take it out of my regimen.

What kind of starchy veggie would you suggest? That may be something I could use and help slow things down, as I am flaring. Mashed sweet potatoes seem to be okay for me, but is there anything else you think would be good?

Thanks!
Kristin

[lulucandoit!]

Some green supplements, like spirulina, are just one ingredient. It's easy to see if you respond well to it or not. Others contain a bunch of things and it is hard to figure out what, if anything, may be activating symptoms. I took one some years ago when I was very ill and it made me much worse. It was natural and a doctor has suggested it so it didn't occur to me for two weeks that it might be causing my worsening symptoms. Just something to think about.

[Robin Strathdee]

Since you're post W30, you might try adding in white potatoes without skins. Those have always been a comfort to my digestive system (and my emotions).

Here's a short list - I'd suggest experimenting with these individually (and of course, well cooked) to see if any of them meet your requirements or make things worse.

Winter Squash, Carrots, Beets, Parsnips, Rutabaga, Turnip, Celery Root, Yucca, Taro, Plantain and Jicama

[kdz2]

Thanks Robin! Soft white potatoes sound amazing right now I will try those gradually and see how things go!