Yes it's a restrictive diet although I can follow it only extremely loosely without problems - i.e., I have lactose-free dairy, chocolate, lollies, corn chips, rice and gluten-free stuff in moderation, potatoes and sweet potatoes in moderation, hard cheeses and soft cheeses in moderation, any sauce/ dressing I want, etc. - I just essentially stay away from wheat products and normal dairy products and sugary drinks, but even have some of those occasionally (but usually suffer the consequences and get a flare if I have too much wheat/ dairy), and that is enough to keep my disease mainly in remission and controllable. It is only when I can tell a flare is starting that I'll become very strict and so far that has always stopped the flare from developing.
I guess it's just hard for me to read about all of you with such awful, painful, life-limiting symptoms that have been going on for months/ years, and knowing that the medication we're given is not perfect for treating this disease anyway and some medications can have serious side effects, and also knowing that continued inflammation leads to an increased risk of bowel cancer as well as other long-term health problems, yet also knowing of a potential solution that few seem interested in! Oh well. I guess at least the possibility of trying the SCD is out there if the stakes for anyone are ever high enough - e.g., they're being faced with bowel surgery/ having a permanent ileostomy or colostomy and are desperate to do anything to avoid it! If anyone ever gets desperate I would strongly recommend you at least try the SCD.
For anyone who missed my earlier post...
337 reviews of the SCD on Amazon.com:
www.amazon.com/Breaking-Vicious-Cycle-Intestinal-Through/product-reviews/0969276818/ref=cm_cr_pr_top_helpful?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0
50 reviews of the SCD on Amazon.co.uk:
www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/0969276818/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
I do write this purely out of a passionate desire to help others suffering with UC/ IBD the way I have been helped - not to push an agenda - and will be bowing out of this thread now! :) I'm sorry you're now suffering Chocol8, this disease is difficult because when you are feeling good/ better, it's easy to believe there's nothing wrong with you and so you may start skipping/ lowering medication or eating foods you know are more risky, which eventually triggers the UC again. But usually you can get away with pushing the boundaries for a while before you inevitably become sick. I struggled with accepting that I actually have UC regardless of whether or not I'm in a flare, and need to take my medication consistently and as directed by my doctor, right up until only the past year or so. That is a very long time before acceptance considering when I was diagnosed (though I had years of remission in my early teens). What helped me was to tell myself that the NATURE of UC/ Crohn's/ IBD is that it's a disease where the symptoms fluctuate - it is the nature of the disease that there will be periods where you feel good and have no symptoms. That doesn't mean you're better though - you still have the disease and will always have the disease and so always need to take your medication properly etc. no matter how well you're feeling. I was inspired by a work colleague who has Crohn's and insists on a twice-yearly colonoscopy - though her gastroenterologist would have her do this less frequently - because she has a strong family history of early-onset bowel cancer which many relatives have died from. She takes such responsibility for, and is so proactive about, her health which I found really inspiring.
Good luck everyone!