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Summary: A MUST READ for Anyone with Colitis or Crohn's Disease
Review: My husband was diagnosed with an extremely severe case of colitis then Crohn's disease. All that his doctors were doing were prescribing higher and higher doses of drugs (sulfasalazine, prednisone, etc) which were making him sick and caused him to drop pounds daily. Then we heard about Elaine Gottschall's book. It has literally been a life saver!!! The author provides both an explanation for the diet and a simple guide of "do eat" and "don't eat" foods in list form. My husband felt like he had his symptoms under control within two days! He was able to stop taking his medications with no complications. At last, no more stomachaches. After two years of being on this diet, my husband has shown remarkable improvement after follow up tests. However, don't expect your doctors to support this diet, they don't want to give up their hold on prescribing expensive prescription drugs! Even more unbelievable, the specialists we've seen are completely ignorant of this book! Incredible. This diet is completely natural and relatively easy to follow, especially considering the alternatives! Buy this book for yourself or for your loved one who suffers from this disease. It can change lives. We cannot thank Elaine Gottschall enough.
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Summary: God led me to this book after nearly 4 years of suffering..
Review: What can I say about this book, and the Specific Carbohydrate Diet? Can words describe how wonderful this book is for anyone suffering with the most debilitating chronic disease known to man?Imagine having trouble breathing, feeling bloated, exhausted, having dark circles under your eyes, a swollen/tender liver, jaundice, severe weight loss, being a manic depressive, and having nearly every known allergy imaginable. I've suffered with all of those symptoms, just from having Crohn's Disease. A horrible inflammatory condition of the bowels. Most people can't imagine how debilitating it is. I couldn't work, couldn't keep in touch with friends, couldn't handle relationships, stress, or even doing simple tasks. All of this from a damaged intestine? YES.. we learn all about how this happens in this book. This book will take you on a journey and teach you about a diseased intestinal tract better than I ever thought could be put into words. The diet is easy to follow, and makes all the sense in the world. I noticed a feeling of well-being on the first day of being on the diet. It's a true God-send for anyone suffering from the ills of an intestinal disorder. In fact, I think this kind of diet is what everyone in the world needs to be on. What an exceptional book.. thank you to all the contributors, and the fine people who keep up the SCDiet sites! You have changed my life for the better, and I actually feel normal for the first time since 1997.
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Summary: A Godsend
Review: Ulcerataive Colitis is a nightmare. Modern medicine is not the answer. At least not for me. Let's be clear: the diet requires a lot of discipline and perseverance. But it can be done and the results are worth it. This book has changed my life. I have taken charge of my body and my future. I used to believe what my doctors told me about how diet has nothing to do with my disease. Well, over one year later, medicine free and totally healthy, I beg to differ. I wish there was some way I could shout it out from the rooftops so that all those who suffer like I once did can know there is a way.
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Summary: "BREAKING THE VICIOUS CYCLE..." BY ELAINE GLORIA GOTTSCHALL
Review: I ENCOURAGE THOSE WHO ARE ILL WITH IBD TO SEE THEIR DOCTORS, AND TAKE THEIR MEDICATIONS, WHILE EATING PLAIN GOD-GIVEN FOODS IN ORDER TO REGAIN HEALTH AS, "BREAKING THE VICIOUS CYCLE..", BY ELAINE GLORIA GOTTSCHALL WHO TELLS ME WHAT TO EAT AND NOT TO EAT IN THE BOOK. IT TELLS ME ABOUT DR'S. SIDNEY VALENTINE HAAS AND SON'S DIET, "THE SPECIFIC CARBOHYDRATE DIET" THAT ELAINE GOTTSCHALL EXPLAINS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE USE THIS DIET WHEN WE HAVE IBD, IBS, CROHN'S DISEAE, ULCERATIVE COLITIS, DIVERTICULITIS, CELIA DISEASE, CYSTIC FIBROSIS, CHRONIC DIARRHEA AND OTHER DIGESTIVE DISEASES TO REGAIN INTESTINAL HEALTH THROUGH, "THE SPECIFIC CARBOHYDRATE DIET". I WAS DIAGNOSED IN 1994 WITH CROHN'S DISEASE. I HAVE BEEN IN REMISSION SINCE 1997 WITHOUT MEDICATION EXCEPT FOLIC ACID AND FREEDA VITAMINS BY READING THIS BOOK. I HAVE HAD IBD MORE THAN FOURTY TWO YEARS [ALL MY LIFE, SOME FORM OR ANOTHER, STARTING WITH DIARRHEA, SPASTIC COLON, ANGRY COLON, IBS, YOU NAME IT, ETC.]. I NEVER FELT WELL IN MY CHILDHOOD OR MY ADULT LIFE UNTIL I GOT THIS BOOK AND IT HAS GIVEN ME BACK MY LIFE, FULL OF ENGERGY AND ALSO BEING GRATEFUL TO GOD FOR THIS GOD SENT BOOK FOR OTHERS TO BE HEALTHY, TOO. I AM NO LONGER ANEMIC, HAVE COLDS, EAR ACHES, INFLUENZA, PNEUMONIA, SINUS HEADACHES; ACHES AND CRAMPS IN MY LEGS, STOMACH, OR ARM; HEART PALPITATIONS, GALL BLADDER PROBLEMS, SKIN WORTS, OR SKIN PROBLEMS, MY COLON IS NOT SPASTIC OR INFLAMED, NO MORE DIARRHA OR VOMITING; TEETH DO NOT HAVE ANY MORE CAVITIES OR HAVE TO BE PULLED, OR ARE NOT LOOSE; OR HAVE ANY MORE POCKETS IN THE GUMS OR BLEEDING GUMS. HAD TO STOP DRIVING BECAUSE I COULD NOT TELL MY DISTANCES: BANGED MY HEAD AGAINST THE DOOR FRAME, PUT THINGS ON THE TABLE WITH A BANG BECAUSE I THOUGHT I HAD MORE ROOM, I AM FINE NOW. NO MORE BLOODY NOSE, YEAST INFECTION, EAR INFECTIONS OR ATHLETE'S FEET. MY BONES ARE NOT THINNING ANY MORE BUT GETTING STRONGER ON THIS DIET. MY WEIGHT IS GREAT TOO. ALL I NEEDED WAS GOOD HEALTHY NUTRUTION GIVEN TO ME IN THIS BOOK. I WAS TOLD TO FIND PSYCHIATRIC HELP AND THAT ALL THIS WAS IN MY HEAD. WHEN IT WAS THE FOOD I WAS EATING ALL ALONG. I AM GRATEFUL AGAIN FOR THIS BOOK TO HAVE BEEN PRINTED FOR ALL TO GET HEALTHY BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW.
THERE ARE SEVERAL WEBSITES TO GET INFORMATION FROM, AND AN E-MAIL ADDRESS NEAR THE BACK OF THE BOOK TO CHAT ABOUT THESE DISEASES, AND,"THE SPECIFIC CARBOOHYDRAT DIET,"WHICH I FIND VERY HELPFUL TO BE ABLE TO TALK WITH OHTERS LIKE MYSELF. I WISH MY GRANDMOTHER HAD KNOWN ABOUT THIS BOOK.
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Summary: This diet changed my life
Review: In August 2002 I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, at the age of 22. I was put on Asacol and told that I would never have a normal life again. Soon after, I experienced my first major flare-up. I had agonizing pain, diarrhea, vomiting, malise, anemia, low energy, and depression. I was prescribed prednisone, which temporarily put my disease in remission, but the side effects of that drug were almost as bad as my Crohn's symptoms. I could not sleep more than 4 hours a night, I was constantly anxious and jittery, had an insatiable appetite, and I became more depressed than ever. Even when I finally reached "remission", I still experienced abdominal pain everyday, diarrhea on most days, bad gas and bloating, and low energy. I remained in remission for most of a year, and tried to live a normal life, in denial of my condition. I ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. Like most Americans my age, I ate lots of fast food, junk food, and processed food. I've always loved food, and I get a lot of pleasure from eating. I never had weight problems so I never bothered to limit what I ate. My mother raised me on healthy, whole foods, but during my college years I adopted the junk food diet, and these foods did not agree with my body. I now believe that this type of eating triggered my disease in the first place, and kept me sick. In December 2003, I experienced my second major flare-up, endured another round of prednisone, and entered into the deepest depression of my life. My future looked bleak. I stumbled on a link to the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, and immediately dismissed it as too hard to follow. After another week of misery, I decided to buy the book, and give the diet a try, even though I did not think I could follow it, and I wasn't even sure it would work. Now, three months later, I'm amazed at the results. I was able to wean off the prednisone, and I've achieved a near total remission. The diarrhea and gas have gone away completely, my energy has skyrocketed, and I only get minor, occasional cramps. I have a wonderful feeling of well-being that I haven't experienced in years. In addition, I've lost abdominal fat and gained muscle. Now, if this story sounds too good to be true, let me add that there were significant difficulties with this diet. It was incredibly hard to follow. I experienced cravings all the time in the first few weeks. Over time, the cravings leveled off, but I still sometimes long for sweets and starches. I've also had to reorganize my life in order to prepare meals. The diet excludes most convenience foods, so it required a lifestyle change. I can't live the carefree (or should I say, careless) way that I lived before, and meal preparation takes up a lot more time than it used to. I also had to go out of my way to find products that were free of illegal ingredients. Still, as hard as this diet was to follow, it was worth it. I've even grown fond of the simple foods on this diet, and now I don't know what I'd do without them. I believe that this diet is the way human beings are meant to eat, and that is why it is so effective. Also note that everyone is different, and will probably follow the diet at their own pace. I was able to introduce raw veggies and fruit very early in the diet without any problems. I also followed the diet without eating any dairy products, as they make me sick. I took calcium supplements and acidophilus probiotics instead of making the yogurt. All in all, this is a life-saving diet. It is very hard to follow at first, but the results are worth it. I feel sorry for the millions of people with digestive diseases that suffer needlessly, when a cure is right under their noses.
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Summary: This diet worked like a miracle for us.
Review: Our son was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 1997. We tried every medicine available, including Prednisone, Imuran and Remicade. He only got worse. So we started the diet outlined in this book in August 2000. We also began weaning him off of his medications at that time. Within a week he had more energy. After one month on the diet his SED rate had dropped over 15 points. By the following spring his SED rate and CRP were normal and he was no longer anemic. He has been med-free for over 3 1/2 years. His last SED rate was 2! CRP was 0.09! Even his gastroenterologist agrees that the diet has healed him. I highly recommend this book and the diet to anyone suffering with Crohn's.
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Summary: Breaking the Vicious Cycle
Review: I am adding my voice to the many others who've been helped by this wonderful book. My young son was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis this year. I felt helpless watching him struggle with feeling so sick despite taking lots of prednisone. I watched him become ill with related conditions like arthritis, uveitis and he even started to show some signs of liver involement. I was terrified of what might be looming ahead, like having his colon removed or maybe even liver failure. I found this book through Amazon.com - it was one of many I purchased at the time. I decided to try the diet as it was the one which made the most sense to me, it was healthy and it contained the foods we most probably evolved to eat. I am happy to report that my son's diarrhea stopped THE DAY he began the diet. He has made a dramatic recovery, no more joint pain, no more uveitis, no more cramps or diarrhea! His blood work gets better every time and he feels better now then he has in 2 years. The author of this wonderful book, Elaine Gotchell, was kind enough to call me personally to answer a question I had faxed to her. The depth of her loving support and kindness can't be overstated. You can visit her website at www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info. Thank you Amazon for stocking this book, and Elaine, you are my hero.
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Summary: Skeptical MD's Wife Ulcerative Colitis 10 yrs.-total remissi
Review: CeCelia has Ulcerative Colitis of 10 yrs. duration that has progressed from distal proctitis to near universal colitis on her last yearly colonoscopy.
She was having flare ups several times yearly controlled with Prednisone. She usually was on Mesalamine or Azulfidine.
Of course she had the usual cramps and urgency and chronic bleeding (for years) and iron deficiency.
In the Spring 2003 she had a flare despite just ending a 6 wk. Prednisone taper.
She tried Molocure for 2 months but stated that it was ineffective and stopped it.
She then found " The Breaking the Vicious Cycle " low (grain) carbohydrate diet, with homemade yogurt, and fruit. She has religiously stuck to the diet after reading the book.
Although the diet has been tough she has had a rather remarkable and sustained response for 6 months. No bleeding, slight urgency only and solid stools-- she takes Citrucel for the spastic colon now.
She will have another colonoscopy in the next few months and it should be much less inflamed. She encourages everyone to read the book "Breaking the Vicious Cycle".
Hope this helps. Addendum 2/03/04 Today she had her follow up colonoscopy after ten months of the SCD diet (Breaking the Vicious Cycle). The colonoscopy was entirely NORMAL! The gastroenterologist was visibly suprised. He suggested a repeat colonoscopy in 5 yrs.
PS any suggestions on where to share this story on the web for ulcerative colitis and crohns people?
(The SCD is all-natural and includes meat/fish/chicken, eggs, butter, homemade yogurt, natural cheeses, nuts, honey, fruit, and vegetables. The diet does not include grains, potatoes, rice, various food additives, margarine, sugar, soy, or processed foods. ) Best Regards,
Roger Jackson, MD
/Nashville
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Summary: Diagnosed with Crohn's 12/02 - Cured 1 year later
Review: I want to start this letter off by thanking Elaine Gottschall who's book, "Breaking the Vicious Cycle", has brought my health back to a healthier state than before I even got Crohn's. To Lucy, conqueror of Colitis, and author of Lucy's SCD cookbook, for all her great recipes, including the coffee cake (my favorite)and all her great advise, oh, can't forget the many orders of almond flower you sent me. And of course, the love of my life Rachel, thank you so much for making all those SCD meals that allowed me to kill that crohn monster. You are my savior, and I love you sooo much;)
Here's where my story begins: After receiving a colonoscopy a week before Christmas 2002, after continued stomach pain and severe diahrrea (about every 20 min at one point)...I was diagnosed with Crohn's involving 14in of my small intestine (near the ileum). The doc said it was a moderate and classic case of Crohn's. He said it looked like someone had scraped my insides with 80 grit sandpaper (ouch)!! (To those of you reading this right now, I have been where you are, thinking hopeless thoughts... "Why me!..My life is ruined!...etc." There is hope, there is a cure, no matter what the doctor, or anyone else, says... I am the proof...as well as sooooo many others who have followed, and I mean vigorously followed the SCD diet. The most important aspect of the diet is patience, patience, and more patience, and (no cheating)...
After eight months on the diet, I felt that the Asacol and Pantasa were only hampering my progress and decided to taper off. (Caution) Don't cold turkey the meds! Ask someone in the medical field with help on developing a program to taper off the meds. ...Anyway, getting off the meds was a bit scary. This is the point at which the SCD is put to the true test. All of my doubts and scepticism about the diet were put to rest after being med-free for the first time in eight months. After three months med-free, I was a TRUE BELIEVER!!
After five months med-free and feeling great, I decided to go see my GI. I told him I'd been med-free for 5 months with only one bowel movement, somtimes two, a day and no diarrea (maybe only 3x over the last year). He was shocked!! He said he's never seen anyone go into remission and stay there without maintenance drugs. Then he said, "Maybe you didn't have Crohn's after all... Maybe it was a virus or something else." I explained the diet to him and how serious I was about it, but I don't think he got the picture. Anyway, he ordered me another exam...a small bowel follow-through w/Barium (Yuck!). My thought before the exam was that the results would show improvements, but that I still had Crohn's.
Well, after the 3 hour exam, my GI said, "Your intestines are perfectly normal...absolutely perfect...not one blemish." ..."YOU DON'T HAVE CROHN'S," he said!!! We were both shocked! To sum up this whole story is to say, "IT'S NOT A MIRACLE, IT'S THE SCD DIET!" Actually, there may just be a miricle to this story, her name is Elaine Gottschall .....
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Summary: A must read for anyone suffering from IC, Chrons or IBS
Review: What a wonderful book! Like so many with UC & Crohn's, we were told diet played no part in the onset of the disease in our 17-year-old daughter. The diagnosis was a shocker - she was always so healthy! We started the diet as a family 5 months after the diagnosis - my husband discovered his own IBS drastically improved, and our daughter cut meds to very low dose. Every time she's "cheated" on this diet for extended periods she's had a flare - each one more major that the last. Yes, it's hard to stick to it - she's in college now and has to pass up the hamburgers, fries, pizza, pasta, cheesecake, etc, that all her friends are eating. I don't know if she'll have to stick to it all her life - I just know she spent 11 weeks of her senior year in high school out sick - 9 days in the hospital being fed interveineously, after losing 30 lbs. - and the doctor talking of removing her colon or putting her on IMURAN. Read this book - if you care enough about yourself to stick to this diet, it may change your life!
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