Dieting and pouchitis

I think it is pretty well established that no connection between diet and IBD flares and pouchitis has been found. However, people tend to assume that increased frequency is always pouchitis, which is not true. Sort of like calling every headache a brain tumor.

So, while it is extemely unlikely that eating frozen meals cuases pouchitis for you, it is quite likely that a drastic change in your eating patterns can cause upset, with diarrhea as a symptom. You can either just treat the symptoms until your body acclimates, or switch to a diet food you tolerate better.

I went on a weight loss program that completely replaced meals with shakes and meal bars and my pouch function actually improved. Lost 65 pounds that way.

Jan

Wolfie

Just started weight watchers a week ago - amazed at how my pouch function has improved!

I eat the frozen products occasionally but haven't found any difference (and I was having some pouch issues before starting).

Jan - I was particularly interested in your comment as I was debating doing the shake diet through a docter at the hospital and I was concerned as to whether it would have an effect on my pouch. (I decided to go back to weight watchers as I have had success with it in the past).

Lew

What foods have you been eating for weight watchers? It seems so easy to eat a frozen meal, but I know they have so much sodium they aren't good for you in excess. It is probably just a coincidence with the pouchitis, but I have been on Cipro for two days and I feel so much better!

Yes, mine was a medically managed weight loss program. My husband went with me and he has UC too (but with a colon). His function improved also. They have had many UC patients, but I was their first j-pouch patient, so they were curious also how I'd do. My main issue was that it was boring (I'm a foodie, so that makes sense, also why I was fat). But, boring was part of the program--make food less interesting while begin rapid weight loss. The rapid weight loss was the incentive. Half-way through they reintroduce regular food (not prepackaged-but with guidelines). The idea is to relearn proper eating.

The tough part is not slipping back into old habits. I've gained 25 pounds back, so I guess I am a slow learner!

Jan

Some have reported that sugar and carbs worsen pouchitis but I have found diet to be irrelevant in managing pouchitis.

By the ways, Jan, how did you end up married to a guy with UC? Was it a common interest in IBD that led you to meet him? Or did you serve as his nurse when he was hospitalized? Just curious. My now deceased great aunt was the head nurse at a local hospital here in CT and her husband was a former patient of hers who was hospitalized with gastrointestinal issues.

Neither, just happenstance. I developed UC after we had been dating about a year, and he stuck with me anyway. That was when I was close to 16 years old. We were married at age 21 and he did not develop UC until he was about 45. He jokingly accused me of giving it to him. But, there might be something to it, if you buy the germ theory of a trigger, such as a slow virus or a bacteria that sets things in motion...

But, the fact remains there was a genetic susceptibility. We didn't even know it early on, but we found out he had a cousin with UC after he was diagnosed. Other than that, there was no family history. None on my side either.

One of two of my sons has UC, pancolitis, like me. My husband only has left sided, so much more manageable.

Jan

Wolfie

As weight watchers works on a point system you can eat most things but you have to be aware of your points allotment for the day so you can trade off. (Fruits and vegetables in general are considered free which helps you avoid being hungry). Sodium is less an issue for us UC sufferers - I have been told by doctors that I don't need to worry about it. The frozen dinners sure are easy especially at lunch but it's hard to find a lot with low points! I used to take a club soda (0), a yogurt (2), sandwich (Salmon,tuna,ham)(4-6)and a pudding(3) for lunch. (I tried to stay at 10 or less).

My wife is doing WW with me and I have to admit it is a little less fair for you girls as her point allowance is a lot less than mine - not that I'm willing to give up any of mine, LOL!


Jan

I'm sending my youngest daughter on the hospital plan. (She ballooned up in her 4 th year at college and working a lot so she was eating fast food). I am a little concerned as she has to order her wedding dress in March (takes 6 months to make) and she starts the doctor supervised weight loss in February. If it doesn't fit in 6 months I suspect they'll all blame me - and I'm paying for the dress LOL!
If the dress fits and the wedding goes off without a hitch I'll see it as a win! win! (The youngest one is always such a pain)!

Like you I was looking at the doctor supervised one for the "quick fix". I must admit I didn't think about how boring the food would be! So far I'm enjoying the WW. I am eating a large variety of foods. I have done it before but like you I wind up putting weight back on after I stop. I am hoping this time to not put so much on!

(The tough part for me is that I go to the cottage for the summer, eat well and enjoy a few "pops" on hot afternoons! Guess I should start WW in September instead of January).

Lew