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Original poster

Help me get my guts in order please! (TMI alert)

28 replies

PlinkPlankPlunk · 21/08/2021 10:12

It’s a long story but I have developed colitis as a side effect of medication I’ve been taking. Was also tested for C difficile (which I have had before) but that came back negative

It’s been extremely painful and resulted in pretty explosive and uncontrollable diarrhoea; after about a week of stopping the medication the pain has all but gone and the frequency and urgency is a lot better but it is now more than three weeks and I still have watery diarrhoea and can’t really go anywhere where I won’t have fairly quickly access to a toilet. Occasional cramps and I feel really weak and tired.

I did the BRAT diet on the advice of the GP for a few days but have since been advised to look at low FODMAP, which doesn’t quite tally. And I am so very bored of bland food. I’m drinking Yakult and have started with gut friendly bacteria capsules but other than that I really don’t know what to do.

Has anyone had this as an effect of medication, and how long did it last? What else can I do? It’s really debilitating (and quite disgusting really) - I usually have a cast iron system and love strong and hot foods so I’m desperate to get it all back. Any advice gratefully received!

OP posts:
Brt34 · 21/08/2021 17:36

Have they confirmed it’s colitis caused directly by the medication and therefore short term as opposed to ulcerative colitis? Have they given you any medication?

MissyB1 · 21/08/2021 17:44

How was the diagnosis made? Did you give stool samples?
I had a form of colitis after food poisoning, it lasted about 3 months unfortunately. There wasn’t much I could do about it, I just had to wait for the bowel to heal. Yes to prebiotics though.

Original poster
PlinkPlankPlunk · 21/08/2021 19:56

No, I’ve got no medication but am having a review with the GP this week. Do I need to ask about ulcerative colitis? Does it come on as suddenly as that? The assumption from the GP was the medication as it is apparently a known (but not particularly common) side effect and the symptoms did improve once I’d stopped taking it, on the timeline the GP said to expect

I gave a sample to rule out C Diff and it was negative. I had to push for this as I’ve had C Diff before and read that the upset of the medication can cause it to flare up again.

OP posts:
Original poster
PlinkPlankPlunk · 21/08/2021 20:01

@MissyB1 did you follow a particular diet to help it all heal, or any other medication, or just the prebiotics?

In a way if I knew it was going to take say 3 months or even more I’d feel better about it and try and formulate a plan but I’m really in the dark and tbh the GP has not been that helpful. I need to ask if I can take Imodium or similar as there are a couple of places I have to go and I need to confident it is under control (sorry TMD)

OP posts:
TheVolturi · 21/08/2021 20:26

I have had similar lately and have just been diagnosed with ibs. I had the stool samples and blood tests and was examined, my stool tests showed no inflammation or markers for anything so did not have the colonoscopy. I have found that cutting out dairy has helped a lot. I was running to the loo after having my daily actimel and it made me wonder. Apparently when your gut has been upset we can become lactose intolerant, sometimes temporarily. Try for a few days with no dairy and see?

TheVolturi · 21/08/2021 20:27

Also have you tried buscopan? It can help with the spasms that make you need to go.

Original poster
PlinkPlankPlunk · 21/08/2021 20:32

That’s interesting @TheVolturi and this is why I’m sort of stuck with what to actually eat. I have eaten cheese as it fits with low FODMAP (and also as there are loads of foods I really have no appetite for at the moment)

I really hate the idea of FODMAP as it seems so far from my usual diet (lots of wholewheat carbs and all the veg and fruit that you’re not supposed to have!) but obviously will do it if I have to; likewise give up dairy

OP posts:
SpindleWhorl · 21/08/2021 20:33

I have horrific (for me) flare-ups of IBS.

(Currently being investigated for inflammatory disease / cancer / gallbladder disease / other.)

I'm currently trying a very low fat, low FODMAP diet and I'm on day 12. It's quite restrictive but I've managed some nice meals.

Let me know if you'd like some ideas.

Original poster
PlinkPlankPlunk · 21/08/2021 20:36

@TheVolturi

Also have you tried buscopan? It can help with the spasms that make you need to go.
I haven’t but it sounds promising as I’d like to forget about it all for a bit and results me some normality!
OP posts:
Original poster
PlinkPlankPlunk · 21/08/2021 20:39

Thanks @SpindleWhorl I’m looking at the list again now; I suppose it’s probably best to focus on the things that you can have, and build from there, rather than mourning the foods you can’t?!

OP posts:
TheVolturi · 21/08/2021 20:46

Dairy wise, the vegan trend at the moment means there are lots of dairy free alternatives!

Original poster
PlinkPlankPlunk · 21/08/2021 20:49

Good point @TheVolturi I think I need to sit down and come up with a plan. I am a bit of a control freak so will probably feel a it better once 8 have that Blush

OP posts:
CharlotteRose90 · 21/08/2021 20:54

Oo I have ulcerative colitis and ibs so mine is slightly different but I have a low fibre diet and certain foods I don’t eat. Things that help me are buscopan, peppermint tea and loads of water strangely. My ulcerative colitis was originally brought on by some dodgy food.

SpindleWhorl · 21/08/2021 20:58

@PlinkPlankPlunk

Thanks *@SpindleWhorl* I’m looking at the list again now; I suppose it’s probably best to focus on the things that you can have, and build from there, rather than mourning the foods you can’t?!
Yes, absolutely! So tonight I'm having some gluten-free pasta and low-fat turkey mince bolognese - I've replaced the onions and garlic with a few chopped green tops of spring onions. Or use chives. Add chopped courgettes, peppers, black olives, jalapenos; or green beans, spinach. And canned tomatoes. Salt, pepper and mixed herbs. A tiny amount of grated parmesan.

It's portion size that matters as well. Maybe have a small bowl. And another one 2-3 hours later, when your gut is done with the last lot.

And/or you can add digestive enzymes if you want more than a tiny bit of grated cheese on top.

It's a temporary elimination/cleansing diet, and after 2-6 weeks you add foods back in one at a time.

Also I buy the gut biome capsules instead of actimel, but I'm going to make some miso soup next week - miso paste, a little chili (maybe!), radishes, courgettes, spring green onion tops. With Rice noodles or rice. Seasoning.

Original poster
PlinkPlankPlunk · 21/08/2021 21:00

Thanks @CharlotteRose90 I’m glad you said that about peppermint tea as I’ve started drinking it and am getting on quite well with it (having given up the strong coffee that I love)

That’s bad that your ulcerative colitis came on in that way; it must be so painful

OP posts:
Original poster
PlinkPlankPlunk · 21/08/2021 21:02

Great ideas @SpindleWhorl - thank you. All things that I like so perhaps there’s more scope than I thought…

OP posts:
SpindleWhorl · 21/08/2021 21:02

@PlinkPlankPlunk

Good point *@TheVolturi* I think I need to sit down and come up with a plan. I am a bit of a control freak so will probably feel a it better once 8 have that Blush
I make lists! Low FODMAP foods I eat and I like, low FODMAP foods I can't eat. Cross-indexed with low fat foods ...

More lists of potential recipe ideas, with and without meat.

Schar gluten-free bread is certified low FODMAP btw. Not cheap, but so handy for a poached egg on toast or tuna salad sandwich. I get it at Asda but I know Tesco does it too.

SpindleWhorl · 21/08/2021 21:04

I forgot to say that the miso soup can have ginger in it.

Just no garlic or onion.

CharlotteRose90 · 21/08/2021 21:06

@PlinkPlankPlunk

Thanks *@CharlotteRose90* I’m glad you said that about peppermint tea as I’ve started drinking it and am getting on quite well with it (having given up the strong coffee that I love)

That’s bad that your ulcerative colitis came on in that way; it must be so painful

Honestly it’s fine now. I got diagnosed nearly 6 years ago and the first year was bad now Ive been in remission for 5 years I’m fine. As long as I don’t overdo it I can eat pretty much everything.
Ylangylangspritz · 21/08/2021 21:07

Could be worth investigating if you have BAM/BAD (Bile acid Malabsorption/Bile acid diarrhoea). It’s often misdiagnosed as IBS - you’d need a SECHAT scan to determine

HeReWeGoAgAiN1112 · 21/08/2021 21:10

Hi dose acidophilus from Holland and Barrett works wonders for my ulcerative colitis when it flares.

SpindleWhorl · 21/08/2021 22:33

I've got all the biomes and enzymes in all the sizes!

Pricey business, being unwell.

Original poster
PlinkPlankPlunk · 22/08/2021 07:21

Thank you everyone - as predicted I feel much better having some options and things to try!

I think being so tired and “foggy” has stopped me being able to think it through properly, so this has been been really helpful Flowers

OP posts:
ProfessorInkling · 22/08/2021 07:26

I have UC and eat the IBD-AID diet.

www.umassmed.edu/nutrition/ibd/

Some things are out forever for me but you work through the phases in order to heal. There is a tonne of info on the UMASS site. It takes time and patience but I appreciate food in a completely different way now.

lgina · 22/08/2021 07:28

Sorry if I missed it but what was the suspected culprit med OP?

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