My new theory (after not sleeping for about 40 hrs)

I've been thinking that if food doesn't effect UC (as Quincy says, and I agree) why is it that almost immediately after eating some things does it cause me discomfort or symptoms. And I think it has more to do with chemical reactions happening immediately in the stomach. When the food hits the stomach all these reactions happen to break it down and it may cause these enzymes or other chemicals to travel to the colon (through the blood stream?) When they get to the colon it immediately reacts. Or maybe people with UC have some chemical(s) in the stomach that others don't have. Reactions or chemicals science hasn't uncovered.

From what I've read it seems that science if focused on the colon itself and not other parts or systems of the body. There seems to be some knowledge of this but has not been developed further. For example, when I"m having a flare, my pulse is faster. My doc has said that this is pretty common with UC because the digestive tract is so influential on cardiovascular function. So going even further, maybe this is really a cardiovascular issue with symptoms developing in the colon. And what you eat definitely effects the heart.

Or maybe it is a fungus or parasite, like the one that is affecting my vision and they just haven't found the connection.

And maybe this is why diets like SCD can be so helpful for people. Or why yogurt and probiotics seem to help me....

This is my new theory, after not sleepig for about 40 hours (severe insomnia since returning from a business trip). Maybe it makes no sense at all.

So if I could just figure out what the heck I'm eating that is causing this!!!!! Of course it could be that I permanently changed my chemical make up and am now doomed.

If anyone can chime in or develop further that would be awesome. I'm took drunk from lack of sleep to think much more about it. (I haven't been drinking at all). Oh, and if you have any ideas for getting me to sleep that would be awesome! Insomnia is not fun!

HI

Sorry that you are not sleeping.  The only thing that helped me during those times was Lunesta but... who wants to take another pill right.  Anyway... I am not Lunesta free.

Food definately affects my UC.  I have recently started a new "health craze" in my home to help myself and inturn I have helped my husband lose weight and my son eat better.  We are all doing well.  I am approaching the amazing level of REMISSION. 

I bought the SCD diet book and have incorporated alot of it into our diet along with other thintgs and so far so good.  You are absolutely on the mark when you talk about foods affecting you. 

 I read an article recently that talked about studies of UC patients and they spoke about flares starting with a high intake of complex carbs. (ie. potatoes, breads etc)  When I think back on some of the flares (I have been in flares for years now) I was eating alot of complex carbs before I flared.  I would call some of them comfort foods and continue eating them during the flare... and then wondered why I would not rebound.  I have eliminated some things from my diet but not all.  I still eat potatoes and breads but not much.  I do not drink milk or certain cheeses (see the SCD diet) and I am doing really well.  I enjoy my food because I know that I will not be running to the bathroom as soon as it goes in my mouth.

The complex carbs give your body more work to do.  I read labels, buy foods low in carbs and incorporate alot of  veggies and fruits into our diet.

I hope you get some sleep soon.  There is nothing worse than lack of sleep and then UC symptoms. 

I hope my comments validate your theory.  Good luck.

cagio

Val....Did your doc check your blood pressure?

Do you think that the imuran might be responsible for some of your symptoms?

I was sick this week on Monday...some virus I would think, but I had a fever, pain in my left ear and along my face, severe nausea and rapid heartrate. Blood pressure was fine, go figure.

I couldn't eat very well, because the more nausea I felt, the more my heartrate went up. In turn, making me more uncomfortable, nauseated and anxious because I was worried maybe my liver is starting to be affected. I didn't feel any dicomfort in my butt, however....but took gravol 4 times that day.

Wouldn't you know it...I did end up at the doctor that morning at the start of the symptoms. She took blood tests for thyroid, magnesium and B12.

Now that I'm starting to have reflux symptoms, I'm wondering if that's part of it.

I sure hope you're able to get some sleep. Maybe the sominex or whatever else like that would help. They are antihistamines...maybe wouldn't hurt to try. Take them early enough in the evening so that any effects can be worn off before you go out.

Do check out the imuran side effects...

Keep us posted. I do think your insomnia has you thinking in a cool way, however.

quincy

Ok heres my take on it. I think UC has to do with having digestive problems (brilliant sherlock/horatio!!)

Somewhere along the passage of food something is going wrong, whether it be in the mouth (not chewing food) in the stomach (not having sufficint enzymes) in the small intestine or whatever. But some process fails at some point along the way. And then the colon gets the brunt of the effect. Because of problems elsewhere the colon is being asked to do something it wasnt meant to do or cant do. Over time the problem becomes chronic, you end up in a vicious cycle with problems in the colon feeding your other issues.

I'm tempted to gather together every scrap of information I can about what constitutes healthy digestion - from proper chewing to probiotics, from stress to food choices and implement these into my life. UC is a chronic problem and I'm sure it will take a long time to fully heal. I've said this before but I don't think our doctors stress enough to us that getting to remission is a healing process. And healing takes time and will be affected by non-UC things.

I know that UC is caused by the immune system attacking the body. The body is such a wonderful wonderful object - as Baz Luhrmann says in the Sunscreen song 'it's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.' I just cant bring myself to believe the body would attack itself without a cause. It's illogical. There are a lot of illogical things in life. I dont think the human body is one. We'd have never gotten this far in evolution if it was.

quincy said...
Too bad that poop isn't turned into gold.

Lol. I'd be rich by now. =)

First of all "Too bad that poop isn't turned into gold." is my new favorite quote ever! also, i do believe food related to both UC and sleep. i know it sounds cliche but have you tried warm milk? i can't do dairy, so i do warm vanilla soymilk--it helps me. also bananas, but i think that they are just my comfort food. :)

good luck and keep us posted

p.s. when i have insomnia (always) i get up and write for a few hours. once i do that, it is much easier to go back to sleep.