MY (UPDATED) CROHN'S STORY having and healing IBD using Specific Carbohydrate Diet (similar to AIP)

This is my story of development, diagnosis, treatment, and eventual healing of Crohn's disease, which began with a fistula. Despite being told that the fistula and Crohn's disease were both incurable (by my doctors in Canada) It was possible to heal both, in my case. In this video, I share my personal story and experiences.
The 8-Year Old Videos I mention:
LetsTalkIBD Ostomy Bag video (duct tape): • Duct Tape Fashions for...
Jay Balak (aka CrohnsBoy) video and his story: • CROHN'S DISEASE CURE ...
^ the videos that changed my life. ^
Please educate yourself if you decide to try anything contained in this video, because it is not medical advice, and you are always responsible for educating yourself, observing your own symptoms, and making informed choices regarding your health. I am not advising regarding medication, going off medication, or anything like that. As you can see from the video, my decision to start the diet while not on medication was the result of unique circumstances. Yours might be different, and so I think it is important to make clear that you are able to begin this diet while on medication, and as your symptoms diminish (as they do for approx 85-90% of people if you go by clinical remission rate results) you can make decisions along with the prescribing doctor. This is just one option. The point is, these are not recommendations, rather it is one story, and you can do it differently :)
In India the doctor who treated my fistula told me the fistula was not caused by Crohn's disease. He also (this was 5 years after the diet) saw no evidence of Crohn's and did not believe I even had it.
So things can really change. :)
The diet I did was the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD). It is very similar to AIP but the principles are different. I used principles of both SCD and Paleo (inspired by the Nourishing Traditions Cookbook)
You can read Breaking the Vicious Cycle (amzn.to/2NbG6kK) for details about the diet, and how it works. It explains different types of carbohydrates and other useful information which empowers you to make more educated dietary choices since some foods are much easier to digest than others, and effect the body in different ways.
Bone broth was extremely beneficial to me. I would recommend including beef knuckle bones, or if you are more adventurous, pork trotters or chicken feet. Pasture raised and local if possible.
To learn how see my video here: • CHICKEN FOOT BONE BROT... (contains chicken feet)
You can also use a chicken carcass or really any bone leftover from cooking, but the gelatinous quality (good for healing) comes from tendons, cartilage, and other connective tissue.
Please share your stories and questions below.
Thank you for watching, and all the best on your healing journey.
If you would like to share your story with me personally, you can do so at [e-mail]
Contains Affiliate Links

[@lhacker-clark8993]

Thank you for being so honest!!! God bless you!!

[@jacintao6826]

Looking forward to your next video on mental health/mindset. I’ve suffered with crohns for 16 years now and mindset is my biggest challenge at the moment when trying to stick with a specific diet.

[@pooriazare]

Thank you soo much for your channel and sharing your story. Ill be watching all your videos please keep going and im hoping you are benefiting from KZbin for sharing all the great info as we all are.

[@preetamr12]

I feel for you Erica, thank you for sharing your story. So happy for you! I have a very similar story as yours, being diagnosed with Crohns, intestinal Tuberculosis and a complex fistula. It took be about 7 years to heal myself. Glad to say i am all good now and living in full remission.

[@HackYourHealth]

Oh wow! Thank you for sharing. I'm glad you have healed as well For me it also took 7 years, from beginning to end of the fistula! I'm so happy you have found full remission.

[@preetamr12]

@@HackYourHealth Yes for me it all started with a fistula (an abscess which lead to fistula) and then Crohns and all the side affects related to the condition and the medication. I was able to achieve full remission following vegetarian / vegan based diet and a lot of lifestyle changes. Finally it all finished with KS treatment for fistula last year. So its like a full circle :) Now talking about it we casually say 7 years but the journey was so painful but ultimately rewarding in the end :) When you said you had to sit awkwardly due to the abscess it almost made my smile as that was me until last year. I got so used to sitting that way my body still goes into that position now and i have to remind myself that i dont have a wound there anymore, and its okay to assume normal sitting posture, its a weird feeling.

[@HackYourHealth]

Wow, it's like we have the same story. Yes, I know what you mean. For me too, it has been hard for my body and mind to adjust. Even now I am having a disk issue, which leads to pain in the same area as the fistula and the same leaning position. It's like, it recreated the pain so my body has finally the chance to learn that nothing bad is really happening and it's ok to sit evenly again. Or maybe a coincidence 😉

[@Geneviena]

[@HackYourHealth]

Thank you so much Geneviena! It's so true that even though we feel alone at the time, many understand and have experienced very similar things, that actually can also bring people together. That's really interesting you also experienced the year of feeling down, and needing to get back. I've always wondered what that was all about! I agree that it's a slow and gradual process getting to a positive mindset and it takes practice. I really do believe that this is empowering to learn mindfulness and self care, as well as compassion for others who are suffering...I think this serves in life greatly, and in all, there is a lot to be grateful for, even in the suffering. Thank you so much for sharing too, and I am wishing for things to get better and better for you :)

[@claudettetodd7497]

Hi Erika, it's eerie how much I have in common with you: sensitivity to medications, doctors threatening, a horrendous lumbar puncture experience, etc. I woke up awhile ago and took control of my life with Crohn's (and MS, thank you very much). Doctors must be questioned. Everyone MUST be their own advocate and self-educate; there's no other way. My Crohn's went into remission for 10 years then reawakened (with a vengeance) after a case of food poisoning in 2011. Nine years later, and suffering additionally after gallbladder removal, life holds no happiness (again, similar to you). The SCD yogurt is fermenting as I write this. My next step is to destroy what I believe is a gut biofilm which prevents my healing. I'm glad to hear your story, it's good to know we're not alone in this messed up life. Warmest regards, Claudette Todd

[@HackYourHealth]

Hi Claudette, Your last line made me laugh, because you are right, we are not alone in this messed up life! That is pretty comforting. That's amazing you even had the lumbar puncture too. I feel like some bodies must be more reactive than others and just love rejecting medication! lol. That's ok, it wasn't what it needed, evidently. I'm glad you have the resolve to continue with the diet and self-education and healing because I agree, I feel we need to be our own advocates and make informed decisions. This has best results, from examples I have personally witnessed, even though it is of course a different sort of challenge. I'm hoping you enjoy the yogurt, and one step at a time I hope you find your way to a happy place again. Thank you so much for your comment it put a smile on my face.

[@karlbristow1223]

You really have been through the wars health wise Erica. The way you have dealt with your issues is an inspiration.

[@HackYourHealth]

Thank you Karl. Yes, it's amazing the stories I have heard as well, people are really able to "survive" and maintain their goodness through a lot. I was very fortunate to receive encouragement and guidance when I needed it most along the way. I am also incredibly grateful that the situation forced me to take responsibility and research the problems for myself. Once I had a diagnosis, that became possible and the best things the doctors did for me was diagnose, and give me some insight. Since those medications didn't work and the fistula was considered unfixable here, I thank my lucky stars because I got my life back, and even though it took many years, I am now free of these and healthy, which is a miracle to me (even though it took hard work- but it was supposed to be impossible!). I wanted to share this story in case others in similar situations find it, and get some strength. Thank you so much for watching!

[@karlbristow1223]

HackYourHealth I'm sure many people are happy to hear your story as it's a great one to tell! I'm so glad that your perseverance and research has paid off for you. You're a strong, confident and level headed person, I'm sure your issues have helped you grow into the person you are today. It's really nice to see a positive story in a weary world. I find your videos somehow reassuring and calming, thanks for all the effort you put in!

[@HackYourHealth]

Hi Karl, thank you! I am really glad to hear my videos make you feel that way.

[@karlbristow1223]

HackYourHealth they do, and I just think you're a really genuine person. In the social media world you're a breath of fresh air!

[@kylestevens6894]

I’m not sure if you’ll see this since this video is a couple years old but - wow your story of starting out when you were really sick made me get some perspective on my situation. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis when I was 19. I’ve had some rough flare ups since then and I’m 29 now but dang you really went thru it. I did the SCD diet once upon a time and I only did it faithfully for about 3 months. Saw great improvements in that time and did well enough that I just straight up stopped doing it 😅. Had some flares afterward thru the years and would go back to SCD for a time and did well. Got off SCD once I was out of my flare and started incorporating homemade fermented foods and I didn’t have any flares for almost 3 years. Not entirely sure what changed but I’ve been in and out of a flare for the past year and it’s been miserable. I went back on SCD at the beginning of the flare and it just seemed like it wasn’t working like it did before. Been on and off of prednisone this whole year and your experience and this video along with the video you posted about SCD and your health 4 years ago has really helped me to refocus and give it a major shot again. So thank you for sharing and all that you went thru to help other people 🙏

[@Mouldy7890]

Thank you for sharing your story! I have been on the SCD diet for around 8 weeks now. I would be interested in your video about sticking to the diet and having strong willpower. I am doing okay so far, but would be interested in how you cope with any cravings for food you used to eat.

[@HackYourHealth]

Thank you! That is amazing, I am so happy you are doing this diet too. Great suggestion, I will include a part of the video on that subject.

[@teresagould6987]

Don’t you just love doctors. I’ve even been mis diagnosed with chronic pancreatitis and gallstones, which is totally incorrect. Why do so many people with IBD have to go through hell to get a diagnosis!!!!! Thank you again for your video xxxx 💕

[@HackYourHealth]

I know it really is a shame. I feel sad thinking of all the uneccessary suffering people go through. Fortunately there is a lot more hope than we are told for IBD! 💜

[@annaswanson5903]

Sending hugs and strength from afar 😊

[@HackYourHealth]

Thank you! To you as well ❤

[@RSTrader]

Hi Erica, First and foremost, I admire your courage, strength and determination. You are a brave person for sharing your story. I am sure that your story brings comfort to those who are going through really tough times with this horrible condition. I was diagnosed with my first fistula when I was 25. I saw my doctor who referred me to a general surgeon. He did a fistulectomy which cut through the tract as well as some of the sphincter muscle and the wound was left open to heal. This worked to get rid of the fistula but i was not warned of the risk of incontinent nor was I asked to follow up to do more tests for IBD. Luckily it did not create any incontinent. After 12 years, fistula returned at another location compared to the previous fistula I had. This time a seton was put in for 3 months to drain and the tract was stitched shut. I also had a colonoscopy where they found traces of inflammation which is suggestive of Crohns. This was last year and 12 months later I feel like the fistula forming again. I refused to see an Endocrinologist last year because I was in denial. I think I may have to this time and most likely start medication to treat the underlying cause of fistula.

[@HackYourHealth]

I think you are wise to trust your instincts and learn as much as you can. I hope you heal and find what works for you, and see the end of these problems!

[@JesusFreakJene]

Thank you for this video. I went on the diet after having severe pain and bleeding. I was really sick. SCD diet healed my body after having GI issues for over 10 years with no help from doctors. I really believe in the diet.

[@HackYourHealth]

Thank you for sharing. I think it's a real shame people are suffering for long periods of time with digetive illnesses without proper care. I am glad you did the diet and feel better now. It's pretty amazing how things can change:)

[@sun_rise3]

love you :) i was a vegan and vegetarian for 6 years i know whats carbs is ; now its my enemy , good luck survivor , am happy for you keep going for the light :)

[@HackYourHealth]

Thank you

[@noshinali6657]

Hey, Could you please do a video showing a typical day of what you eat? I’m also in between trying out Keto/SCD diet x

[@HackYourHealth]

Yes, I can do that I also made one a few months ago maybe you are interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6S9Y5auiZyWhck I cook beef tendon in this video, and will admit it's not too often I cook one (mostly because they are hard to find) but I do recommend eating gelatinous foods while you are healing. Good luck I hope you find the foods best suited to you

[@ajmalmansoor706]

Hii I am very happy that you are doing much better. I am also on SCD, however you mentionned that you don't really have lentils. But it is legal according to the book if we soak it right?

[@HackYourHealth]

I am happy you are doing SCD too :) Yes absolutely you can eat lentils. I should have been more clear it's an individual sensitivity.

[@pammyfashion9854]

Yes very correct I had crohns from eating raw vegetables too,I regret always

[@alexbosenko6892]

Hi, Erika, what a great success story! Thank's for a huge inspiration. Well, may I ask you something? You have mentioned that your condition was really severe during the raw vegan diet, so your intestines were not able to tolerate raw veggies. But raw veggies and greens are legal on SCD diet, so do you reccomend to consume them, or it's better to avoid? Thank's in advance :)

[@HackYourHealth]

Hi Alex, Thank you! There is a big difference between including raw foods, and eating ONLY raw foods. It results in eating a huge amount of fiber which has not been softened by cooking (as well nutritional deficiencies). It's like, butter is great, but eating ONLY butter seems like it would be a bad idea! Because it is not balanced. During the raw veganism, the abscess/fistula developed, which was caused by a gland being irritated on the inside of the anal canal. I think it is likely to have happened because of the huge quantities of hard fiber. I did not have symptoms of Crohn's disease until about 8 months or so later. However, that being said, raw vegetables can be problematic for many people especially at the beginning of the diet, and some veg are harder to digest than others. For example, raw cabbage (other than sauerkraut) and raw cruciferous veg are often problematic. My suggestion is to track your personal responses if you are unsure whether you are able to handle them well.

[@Naboliax]

You are literally my hero. Not exaggerating, but you are saving lifes by this content. Thank you so much for sharing your story. Let me know if there is anything I can support you and your work with.

[@HackYourHealth]

Thank you Nabil, I am very glad it is helpful to you, and your appreciation means a lot to me!

[@somebodysomething4242]

Erika, thank you for your videos. Do you have any information on the IBD panel that tests for antibodies (such as baker's yeast)? And have you ever gotten that test? I tested positive for those and two others in the Crohn's panel, but all of my scopes and scans were clear. I have had symptoms on and off for about a decade, but when the scans came back clear, they said it was IBS. I thought it was gluten for years, because when I cut it out of my diet, I improved. However, I now believe it was both the wheat/gluten and yeast, because the antibodies I had were for both of those things and if I eat anything with "yeast extract" or anything similar, I have serious problems. I have gone to SCD anyway without consulting this joke of a doctor (he's the only gastroenterologist within a 2-hour drive) and eliminated all of the foods associated with the antibodies also (including mushrooms, even though they are legal on SCD). I have read everything I can find online about the antibodies and no one seems to know what the association is.

[@ummalmani2542]

Hey Erica, i really appreciate your intention helping others out with sharing your experience and making your story public... Felt the first week good but sadly got worse again. 1 month since I started. I don't feel any improvement for except that single week at the beginning. I am tired, losing motivation but otherwise afraid of giving up to early. What do you think? When did you feel better on your journey?

[@HackYourHealth]

I am sorry to hear that. Keep in mind, I'm not a doctor. I would first of all say good for you for doing this for yourself and I agree, since the diet is safe and healthy might as well see if continuing helps Definitely keep a food journal if you haven't already. Sometimes even SCD legal foods can cause issues, especially in the beginning. I think that since there was improvement in the beginning it is a promising sign. However the diet in the book and clinical trials is shown to be 85-90% effective at achieving full remission. I think that the effectiveness is high enough that it's worth giving it a good shot, especially since it's a good diet for overall health, but it isn't a guarantee, unfortunately...in which case I think more research is necessary to discover why it isn't working I'd say that in your case since you had improvement in the beginning it's worth trying longer since you came this far...eating lots of nourishing foods like broth based chicken soup and try some liver (it can improve energy).... At the same time, you know yourself best and it's up to you to decide. I am sending you good wishes and hope things turn around for you soon!

[@brandonlovesmonkeys]

I think fibre is a big one to be careful on at the start 100%, best of luck 🤞

[@ummalmani2542]

@@HackYourHealth ❤

[@ummalmani2542]

@@brandonlovesmonkeys ❤

[@ummalmani2542]

You guys were right. The fault was mine! I ate a lot of dates to get my calories in. I went back to the intro diet / phase 1 and feeling better right now! As dear Erica has already said, you shouldn't blindly trust the list of permitted foods and rather follow the instructions, which are divided into different phases. Fiber is disgusting... Much Love!

[@katrinawebbheim3772]

So sorry to hear your story,, thanks for being an advocate.

[@HackYourHealth]

Thank you! I consider myself a lucky one :) Because I got better. I'm hoping that by people sharing their stories, others can suffer less. A seton is a bit awkward to describe. It's basically a hard plastic string (I would recommend asking to have a more comfortable material to anyone getting one- or better yet, going for kshar sutra) that loops through the fistula and the anal canal to form a loop and keep the fistula open. It's basically to prevent abscessing.

[@katrinawebbheim3772]

@@HackYourHealth wow I didn't know abcesses were caused from fistulas :( I just burst my small pea size fistula every other day when it flares bad and call it good since antibiotics and draining isn't the cure either.

[@HackYourHealth]

Hi Katrina, In that case, perhaps a seton is relevant, because it can allow the fistula to drain instead of abseccsing and needing to be popped However I would only do so with a trustworthy and experienced doctor, who will use a comfortable and safe material (for me they used hard plastic). After 6 months I couldn't stand it and removed them. For example kshar sutra uses a soft cotton thread which has been infused with herbal medicines to heal and kill the infection in the fistula and are completely comfortable. Also, you can be awake for seton or thread insertion. That way the surgeon can inform you better of the process, and it is safer I believe. These are things I would consider based on my own experiences. I also found hot sitz baths with epsom salts really helped. I am glad you are managing well so far. I hope soon you will be cured from this problem!

[@ottoungvari9556]

Very interesting story. It is very strange to hear your story! I also have crohn's disease. And I am totally opposite, I found the best diet for me the whole food plant based diet. I only eat plants, and sometimes mushroom. I do not eat plant junks, as refined sugar, white flour, margarine, oils etc. And I found that plant fibers is very important for a good healthy digestion and good, healthy microbiome. And without it there is no good digestion, I think. And I think meat cause inflammation , and many disease like cancer. I can not imagine how can an IBD patient heal on meat...

[@HackYourHealth]

I was a vegan when I developed Crohn's disease. And i healed rapidly once I ate a suitable diet for humans, which the SCD is an example of. I would use extreme caution when eating a diet which does not contain all essential nutrients. In the long term, it can be very damaging. All the best to you and I hope you are healthy and well.

[@ottoungvari9556]

@@HackYourHealth I eat carbohydrate so called whole carbs. I avoid all refined carbs ( sugar, white flour, corn starch), I think these are the problem. Carbs in plants as it is naturally grown in them is good. I eat them, fruits, other grains, beans, other legumes, potato, sweet potato... And I eat some supplements also , like vitamin D, vitamin B12. Sadly, I can not say, that I am healed from crohn's, but my digestion is the best on this diet in my personal life. I also wish you all the best, thanks! Otto from Hungary

[@renaudlevasseur8327]

Thanks for sharing your story, it takes gut to be so open about it ! Haha I relate to it a lot, i'm still sick (with UC) I struggle with diet and watch too many different point of view and all but I will stick to the scd for a while making bone broth and all. What do you meant by turning your anger toward yourself ? What did you ended up to do with it ? And how did you became less fearful ? Personnaly I feel like to become brave we have to expose ourself slowly to what we fear to realise it is mostly in our mind. I do believe that it's both about diet and emotion but I dont know if it's the diet that cause the emotionnal state or the other way around, it seems wierd that child would have this disease because of their emotional state... And reading the book about gaps diet and "nutrition and physical degeneration" make me think that it is about food, but when I read a book about psychology or spirituality it feels like it is the other way haha

[@HackYourHealth]

Thank you, I hope the SCD works for you too. Be patient :) Good question about the anger. When the Body Says No by Gabor Maté (Canadian doctor) is very informative on this topic. Basically it is a pattern or unconscious habit, usually formed in childhood where maybe you weren't permitted to express anger, where if you are angry, instead of saying anything or expressing it outwardly, you turn it into a criticism or attack on yourself. This is also the Ayurvedic perspective on Crohn's disease. Being mindful and noticing these patterns can be helpful. I don't mean to suggest it replaces medicine or anything it's moreso complementary in my understanding. I know what you mean, and I think the reason is it is both. In yoga training for example we learned there are knots in the body and knots in the mind. They correspond to each other, so when you heal one, you simultaneously heal the other. I think this is a good metaphor for how it can seem to move in both directions. As for fear, it took a lot of grounding (counseling helped) as well as I have a good meditation teacher who really helped. I think being around wise and grounded people helps. And bringing yourself into the moment.

[@renaudlevasseur8327]

@@HackYourHealth Thank you for the reply, I will definitively read this book ! Do you know if Crohns and UC have the same signification ? I tried to google it but dont find something on it about the psychological aspect except that it comes from a pitta imbalance. I practice meditation where I try to feel and relax each part of my body and it's definitively what has help me the most so far. I do yoga too but I ended up seeing some testimony about "new age to christianity" on KZbin and it kind of scared me... I need to stop looking online it makes me question everything that I do x)

[@HackYourHealth]

In the book, he includes all types of autoimmune diseases under the general umbrella, and then goes into more specific chapters on certain diseases.. I'll have to look more into the Ayurvedic perspective, because I'm not sure if it's the same for both. I agree, sometimes this stuff is helpful to kinda shake up your perspective and give some direction, but on the other hand, in meditation, it is good to let go of stories, including this one, as much as possible. I'm glad you are practicing meditation and it is helping you. I know what you mean about overthinking things. Being aware of how these types of things make you feel is really important. It's confusing out there with a lot of contradictory information, I have experienced it too. I feel like sticking to the practice and not worrying about it, as well as sticking to one teacher or practice that makes you feel safe and comfortable can help a lot, as least for a time, to let the mind settle.

[@renaudlevasseur8327]

@@HackYourHealth Yes it's a good avice, consistency is key, not going every where, then only if after some times it doesn't work, start looking for something else, I will keep that in mind ^^

[@MsFRed545]

Hi, please, could you provide a link for an ayurvedic clinic where you have been treated? Do you you know if they also treat fissure (is it the same treatment)? Thank you sooooo much for your help.

[@HackYourHealth]

www.drrameshbhat.com/ He does not treat active Crohn's patients Yes he treats fissures as well

[@MsFRed545]

HackYourHealth thank you! And would you recommend the doctor and the clinic? Could you also tell how much your treatment costed? Thank you so much. This info help me a lot.

[@HackYourHealth]

Yes, I would recommend His prices have changed so you will need to ask for your individual case.

[@katrinawebbheim3772]

The AIP, autoimmune protocol, diet includes sweet potatos. SCD doesn't since its still a starch- what are you're thoughts on these differences?

[@HackYourHealth]

Hi Katrina, that is a great question. You might be interested in this video where I compared the diets: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoemiautpZagrcU There are also links in the description of that video. Personally I try not to be religious about it, and go more by reasoning and symptom observation. So sweet potatoes are an unprocessed food, they have long been part of the human diet, and are not a nightshade. On the other hand, depending how severe the damage has been to the digestive system, the starches may be difficult to digest. Keeping a 30 day food journal when starting SCD, AIP, or a similar diet, is the best way to figure out if they are suitable for you, in my opinion. The benefits of sweet potato: can be eaten with grass fed butter (Vit A etc) and if digestible MAY be useful to encourage weight gain especially after a few months of heating since there is a lot of carbs. Soil quality and cooking temp/time or even possible fermentation could also be factors. This is based on my personal research, experience and opinion and is not medical advice.

[@Ruktiet]

Wow. What an incredible story. You seem like a very strong person. Good for you, and thanks for sharing as to actually help others. plus, you're smoking hot

[@andrewrobert5974]

hi erica i just have question about the scd diet that you did how many grams of carbs do you think you got per day? and what were they from primarily fruit? im gonna do this diet but i need a fair amount of carbs as i did keto once and had a hard time with it also do you think you can take probiotic instead of the yogurt? thank you so much

[@HackYourHealth]

I think I ate roughly 130g per day, because for 3 days a few months in as part of a (university) nutrition course I had to count them, and I remember it was just under the "recommended" amount and I had to talk to the lecturer lol. I think she wanted me to eat 150? It seemed a bit silly since she wanted me to eat bread to "supplement" and I told her it would put me back in the hospital but she insisted on the number even though I am much smaller than other people who are also recommended 150g? 🤷‍♀️ whether or not I was healthy vs. hospitalized apparently isn't important in academic nutrition but that's another tale for another time :) You could make it more or less g depending what foods you choose, but for me it was not ketogenic. I was eating one or at most 2 pieces of fruit per day as per naturopath advice but I don't know what percentage that would be. The yogurt itself has nutritional value that's very useful, but yes you can definitely take probiotics:) And I encourage you to do it it's amazing :) it's really much easier once you get going and does wonders

[@andrewrobert5974]

@@HackYourHealth thanks for your help! its good to hear from other people around my age going through same stuff i just had fistula surgery 2 months ago but wasnt too bad my surgeon was a really good guy and he sent me to see gi doc now will see how that goes lol. Okay so the rest of your carbs other than fruit was like honey, yogurt carrots beets squash stuff like that sounds good

[@HackYourHealth]

@@andrewrobert5974 I'm glad you are getting good treatment! :) yes, exactly. Beets carrots all the things you mentioned, it adds up. Hopefully it works for you too!

[@POS3278]

How are you doing now?

[@mefreee2]

Erika please make a new video, its been a while 💕

[@HackYourHealth]

Thank you! Your comment came at the right time. I'm sorry for being absent and am starting again now! :) Thank you for being so patient.....

[@johncarson1242]

hi i agree that diet is the only thing that keeps me in remision (i have crohns) thanks to diet i havent had any surgery, i did tried the SCD and others the one that gives you ketones etc, but honestly i dont seem to tolerate a lot of the legal foods, like beet even tomatoes i cant have them, do you think is possible that some people are more sensitive? i mean is strange in ibd people you look at reddit everyone have different diets that they tolerate and some dont even know what triggers them which is sad, but yeah or you think that SCD diet could stabilize everyone? i also tried fermented foods like sauerkraut but i couldnt tolerate them it wasnt the bacteria just the vegetable is to raw for me, even fermented, what i do tolerate is milk and i do yogurt with probiotics whats your opinion on fmt? as a last option, very informative and helpful i hope others can follow this diet i did but i didnt tolerated the base diet the wierd thing is that i do can eat potato without problem but i mean cucumber eggplant is just too raw for me i dont know how could you eat that without problem

[@HackYourHealth]

Hi John, Yes, I definitely think there are different sensitivities from person to person. I would recommend keeping a food journal for the first 30 days, to find them. I was also unable to tolerate tomatoes and a few other legal things. There is science behind the diet, and why it includes and excludes certain carbohydrates, but there are other factors. I don't think SCD would necessarily help everyone. In clinical trials it is usually between 90-100% from what I have seen, which is higher rates of remission than medications, and very high probability of success given the options. I think it's best to start out simple, with the yogurt if that works for you and other foods that are easy for you to digest and nutritionally good, and then it's likely that after some time...maybe 6 months or something....you could retry a few things that are scd legal and see if it's improving I think it's very good to read the book first if you haven't already and commit to sticking with it 100% to see if it will work for you, with the foods you cannot tolerate excluded. This is my personal recommendation and not medical advice Meditation in conjunction with all this is also very helpful Good luck to you! :)

[@HackYourHealth]

As far as fmt goes, I didn't research it too much but what I have read seems very promising and from the things I read it has great results. However I would need to do a lot more research to really understand the process.

[@johncarson1242]

@@HackYourHealth yeah thanks i just watched your other vid on what you eat on scd diet honestly a lot of the things you say i cant eat like garlic or onion even fruit, but when i first heard about the microbiota i really felt like this was something and probiotics do make me feel better i have never been on medication i dont believe in that but thanks i think ill try scd again i figure it is worth it it would be a dream come true if i could eat a normal diet, i hope it works it just was discouraging when i couldnt eat a lot of the legal foods but ill try to find a way around it i really appreciate your effort to educate honestly as i havent been on medication no surgury i do feel sad for a lot of people thats why i found you because i see all this patients with fistuals and other terrible things that they cant heal and they keep suffering, and i want a solution for them i know that with diet at least i am in remission but you went all the way to the other side of the river i hope i can get there too thanks for spreading awareness and hope, it is really needed for a lot of people is terrible, thanks

[@MrDildohead]

I have Chron's, and this is how I will cure my self: red meat/ zero carbs diet water raw milk kefir 2/4 cups a day I am now 8 weeks into my carnivore journey and my digestion has never felt better. #meat&yeast heals.

[@anumummaneni]

Hi Can you message me the doctor who treated you in india please.Did you go functional approach

[@HackYourHealth]

Hi Rosey, I went to Dr. Ramesh Bhat in Bangalore. I highly recommend him. He is an Ayurvedic doctor.

[@treeduck3705]

Yeah pharmaceutical medication is best avoided unless absolutely necessary. Meanwhile you've come through your ordeal stronger.

[@HackYourHealth]

Thank you!

[@TheDa6781]

so what do you think harmed your gut health the most ? vegetarianism, veganism, anger ?

[@HackYourHealth]

Antibiotics, specifically ciprofloxacin

[@TheDa6781]

@@HackYourHealth Was it though ? You said you started with a vegetarian diet. Then for some reason you switched to vegan. After a year of that you started feeling not so great, and you switched to raw vegan. Then you developed a fistula. Sure the antibiotics and chron's medication made the problem worse (far worse in your case), but from your timeline it would seem you had a gut problem before the antibiotics. You found the solution in a diet that is neither vegetarian or vegan and certainly not raw vegan. Logic (my logic anyway :)) suggests that your old diet (pre fistula) damaged your gut, and your new diet healed it.

[@SeanMartu]

research diatomaceous earth and crohns

[@shawnheseltine9689]

I'm so sore today its almost unbearable 😭 Crohn's disease

[@shawnheseltine9689]

Any help would be much appreciated

[@HackYourHealth]

I am sending a hug to you. I hope you feel better soon.

[@HackYourHealth]

Hi Shawn, I usually recommend to everyone to read the book Breaking the Vicious Cycle. I think that keeping a food journal and tracking your symptoms each day, especially if you choose to begin the SCD, is really helpful for developing awareness. Then you can notice patterns, and hopefully make positive changes. Doing a mindfulness practice where you observe your pain and observe your breathing at the same time can also be helpful.

[@shawnheseltine9689]

@@HackYourHealth SCD?

[@shawnheseltine9689]

@@HackYourHealth I am still learning about crohn's

[@rebeccahinson1511]

The doctors don’t give explanations because they themselves don’t know. Unfortunately our Western medical system is focused on drugs, not getting to the root cause of dis-ease. How did you find the Indian doctor?

[@HackYourHealth]

I went to India and asked around. Also joined a fb group for the subject

[@Knighttus]

You said you went all the way to india to treat your fistula and on another video you said you were living on a budget? Don't know what to believe 🤔

[@HackYourHealth]

I did SCD while paying my way through university, living on my own without support, in one of the most expensive cities in the world. I had a very limited food budget because I had to pay tuition and rent. When I ran out of money I'd take semesters off to work full time. This is not unusual for students who pay their own way. After I graduated i saved for 3 years to go to India because I was in daily pain and it was the biggest priority in my life to be rid of that disease. What is hard to believe?

[@HackYourHealth]

I know that I was very lucky to be able to, but it wasn't easy either ❤

[@Knighttus]

@@HackYourHealth thanks for clarifying things i appreciate that, sorry if i came off as if i was calling you a liar, have you done biopsies these later years and how did they vome back?

[@HackYourHealth]

@@Knighttus I did not do any biopsies. I do not have a family doctor or any symptoms that would motivate me to undergo unnecessary interaction with the "health care" system because I had very bad experiences. However in India the doctor told me that he saw no signs of Crohn's and didn't even believe I ever had it which I found encouraging. He was the best and most knowledgeable doctor I met :) If you want examples of blood work and other markers taken during clinical trials of SCD patients, I'd recommend reading the studies put out by Seattle Children's Hospital. I didn't have access to the resources to produce those materials during the course of my illness but still wanted to share my story in case it was useful to others. If you have other questions let me know! Also, it's good to think critically and decide what to believe for yourself so I don't mind if people doubt me, I'm just a stranger on the internet:)

[@Knighttus]

@@HackYourHealth the reason why i'm asking you all these questions is because i had a flare which lasted a day and had bloody stool and mucus and my colon was severly inflamed so my gastro took bopsies which came back as "crohns" but she believes it was UC from the looks of it, so i wanted a second opinion and went to another gastro and underwent a colonoscopie and the doctor said the exact same thing yours said, if i didnt suffer the first flare she wouldnt have believed i had crohns so she also took some biopsies 3 in total, 2 from the colon which showed no sign of crohns which is weird because the first biopsie showed crohns in that same area, but now the one taken from the small intestine showed crohns, and that's not it just this past friday i had a IRM and it showed nothing No sign of disease!!!! Btw i did the colonoscopy on the 3rd and IRM on the 21th just few days apart... do you think the disease doesnt show up in biopsies/IRM once it goes into remission?

[@joeycarbstrong-8710]

like my doctors are incompetent and suck. none of their prescriptions help improve my disease and condition

[@HackYourHealth]

I'm sorry! But the good news is, since that is the case you are motivated to try other things and likely in the long term you will be much healthier! That was the situation I had too and because of it I did the Specific Carbohydrate diet. I never had another flare and have been independent and medication free for 12 years :) I hope that is your story too. It will get better and you have a lot of power to change things for yourself:)