Webster’s dictionary defines the word “gap” as “a pass or way through a range of hills.” I am writing my story after following the GAPS diet protocol for one full year.
I decided to write on this day to share my story of healing – my path through the hills.
For those of you who are not familiar, GAPS stands for Gut and Psychology Syndrome, the bestselling book written by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride MD. It is a natural digestive healing program.
It has been used to successfully treat many diseases/conditions including Crohn’s disease, Ulcerative Colitis, IBS, Autism, ADHD/ADD, Allergies, Depression, Anxiety, Asthma, Eczema, Schizophrenia, and more.
The GAPS Diet protocol rebuilds the gut by healing the damaged and permeable gut lining. This is the root cause of autoimmune diseases.
Managing Ulcerative Colitis With Drugs
At the time, I was receiving Remicade infusions for the management of Ulcerative Colitis.
I had been dealing with this for over 10 years.
Ulcerative Colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by abdominal cramping and bloody diarrhea.
Remicade is not a “treatment; it only manages the symptoms; therefore, it does not address the root problem.
To manage and “hide” symptoms throughout those years, I went through the typical pyramid of conventional medications, beginning with Asacol, Colazol, and Prednisone.
Finally, Remicade was prescribed when a major flare-up landed me in the ER. In the hospital, I was first given the highest dosage of IV Prednisone possible in an attempt to stop the bleeding and cramping.
When that wasn’t successful, they told me the only other option besides surgery was Remicade, an intravenous drug that suppresses the immune system.
It had just recently been approved for Ulcerative Colitis when previously it was only approved for Crohn’s Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis.
At the time, I had never heard of Remicade but I desperately wanted to stop the pain and bleeding so I started infusions in the hospital. I was soon released with directions for further Remicade infusions and a very high dosage of oral prednisone. In about three weeks surrounding my hospital stay, I lost about 15 pounds but I was encouraged by my doctors that the Remicade would get me better.
In time, I slowly tapered off prednisone and per the advice of my gastro-intestinal (GI) doctor, I began taking Mercaptopurine/6MP (another immuno-suppressant drug).
The Remicade indeed “managed” and hid my Ulcerative Colitis symptoms.
Fortunately, I was able to wean off the Mercaptopurine/6MP. This medication is not safe for fetuses and I eventually planned to have a child.
I remained on the Remicade infusions (a 3- hour intravenous process administered in an outpatient hospital setting).
I received these infusions every 8-9 weeks, continuing without any signs of symptoms.
According to the world of conventional medicine, it appeared that I was doing well with my health and Ulcerative Colitis. I had no signs whatsoever of my disease and I went through college and early adulthood “healthy”.
Unfortunately, this is the typical approach by our conventional healthcare system today – give the drug that hides the symptoms to make you forget that your body is at war underneath. And so, I was only reminded of my disease when I went in for my infusions, the drug that disguised my body’s ill state.
Remicade managed my symptoms, bleeding, and abdominal pain. However, I soon realized that I wanted out of the “managing symptoms cycle”.
You may be wondering why would I want to risk flaring, risk spending more time in a hospital, risk more pain and bleeding, and risk facing many health uncertainties.
There were several reasons that surfaced. First, I usually felt “uneasy” during infusions. It’s a difficult feeling to describe.
I never had any allergic reactions to Remicade and so I never needed to prep the infusion by taking other medications that other patients required. Following infusions, I usually felt a little “out of it” and I usually didn’t plan much for the remainder of the day.
So although I never had any direct reactions to the infusion, throughout the years, I became even more troubled at infusion times.
I also had the “uneasy” feeling (it sort of felt like a string was being pulled within my stomach) when I thought about my hidden disease and what my body was going through underneath the Remicade mask.
I guess that was my gut giving me a sign that something wasn’t right. This wasn’t the way to deal with my body’s ill state for the rest of my life.
I tried explaining my feelings when my Gastro-Intestinal (GI) doctor asked me “Why?” when I approached him regarding my desire to heal myself naturally and get off drugs.
I had just begun the health coaching certification program through The Institute for Integrative Nutrition and I wanted to jump on the right track and embark on my own journey for true health.
In addition to the “uneasy gut feeling,” the possible effects of Remicade are very serious. They can include a weakened immune system, infection, liver damage, tuberculosis, and lymphoma (cancer); not to mention the unknown long-term side effects since Remicade was only approved in 1998.
My answer to his question was that I wanted to address the core problem and heal the chaos that my body was experiencing while hidden under the meds. I also was extremely terrified of all the side effects and the unknown future ramifications of the medications.
Remicade is classified as chemo-therapy when billed to an insurance company (each infusion costs about thousands of dollars!) My GI doctor seriously recommended that I continue Remicade.
He cautioned that if I were to stop infusions, I could build resistance and it would not be effective the next time. It was odd to me that he questioned why I would want to stop a “treatment” that was successful.
His approach was to keep his patients on Remicade as long as his patients don’t develop an immediate reaction.
Well, I don’t consider that successful. He also said that he didn’t know about any natural treatments.
He then said that IF I chose to stop Remicade, he wanted me to transition to another oral anti-inflammatory medication.
Of course, that medication came along with another list of side effects. Obviously, we weren’t on the same page and not even in the same book!
My objective was to heal my disease without the dangerous medications that are pushed upon patients too quickly every day. I wasn’t worried about building resistance to Remicade because I knew I wanted to stop putting that poison in my body and never go back.
I decided that I wasn’t going to receive the support that I needed from him. That was the last time that I saw a GI “specialist.”
My Search for Natural Healing
So, that brought me to my search for natural healing.
The role of food, which passes through our digestive system several times a day, was NEVER discussed during the 10-plus years dealing with Ulcerative Colitis.
I was told that I would have to manage the disease by taking medicines for the rest of my life. My former GI doctor mentioned that certain foods may trigger a flare-up but it is different for everyone. I was never questioned about my regular food intake.
Gluten is a well-known digestive irritant but I was never tested for a gluten allergy until I requested the test.
The test came back negative but that didn’t matter to me. I suspected gluten sensitivity in my body. After removing gluten from my diet, the chronic knee pain that I experienced for years dramatically decreased.
I found it very hard to believe that food didn’t play a major role in our gut health. But that is what we are told by most physicians.
Through the program at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, I was introduced to the teachings of Weston A. Price and the true meaning of health with traditional, nutrient-dense, and real foods.
I immersed myself in that lifestyle and approach to life and health. It resonated very deeply with me and my body.
Even though I did not return to my GI doctor, I decided to continue with infusions until I had a clear plan for healing. It was during a Wise Traditions Conference that a good friend talked to me about the GAPS program. She was about to begin it for her own personal healing.
After reading and learning more about it after the conference, I decided that it would be my path to healing.
Next, I consulted with Dr. Thomas Cowan, a physician who utilized the GAPS healing program. We determined how I would taper off Remicade meanwhile implementing the GAPS diet program.
GAPS Diet Heals Ulcerative Colitis
So, I prepared for GAPS. Fortunately, I was living the traditional food lifestyle already, so the transition wasn’t as shocking as I can imagine it could be.
However, there were still many procedures, routines, and foods that the GAPS diet highly stresses and I needed time to consistently incorporate them into my life. After a few months of preparing, I started the GAPS Introduction phase.
As I look back at this year on GAPS, the food aspect was of course challenging. Obstacles, trials, and of days of utter frustrations with food were always present.
It wasn’t easy.
I remember staring often into my refrigerator and thinking “I have nothing to eat!” even though I just spent HOURS preparing food ahead for several days.
Sometimes, especially in the beginning, I just got tired of stock and ferments. One time, I had a minor breakdown over acorn squash! I couldn’t find jars full of acorn squash that I had roasted over the weekend.
I prepared them ahead of time so that I would have some ready for meals during my busy work week. Oh, that was a fun morning, when I realized that I would just need to cook and prepare even MORE food than I already had in the previous days.
I remember bawling to my cat, Lewis, saying “I just don’t want to MAKE any MORE food!”
That happened often in the beginning. Also, a GAPS girl always has to be prepared!
Traveling with lunch bags/coolers, thermoses full of homemade stocks and soups, and my trusty mini-crockpot to reheat homemade meals in hotels was (and still is) a must!
There were many times when I just wanted to have some gluten-free bread (grains are not allowed on GAPS). I often thought, what would happen if I just had one piece? Or what if I just had some roasted sweet potatoes?
Those thoughts definitely flew around in my mind. It was in those times, I had to dig even deeper, and envision my life healed and free of medications. I refocused and kept on.
The most challenging aspect of GAPS, especially during the first 8 months, was my body’s unknown reaction in reference to my previous symptoms.
I had NO clue what to expect while tapering off Remicade in addition to introducing a limited food regimen.
Questions such as “Will my symptoms return?”, “What will I do if they return?”, “Am I ready to possibly go through those severe symptoms again?”, “Will I be able to work?”
Since I had not experienced any symptoms since being on Remicade several years earlier, this was very scary for me. I had read several successful testimonials about healing digestive disease with the GAPS program.
I even found a new friend, a former patient of Dr. Cowan, who healed her Crohn’s disease with GAPS. She was and still is a great support throughout my GAPS journey. However, I was unable to find someone that decided to completely forgo “successful conventional treatment” (which was managing the symptoms of digestive disease) and choose natural healing when symptoms weren’t at all present.
All of the testimonies and stories that I encountered thus far were about taking on the GAPS program while symptoms were present and conventional medications were not managing symptoms. It was scary and I was in the dark.
While I began to taper off Remicade and start the GAPS program, I was also finishing up my health coaching program at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. I was working on building my health coaching business.
I had a lot on my plate, literally!
At the same time, I knew I needed to rest and let my body figure out how to heal. I remember countless days on end (I called them “healing weekends”) when I experienced setbacks. I stayed in the house, wore my pajamas for days, looked a wreck, slept, drank stock, sat in the sun, and didn’t do much at all.
My energy was greatly affected and I lost about 14 pounds; definitely not weight I needed to lose! However, I kept on with my journey, one day at a time, keeping my heart on true healing. I continued on and I began to see improvement.
While I once managed symptoms with the icy cold Remicade infusions, I was now finding true health through the warmth of the deeply nourishing homemade stocks.
Drug-Free At Last
It has been quite a year on GAPS. With any natural healing process, there are ups and downs, plateaus, and hills. It’s a long road. So far, through it all, I can say today that I am doing very well and I trust in my heart and gut, that this is the path for me. I have regained most of my lost weight — a sign of healing.
From the extra nourishing GAPS diet, my triglycerides are a record low! By the way, I am consuming a ton of fats! My energy has also increased. I remain on GAPS and I plan to do so in order to heal completely. I know that I have come a long way but I have more healing to go.
In addition to more gut healing, loads of pharmaceutical drugs throughout the years took a toll on other aspects of my health and GAPS will help in regaining balance with those aspects as well.
As I look forward, I am positive and full of thankfulness. I am so appreciative of all the support from my friends and family this past year.
Their continued love and support have been a tremendous reason for my success so far. In addition, Dr. Cowan’s continuous guidance has been nothing short of supportive and genuine care.
I hope that my story has inspired you to take a step toward natural healing. I truly believe that anyone can take back their health.
If you or anyone you know is dealing with any of the conditions I mentioned at the beginning of my story, I encourage you to read the book Gut and Psychology Syndrome by Dr. Natasha McBride.
While it is slow progress, it is REAL progress and TRUE healing. It is extremely worthwhile. I wake up and I know that pharmaceuticals aren’t masking my body’s signs and feelings.
We all deserve to be well and to experience optimal health. We CAN get to that place naturally, without pharmaceuticals, with the strength of our bodies and heart, and with REAL, nourishing foods Let your healing journey begin!
For an update on this inspiring story, click here!
More Information
GAPS Diet: Heal Your Autoimmune Disease Now
Overwhelmed by the GAPS Diet? Help Has Arrived
FPIES: Resolving the “Other” Food Allergy
How to Speed Healing and Shorten Time on the GAPS Diet
The Five Most Common GAPS Diet Mistakes
Hannah’s Story: 2 Years on GAPS Diet Heals Autism
Chronic Stomach Pain and Bloating Gone!
Hi everyone…
and thank you Gina for sharing these valuable info with us. I have a daughter who wad diagnosed with UC in 2010. her cramping bleeding, diarrhea and gas were affecting every aspects of her life. As a parent I agreed on everything doctors said. She was on Aceocol for few months. after taking it for a month, all bleeding stopped and she seemed OK.it was smooth year, as she wasn’t experiencing any new symptoms. Until Spring this year. But as a mother you know you can’t just mask whatever is happening .. you research and look for better natural alternatives to go deep into the problem. That’s why, I started taking Herbal classes last year because of her. I learned a lot of new approaches and ways to heal our bodies naturally. I can proudly said that because whatever I learned, I applied in my family. We did not go to Dr. almost two yaers now. I am not going deeply into my herbal experience, but I would like to share soemthing I found in April this year, when she started developing the same symptoms as two yaers ago. I found Renew life company with herbs and supplements combined to pretty much help heal the intestines and help them regain the strength and healthy look. Actually in July this year her Dr called me asking me if I will bring her for required check up and colonoscopy again. My daughter refused to go back to hospital, and promised will take anything I give her. So we started with Intestinew… and within a week she stopped bleeding, cramps and diarrhea all together, that lasted for few months. She regained an immunity, her blood count rose and inflammation count went down…. I believe in nature and all things natural. Is amazing how much slippery elm bark, marshmallow, ginger can do to our body… we just need to put right herbs and food in our body and body will heal itself. I am so thankful I found this info as I pinned it to my pinterest.. LOL:) thanks again Gina for sharing…wish you all natural awakenings and healing..
I hope I wont need drastically to change her diet in future and that all flareups (if they happen) will be treated with nature.
feel free to check this supplement as I am more than thrilled I found it…
http://www.iherb.com/Renew-Life-IntestiNew-90-Veggie-Caps/7770
wishing you all relief of this nightmare… great health ya all!!!
Hi Sierra – I really encourage you to start dietary changes…The Mayo Clinic is great but nutrition and food, most times in any conventional medical practice, is not in the tool box! If you were my client, I would work with you towards a “paleo” way of eating first. Gradually work on this. I think that would be your best first step. Traveling is completely doable with Paleo. If you need some support or further guidance, we could surely work together by phone. GAPS could be something for the future when you have the ability to control more and when you aren’t traveling so much and when you can make that leap. Concepts of paleo are definitely first steps in healing. Honestly though, once you are comfortable with paleo concepts, the transition to SCD and GAPS will be less of a leap:) Wishing you great health!
Hi Gina,
Your story was very encouraging, what a testimony!
I was recently diagnosed with UC. It seems to be pretty mild compared to some of the stories above, but I do experience A LOT of blood loss and urgency to go to the bathroom. There are definately good days and bad. I am currently on Asecol, 6 pills twice a day. I am being treated at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. I feel very blessed to be able to get my medical attention through the Mayo, but I am still interested in starting a diet. I am unsure of where to start. I have heard that the Paleo diet works, the SCD, and the GAPS. I have gathered that the GAPS is the most intense diet of the 3. I am willing to try what it takes, but I also have to take into consideration my job. I travel for work and I am usually at hotels or exteneded stay places for a month or two at a time. It really makes it difficult for cooking. My question to you is, do you think the paleo diet is one to consider when dealing with ulceritive colitis? Or do I need to take the big leap and try the GAPS diet? The only reason I am asking about the Paleo is because I know my symptoms are still pretty mild.
Gina, what a great story! My 17 yo son is a little past a year with his severe UC/Crohn’s diagnosis. We are just about a year into GAPS.
His story is very similar to yours with Remicade as the only ticket out of the hospital, 20+ pounds lost. We have transitioned from Remicade to 6-MP and Asacol for now, but are still wanting to get off all drugs before he goes to college (he’s a junior in high school this year).
How did you gauge your progress with GAPS while weaning off drugs. I feel that it’s a challenge to know how he’s doing on the “inside” since I think the drugs mask many of the symptoms.
I have to say, I’m so glad to read your success story, though. I loved reading the GAPS book, but NCM doesn’t write much about the purely physiological symptoms. It seems like the book focuses on the psychological symptoms more. It’s very encouraging for me to see all the comments on this post from people who have had success with GAPS for IBDs.
Here’s to real health!
Hi Julie! I am so happy that you and your son found GAPS so early on! I am also ecstatic about all the successful comments from my story. Gauging progress is super tough when you are on medications, especially those like Remicade. I went into it pretty blind, which was scary, but the best way to do it. I have several clients that are in the same boat and they do express that it’s very helpful to know that I’ve been down the same road. The big picture is that it’s all about setting up that environment so when the time comes for the body to figure out what to do without the medication, it will be the strongest possible. That being said, it’s definitely scary! My body definitely juggled quite a bit. I would encourage you and your son to reach out to a doctor (Dr. Cowan for example) who could advise on HOW exactly to wean off the Remicade according to your son’s particular situation. Best of luck and I wish your son continued success! Yes to REAL HEALTH!!!
Everytime I hear a story like yours I’m very pleased to also remind myself of all the hundreds of thousands Johnson and Johnson just lost.
Chris – agreed!
I too got off Remicade but unlike you, it did not work at all for me at all. Today I am med free and it’s great not having toxic rat proteins poured into my body.
Chris – so good to hear! Congratulations on your success. Yes, hooray for no more rat poisons! If I go through a little bump, which is very common in healing, I tell myself those very words!
Thank you for sharing your story!! I feel validated. Your story rings true in so many ways to my experience. I want you to know that you are not alone.
I was diagnosed with UC and Autoimmune Hepatitis in 1997. So many times the doctor’s told me the same things about drugs (prednisone/Imuran) for the conditions, that I would “have to be on them for life”. I too didn’t believe them and KNEW that nutrition was key, to not just controlling the symptoms but also to achieving the health I needed to be a mother to my four kids.
I didn’t know about GAPS then or Weston A. Price. (I will look into it!) I follow an anti-candida diet called Body Ecology Diet by Donna Gates with some adjustments. I’m sure there is an anti-candida element to what your doing too as it seems to be key. Oiy! Those feelings of there not being anything to eat and having to change my diet and prepare SO MUCH, especially when the rest of the family is eating the bread I make and burrito bowls, etc. I do love transitioning them to healthier eating but it hurts still when I cannot partake with them. I am SO grateful that after 15 months my diet is easy to me and I don’t have to think about it so much. I’m especially grateful that I love it, really. I feel great and I’m happier, so it is endearing to me instead of feeling bitter toward it. I hope this helps you and others as well. We are not alone!
Oh, and I was gonna mention: energy work has been key to releasing stuck emotions and getting around “heart walls”. Trauma, anger, anxiety, and depression have colored my life too much in the past. Prayer, scripture study, releasing blocked emotions (as detailed in Dr. Bradley Nelson’s Emotion Code), foot zone therapy, and daily essential oil applications have helped raise my bodily frequency. And now my thoughts are creating a new spiritual me which makes the physical body much easier to redeem. Life is beautiful; I’m coloring it in a new way: playing with my kids, beautifying my home, and laughing more with my husband than ever before.
That is so great to hear Wendy – yes we are not alone with true healing:) Best!
Gina,
Besides feeling better (which I understand would be a huge indicator {I have UC, which is why I am on this site in the first place}), what evidence do you have that your colon has healed, or that the disease is in a state of remission? I am under the care of a very kind and reasonable MD who believes food has nothing to do with it, and a wonderful husband who just doesn’t want to go down this road of healing. I’m not sure how to convince them that *any* diet is worth trying without pretty good evidence that it works. And this is coming from someone who is convinced that eating real foods is best (ever since reading Nina Planck’s “Real Food” 5 years ago), and has kicked and screamed before taking each prescribed medicine.
My wonderful doctor’s told me the same thing. But they don’t have an education in nutrition. And nutrition is huge. Especially for gut disorders… because the gut is SO connected to every aspect of food so of course it is important.
For me, on an anti-candida diet, I am not flaring at all – even in high stress. And this is without drugs. There are so many other indicators though, for me. I don’t have indigestion, I’m not an emotional eater anymore, I have more peace in my body after eating… its hard to explain but you don’t know what it feels like until you make the sacrifices to change and experience it. It’s just an inner peace and calm, even at the cellular level.
Hi Caitlyn, Sorry for the delayed response. My proof is that I no longer have stomach cramps, no bleeding – my main UC symptoms. I would encourage you not to think of this as a diet but a healing program. The concepts of GAPS are important for EVERYONE not just someone with a “diagnosed disease”. Your entire family’s health will benefit from it. This will set the stage for better health now and for the future. I can’t express that enough!
Hi Julian,
I don’t know too much about enzymes; I am in the early stages of learning. I am sure that Gina will answer you; however, I do know that they are very important to all, especially those of us with digestive issues. I am drinking kefir – it is supposed to be great for balancing the flora in the gut ie: good bacteria. I am not familiar with the SCD diet, as I am following only the GAPS diet and combining it with the philosophy of the Maker’s Diet (which is only whole, raw, real, organic foods….that in which we are instructed to eat in the Bible, not the man-made fake food that our fast-paced society has grown so dependant on and accustomed too, which I believe is making us sick. Julian, my suggestion would be to read up on those two diets. Also, you lost alot of weight, was that from colitis? I have had alot of discomfort and bloating, but no weight loss, perhaps I have not been as uncomfortable or in as much pain as some of you. I lost only 5 pounds, but I attributed that to just eating smaller portions and lots of broth from my GAPS diet soup stocks (they are soooo healing). Takes a while to grasp onto, but well worth it once you get a handle on the do’s and don’ts. Last night I received my first home delivery of fresh foods off the farm. I live in a very citified area of NJ, but a farm in PA delivers here, so I am really on it and happy to be! Looking forward to all of our good reports of wellness by taking charge of our own health! Blessings, Pam
Hi i found this testimonial off of Crohns Boy’s website, i a friends with him, i found out abotu the SCD diet from his videos on youtube, i have been on it since January 2012 and i am doing great, i dont know if my colitis was severe or not, i just found out about it in Sep 2011, and didnt have symptoms before then, i wonder if im healing faster becuase i caught it sooner, i have changed the way i eat but i am looking into the GAPS diet because i want to gain some more wieght, i am at 153lbs up from 149lbs 34yrs old..and 6months ago i was 185lbs, i need to add more fats into my diet, i am back in the gym lifting weights and i have pretty good bm’s no D and slight bleeding sometimes, what do you think about digestive enzymes, i take VIT D3 8,000 iu a day(drops) and a multivitamin from Freeda vitamins and 2-3 acidulphilus capsules with meals everyday, Barleans pharmacutical grade fish oil, and drink lots of alkaline or steam distilled water, Lucy from Lucy’s kitchen told me to stay away from enzymes and colloidal silver, but i heard it was good for me, can someone comment on my questions?
Hi Julian, sorry for the delayed response so I hope you get this! I would personally start and emphasize fermented foods and broths before thinking about digestive enzymes. What is your fermented foods intake like?