Connect
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) support group: Let’s connect
Welcome to the IBD support group on Mayo Clinic Connect.
Do you or a family member, friend or loved one have an inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, microscopic colitis, lymphocytic colitis or collagenous colitis? Or have you or they experienced a complication of IBD, such as pouchitis, bowel obstruction, fistula, anal fissure or an abscess? If so, this is a great place to talk to others with similar experiences. It’s a welcoming space to learn from each other and share challenges, coping strategies, setbacks and what helps. This is also a place to get support and input from other patients as you go through the diagnostic process for these conditions.
Please take these steps to participate in the group:
- Follow the group.
- Browse the topics.
- Use the group search to find answers to your questions.
- Introduce yourself.
Let's chat. Please start by introducing yourself. What is your experience, or your loved one’s, living with inflammatory bowel disease or possible IBD symptoms? You might share things such as: What type of disease do you have? How long has it been since diagnosis? What symptoms have you experienced? How is the disease managed?
Do you have a question, tip or story to share?
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Support Group.
Connect
@sikntired unfortunately, it's very individual. Some foods bother some people and don't bother others. Elimination diets can really help you figure it out.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@sikntired
Yep I have a list of foods that we think may be triggering, but specifically seeking guidance on consistent food journaling
@pupdug First of all, pick a format that works for you. For me, writing it all down in a notebook is preferable to keeping an Excel spreadsheet. Then, decide what all you want to track. I track the times I eat and what I eat (I do this in some detail because I am also tracking potassium consumption so I'm weighing pretty much everything I eat), when I have bowel movements and their consistency - I use the Bristol Stool Scale for this. I also track when I take my meds, when I go to bed and wake up, and any exercise I get during the day. I've been doing this since I started having chronic diarrhea in September, 2023, and it has helped tremendously in identifying foods I need to avoid and if I have done anything different that might trigger a flare. Also, helps me identify side effects to meds. Hope this helps!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@pupdug That’s a wise approach. Best to you and good luck.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@pupdug I like using apps for things like this. I'm using a food tracking app called "Lose It", but any one would do. Having a place to add more notes would probably be something you need.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@pupdug Sorry it took a while to get back to you (on vacation, no mayo access). It is good to have a spreadsheet or text of what you ate prior to onset of symptoms. If you have known safe food, those either don't need to be added, or just a symbol, like B for beef. Dividing it into food groups is handy; some people are sensitive to dairy, nightshades, gluten, and/or others. I figured out I'm sensitive to legumes after getting sick a few times from peanut Kind bars (and subsequent tests with beans), for example. Tracking by food groups is likely enough, so detailing exactly what one eats may not be necessary. There might be online info on elimination diets and how to track what helps/hurts.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction