Introduction:

I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Proctitus in 2004 (at age 47). Never had any problems before that although upon reflecting I did from time to time feel quite bloated and have abdominal pain particularly after eating a rich or heavy meal.

I am currently on no meds and have been on the SCD since November 2010 (was also on SCD for a year in 2008 and then gradually went off until a flare in the fall of 2010.)

My Colitis Travel Story:

I just got back from a two-week trip to Peru and I am feeling better than ever.

I must admit that I was very nervous about what I would eat down there in the land of the potato and corn. And I was nervous about coming down with the tourista (travelers d). In our group of 5, three came down with it, and I was lucky enough to NOT be one of them. (The only trouble I had was a little constipation the first few days of the trip.) Here’s what I did:

Firstly, I packed plenty of snacks (SCD crackers, cheese, dried apples, Lara bars and SCD cookies). I swear, half my suitcase was filled with food! These snacks came in handy on the bus/train trips or just on the few occasions where I needed something a little extra to get by.

Secondly, Peru has lots of meat (you can even have guinea pig, if you’re so inclined), and wonderful homemade soups in the Cuzco area. So, usually I would have meat and veggies or chicken soup. Restaurant staff were very accommodating with my requests (e.g., no noodles in the soup, veggies instead of potatoes, etc.) I did sample a couple of potatoes because they just looked so damn appetizing; I figured I’d be ok and I was.

Thirdly, I made sure to avoid anything that wasn’t cooked due to the bacteria in the water (so, no salads and only fruit with thick peels). My friend ate a peach that she washed with bottled water and it seems to have made her sick. Incidentally, when she had been sick for several days and not getting any better, she went to the pharmacy and asked for advice on what she should take. Interestingly, she was prescribed probiotics! And they seemed to help.

Speaking of probiotics, every day when I’m at home, I have homemade SCD yogurt. So, this was something I had to do without for two weeks. Probiotics in capsule form to the rescue and I was just fine without the yogurt.

Before going on this trip I would say that I was feeling about 80% “healed” after a flare late in 2010, which seemed to go on forever and then never completely subside. Whether it’s coincidence or not, I have been feeling 100% since the trip. Maybe it was all the coca tea I drank!

So, if any of you are feeling that you cannot travel while on the SCD, think again.
It is possible. You just need to be prepared (bring snacks) and be careful (eat cooked foods only and do lots and lots of hand-washing, which helps more that you think.)

Peru was wonderful, by the way. I recommend it to anyone.

-Moxie

My Current Medications:

No meds. SCD, vitamins (calcium & Omega 3 + vitamin D in the winter) & probiotics.

Moxie’s Story was submitted in the Colitis Venting Area

Feel Free to read Moxie’s other stories in the Moxie Section

 

For anyone wondering about the SCD Diet. 

It is a diet that many of us on the site use to treat our ulcerative colitis.  

You can read more about it at: https://www.ihaveuc.com/the-diet