My Dear Friends, In this section of my blog, I want concentrate on the guidelines, or the rules that I have been following. These daily routines have helped me tremendously. Before I started following these guidelines very rigorously, I was constantly getting pancreatic flare ups, bile acid reflux flare ups, IBS flare ups, bile acid induced diarrhea, and many other symptoms. I was horrified and afraid of every single meal. Eating was impossible. Living was impossible. I truly believed that I was going to die. That was in 2016. Today is 2019, four years after my last major acute pancreatitis attack, and today I truly and wholeheartedly believe that I am going to overcome my illnesses. I just wish that I could have done this much sooner. But it is never too late to change things for the better.
This is what works for me:
1. Absolutely zero alcohol. I never drink any alcohol. I do NOT eat anything that may contain alcohol. I also do NOT use any kinds of products that may have alcohol in them, such as cleaning products, or a mouthwash. Simply put, beware of alcohol.
2. I always, and I really mean always, stick to a very rigorous, very low fat diet, less than 10 grams of vegetable fat per day.
3. I never eat anything that contains “bad” trans fats, or processed fats.
4. I only use vegetables, and occasionally MCT oil (Medium Chain Triglycerides) for my fat needs.
5. I eat a variety of fruits and vegetables on daily basis.
6. I always get plenty of rest.
7. I regulated my sleep. I go to sleep at 9 pm and wake up before 6 am.
8. I drink a variety of herbal teas on daily basis.
9. I never drink pop or any carbonated drinks.
10. I stay hydrated every day. I drink 6 to 8 liters of liquids on daily basis.
11. I take my medications as prescribed.
12. I use liquid low fat nutritional supplements on daily basis. BOOST COMPLETE NUTRITION, 0.5 grams of fat, fruit flavored beverage is a nutritious snack or a small meal to help meet your daily nutritional needs. This is an alternative to milky type supplements, which are also higher in fat. It also works great for clear liquid diet. This one is my favorite. I try to drink about 2 of them per day.
13. I use vitamin supplements on daily basis.
14. I exercise and stay physically active as much as possible.
15. I fast and do not eat, or drink anything when I am having a major flare up of my symptoms, or acute pancreatitis attack.
16. I go to the Emergency Room when I cannot control things.
17. I stick to the clear liquid diet after a pancreatic flare up. I do this until my symptoms stabilize.
18. I only eat things that are easy to digest.
19. I take digestive pancreatic enzymes every time I eat.
20. I adjust my digestive enzymes to the type of meal that I am having, and the amount of food that I am eating.
21. I use Electrolyte Powder on daily basis. I add it to my liquids.
22. Occassionally, I use sports drinks, particularly blue Power Ade.
23. I do not eat fried or barbecued foods.
24. I do NOT eat any animal products. I do NOT eat any red, brown, white, or any other animal meat. I do NOT eat any fish, or any eggs, or any dairy products. I do NOT drink cow’s milk, or any other animal based milk. I do NOT use honey.
25. Occassionally, I use vegetable protein supplements.
26. Occassionally, I may drink almond, rice, and soy milk.
27. I use a variety of fresh and dried herbs whenever possible.
28. I drink lots of water every day.
29. I distract myself from my diseases.
30. I keep thinking positive thoughts.
31. I eat very small portions of food, 5 times a day.
32. I do Yoga, Meditation, Prayer, Breathing Exercises as much as I can.
33. I eat a variety of foods that are high in antioxidants and anti inflammatory properties.
34. I have been following very rigorously a WHOLE FOODS PLANT BASED DIET. I truly believe that this diet is my cure. My diet is comprised primarily of vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes and nuts, without added oil, sugar and salt.
35. I sleep on an adjustable bed to reduce the pain and the inflammation in my pancreas that comes from laying down. I also sleep on a recliner. I feel most comfortable sleeping on my left side, but I toss and turn all night. I use a sleeping eye mask.
36. I take very warm and hot baths to reduce the pancreatic pain.
37. Sex has been amazing for reducing pancreatic pain. Sex is a wonderful distraction from the pain of pancreatitis.
38. Keeping a record and a journal of everything regarding my diseases has proven therapeutic. It also helped me stay on top of my illnesses.
39. Getting into support groups has been a crucial surviving technique for me.
40. Having support networks is necessary for me to survive my illnesses. I honestly could not imagine doing this alone.
41. I take care of all my other health issues. This makes it easier to deal with pancreatitis itself.
42. I pace myself when I am doing things. I try not to do too much at once.
43. I do not smoke cigarettes, or use any kind of tobacco products.
44. I quit drinking coffee years ago.
45. I do NOT eat any junk food.
46. I do NOT eat any cheese.
47. I do NOT eat whole seeds, or nuts. I always grind them if I eat them.
48. I do not eat any solid foods after vomiting or diarrhea, until things in my digestive system have stabilized. I stay hydrated and use clear liquid diet until I can eat solid foods again.
49. I take Probiotics on daily basis.
50. I take Cholestyramine for oral suspension, which is Antihypercholesterolemic to treat bile acid reflux, bile acid malabsorption and bile acid induced diarrhea. I take 4 grams on daily basis.
51. I follow up with my doctors and specialists on regular basis.
52. I am under the care of a family physician, gastroenterologist, dietitian, occupational therapist, pain psychologist, physiotherapist, pain specialist. I have also seen many other specialists, but my regular team consists of the doctors and specialists mentioned here.
53. I am always completely honest and open with my doctors.
54. I do not eat anything after 6 pm, or at least 3 hours before going to sleep.
55. Living with digestive disorders requires a lot of self control and self discipline. I constantly remind myself that I am a strong person and that I can do anything.
56. I focus on all the good things that are happening in my life, and disregard the bad ones that I cannot control.
57. I keep setting myself new goals, no matter how small they are.
58. I keep reminding myself that I have to be very patient with my body and give myself a lot of time to heal.
59. Hope and faith are necessities for me. I do everything in my power to keep hoping that one day I am going to be cured.
60. GOD is my ultimate strength and power. Without God and Christ I would not be here. Without God I am nothing. Without God I would have already died. Without God I do NOT exist.
61. Coming soon…
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