My sensitive stomach

[emily_in_nc]

Bummer, Crankin! I would be just as frustrated as you since we eat very similarly, from the sounds of it. And doubly frustrated to think that you may have had this for decades and never been diagnosed.

One of my besties growing up had diverticulitis and had to be on a SUPER low fiber diet. Back then, that was how they treated it. Forever. So perhaps it's for the best you weren't diagnosed back in the diverticulitis dark ages! I am out of touch with her now but remember reading somewhere that doctors had totally changed their tune and now recommend a high-fiber diet. I can see where they might recommend low fiber for a flare-up, though, just to let the intestines rest. Just like when our dog has GI problems!

Hope you're feeling much better soon.

[Crankin]

Yes, she suggested this until it gets better, not forever. I am not doing well with it at all, in that I made roasted pepper/ricotta soup for dinner. It was puréed, so no real effect. I had a spelt roll with it, too. It's hurting a little more today, but I don't feel sick like I did when I went in. The thing is, I've had this kind of pain for months on end in the past, and then eventually, it goes away. Will try to be better for about another week, but we shall see.
I have to go back to see my PCP as a follow up from my physical, so I can talk about it then. Overall, the "BRAT" diet seems to be the cure for a lot of GI symptoms. I've had several clients have to do it for awhile., and it seemed to make no difference in any of the cases!
Pax, your comment made me laugh. I can see someone like that sitting eating pudding and mashed potatoes. Picturing having to do this feels like a prison sentence.

[ny biker]

How often have you had the pain in the past? It's interesting that you already seem to be doing what's recommended to prevent flare-ups, in terms of diet and exercise. It would probably be worse otherwise.

[Crankin]

When I really think back, this started when I was in college, maybe HS. I was extremely healthy, except for allergy stuff until I moved away from MA at age 15. My stomach has always reacted in some way to stress and I have close relatives with colitis, hiatal hernia, ulcers, you name it. I would say I go for months without any symptoms or I eat something and I can specifically trace it to that food, most notably Brussel sprouts and broccoli. However, I can eat those things most of the time. My feeling now is that it's a combination of things. I suspect the increased vegetarian/Mediterranean diet, increased endurance exercise, which can set off an inflammatory process, and wine. But since I don't do all of these things together all of the time, I am just going to be more aware. My problem is when I go away, like the past 2 weekends, I am often doing some intense sports thing, followed up by lots of eating and maybe a glass more of wine than I usually do. I am concerned about my trip to Spain; as you know, part of traveling is experiencing the food of a different culture. So, 9 days of the bike trip (7 days of riding, 1 hiking) with the eating drinking, and hot temperatures are a bad combo. I have spent the first couple of days of every trip I've done being in the bathroom a lot, even missing the olive oil factory tour in Baeña, Spain. Now I get it. I've always said I don't restrict myself when I go on these kinds of trips, but I am going to have to be more diligent. This, plus the fact I may have to eat red meat, which after 2 years, not sure how it will affect me. It gets to me when I see other participants just eating and drinking the night away, and then getting up early and riding 50 tough and hilly miles the next day.
So, I am feeling pretty good today, after a somewhat crappy night of slightly increased pain. I couldn't fall asleep because I read too long and when I finally did, i had bad dreams about both of my granddaughters and the government! That is not usual for me. It may have been the soup I made. But, I had a mango with my breakfast, no problem and had some tuna, with a small amount of spinach, as a test for lunch, and I feel fine. The good part is that I am finally down to the weight I want to be at...

[Crankin]

Feeling much, much better, probably 95% or more. I don't think it's the grains that bother me. I started eating normally today, but so far, have not had any veggies except some sautéed spinach on my breakfast bowl. I nixed the Mexican food or Vietnamese food for dinner tonight and we are going out to a brew pub, with some better choices for me.

[Pax]

Glad you're feeling better! GI issues really take the shine off of life.