At last

[DRDarnell]

I posted earlier this year and had been ill for over 26 years. I have been a vegan for over 8 months and can honestly say I do not remember when I have felt so well. I beg all sufferers to really look at the amount of dairy you eat. Its in so much of our daily diet. Yes I too thought it was stress related. But associated stress to eating Chocolate cakes and just craving stodge. Blamed wheat because of bread didn't think about the butter that was on the bread. ETC. ETC. ETC............. Now I can eat as much as I like any time of the day and not worry about crippling cramps, Pain that would cause palpitations and cordon me to a hospital bed. So many people I know suffer with IBS that this seems like an epidemic. My advise is try being a vegan for 2 weeks the results are startling. Our bodies were not meant to consume so much meat and dairy. Never going back. Good luck to all as I can honestly say I am no-longer a sufferer. ooh also lost over 2 stone in 2 months and have managed to maintain a really healthy weight for the past 8 months. life can be good.

[daisie2013]

Could you just give a brief outline of foods that you eat now please as I find it hard to digest pulses & a lot of veg. but I do wonder if eventually my digestive system would tolerate them if I persevere? I am gluten & lactose intolerant & try to keep to the low fodmap diet but still have problems. Thanks, pleased to hear you've found a solution.

[kiisa]

Hi there. Did you have any other symptoms, like diarrhoea etc, before you tried a vegan diet?

[Angie11]

Far too much fibre in a vegan diet for me. All those veggies would make me so ill.

But I do envy anyone who can tolerate the fibre. I used to love all vegetables but now the only one left are carrots.

[Linley]

So pleased you have found a solution and I wish you continued health.............alas we are all different and for me to much fibre is a no no -also I am underweight so would not be happy losing more weight. I am sure other sufferers on this site may try this approach so thanks for passing it on

[DRDarnell in reply to Linley]

Try it. It's what I thought before I tried it. You won't lose weight unless your over weight. My son who also suffered has a low BMI but has put on a few pounds over the past 5 months. I believe because he's stopped being in so much pain he eats better now.

[Neil119]

I am also lactose & gluton free - for 2 weeks see dietitian at hospital - WE WILL SEE?

[Reykua]

So please for you.

My brother, who also has IBS/D as well as crippling Diverticulitis (for which he had to have an emergency operation), was also persuaded to go vegan.

It appeared to help initially but after two years, we're back where we started.

He didn't cheat. Was extremely meticulous in his eating. Read and looked up labels, ingredients etc and carried around his own 'food pack' as and when necessary - like those with extremely allergies.

Prior to this he'd tried the whole Gluten Free thing, became a Pescatarian and cut out dairy. All this prior to the op.

I pray that everyone who decides to go vegan (which can be quite difficult and almost akin to changing your religion in the way it affects your thought processes) derives a better outcome.

My brother is now trying Paleo! He's resisted 'Clean Eating' thank goodness.

When we're suffering, we'll try anything to end the pain and discomfort.

All things in moderation and all the best going forward.

[DRDarnell in reply to Reykua]

Thank you and sorry to read about your brothers illness. But I genuinely believe if I had not of made these life changes I too would be having as an awful time of it. I was due to have another colonoscopy to see if any more polyps had grown. But my last scan has shown no growths and fingers Crossed it stays that way. Sometimes you have to way up if a change is more urgent than the pain

[Reykua in reply to DRDarnell]

So glad to hear your scan was clear. I know how awful it can be.

Well done for experimenting and finding something that works for you and for sharing and encouraging others.

Gentle Hugs and all the best going forward.

[Stuart24]

Hello, really interesting post, thank you for sharing. Do you eat any grains and veg now?

[DRDarnell in reply to Stuart24]

Any veg. There are so many things out there for vegans now. Try it.

[Susiiscute]

I was vegan for x4 months last year, after giving up dairy for x6 months. I was in good health, but suddenly had my first UC flare out of the blue. I started adding back some animal products, because I was craving eggs and fish obsessively and became disillusioned. I think the UC is an auto immune issue. I’ve only just been diagnosed, so I will see what happens next flare up.

During my most recent flare, which lasted several weeks and I had a colonoscopy, I was living on homemade chicken and vegetable clear broth mostly. I still make many great vegan dishes when I’m well, which is most of the time. If I can substitute a vegan dish successfully, I keep that version. I’ve learned a lot, such as making sauerkraut and creamy sauces from puréed vegetables, also use nutritional yeast flakes instead of Parmesan. Ragu slow cooked bolognese or chilli from canned lentils and veg. Also, I never use dairy milk any more.

[IBSNetwork Partner IBS Network]

We're pleased that you're feeling better. Please remember that exclusion diets should be undertaken with the supervision of a registered dietitian.