Big diet changes

Hi I'm new.

The doctors are trying to figure out whats wrong with my stomach.

June last year, i was diagnosed with diverticulitis disease and was told to manage it by keeping a high fiber diet. Last month however i was told after a procedure that i don't have this disease.

i have since gone back to the doctor for more tests because there is a problem. the doctor thought it was irritable bowel disease but as there is no test, she tested for everything else and if all that came back clear it will be irritable bowel disease. I went to pick up the results yesterday and two results came back raised: white cells which means i had an infection of some sort at the time and inflammation which means i could have inflamed bowels.

the doctor said she is now going to re-do those two tests as she still isn't comfortable diagnosing either way. It will be about 4-5 weeks before i know the results.

in the meantime she's told me to make certain changes to my diet which i am going to really struggle with. i have to cut out milk, bread, cereal, pasta, certain fruits, certain veg, beans.

pasta is mainly what i eat, almost on a daily basis sometimes twice a day so big changes ahead and i thought i'd sign up here for hint and tips.

[Hidden]

This is challenging. The best way of doing this is to find substitutes for what you like, and see how you can incorporate them into your usual menus. Did they give you a list of what you can have? You should be able to have quinoa for example instead of pasta, almond or soja milk instead of milk, berries, steamed potatoes and carrots, organic nuts, fish, organic oats, goat's cheese etc.

So breakfast may be organic oats and nuts and berries with almond milk, for example. Or maybe gluten-free bread toasted spread with coconut oil and jam.

The reason for the diet change is to cut out the major culprits of food intolerance. You may find this article of interest: sickofibs.com/ibs-triggers/...

Hope this helps,

Alison

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Alison this does help.

I was given a list of foods to try and a list to stay away from. I will try soy and almond milk because i drink a lot of tea and eat a lot of cereal. I have to get gluten free cereal and I have no idea what it's going to taste like.

i'm going to do a fresh food shop on Saturday (in work all week) and see what they have in the free from section.

Thanks for replying and thanks for the link

Chelsea

[Nicki1984]

Hi there it may be gluten/wheat she wants you to cut out. Can you check if you are ok to have gluten free pasta and bread? You may have a food allergy or intolerance. I am wheat and dairy free due to IBS. Check if you can have dairy free milk products. It's frustrating but sounds like your doctor is being thorough. Good luck x

[Hidden in reply to Nicki1984]

Yes i am allowed gluten free bread and cereals. Dairy free must be difficult, i'm just thankful i'm still allowed hard cheese. I am allowed any milk that does not come from a cow or goat. I just hate how long its taking to sort it out.

Thank you

[Nicki1984 in reply to Hidden]

Get gluten free products you can get bread and pasta in the supermarket. Dairy free milk and spread is also available. Potatoes and rice can help fill you up. Let us know how you get on x

[Lulububs]

Hi

Ur story is literally same as mine!

I ended up in a&e over easter weekend crippled up in pain. Was told in was diverticulitus put on antibiotics after two days sent home... send for a colonoscopy and nothing... no diverticulitus.

Sent for lap to see if it was womb or ovary related.. nothing.

2 months later i was still in discomfort so i decided to see alergist, it showed i was dairy intolerant and gluten intolerant so i literally stopped straight away. Soya milk and butter. The pasta thing is easy the gluten free ones taste exactly same and it everywhere i live on it... there really is no problem nowadays as everything seems to b carying towards the gluten free area... all morrsions sausages are gluten free and they are the best out there...

Still on the plus side i have had no pain in stomach since... so it was right i was intolerant

[Hidden in reply to Lulububs]

Thanks for the shopping tips it really helps, I've been wondering which supermarket to go to but I think I'll try Morrison's and/or Tesco, they have both been recommended.

I'm glad to hear about the pasta because I basically live on it.

Thanks 😀

[Ekky]

ChelseaS ,I had 6cm inflamed colon no diet help what so ever with diet ,so it's been trial n error for me ,change to skimmed milk ,no cream, yogurts, anything with seeds in like tomato,cucumber,etc, can eat porridge made with skimmed milk,organic eggs,anything organic which suits you,can have dark choc ( linte),just 2 pieces occasionally ,no nuts, most fruit although cation with banana And pasta dishes bought in supermarkets,cottage ,and fish pies made with mashed potato toppings

[Hidden in reply to Ekky]

That's a big help, thank you, this forum really is handy I'm glad I came on here.

I think I'll start making everything from scratch as well so I know exactly what is in my meals ... Just having the time.

I'm going food shopping on Saturday to pick everything up that I need, dreading the cost though I have been warned that many 'free from' foods are quite expensive.

Thanks for the tips, it's helpful 😀

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Have you got a breadmaker? If so, what about making your own gluten free bread? I have been looking on the internet for a list of flours and they are:

Buckwheat flour

Finely ground cornmeal

Tapioca flour

Rice flour

Coconut flour

Millet flour

Sorghum flour

The link below from Amazon UK may help.

amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&key...

Very best of luck

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi, I don't have one I'll look into that if I get diagnosed,thank you, I never thought if this 😀

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

It's certainly worth it. I make bread quite a lot with my breadmaker and it's so easy to use.

[DIANECUMMI]

Hello,

I am so sorry they can't get to the bottom of it. I am in a similar position. Under guidance of gastroenterologist went onto FODMAP a few months ago.

I had already cut out wheat ages ago and then I went onto Soya thinking this a good change as was told it could be dairy. Still loads of problems mainly pain constipation and bouts of upset stomach. Diagnoses IBS years ago

I have now cut out dairy and use lactose free milk/spread/cheese. No onions and mushrooms or apples. I eat strawberries and raspberries with gluten free porridge each morning.

I never eat after 6.30/7pm and cut right down on caffeine. No alcohol.

Acid reflex stopped. Pain now mostly only in the night when lying down. Sometimes I get stitch in right side too.

So no Gluten and no dairy seem to work better for me. Gluten free pasta is great.

Colonoscopy showed nothing but I do have an hiatus hernia.

[Hidden in reply to DIANECUMMI]

Yes I've been given the fodmap while we await the results, sounds like you've been through the mill. Just finding what my bodies tolerant to now I think.

I bought the gluten free pasta I hope I like it, should do.

Good luck in the future!