Seeking flare-up advice

[Guest guest]

I seem to be having another flare-up, and I'd like to avoid going

back on Prednisone, or even worse ending up in the hospital as I

have several times before. If any among you have some advice to

offer please do.

I've been with IBD/UC since the beginning of 2005, in the

hospital about three times, and on and off of Prednisone steroids

too many times to count. Having read about the Specific

Carbohydrate Diet and experiencing a flare-up in October 2008 I

decided that I should try something different, because I wanted

to put a stop to these problems even if it meant removal of my

large intestine, but would of course prefer to avoid that if

possible.... and so I began the SCD at the start of November.

At about the same time that I was starting the SCD I was advised

by my gastrointestinal specialist to increase my Prednisone

dosage from 20 mg per day to 40 mg per day, due to my flare-up at

that time continuing and not getting better. Within about a week

of being at the 40 mg level, and about 3 days into SCD, I started

to feel a lot better and my flare-up seemed to have suspended.

I observed blood output only twice (in December), and then not

again for a couple of months.

In February I saw blood again, got worried, and went on the SCD

starter diet, which in my case involved some legal soup and

ground beef (as described in the BTVC book)... the blood seemed

to go away.

On 26 February I took my last Prednisone (a 2.5 mg pill) over a

very slow and gradual tapering off process. On 15 March I saw a

small amount of blood again, and again for a few days thereafter;

then nothing for about 8 days, and then after that (28 March) I

started seeing more blood and more regularly. At this point in

time now I've visited the restroom 3 times (so far) with more

blood being observed in slightly increasing amounts.

Over the last 2 days I've been watching what I eat, which in my

case has comprised of the following solids and liquids:

- ground beef burgers with salt and some Tabasco sauce, about 2

meals per day

- coffee with honey, about 3 or 4 cups per day

- water

I'm wondering if there is anything else that I should try, and

then at what point I should start back on the Prednisone? I

would rather avoid it, but then I'd rather start back on that

instead of ending up in the hospital yet again.

My current medications include Asacol (I've gradually decreased

from 9 per day to 7 per day, decreasing at a rate of 1 pill about

every 2 or 3 months), and recently Darvocet for pain.

Thank you for any advice that you can offer.

cmd@...

Kansas City

[Guest guest]

The things that stuck out to me about what you're eating now were the tabasco sauce and the coffee. I'm not sure what SCD has to say about those two, but if you want my opinion, I would NOT eat those two things! Even the thought makes me cringe. Are you eating any fruits and veggies? Unless you have a serious problem with fructose, I would try some banana and maybe some squash or even applesauce. Also, I think fish is easier to digest than beef, so you may want to decrease your beef and add some fish, or maybe egg whites. (the yolks are inflammatory.) Be sure to drink plenty of water, ESPECIALLY if you're having so much coffee, since caffiene can be dehydrating.Good Luck!ALyssaI seem to be having another flare-up, and I'd like to avoid goingback on Prednisone, or even worse ending up in the hospital as Ihave several times before. If any among you have some advice tooffer please do.I've been with IBD/UC since the beginning of 2005, in thehospital about three times, and on and off of Prednisone steroidstoo many times to count. Having read about the SpecificCarbohydrate Diet and experiencing a flare-up in October 2008 Idecided that I should try something different, because I wantedto put a stop to these problems even if it meant removal of mylarge intestine, but would of course prefer to avoid that ifpossible.... and so I began the SCD at the start of November.At about the same time that I was starting the SCD I was advisedby my gastrointestinal specialist to increase my Prednisonedosage from 20 mg per day to 40 mg per day, due to my flare-up atthat time continuing and not getting better. Within about a weekof being at the 40 mg level, and about 3 days into SCD, I startedto feel a lot better and my flare-up seemed to have suspended.I observed blood output only twice (in December), and then notagain for a couple of months.In February I saw blood again, got worried, and went on the SCDstarter diet, which in my case involved some legal soup andground beef (as described in the BTVC book)... the blood seemedto go away.On 26 February I took my last Prednisone (a 2.5 mg pill) over avery slow and gradual tapering off process. On 15 March I saw asmall amount of blood again, and again for a few days thereafter;then nothing for about 8 days, and then after that (28 March) Istarted seeing more blood and more regularly. At this point intime now I've visited the restroom 3 times (so far) with moreblood being observed in slightly increasing amounts.Over the last 2 days I've been watching what I eat, which in mycase has comprised of the following solids and liquids:- ground beef burgers with salt and some Tabasco sauce, about 2meals per day- coffee with honey, about 3 or 4 cups per day- waterI'm wondering if there is anything else that I should try, andthen at what point I should start back on the Prednisone? Iwould rather avoid it, but then I'd rather start back on thatinstead of ending up in the hospital yet again.My current medications include Asacol (I've gradually decreasedfrom 9 per day to 7 per day, decreasing at a rate of 1 pill aboutevery 2 or 3 months), and recently Darvocet for pain.Thank you for any advice that you can offer.cmd@...Kansas City

[Guest guest]

At 07:34 PM 4/1/2009, you wrote:

The things that stuck out to me

about what you're eating now were the tabasco sauce and the coffee. I'm

not sure what SCD has to say about those two, but if you want my opinion,

I would NOT eat those two things! Even the thought makes me cringe. Are

you eating any fruits and veggies? Unless you have a serious problem with

fructose, I would try some banana and maybe some squash or even

applesauce. Also, I think fish is easier to digest than beef, so you may

want to decrease your beef and add some fish, or maybe egg whites. (the

yolks are inflammatory.) Be sure to drink plenty of water, ESPECIALLY if

you're having so much coffee, since caffiene can be

dehydrating.

Red Tabasco sause, from the Mcilheney CO. is SCD-legal, thought not

recommended for everyone. Regular coffee is legal, although I

personally prefer tea. (Both coffee and tea should be diluted.)

Fruits and vegetables must be peeled, seeded and cooked at the beginning

of the diet -- and this is also a good idea any time one is having a

flare.

I'm not sure where you got the statement that egg yolks are inflammatory

and bad -- they are not a problem on SCD. Some individuals may be

sensitive, but egg yolks, particularly from pastured eggs, are full of

nutrients.

Corn-fed beef is sometimes a problem for people -- in which case,

grass-fed and finished beef or bison is worthwhile.

Fish is not necessarily easier to digest.

—

Marilyn

New

Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001

Darn Good SCD Cook

No Human Children

Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund

[Guest guest]

I read about the egg yolks in a book about inflammation. I never said the yolks were bad, just that they were inflammatory. Also, in BTVC didn't it say to avoid eggs if D is present? I took that to mean that it could make it worse, and since I never read anything bad about egg whites but I did about egg yolks, so that was just the conclusion I came to. I'm sorry if my opinions are wrong sometimes, Everyone, please keep in mind that I am ONLY 15 so take my opinions with a grain of salt (or a handful for that matter =) ) I will admit that I am new to the SCD and I got much of my info from other sources, but at this point I'm trying to pull together info from all different sources to gain optimum health. Again, please remember that everything I suggest on here is merely that- a suggestion, just something that you could search for further online to learn more about.AlyssaAt 07:34 PM 4/1/2009, you wrote:The things that stuck out to me about what you're eating now were the tabasco sauce and the coffee. I'm not sure what SCD has to say about those two, but if you want my opinion, I would NOT eat those two things! Even the thought makes me cringe. Are you eating any fruits and veggies? Unless you have a serious problem with fructose, I would try some banana and maybe some squash or even applesauce. Also, I think fish is easier to digest than beef, so you may want to decrease your beef and add some fish, or maybe egg whites. (the yolks are inflammatory.) Be sure to drink plenty of water, ESPECIALLY if you're having so much coffee, since caffiene can be dehydrating.Red Tabasco sause, from the Mcilheney CO. is SCD-legal, thought not recommended for everyone. Regular coffee is legal, although I personally prefer tea. (Both coffee and tea should be diluted.)Fruits and vegetables must be peeled, seeded and cooked at the beginning of the diet -- and this is also a good idea any time one is having a flare.I'm not sure where you got the statement that egg yolks are inflammatory and bad -- they are not a problem on SCD. Some individuals may be sensitive, but egg yolks, particularly from pastured eggs, are full of nutrients.Corn-fed beef is sometimes a problem for people -- in which case, grass-fed and finished beef or bison is worthwhile.Fish is not necessarily easier to digest.— Marilyn New Orleans, Louisiana, USA Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001 Darn Good SCD Cook No Human Children Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund

[Guest guest]

I read about the egg yolks in a book about inflammation. I never said the yolks were bad, just that they were inflammatory. Also, in BTVC didn't it say to avoid eggs if D is present? I took that to mean that it could make it worse, and since I never read anything bad about egg whites but I did about egg yolks, so that was just the conclusion I came to. I'm sorry if my opinions are wrong sometimes, Everyone, please keep in mind that I am ONLY 15 so take my opinions with a grain of salt (or a handful for that matter =) ) I will admit that I am new to the SCD and I got much of my info from other sources, but at this point I'm trying to pull together info from all different sources to gain optimum health. Again, please remember that everything I suggest on here is merely that- a suggestion, just something that you could search for further online to learn more about.AlyssaAt 07:34 PM 4/1/2009, you wrote:The things that stuck out to me about what you're eating now were the tabasco sauce and the coffee. I'm not sure what SCD has to say about those two, but if you want my opinion, I would NOT eat those two things! Even the thought makes me cringe. Are you eating any fruits and veggies? Unless you have a serious problem with fructose, I would try some banana and maybe some squash or even applesauce. Also, I think fish is easier to digest than beef, so you may want to decrease your beef and add some fish, or maybe egg whites. (the yolks are inflammatory.) Be sure to drink plenty of water, ESPECIALLY if you're having so much coffee, since caffiene can be dehydrating.Red Tabasco sause, from the Mcilheney CO. is SCD-legal, thought not recommended for everyone. Regular coffee is legal, although I personally prefer tea. (Both coffee and tea should be diluted.)Fruits and vegetables must be peeled, seeded and cooked at the beginning of the diet -- and this is also a good idea any time one is having a flare.I'm not sure where you got the statement that egg yolks are inflammatory and bad -- they are not a problem on SCD. Some individuals may be sensitive, but egg yolks, particularly from pastured eggs, are full of nutrients.Corn-fed beef is sometimes a problem for people -- in which case, grass-fed and finished beef or bison is worthwhile.Fish is not necessarily easier to digest.— Marilyn New Orleans, Louisiana, USA Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001 Darn Good SCD Cook No Human Children Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund

[Guest guest]

At 08:10 PM 4/1/2009, you wrote:

I read about the egg yolks in a

book about inflammation. I never said the yolks were bad, just that they

were inflammatory. Also, in BTVC didn't it say to avoid eggs if D is

present? I took that to mean that it could make it worse, and since I

never read anything bad about egg whites but I did about egg yolks, so

that was just the conclusion I came to.

Elaine did say to avoid eggs if diarrhea was an issue, although, as with

many things, it can be very individual. For instance, on the intro diet,

I did not tolerate the carrots at all, but I was fine with eggs! Also,

some people find that they need eggs from pastured hens, because the

composition of the egg can be different. Likewise, the composition of

duck or goose eggs can be different from chicken eggs.

>> I'm sorry if my opinions are wrong sometimes, Everyone, please

keep in mind that I am ONLY 15 so take my opinions with a grain of salt

(or a handful for that matter =) ) I will admit that I am new to the SCD

and I got much of my info from other sources, but at this point I'm

trying to pull together info from all different sources to gain optimum

health.

Again, please remember that everything I suggest on here is merely that-

a suggestion, just something that you could search for further online to

learn more about. <<

Many of us come to SCD having studied elsewhere. <g> I wish I had

had as much information pulled together when I was fifteen as you do.

So... you're just going to have to accept that with the intelligence you

have and the amount of research you have put in, you will frequently find

yourself being treated as older than your biological years. Don't take it

as an insult -- take it as a compliment!

—

Marilyn

New

Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Undiagnosed IBS since 1976, SCD since 2001

Darn Good SCD Cook

No Human Children

Shadow & Sunny Longhair Dachshund

[Guest guest]

> I read about the egg yolks in a book about inflammation. I never

> said the yolks were bad, just that they were inflammatory. Also, in

> BTVC didn't it say to avoid eggs if D is present? I took that to

> mean that it could make it worse, and since I never read anything

> bad about egg whites but I did about egg yolks, so that was just the

> conclusion I came to.

Its the other way - the whites are more likely to be inflammatory than

the yolks.

Of course, this doesn't mean they will have any effect on you at all.

You could test it on yourself to

know. Because they are a really beneficial food as long as you are

not reactive.

If I couldn't eat eggs - I would be one miserable SCDer myself. Turns

out the eggs

were more basic to my diet than the dairy -

> I'm sorry if my opinions are wrong sometimes, Everyone, please keep

> in mind that I am ONLY 15 so take my opinions with a grain of salt

> (or a handful for that matter =) ) I will admit that I am new to the

> SCD and I got much of my info from other sources, but at this point

> I'm trying to pull together info from all different sources to gain

> optimum health.

You are doing great. It's fantastic that you are so motivated to take

care of yourself

and have done so much research. And we all start out as newbies at

some point.

While you are researching options for yourself, you might want to

check out LDN, it

works well for UC.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/lowdosenaltrexone/

Mara

[Guest guest]

> I read about the egg yolks in a book about inflammation. I never

> said the yolks were bad, just that they were inflammatory. Also, in

> BTVC didn't it say to avoid eggs if D is present? I took that to

> mean that it could make it worse, and since I never read anything

> bad about egg whites but I did about egg yolks, so that was just the

> conclusion I came to.

Its the other way - the whites are more likely to be inflammatory than

the yolks.

Of course, this doesn't mean they will have any effect on you at all.

You could test it on yourself to

know. Because they are a really beneficial food as long as you are

not reactive.

If I couldn't eat eggs - I would be one miserable SCDer myself. Turns

out the eggs

were more basic to my diet than the dairy -

> I'm sorry if my opinions are wrong sometimes, Everyone, please keep

> in mind that I am ONLY 15 so take my opinions with a grain of salt

> (or a handful for that matter =) ) I will admit that I am new to the

> SCD and I got much of my info from other sources, but at this point

> I'm trying to pull together info from all different sources to gain

> optimum health.

You are doing great. It's fantastic that you are so motivated to take

care of yourself

and have done so much research. And we all start out as newbies at

some point.

While you are researching options for yourself, you might want to

check out LDN, it

works well for UC.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/lowdosenaltrexone/

Mara

[Guest guest]

Before I continue with my next questions, here are my responses

to some of the questions and advice given:

Thank you Steve for sharing your experiences with Asacol,

Colazal, Prednisone and Remicaid.

Thank you Marilyn for additional feedback regarding coffee,

Tabasco sauce, fruits, vegetables, eggs, beef and fish.

Thank you Amy and for your feedback regarding my Asacol

dosage changes, and trying possible mesalamine alternatives prior

to going back on prednisone. I do realize that the intention of

Asacol is to take it consistently over one's lifetime, as it is

intended to encourage an increased duration of remission. My own

personal theory which has led me to very slowly decreasing my

dosage is based on the SCD theory/belief/experiment that some of

the medicines I'm taking could be interfering with the gradual

improvements to be seen while on the SCD. My hope is that I,

like some who have been on the SCD, can very slowly decrease my

Asacol consumption until I'm taking none, but only after I have

been on the SCD for 2 to 3 years, and only if I am not having

recurring flare-ups. This is largely dependent upon me passing

the 2 to 3-year mark, to see if SCD proves to be beneficial for

keeping me in remission. At this time I'm 5 months into the SCD.

Thank you Francie for your helpful information about Curcumin and

Slippery Elm. Although SCD recognizes Slippery Elm as bad (on

the " illegal " list), I might still try using this if my flare-up

doesn't come to a stop soon, as this might be better than getting

stuck on prednisone steroids again and then having to taper off

over a 3 to 4-month period of time. I can only hope that the bad

aspects (from an SCD perspective) don't set me back too far on my

progress with being on the SCD over the past 5 months.

Here are my next couple of questions:

Does anyone have any experiences to share regarding their use of

Low Does Naltrexone (LDN) with regards to treating IBD/UC, in the

manner described at the following web-site?

http://www.lowdosenaltrexone.org/

Given that I am trying to stay on the severely restricted starter

diet (at the beginning of SCD), can anyone offer advice as to

whether or not I should consume homemade SCD-style yogurt? I ask

because in the BTVC book it states that yogurt is allowed during

the starter diet in the cheesecake recipe.

cmd@...

Kansas City

Seeking flare-up advice

I seem to be having another flare-up, and I'd like to avoid going

back on Prednisone, or even worse ending up in the hospital as I

have several times before. If any among you have some advice to

offer please do.

I've been with IBD/UC since the beginning of 2005, in the

hospital about three times, and on and off of Prednisone steroids

too many times to count. Having read about the Specific

Carbohydrate Diet and experiencing a flare-up in October 2008 I

decided that I should try something different, because I wanted

to put a stop to these problems even if it meant removal of my

large intestine, but would of course prefer to avoid that if

possible.... and so I began the SCD at the start of November.

At about the same time that I was starting the SCD I was advised

by my gastrointestinal specialist to increase my Prednisone

dosage from 20 mg per day to 40 mg per day, due to my flare-up at

that time continuing and not getting better. Within about a week

of being at the 40 mg level, and about 3 days into SCD, I started

to feel a lot better and my flare-up seemed to have suspended.

I observed blood output only twice (in December), and then not

again for a couple of months.

In February I saw blood again, got worried, and went on the SCD

starter diet, which in my case involved some legal soup and

ground beef (as described in the BTVC book)... the blood seemed

to go away.

On 26 February I took my last Prednisone (a 2.5 mg pill) over a

very slow and gradual tapering off process. On 15 March I saw a

small amount of blood again, and again for a few days thereafter;

then nothing for about 8 days, and then after that (28 March) I

started seeing more blood and more regularly. At this point in

time now I've visited the restroom 3 times (so far) with more

blood being observed in slightly increasing amounts.

Over the last 2 days I've been watching what I eat, which in my

case has comprised of the following solids and liquids:

- ground beef burgers with salt and some Tabasco sauce, about 2

meals per day

- coffee with honey, about 3 or 4 cups per day

- water

I'm wondering if there is anything else that I should try, and

then at what point I should start back on the Prednisone? I

would rather avoid it, but then I'd rather start back on that

instead of ending up in the hospital yet again.

My current medications include Asacol (I've gradually decreased

from 9 per day to 7 per day, decreasing at a rate of 1 pill about

every 2 or 3 months), and recently Darvocet for pain.

Thank you for any advice that you can offer.

cmd@...

Kansas City

[Guest guest]

Before I continue with my next questions, here are my responses

to some of the questions and advice given:

Thank you Steve for sharing your experiences with Asacol,

Colazal, Prednisone and Remicaid.

Thank you Marilyn for additional feedback regarding coffee,

Tabasco sauce, fruits, vegetables, eggs, beef and fish.

Thank you Amy and for your feedback regarding my Asacol

dosage changes, and trying possible mesalamine alternatives prior

to going back on prednisone. I do realize that the intention of

Asacol is to take it consistently over one's lifetime, as it is

intended to encourage an increased duration of remission. My own

personal theory which has led me to very slowly decreasing my

dosage is based on the SCD theory/belief/experiment that some of

the medicines I'm taking could be interfering with the gradual

improvements to be seen while on the SCD. My hope is that I,

like some who have been on the SCD, can very slowly decrease my

Asacol consumption until I'm taking none, but only after I have

been on the SCD for 2 to 3 years, and only if I am not having

recurring flare-ups. This is largely dependent upon me passing

the 2 to 3-year mark, to see if SCD proves to be beneficial for

keeping me in remission. At this time I'm 5 months into the SCD.

Thank you Francie for your helpful information about Curcumin and

Slippery Elm. Although SCD recognizes Slippery Elm as bad (on

the " illegal " list), I might still try using this if my flare-up

doesn't come to a stop soon, as this might be better than getting

stuck on prednisone steroids again and then having to taper off

over a 3 to 4-month period of time. I can only hope that the bad

aspects (from an SCD perspective) don't set me back too far on my

progress with being on the SCD over the past 5 months.

Here are my next couple of questions:

Does anyone have any experiences to share regarding their use of

Low Does Naltrexone (LDN) with regards to treating IBD/UC, in the

manner described at the following web-site?

http://www.lowdosenaltrexone.org/

Given that I am trying to stay on the severely restricted starter

diet (at the beginning of SCD), can anyone offer advice as to

whether or not I should consume homemade SCD-style yogurt? I ask

because in the BTVC book it states that yogurt is allowed during

the starter diet in the cheesecake recipe.

cmd@...

Kansas City

Seeking flare-up advice

I seem to be having another flare-up, and I'd like to avoid going

back on Prednisone, or even worse ending up in the hospital as I

have several times before. If any among you have some advice to

offer please do.

I've been with IBD/UC since the beginning of 2005, in the

hospital about three times, and on and off of Prednisone steroids

too many times to count. Having read about the Specific

Carbohydrate Diet and experiencing a flare-up in October 2008 I

decided that I should try something different, because I wanted

to put a stop to these problems even if it meant removal of my

large intestine, but would of course prefer to avoid that if

possible.... and so I began the SCD at the start of November.

At about the same time that I was starting the SCD I was advised

by my gastrointestinal specialist to increase my Prednisone

dosage from 20 mg per day to 40 mg per day, due to my flare-up at

that time continuing and not getting better. Within about a week

of being at the 40 mg level, and about 3 days into SCD, I started

to feel a lot better and my flare-up seemed to have suspended.

I observed blood output only twice (in December), and then not

again for a couple of months.

In February I saw blood again, got worried, and went on the SCD

starter diet, which in my case involved some legal soup and

ground beef (as described in the BTVC book)... the blood seemed

to go away.

On 26 February I took my last Prednisone (a 2.5 mg pill) over a

very slow and gradual tapering off process. On 15 March I saw a

small amount of blood again, and again for a few days thereafter;

then nothing for about 8 days, and then after that (28 March) I

started seeing more blood and more regularly. At this point in

time now I've visited the restroom 3 times (so far) with more

blood being observed in slightly increasing amounts.

Over the last 2 days I've been watching what I eat, which in my

case has comprised of the following solids and liquids:

- ground beef burgers with salt and some Tabasco sauce, about 2

meals per day

- coffee with honey, about 3 or 4 cups per day

- water

I'm wondering if there is anything else that I should try, and

then at what point I should start back on the Prednisone? I

would rather avoid it, but then I'd rather start back on that

instead of ending up in the hospital yet again.

My current medications include Asacol (I've gradually decreased

from 9 per day to 7 per day, decreasing at a rate of 1 pill about

every 2 or 3 months), and recently Darvocet for pain.

Thank you for any advice that you can offer.

cmd@...

Kansas City

[Guest guest]

Before I continue with my next questions, here are my responses

to some of the questions and advice given:

Thank you Steve for sharing your experiences with Asacol,

Colazal, Prednisone and Remicaid.

Thank you Marilyn for additional feedback regarding coffee,

Tabasco sauce, fruits, vegetables, eggs, beef and fish.

Thank you Amy and for your feedback regarding my Asacol

dosage changes, and trying possible mesalamine alternatives prior

to going back on prednisone. I do realize that the intention of

Asacol is to take it consistently over one's lifetime, as it is

intended to encourage an increased duration of remission. My own

personal theory which has led me to very slowly decreasing my

dosage is based on the SCD theory/belief/experiment that some of

the medicines I'm taking could be interfering with the gradual

improvements to be seen while on the SCD. My hope is that I,

like some who have been on the SCD, can very slowly decrease my

Asacol consumption until I'm taking none, but only after I have

been on the SCD for 2 to 3 years, and only if I am not having

recurring flare-ups. This is largely dependent upon me passing

the 2 to 3-year mark, to see if SCD proves to be beneficial for

keeping me in remission. At this time I'm 5 months into the SCD.

Thank you Francie for your helpful information about Curcumin and

Slippery Elm. Although SCD recognizes Slippery Elm as bad (on

the " illegal " list), I might still try using this if my flare-up

doesn't come to a stop soon, as this might be better than getting

stuck on prednisone steroids again and then having to taper off

over a 3 to 4-month period of time. I can only hope that the bad

aspects (from an SCD perspective) don't set me back too far on my

progress with being on the SCD over the past 5 months.

Here are my next couple of questions:

Does anyone have any experiences to share regarding their use of

Low Does Naltrexone (LDN) with regards to treating IBD/UC, in the

manner described at the following web-site?

http://www.lowdosenaltrexone.org/

Given that I am trying to stay on the severely restricted starter

diet (at the beginning of SCD), can anyone offer advice as to

whether or not I should consume homemade SCD-style yogurt? I ask

because in the BTVC book it states that yogurt is allowed during

the starter diet in the cheesecake recipe.

cmd@...

Kansas City

Seeking flare-up advice

I seem to be having another flare-up, and I'd like to avoid going

back on Prednisone, or even worse ending up in the hospital as I

have several times before. If any among you have some advice to

offer please do.

I've been with IBD/UC since the beginning of 2005, in the

hospital about three times, and on and off of Prednisone steroids

too many times to count. Having read about the Specific

Carbohydrate Diet and experiencing a flare-up in October 2008 I

decided that I should try something different, because I wanted

to put a stop to these problems even if it meant removal of my

large intestine, but would of course prefer to avoid that if

possible.... and so I began the SCD at the start of November.

At about the same time that I was starting the SCD I was advised

by my gastrointestinal specialist to increase my Prednisone

dosage from 20 mg per day to 40 mg per day, due to my flare-up at

that time continuing and not getting better. Within about a week

of being at the 40 mg level, and about 3 days into SCD, I started

to feel a lot better and my flare-up seemed to have suspended.

I observed blood output only twice (in December), and then not

again for a couple of months.

In February I saw blood again, got worried, and went on the SCD

starter diet, which in my case involved some legal soup and

ground beef (as described in the BTVC book)... the blood seemed

to go away.

On 26 February I took my last Prednisone (a 2.5 mg pill) over a

very slow and gradual tapering off process. On 15 March I saw a

small amount of blood again, and again for a few days thereafter;

then nothing for about 8 days, and then after that (28 March) I

started seeing more blood and more regularly. At this point in

time now I've visited the restroom 3 times (so far) with more

blood being observed in slightly increasing amounts.

Over the last 2 days I've been watching what I eat, which in my

case has comprised of the following solids and liquids:

- ground beef burgers with salt and some Tabasco sauce, about 2

meals per day

- coffee with honey, about 3 or 4 cups per day

- water

I'm wondering if there is anything else that I should try, and

then at what point I should start back on the Prednisone? I

would rather avoid it, but then I'd rather start back on that

instead of ending up in the hospital yet again.

My current medications include Asacol (I've gradually decreased

from 9 per day to 7 per day, decreasing at a rate of 1 pill about

every 2 or 3 months), and recently Darvocet for pain.

Thank you for any advice that you can offer.

cmd@...

Kansas City

[Guest guest]

As I mentioned previously...

> I seem to be having another flare-up, and I'd like to avoid

> going back on Prednisone, or even worse ending up in the

> hospital as I have several times before. If any among you have

> some advice to offer please do.

....and...

> I'm wondering if there is anything else that I should try, and

> then at what point I should start back on the Prednisone? I

> would rather avoid it, but then I'd rather start back on that

> instead of ending up in the hospital yet again.

I did receive several responses with some good suggestions. At

this time because I've seen an increase in my IBD/UC symptoms

(even more blood output, more regularly and more pain), I've gone

from tapering at 10 mg per day of Prednisone back up to 40 mg per

day, with today being the third day at this dosage now. I just

spoke with my gastroenterologist and he supported this approach,

and recommended that I give it about 2 weeks, and then taper back

to 30 mg per day, and go from there.

I have been on the SCD for 6 months now, and when I experience

the beginning of a flair-up I scale back my foods to mild and

basic, and now I’m trying to stick with liquids.

Having spoken with 3 doctors in my area none have been supportive

of me being prescribed LDN (4.5 mg per day), and so it would seem

that I may have to turn to an over-the-phone consultation so as

to enable me to give this medicine a try--as I do wish to try

something other than Prednisone, and I’m not wanting to dabble

with the other powerful medicines in the immunosuppressive or

immunomodulator category (e.g., Remicade) (though one might argue

that LDN may modulate the immune system, yet with far fewer risks

and side effects).

At this point, at least so far, I’ve managed to stay out of the

hospital, though I’ve had to work from home a few days and get as

much rest as I can. To make the liquid-only diet easier and more

practical I’m even thinking about cheating on the SCD slightly so

that my spouse can pickup some canned soup, gelatin and other

little qualifying treats, because the SCD is even more difficult

when you’re trying to stay on a liquid only diet. So far I’m on

mainly SCD beef soup bone broth soup and a few pieces of mild

(low-density/flaky) fish. If anyone has any additional ideas to

add it would much appreciated.

Concerning LDN, if anyone in the U.S.A. has experience obtaining

a prescription over the telephone then would you please contact

me directly to perhaps offer guidance and share your experiences?

Lately I’ve found myself reading about the J-pouch surgery again,

and I’d really like to give alternative therapies like SCD and

LDN a nice long trial before I give up.

Thank you again for your feedback and time.

cmd@...

Kansas City

Seeking flare-up advice

[Guest guest]

>

>

> Having spoken with 3 doctors in my area none have been supportive

> of me being prescribed LDN (4.5 mg per day), and so it would seem

> that I may have to turn to an over-the-phone consultation so as

> to enable me to give this medicine a try--as I do wish to try

> something other than Prednisone, and I’m not wanting to dabble

> with the other powerful medicines in the immunosuppressive or

> immunomodulator category (e.g., Remicade) (though one might argue

> that LDN may modulate the immune system, yet with far fewer risks

> and side effects).

>

>

>

> Concerning LDN, if anyone in the U.S.A. has experience obtaining

> a prescription over the telephone then would you please contact

> me directly to perhaps offer guidance and share your experiences?

Join this group and ask that question there:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/lowdosenaltrexone/

Mara