Can Soda (not the caffine) cause UC problems?

When flaring I try to stear clear of soda - the carbination causes gas and pain!! The extra sugar doesn't do my guts any good either. I'm super sensitive to "fake" sugars, so diet soda is totally out!

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Pan-colitis and GERD diagnosed May 2003

 

Asacol 12 per day,  Azathioprine 75mg, Rowasa and Canasa as needed

Aciphex, Effexor XR, BCP, Rhinocort nasal spray

Culturelle, Biotin, Folic Acid, Forvia, Calcium, and B12

 

Osteopenia (hip and spine) from prednisone use.  Started Azathioprine because I was steroid dependent.

 

Co-Mod for the UC forum

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I think its the carbination for me also and the sugar as dakotagirl said I havent drank a soda in about 2 years.my stomach hurts terribly if I drink soda.

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Rona

synthroid .088 mg, lowpressor 50 mg x 2, cozaar 25mg x2, imdur 30 mg
nitroquick, proventol, plavix 75 mg, protonix 40 mg x 2, asacal 400mg x 9
carafate 1 gm x 4, zyrtec 10 mg, rhinocort aqua nose spray, fish oil,
potassium.

Carbonation, sugar and artificial sweeteners can all be triggers for UC.

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Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis spring 1999

my GI doctor just advised me to stay clear of all (even diet) soda

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katie
22
diagnosed with cecal volvulus, 2006; two colon resections in the same year
diagnosed with colitis 2007
malrotated colon
no cecal valve, removed during surgery

VSL #3
Flagyl to slow gastric emptying

They aren't triggers for UC flares....artificial sweeteners and some of the chemicals and sugars don't agree with everyone. The carbonation in itself is gas..so, why add it to your intake if it causes more discomfort?

It's not a cause of UC...people who don't have UC will still have symptoms from soda...we're no different. Add an inflamed gut,your symptoms will be exacerbated comfort-wise.

If you must drink them, do so on occasion and stir out the bubbles...and drink the regular rather than the diet form.

quincy

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I drink flavored seltzer everyday. Usually 1 or 2 liters at least. I started drinking it during my first flare because I hadn't been drinking enough water so I tried seltzer instead and have been hooked ever since. There are no problems withg the carbination when I drink it.

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alot of people, UC or not, have problem with the artifical sweetners, it has something to do with how they bind in your intestines. There's even a name for it, not sure but it's something like artifical sweetener diaherra

When I said "triggers" I meant they can cause an increase in painful symptoms and gas for folks with IBD, not that they cause UC.

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Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis spring 1999

I guess we could say trigger for gut symptoms to be more general...flare or not.

we always argue over semantics. Can soda "cause" a UC flare? Who knows-- not medical science, not anyone on this board. It is individual. If you, for example, have a population of colonic flora that, for whatever reason, will be disrupted by the acidity and sugar content of soda, to the point where *the mucous barrier is disrupted*-- you will flare.

This may vary with time, this WILL vary with individual. Maybe you're severely underslept, and stressed... could cola 'put you over the edge?' Possibly. So it can 'cause' your flare, even though there are myriad other contributors-- not the least of which is genetics.

Part of the insane difficulty of living with UC is that there are no true fixed triggers. Everything is dependent on multitudes of variables, many of which we don't even realize are part of the situation.

The best advice is to put the odds in your favor, without making your life too miserable with restraints that may or may not be helping. In general, sugar, artificial sweeteners and carbonation are bad for anyone's gut, and therefore *really* bad for UCers.

Oh do I miss my Cokes... no better beverage on earth IMO! ;)

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Dx:

Left-sided UC, Jun 2005. Flex-sig only... clear for first 20cms, then inflamed through next 30cms.

Therapies:

Pharmaceutical: Pentasa 3G/day, hydrocort 1x every 7 days
Probiotics: Acidophilus Pearls, Primadophilus Bifidus
Naturals: Caprylic Acid, Methylated B-12, Vit ACDE, Zinc (w/copper), Selenium, Turmeric, Bromelain, Luteolin
Killer Foods: Soda, Fried Food (especially french fries!), Beer, Red Wine, Pepperoncinis

Bad........again perception or semantics. It is what you make of it methinks.

If one has symptoms and freaks about consuming foods or drinks that cause symptoms...don't partake. The double-sided suffering isn't worth it. I think the emotional consequences can be much worse than the physical ones.

q

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That's the tricky part sometimes trying to figure out some foods and how long it takes to give you a reaction if it doesn't particularly agree with you. On occasion he will have a coke or pepsi and it doesn't seem to bother him but for the most part I have convinced him "why add more gas" to the situation and it certainly makes sense to him.

The artificial sweeteners I am getting him to taper off also. His favorite food was seafood pasta served Fra Diavlo - spicy - he hasn't had that in over a year. Not sure if that was a big contributor or predecessor as he loved spicy foods before all this happened.

Well as hard as it is to embrace we either "live to eat" or "eat to live" and once you get to be this age and all your life you did what you wanted I guess it's time to pay the price and get more disciplined now. Easier said than done as there is a lot of years of really bad habits to try to undo all at once so it is challenging to say the least.

As of Monday of this past week - this has been one of his better weeks. He has been able to get out more and the pain and discomfort has been minimal. AFter dinner time he needs to rest up the remainder of the night but at least he has been able to get out and do some things.

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60 yr old male~Colitis 1st diagnosed Jan '05-cleared up within a few wks. Flared again in May '06 ... left sided UC now, fully involved and trying to get in remission. Acute inflammation-pancolitis-tenesmus rectal pain-granulation is showing some healing started. Osteopena of spine from prednisone DX 8/07  July 07 good days & bad days 75mg Imuran 40  mg prednisone (tapering 8/07) 12 Asacol, Lidocaine Hydrochloride Jelly 2%,multi vitamin, iron 3X day, DanActive, chewable calcium, Prilosec 20mg, enalapril 10mg, glipizide 5 mg, zocor 20 mg, baby aspirin, (Fentanyl pain patch 50mg 72 hrs  Morphine Sulf 15 mg twice daily)Colocourt enemas at night. Fosamax and mthly B12 shots folic acid 1mg

I've never had a problem with soda, flaring or not. I don't drink as much of it as I used to (calories, and i can't stand diet soda) but when flaring I do tend to drink a lot of sprite/7up/ginger ale.

The bubbles never have bothered me. I think becuase of my acid reflux the gas tends to come out of the top and not the bottom. It does mean that I can hold my own in any burping contest given enough pop.

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Kelly, 29

Left sided UC diagnosed 1/98 age 19, Pan colitis diagnosed 1/07
Currently on 4x3 Asacol, Rowasa every other night, down to 15 mg pred.
75mg Imuran starting 8/23/07---fingers crossed!
Prontonix once daily for acid reflux, zofran twice daily for nausea