If you were given the choice between…
Option A
dark chocolate oat bran waffles topped with strawberry cottage cheese, strawberries, & raisins
or
Option B
apple juice & chicken broth
…what would you choose?
Option A? Heck yeah! Option B? I seriously think you ought to reconsider your decision-making skills…
Yesterday’s breakfast was fabulous and definitely will be made again! Today’s breakfast was not so fabulous… Broth for breakfast? No, I am not doing a cleansing, rather I’m prepping. Prepping for… a colonoscopy. If you’re already grossed stop reading now because the rest of this post explains the reason for having the colonoscopy. If you’re still reading, let me explain…
Growing up, I had digestive problems. As a baby I was lactose-intolerant and couldn’t drink the typical baby formula and as I grew older I experienced a bunch of stomach issues, one year I threw up every single night for a few months [yuck]. I went to a doctor who ran various tests, including a CAT scan and I had to drink [the most disgusting] barium contrast but he found nothing. His recommendation: stay away from rich foods and take a Tums tablet when my stomach hurt. Thankfully, my symptoms subsided over the years and throwing up became a rare occurrence.
Fast forward to more recent years… Over the past two years I have experienced more digestive issues, but rather than throwing up, it’s been the other end. I get random and intense stabbing pain in my lower abdomen to the point where all I want to do is curl up into a ball and scream. In addition, I’ve had periods of constipation and diarrhea [TMI, sorry]. I had a CAT in the spring of 2011 and another one this past winter but yet again my results showed nothing. Their recommendation: a colonosocopy.
My doctor thinks that I most likely have IBS [Irritable Bowel Syndrome] or IBD [Inflammatory Bowel Disease] which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s. For information about the differences between IBS and IBD, check out this article from the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America or this chart from About.com.
Part of me is hopeful that the doctor will see something tomorrow morning during the procedure but the other part of me is fearful that if they see anything that means something is actually wrong… We shall see. Regardless, I cannot wait to eat solid food again 🙂 Chicken broth, jello, juice, and popsicles are not that satisfying.
Daily Memorable Moments
February 18: Bringing Charlie over for the first time to grandmomma’s house so we could all have dinner and start planning the wedding!
February 19: Liquid diet. This experience makes me wonder how people can do week-long cleanses?!
Question: What would your first “real” meal after finishing a diet?
Question: What’s your fave liquid? Juice, soda, water…
Life's a Bowl 
Good luck with the liquid diet; a lot of bloggers on here have talked about the many benefits of juicing, and liquid, diets:) Again, Good luck and I look forward to sharing more with you:))
Don’t think I could ever do a liquid/ juice diet out of my own will but more power to those who could!
I have had two colonoscopies so I feel your pain. My doctor also says IBS is a possibility but it’s been a frustrating 10 years with very little answers. I have had some luck with reducing my gluten intake and eating more “clean” foods. Your post is really funny timing because I just posted about gluten (less than 10 minutes ago) and symptoms that you might have a gluten intolerance. Anyway, good luck on your colonoscopy. That is not fun prep at all!
Thanks… In the spring I tired a gluten-free diet for a month but it didn’t help and then was tested for celiac disease and the results came back negative
I did start eating a “clean” diet when I was diagnosed with Lupus a few years ago and that definitely has made a difference!
Were you gluten-free when you were tested? The test will come back negative if you’re not eating gluten. I also went gluten-free for a month and it helped a little, but obviously wasn’t the cause of my problems. I have found dairy and processed sugar seem to be a bigger problem than gluten for me. Running is about the only thing that has consistently helped me though. I am sorry to hear your test didn’t show much – no answers is frustrating.
Nope! They did the test before trying the gluten-free diet. Certain types of dairy [especially those with a higher fat content] definitely get to me too…
Please post the recipe to those waffles, they look/sound fabulous!11 xoxo
and, good luck with your…procedure 😛
Definitely will share, so easy! Thanks chica 🙂
Eek! Good luck tomorrow. I’m sure you will be fine, but I can imagine that the whole process is super nerve wrecking!
Thanks, updates to come…
Good luck tomorrow! I hope you get the results you are hoping for and that whatever they may be, you find a way to relieve your symptoms
Thanks! Unfortunately the results didn’t show much…
My initial thought when reading your post is a gluten intolerance. I’m not an expert by any means, but I would bet cutting gluten out from your diet would make a huge difference!
I tried a gluten-free diet but it didn’t seem to help and I was also tested for celiac disease in the spring but the results were negative
I had a similar procedure done and it wasn’t so bad…good luck tomorrow!!!
Thanks 🙂
Sorry about the GI woes. Ugh, they are the worst. Good luck with the colonoscopy!
They are the w.o.r.s.t.!
oh no! I hope they figure out what is wrong, and I am so sorry for your discomfort. Sounds like a rough time! 😦
Good luck and I’ll be keeping my finger crossed!
Thanks… Unfortunately the results didn’t show much
Aww, Allison, I totally know what you’re going through. I experienced almost the exact same issues two years ago, and ended up having a colonoscopy and upper endoscopy. My results came back completely normal, and the doctor loosely diagnosed me with IBS. He also suggested I try eliminating certain foods from my diet, and after removing gluten, my symptoms improved 90%! I still have stomach issues, but things are MUCH better. So, hang in there, girl! Things WILL get better!
The prep is definitely the worst part, so it’s easy sailing from here. 🙂 I’m praying for you! xoxo
Yeahhh, I tried a gluten-free diet and it didn’t help and I also was tested for celiac disease but the results were negative [arg]… Unfortunately my results hardly showed anything
Ive never had one, Im sorry!! It will be nice to figure out what is wrong though!
That is the weirdest thinga bout the spurt of throwing up every night when you were younger. I had a few months when I was maybe 10ish and wake up practically around the same time everynight (3ish in the morning) and throw up. The dr said the same thing, basically a “weak stomach” and to tone down what im eating. I didnt really listen and it basically just eventually stopped!
Our bodied can be so weird… I’m glad we both phased out of whatever was happening though!
Ah, I hope the colonoscopy went ok today! I’ve been having some serious digestive issues too, and they just assume it’s colitis or crohn’s because my mom has the former and dad the later. totally stinks! Do you know if there is any family history of the two diseases? They tend to be genetic, unfortunately.
My biggest thing is staying away from things with spice (totally sucks), onions, garlic, rough greens, corn and things with a lot of salt (my dad also suggests staying away from red meat). It definitely makes your diet less fun and more carb heavy, but hey, if it works it works, right?
Good luck!
Thanks!
Ugh, not fun for your parents… I was adopted at birth so I don’t know my medical history but it could definitely be part of the problem. My younger brother [not blood related] was diagnosed with colitis when he was 6-years-old and had the whole series of surgeries but still has problems… And funny enough, our first puppy was diagnosed with colitis! Environmental?! I try my best to stay away from “roughage” but I don’t have much luck haha 😛 I love spicy foods and veggies, but I hardly ever eat any red meat…
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Omg I think we’re long lost sisters. We have so much in common!
I have kind of the same digestive issues and actually seeing a specialist this week for the first time. Like you I’ve had it almost my whole life.
I really hope they can get to the cause and offer relief.
Haha, it’s always nice to find someone who can relate! I wish you the best of luck with your appointment this week and hope you get some answers!!!