A Regimen for Remission
This log tracks my regimen of attitude, exercise, stress management, and SCD foods. Since I started this regimen in 1997, I've been able to keep my Crohn's in a drug-free remission.

Monkey-see,
monkey-don't
Even though I may have experimented beyond the SCD from time to time, one must remember that everyone is different. Follow the intro diet for 3-5 days, and stick with the SCD until you are completely symptom free for at least one year before experimenting.

Be sure to read:
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Laura's IBS log
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Permalinks:
The linked timestamps are your permanent links to individual log entries.

Get the book:
Ready to get your shit together? Got the intestinal fortitude? Yearning for a nirvana of peristalsis? Buy Breaking The Vicious Cycle! Written by Elaine Gottschall B.A., M.Sc., the book includes guidelines for dietary relief and sustainable remission of Crohns, Ulcerative Colitis, and other IBDs.

Feel free to contact me if you still have questions.

It's amazing what can motivate a bunch of sales folks to sell! Normally, a salary plus comission will keep them motivated. For extra incentive, I occasionally add $50 cash as a "spiff" for certain types of sales. Yesterday I emailed my team that the first four sales over $500 would get their very own bionic selling machine--they would be the envy of their friends and officemates; the bionic selling machine could be put on their computer monitor, their desk, or on their car dashboard. They all wanted to know what they were pining for. The first person to qualify was elated when she finally learned what it was that she had won -- a $10 Lego "Bionicle" action figure toy! The rest of the team was decidedly jealous and they all scrambled to get on the phones to win their very own! It was amazing... all four were gone in two hours. The last one went to a salesperson that worked a customer for 6 different calls (plus email messages) over a 4 hour period to close the deal and win the prize. Amazing....cash may be king, but toys can be tops!
mhs@09:18

Great news! Four years ago the University Medical Center suggested that I get a bone density x-ray (dexa). The data indicated somewhat lower bone density scores , but the machine operator indicated that the comparison data in the database was comprised primarily from menopausal women so my low T-scores (comparison of my scores versus the standard deviation of others with the same age and weight in the database) were somewhat meaningless. Nevertheless, I was encouraged to increase my dietary calcium intake, and to take calcium-magnesium supplements with vitamin D, get daily load-bearing exercise (walking, weight lifting, running), and lower stress. So…I’ve been taking a walk each night after dinner, going to the gym once or twice a week, and practicing yoga (which I was already doing).

The net result was confusing at first. My primary care physician accepted my request to get an updated dexa test. The results came in and were lower than four years ago – my PCP was alarmed and wanted to put me on Fosamax immediately. As you’ve read here before [1, 2], I’m against use of that drug for people with IBD (even if they have enjoyed 5+ years of remission, like myself) because it is caustic and much of my reading indicates that it can increase bone density while making bones actually *more brittle* (not to mention liver complications). So, I requested a thyroid test to see if my body is processing food properly (yes it is), a NTX urinalysis (scores indicate no problem) and a referral to a bone specialist. I ended up seeing an endocrinologist.

The endocrinologist looked at my blood tests and both dexa results and asked me why I was there. I told my story and he asked me what I was doing for my bones. I explained the exercise, diet changes, supplements, and the Osteo Pro Care product I have been taking since my PCP got alarmed.

Good news item one: after reviewing the documentation about the Osteo Pro Care brochure he informed me that unless I am suffering from arthritis I do not need that (awful tasting) product because my dietary calcium intake is sufficient. He then went on to explain that my tests look great and there really is no need for concern. Specifically, he pointed out that the two dexa tests had been done by two different labs using different equipment and patient databases. The T scores that alarmed my PCP were meaningless because they compared me to primarily menopausal patients of the opposite gender and did not take into account my body frame and size.

Good news item two: the endocrinologist then explained that the bone mineral density scores (not the T scores) had actually gone *up* over the last four years! Discounting the different equipment and patient data, he believes that worst-case scenario I am where I was 4 years ago, if not better. He then explained that the data from four years ago was not really so bad after all and that the current data shows improved bone mineral density.

So...I’ll keep up the exercise and dietary calcium intake and the supplements and the yoga, and aim to sustain and improve upon my current statistics.
mhs@08:55

Tuesday, August 27, 2002

Breakfast: homemade applesauce and yogurt.
mhs@06:07

Monday, August 26, 2002

Dinner: leftover seabass with scallions, curried cauliflower. Dessert: cantaloupe, homemade yogurt.

Lunch: salad, sliced ham, a banana.

Breakfast: homemade yogurt, applesauce, Lois Lang's bread.
mhs@20:39

Sunday, August 25, 2002

(Finally) uploading a picture from Thursday night's dinner of tossed salad, Chilean seabass with scallions on a bed of spinach in a ginger-sesame oil glace.

mhs@12:10

Wednesday, August 21, 2002

Download all of the recipes on SCDRecipe.com!
mhs@06:25

Hiring, firing, quotas, commissions... and the challenge to keep sane and healthy. :-)
mhs@06:23

Monday, August 19, 2002

Dinner: sauteed carrots with curry, leftover Swiss chard and grilled zucchini. Dessert: strawberry, peach, apple juice and yogurt smoothie. Afterwards: a walk around the neighborhood to admire the gorgeous monsoon sunset, watch the toads, and watch a tarantula.
mhs@20:13

Breakfast: homemade applesauce, yogurt.

Dinner, yesterday: sauteed Swiss chard, grilled salmon and zucchini.

Lunch: tossed salad with some ham.
mhs@05:53

Sunday, August 18, 2002

Breakfast: homemade yogurt, applesauce, a walnut-carrot muffin, and some of Lois Lang's nut bread.

Dinner, yesterday: some ham and cheese slices, chicken, fruit.

Lunch: tossed salad, leftover Thai food from Pei Wei's.
mhs@06:57

Friday, August 16, 2002

Breakfast: homemade yogurt, applesauce, a walnut-carrot muffin, and a kiwi.

Dinner, yesterday: tossed salad with lemon-olive oil vinaigrette, sole with almonds and a lemon-wine sauce.
mhs@05:48

Tuesday, August 13, 2002

Breakfast: homemade applesauce, yogurt, Lois Lang's nut bread.

Dinner, yesterday: tossed salad with lemon vinaigrette, grilled swordfish. Snacks: honey jumbles.

Where have Laura and I been for the last few days? Relaxing and enjoying fine food at the Four Seasons in Scottsdale.
mhs@05:36

Wednesday, August 07, 2002

Dinner: tossed salad, steamed brocolli, grilled salmon with walnut cilantro pesto.

Lunch: avocado and Swiss cheese hamburger, fries (not SCD-legal).
mhs@20:49

Breakfast: yogurt, mango.

Dinner, yesterday: grilled chicken, sauteed carrots.
mhs@05:39

Tuesday, August 06, 2002

Breakfast: homemade yogurt, applesauce, and Lois Lang's bread.
mhs@06:00

Monday, August 05, 2002

Dinner: leftover spiced turkey meatloaf, lentils, brie, and stringbeans.

Lunch: leftover halibut with port wine and fig sauce, lentils, sauteed collards.
mhs@19:50

Sunday, August 04, 2002

Dinner: halibut with port wine and fig glaze, sauteed collards with onion, garlic, ginger, and red pepper.

Lunch: leftover spiced turkey meatloaf, tossed salad with goat cheese.
mhs@20:03

Check out WTC plan #7.
mhs@17:31

Fig recipes!
mhs@16:51

How much Calcium are you getting in your diet? Here's a simple calcium caclulator.
mhs@16:42

Check out Pike Place Fish's web site!
mhs@07:57

Breakfast: applesauce, yogurt.

Dinner, yesterday: sauteed collard greens with onion and chicken broth, curried red lentils.
mhs@07:04

Saturday, August 03, 2002

Lunch: leftover beets, stringbeans with garlic, and grilled trout with basil and lemongrass.
mhs@13:40

Breakfast: applesauce, nut crackers.

Dinner, yesterday: leftover spiced meatloaf, sauteed green beans with garlic.
mhs@08:55

The new home of Nick's binary converter.
mhs@08:46

Friday, August 02, 2002

Breakfast: homemade applesauce, Lois Lang's bread with dripped yogurt cream cheese.

Dinner, yesterday @ Cafe Terra Cotta: spinach salad, grilled salmon with roasted vegetables.
mhs@06:28

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