Are prunes or dates IC friendly??

[jen74 ICN Member Find all posts View Profile Close jen74]

Hi Ladies.
I was just wondering if Dates or prunes are IC friendly? I am having issues with constipation and was taking miralax which was working good, but I broke out in hives so I guess I am allergic to it ( no suprise there, I seem to be allergic to everything lately). Anyhow, I am also on a gluten free diet, so I cannot eat any wheat, bran, oats , barley etc...., so that cuts out alot of stuff that is good for the bowels. I also have motility issues of the gut and cannot eat high fiber vegis, like broccoli or salad as I cannot digest them. I can only eat very soft cooked vegis, like carrots, green beans , but they have to be real soft.
I use to drink papaya juice and that helped with my bowels alot and also prune juice, but since I got IC, I have avoided these as they tend to aggravate it. Is there are safe fruits that are good for the bowels( i.e. prunes, or dates)??? I know these are high in potassium and that is bad for IC. I just dont know what else to do. It is really hard when you cannot stomach most foods. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Jen

[dg2901 ICN Member Find all posts View Profile Close dg2901]

I've accidentally eaten dates (accidentally, as I wouldnt choose to eat them!) w/o any problems. I'm not too terribly food sensitive though. I suppose, like anything else, you're going to have to try a couple and see for yourself if you can tolerate them.

Hope you find something to help you very soon.
Diana

[ICNDonna ICN Staff Find all posts View Profile Close ICNDonna]

I can eat dates and figs with no problem. Also - you need to be aware that a potassium deficiency can be very serious. I take prescription potassium to keep my level safe. You don't want to overload with it, but there are so many potassium-rich foods that are IC irritants that I don't think it's too likely for us to get too much.

I think of it like I do salt. If you rub salt into a raw wound, it HURTS! But if you take that same salt and put it on your food and eat it, it doesn't cause any pain. Potassium ingested is not the same as instilling it into your bladder.

Donna

[jen74 ICN Member Find all posts View Profile Close jen74]

Thanks Diana, and Donna.
I guess I will have to try one and see how it goes.
Donna; Where do you get the figs from? Are they are dired fruit or a fresh fruit? Yes, you are right about the potassium deficiency being serious, I dont think I have a deficiency, but who knows, I am very limited on what I can eat. I use to take a liquid multi vitamin/mineral than contained potasssium, but when I got IC, it just was bothering my bladder so much I had to stop taking the multi-vitamin. I do worry sometimes I am not getting enough of certain vitamins.
Anyhow,Thanks for all the info.I appreciate it.
Jen

[ICNDonna ICN Staff Find all posts View Profile Close ICNDonna]

I can't get figs all the time, but when I spot them, I buy some! They are a favorite of mine.

Donna