Autoimmune and methods for gut heal please share stories

Read up on Miralax….It’s an osmotic… it takes the water to your stool…. It’s not a laxative…. It can be trial & error for how much is good & depends on foods eaten & how active you are like walking etc, Sugar free candy etc. if eaten too much can act as a laxative…. I quit all added sugar or artificial sugar (understand it’s hard to do) I eat no processed foods & I mainly eat protein & very low carb. I also have gastroparesis which in layman’s terms is a paralyze stomach. Don’t get me wrong I still have an occasional dessert, but it’s an exception, not the norm. Good Luck! 🙏❤️

I don’t find stevia to have a strong taste. I use a 1/2 tsp in 10oz of coffee. Start small with 1/4 tsp to see if that is enough to sweeten what you’re drinking, adding another 1/4 tsp if needed.
I also use it with plain yogurt and do the same.

...sorry not sure where to add this , just read on CNN Health site:

my spouse a diabetic, so wondering if a small amount of sugar is safer than some artificial sweeteners - the article is interesting and yes he has had triple bypass heart surgery etc..... what the heck are we putting into our bodies these days?

Erythritol, an ingredient in stevia, linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds

My functional medicine doctor 👩‍⚕️ Used this method to solve my gut issues.
(“4 R” approach originated by the field of naturopathy)
This approach to restoring a healthy gut-immune barrier includes four steps: 1) removing mucosal irritants, 2) replacing agents for digestive support, 3) reinoculating with friendly bacteria and the foods they need to grow, and 4) repairing the mucosal lining.
Since I have Sjogerns I was already eating an autoimmune diet. I had a food sensitivity test done and removed even more foods from my diet. I was eating pretty restrictive for a while. I started taking a probiotic daily and also l-glutamine.
The bloating went away and my Sjogerns symptoms cleared up drastically. I have, of course, fallen back into my old habits and am paying the price…so time to get myself right again.

I am 69 and have celiac and collagenous colitis; they are controlled by not eating gluten or NSAIDs (aspirin and others irritate the GI tract). I also make my own kombucha (also good for sourdough bread and feeding compost piles). We are on low sugar and salt with minimal processed foods. Eliminination diets and food logs are good to see if there are foods that you don't tolerate well. We take multivitamins, including D, and calcium and magnesium citrate. I exercise a lot; if cardiovascular is hard then weights, flexibility, and just moving are important. I only take electrolytes if i am sweaty, like a long bike ride. Electrolyte mixes are better from bike stores than grocery store syrupy stuff. Overall my diet is normal (compared to ancestors at least).

Can you expand on the 4-R approach please. What kind of Dr. should I find for this? Insurance won't pay for a dietician specialized in UC. Thanks. Maria.

I’d just research the 4Rs of gut healing. Went to a functional medicine doctor that was not covered by unsure but it was miney well spent.

How much was it? Maria.

I do the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, which is used at Seattle Children's to try to avoid putting them on UC meds. Of course I take medication, but I really think the diet has helped.