Kyle and his wife in Times Square, NY
Woah man! It has been quite some time since I gave my IBD family a full on update on how my life has been going. I think part of the reason is this year has been so solid for me and my health that I have been busy doing “normal” people stuff like working my job J Probably should give you a quick introduction, my name is Kyle. I live in North Central WA, where I teach 7th grade. I am a committed follower of Jesus and I have an amazing wife, Tiffany, who has walked with me hand in hand through this crazy gut disease that has robbed me of 6 months of life in the past three years. I have Crohn’s disease. I was diagnosed in July 2012 and have been thrown up and down and all around the past three years from the effects of this disease. Ok so there is my intro…
So now how have I been doing? Well believe it or not I am currently on the longest streak of “healthiness” since being diagnosed in 2012. I am currently at the weight (160) that I was originally at before I got sick three years ago and I am currently doing it all without any medications, I am full on SCD and so thankful for the improvements that I have seen as a result of my commitment to the diet. I have now been on the SCD for 1 year and 7 months. It has been a challenge and I am not going to sit here and lie to you that it has been a cake walk, but I have been on all the major medications for UC/Crohns (Lialda, Prednisone, Humira, and Remicade) and have either had no responses to the medication or allergic reactions to them. The SCD has really given me my life back, and I have a very committed wife who is completely supported of the diet and willing to figure out ways to give us variety and flavor to all of our meals. (Thank you Pintrest and Google)
My GI’s take has been a supportive one, I don’t know that he completely understands the SCD, but basically he ran out of options with the meds, I suggested that we give this a try and he agreed. I have a check-up next week with him, but last summer he did a quick peak with a flex sig and said, “If I didn’t know you, I would have no idea that you have Crohn’s Disease.” Pretty Awesome!
Lately I have been really trying to educate friends and family on the importance of what goes into your body and how it does play a role (whether the medical world thinks so or not) on how our bodies function. Now I never tell people this is the “cure all, be all” because I know that people have tried it and haven’t had success, I know that there are still little things in my life in which I deal with because I have a chronic illness, but I have seen the most successful year of health in 3 years, and that is doing it all through what goes into my body. BTW I do take pro-biotics, fish oil, and vitamin D.
I think the most exciting thing for me is that I have seen success through this diet, and as a result of that it has made me even more committed. I know the worst end of IBD and for me to be able to live my life in a somewhat normal (other than always being the topic of conversation when we have friends over for dinner) has made me even more willing to commit to the SCD. I am happy to have conversations or chats with any of you guys that have questions. If you need to know my “wrap-sheet” with my IBD feel free to refer back to my older posts. You guys are all rock stars, thanks for being such a supportive community. I am daily thanking God for this community!
Blessings,
Kyle
My name is Kyle. I am from the Evergreen State of Washington. I joined team UC in July of 2012. I am currently working in a school district seeking a full time teaching position. I also serve as a youth pastor in my local church and am sold out servant of Jesus Christ. I try to stay very active, current days it looks different, but I love all sports. I love playing basketball and running. I have an amazing wife, who I have been married to just over a year now, and let me tell you I married up! I would be willing to debate anyone that I got the cream of the crop : )
Kyle,
Congrats to you buddy!! Always great to hear your update, and especially this one. You had some tuff times in the past, and going from UC to Crohn’s and Remicade etc… So so happy to hear you are feeling well and back at your normal weight. That’s awesome.
Have a great summer, enjoy work, your wife, your fam etc… Keep on living it up,
Adam
Thanks Adam. You da Man!
HI Kyle,
It’s great to hear that the SCD diet is working for your. I’m currently contemplating starting this diet. My holistic doctor has recommended that I try it and my GI doc. has said that he’ll take any help we can get since I’m pretty close to remission right now with the lower level meds.
I’m on the low side of U.C so I’m hoping I can get it under control without having to start taking stuff like remicade or humira.
Any recommendations on getting started? I was recommended to breakingtheviciouscycle.com and their book. I’m also considering getting Adam’s book as well. It’s just a bit daunting even though I have been making almost all of my own food for the past couple months. I want to stay committed to it for at least 2 months since that when I have my next check in with my doctor.
Thanks
Here is a bunch of links for the intro diet / SCD
http://pecanbread.com/f/how/introdiet.html
http://scdlifestyle.com/2010/02/scd-intro-diet-chicken-soup/
http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/p/the-intro-diet/
http://www.scdandme.com/intro-diet/
http://scdlifestyle.com/2010/02/the-1-reason-people-fail-on-the-scd-diet/
– Great link to the phase list that we used on this page
http://pecanbread.com/p/how/stages.html (here it is )
http://pecanbread.com/p/how/protocol.html
http://scdlifestylebook.com/pdf/SCD%20Lifestyle%20Phasing%20Charts.pdf (this is a PDF of the SCDlifestyle phase list)
These are all links and info on the intro and phase list. The intro diet is not to exceed 5 days, but if you look at the phase list it is everything cooked for the first 4-6 months of the diet. Hope these help
Great add Kyle and of course, Adam’s book, cookbook, site and all SCD info…I think I had told you the pecanbread/stages site was most helpful for me especially the chart of the different stages to add foods.
I think I’m going on 4 yrs coming up…knock on wood, fingers crossed, etc. And not without plenty of problems and flares..just finished a tough one this winter and spring including round #3 with iritis…will post more info soon.
Well wishes as always to you and all…Shelly
That’s great news!!! Does the food have to be “organic”?
I am not solely on the “organic” kick. I know certain people go that route. There are certain things that I buy that are organic, but for me, it’s more of a preference thing. Hope that helps.
Kyle
Now THAT is marvelous Kyle!!
I can’t say it enough…drugs will never work on UC and/or Crohn’s.
I’m so happy to hear this encouraging news!!
Thanks so much Bev. Hope you are well.
Way to go Kyle! :-) :-)
Thanks Shelly. You are a rockstar!
Who would have guessed that food plays a role in our disease and drugs only suppress the immunity and hold the active flares like a dam for only so long until none of drugs work. A common theme for IBD sufferers who often get to the point of getting the colon removed because the doctor had no clue that diet plays a role in out flares.
I guess we could say that walking has nothing to do with legs, just like the doctors saying diet has nothing to do with colitis.
Kyle…you need to check out my new story…Remission Potion…found something new and it worked! (Always keeping fingers crossed!l. :-)
Best, Shelly
Glad to note that the SCD diet works for some of you. My son has been suffering for the past 5 months. He tried the intro diet strictly for 5 days (after making some mistakes initially). It was tough since he is a vegetarian and to change over was a bold step. He is a moderate UC sufferer and is on Prednisone and Asacol. But nothing has changed inspite of the SCD diet. So we have decided to switch back to normal diet: non-spicy, low free thiols and low fibre foods. Any advice is welcome. Hate to see him suffer like this.