Obviously I will need to reiterate, before anyone orders their monkeys to throw poop at me, that there is a question mark at the end of my posts title. It was not put there by mistake. It is a question - and, more than anything, it is a personal one. I would hope differences of opinions are still classified as valid and valued forms of communication these days. But, alas... I am aware of how the internet works. Nevertheless I shall continue because I like to live semi-dangerously.
In the months leading up to my diagnosis of Crohn's Disease in 2001 I experimented with eliminating Gluten and Lactose from my diet. It was during the "this could be IBS" stage that most (if not all) IBDers have gone through courtesy of a friendly suggestion or professional advice. Repeat after me my fellow IBDers: "Ohhh, IF ONLY!!!" My memory of my short term experiment is hazy being that it was a very long 13 years ago. However, I do recall *some* relief from the dreadful condition Crohn's was inflicting upon me.
That being said, I abandoned it as quickly as I started it. Most likely due to the fact that I was beyond the stage where eliminating or simplify a damn thing would make a difference. Fast forward 6 months to when I (who now weighed 44kg, was severely malnourished but strongly dosed up on Prednisolone, Imuran and Mesasal with the concentration like that of a wayward child) sat opposite a dietician, who, after kindly giving me a slab of NutrenIBD for free, recommended I switch to lactose-free milk. I promptly did and have quite often *felt* it was a blessing of a recommendation. I've also felt quite surprised I even listened to her that day, but shockhorror.
At this point I need to mention I haven't lost any bowel throughout my life with Crohn's. I'm not saying it to brag or to emphasise any of my treatment as being superior or an ultimate form of choices made. It's just a simple fact. I may have always been lucky, or blessed. Or, I may have made some awesome personal decisions. But my point is having the entire digestive tract still in there *points at self* means Crohn's still has plenty to f*** with. Even if generally speaking it kinda doesn't make the effort any more. It's slacking off. Useless chronic disease. (I try to excel in sarcasm peeples!)
However, I did thoroughly enjoy the experience of an abscess that grew to an unbearable size in my left butt cheek in 2004 and the 3 subsequent surgeries to bid it farewell. I walked like an old gay pirate for months. My GI at the time put it to me that the likelihood of it being there for the entire duration of my Crohns life was high and that coming off steroids during my initial stage of remission had triggered it off. Therefore, an old injury that finally reared its ugly head. Great pickup line: "You wanna see my butt scar?!" Perhaps I'll just save that for the monkeys.
Also, many of my teeth were pulled due to deficiencies and 'roids. I got dentures on the top in 2006 and soon I'll just bite the bullet and get the bottom done too because they pulled a significant amount at the back at the same time. The remaining aren't bad, but will be eventually, and I have well and truly outdone the dentist's money hungry claim of them only lasting 1 more year. I love that crap.
I still enjoy lactose on the odd occassion. I have a butter addiction. And, seriously if you don't pass the cream my way at dessert time there will be revenge. But I have limits. And remaining on lactose free milk is one of them since it is my main source of dairy. When I find myself having to drink normal milk I end up with diarrhoea. Knowing it's a temporary side effect means I just laugh it off as a bowel cleanse.
So I think that covers lactose. Gluten, however, is somewhat of a n00b issue in my world. I starting switching to gluten free products some time in the last 2 or 3 years. The best one being a gluten free mud cake. O.M.G.... If you wander down that aisle and find it I sooooo passionately suggest you try it. Moving on. Cake. Mmmm. No. Move on!
After another wonderful trip to my doctor today to discuss my skin behaving badly he suggested gluten issues to me. I told him I avoid it often but he explained often isn't enough if you are sensitive to it. This had fleetingly dawned on me 3 days ago when, after 30+ years of loving Milo, I finally decided it was time to blow goodbye kisses at it and truly give gluten free a go - but then cooked gluten pasta last night and quite devilishly enjoyed it. But I had significantly cut back and have avoided gluten since making this an easier path to travel. He went on to explain the symmetrical pattern of my skins behaviour. The affected areas are consistent with a food allergy. Blah blah you know the drill so I won't go into it.
I'm just going to wrap this up quickly because I'm getting bored. If you are too then you probably have left already. But I must end this in some fashion of a personal conclusion. After all that is my doom for starting this crap.
Basically, gluten sensitivity can cause absorption issues. Lactose is a hoohar on the bowels. Therefore, digestive system angry. Digestive system says no! And I'm always dealing with vitamin and mineral deficiencies. So, my theory (WHICH IS WHY I PUT A QUESTION MARK IN MY TITLE (dear monkeys, sorrynotsorry for the caps (dear sweethearts sorry for the caps))) .. ok, I repeat, my theory is, if I make more effort - because I'm a 95% kinda gurl - to eliminate Gluten and Lactose for the next 3 months what outcome will it have on my remaining Crohn's issues such as fatigue, sensitive skin, oedema, deficiencies, insomnia? That's my question. I'd like an answer so I know what I must do.
The answer was within you the whole time.
Or not. Be a pessimist, watdoeyecare. Mudcake.
