Introducing myself~ Hello:)
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Introducing myself~ Hello:)
My name is Lish, I am 32. I was diagnosed with MC about a year ago after a colonoscopy. I have had explosive d for the better part of 2 years. At first I thought (and was told) it was IBS, as I also have mental health issues including panic disorder. Stress related they said. Thankfully I found a great gastro who wasn't so quick to write off my tummy troubles to my broken mind. I also was diagnosed with GERD after an endoscopy. I've had the celiac test, the breathe in a bag lactose test, and the gastric emptying study, all came back normal. I have dismissed any food sensitivity due to these test results but after reading through posts here I am starting to think twice. I was too scared to try the Endocort, and all the GERD meds just make my stomach hurt even more. If it's not one end, it's the other! I hate to whine and complain, I pretty much keep to myself, but it is really weighing on me- I am always bloated and uncomfortable, always using the bathroom. Between my anxiety and the MC I feel very trapped and at my wits end. But I want to be positive and I am happy to have found a place where people understand what it is like living with this. Nice to meet you all, and thanks for the wonderful information I have read so far:)
Welcome Lish!!
I'm 37 and spent 10 years with bloating and "IBS" until the Big D hit one day. Congrats for pushing until you got a proper diagnosis. Never hesitate to question your doctors. They are not gods, and they are certainly not experts on MC! I got Enterolab testing several months after my diagnosis. My bloating vastly improved after cutting gluten and dairy, almost overnight. The D improved dramatically too, but alas, it's still with me. But I got my life back.
Glad you found us. Welcome aboard and feel free to ask anything.
I'm 37 and spent 10 years with bloating and "IBS" until the Big D hit one day. Congrats for pushing until you got a proper diagnosis. Never hesitate to question your doctors. They are not gods, and they are certainly not experts on MC! I got Enterolab testing several months after my diagnosis. My bloating vastly improved after cutting gluten and dairy, almost overnight. The D improved dramatically too, but alas, it's still with me. But I got my life back.
Glad you found us. Welcome aboard and feel free to ask anything.
Welcome Lish!
You are wise to be questioning food sensitivities. We have all been down that road . . . normal test results but then finding out we have food sensitivities. It is the rare doctor who knows that diet changes are needed, most just want to write prescriptions. Enterolab is often used by members to help figure out sensitivities. The most common offenders are gluten, dairy and soy, but some of us have many more than that. Sometimes it takes a while to figure it all out, but it's worth it in the long run. The hardest part is wrapping your mind around giving up some foods and getting started.
Again, welcome aboard. Don't hesitate to ask anything.
Mary Beth
You are wise to be questioning food sensitivities. We have all been down that road . . . normal test results but then finding out we have food sensitivities. It is the rare doctor who knows that diet changes are needed, most just want to write prescriptions. Enterolab is often used by members to help figure out sensitivities. The most common offenders are gluten, dairy and soy, but some of us have many more than that. Sometimes it takes a while to figure it all out, but it's worth it in the long run. The hardest part is wrapping your mind around giving up some foods and getting started.
Again, welcome aboard. Don't hesitate to ask anything.
Mary Beth
"If you believe it will work out, you'll see opportunities. If you believe it won't you will see obstacles." - Dr. Wayne Dyer
Welcome Lish,
Don't apologize for whinning or complaining to everyone here. It's the best place to do just that. I started taking Endocort in April and it gave me back my life. I am now in the process of weaning off of it. In the meantime I have given up dairy, eggs, soy, and now gluten. It's tough to give up all the foods you love, but there are a lot of alternatives and feeling better makes it well worthwhile.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Nancy
Don't apologize for whinning or complaining to everyone here. It's the best place to do just that. I started taking Endocort in April and it gave me back my life. I am now in the process of weaning off of it. In the meantime I have given up dairy, eggs, soy, and now gluten. It's tough to give up all the foods you love, but there are a lot of alternatives and feeling better makes it well worthwhile.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Nancy
Hi Lish,
Welcome to our internet family. Actually, GERD, and mental issues. including depression, anxiety, panic disorder, etc., and other stress-related issues, are not uncommon with MC. They often go together, and they're often connected with other autoimmune diseases, as well. Despite the fact that doctors prefer to try to treat GERD with drugs, research shows that it is usually associated with food sensitivities. If you would like to control your GERD without the use of drugs, here's how to go about it:
Are you aware that certain foods promote acid reflux? Avoiding those foods, (at least until you get the reflux issue resolved, and always avoiding them for at least 4 or 5 hours before bedtime), will help to prevent acid reflux, and it will allow your lower esophageal sphincter, (LES, which serves as a valve between your esophagus and your stomach), to regain it's strength, so that in the future, it will prevent acid reflux from happening. Citrus fruits and juice, (such as grapefruit, oranges, lemons, etc.), tomatoes, garlic, onion, pepper, chilis, peppermint, fatty foods, (such as cheese, nuts, avacado, fatty meats), alcoholic drinks, any drink that contains caffeine, chocolate, carbonated beverages, etc., all can cause acid reflux. They may not all be a problem for you, but many/most of them might be. After your LES has had time to heal, and it gets it's strength back, you may be able to eat most or all of these foods again, (just don't eat them within a few hours of bedtime). After you resolve your reflux problem, (and your LES has had some time to recover), you can determine which foods are safe for you, by trial and error.
When we lie on our right side, part of the stomach is higher than the lower esophageal sphincter, (LES), and sometimes, (for many of us), the LES is unable to retain the contents of the stomach in that position, (especially if we have gas pressure in the stomach, which is often the case, if we eat foods that promote reflux, as noted above), and so we experience acid reflux. (In my case, when I was recovering from abdominal surgery, a time or two, I woke up with a mouth full of stomach acid, and partially digested food.) I stopped eating later than at least several hours before bedtime, and I made a point of never lying on my right side, and I resolved my acid reflux problem. After a month or so went by, my LES slowly strengthened, so that eventually, (after several more months, it no longer mattered if I ate just before bedtime, nor if I lay on my right side. My reflux problems were gone.
I'm pretty sure that the reason why I had that reflux problem in the first place, is because while I was recovering in the hospital, my doctors insisted that I take a proton pump inhibitor, (PPI), for several days. Of course, I stopped taking them, as soon as I was discharged from the hospital. Ironically, they prescribed the PPI to reduce the risk of acid reflux, (so that I wouldn't choke on my own reflux). Doctors don't seem to understand that PPIs actually cause the muscles that control the LES to weaken, which can increase the risk of acid reflux, and they continue to prescribe PPIs to just about anyone who complains of acid reflux.
PPIs are known to cause MC, so that once a patient begins taking a PPI, the problems can continue to multiply, which can pretty much guarantee that digestive system problems will never end.
Again, welcome aboard, and good luck with developing a treatment program that will resolve all your symptoms.
Tex
Welcome to our internet family. Actually, GERD, and mental issues. including depression, anxiety, panic disorder, etc., and other stress-related issues, are not uncommon with MC. They often go together, and they're often connected with other autoimmune diseases, as well. Despite the fact that doctors prefer to try to treat GERD with drugs, research shows that it is usually associated with food sensitivities. If you would like to control your GERD without the use of drugs, here's how to go about it:
Are you aware that certain foods promote acid reflux? Avoiding those foods, (at least until you get the reflux issue resolved, and always avoiding them for at least 4 or 5 hours before bedtime), will help to prevent acid reflux, and it will allow your lower esophageal sphincter, (LES, which serves as a valve between your esophagus and your stomach), to regain it's strength, so that in the future, it will prevent acid reflux from happening. Citrus fruits and juice, (such as grapefruit, oranges, lemons, etc.), tomatoes, garlic, onion, pepper, chilis, peppermint, fatty foods, (such as cheese, nuts, avacado, fatty meats), alcoholic drinks, any drink that contains caffeine, chocolate, carbonated beverages, etc., all can cause acid reflux. They may not all be a problem for you, but many/most of them might be. After your LES has had time to heal, and it gets it's strength back, you may be able to eat most or all of these foods again, (just don't eat them within a few hours of bedtime). After you resolve your reflux problem, (and your LES has had some time to recover), you can determine which foods are safe for you, by trial and error.
When we lie on our right side, part of the stomach is higher than the lower esophageal sphincter, (LES), and sometimes, (for many of us), the LES is unable to retain the contents of the stomach in that position, (especially if we have gas pressure in the stomach, which is often the case, if we eat foods that promote reflux, as noted above), and so we experience acid reflux. (In my case, when I was recovering from abdominal surgery, a time or two, I woke up with a mouth full of stomach acid, and partially digested food.) I stopped eating later than at least several hours before bedtime, and I made a point of never lying on my right side, and I resolved my acid reflux problem. After a month or so went by, my LES slowly strengthened, so that eventually, (after several more months, it no longer mattered if I ate just before bedtime, nor if I lay on my right side. My reflux problems were gone.
I'm pretty sure that the reason why I had that reflux problem in the first place, is because while I was recovering in the hospital, my doctors insisted that I take a proton pump inhibitor, (PPI), for several days. Of course, I stopped taking them, as soon as I was discharged from the hospital. Ironically, they prescribed the PPI to reduce the risk of acid reflux, (so that I wouldn't choke on my own reflux). Doctors don't seem to understand that PPIs actually cause the muscles that control the LES to weaken, which can increase the risk of acid reflux, and they continue to prescribe PPIs to just about anyone who complains of acid reflux.
PPIs are known to cause MC, so that once a patient begins taking a PPI, the problems can continue to multiply, which can pretty much guarantee that digestive system problems will never end.Again, welcome aboard, and good luck with developing a treatment program that will resolve all your symptoms.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Thank you everyone:)
I was surprised at the diagnosis of gerd, as I don't feel heartburn per say often, just a lot of stomach pain and discomfort. My esophagus and stomach lining were both inflamed, so I guess my entire digestive tract is puffy! The antacid meds prescribed to me didn't help at all, if anything it made my stomach hurt worse, so I don't argue with that. My whole relationship with food is so wonky- I am overweight, but not obese. I eat 75% stellar- whole grains, fruits and veggies, lean meats, nuts, etc. The other 25% is when I have pizza, or some fries. I have no appetite all day, then eat dinner. That's why the stomach-emptying test was ordered, as the doc thought perhaps my body was holding onto weight due to the "starvation mode" thing. We couldn't figure out why I wasn't experiencing any weight loss after all this constant d and normal calorie intake. I can't really pinpoint any particular foods that give me trouble- yeah if I eat roasted red pepper pasta I can get bad belly pain, but also can get it after a banana, or a bowl of cereal. My d happens no matter what. I will look into this Enterolab test:)
I was surprised at the diagnosis of gerd, as I don't feel heartburn per say often, just a lot of stomach pain and discomfort. My esophagus and stomach lining were both inflamed, so I guess my entire digestive tract is puffy! The antacid meds prescribed to me didn't help at all, if anything it made my stomach hurt worse, so I don't argue with that. My whole relationship with food is so wonky- I am overweight, but not obese. I eat 75% stellar- whole grains, fruits and veggies, lean meats, nuts, etc. The other 25% is when I have pizza, or some fries. I have no appetite all day, then eat dinner. That's why the stomach-emptying test was ordered, as the doc thought perhaps my body was holding onto weight due to the "starvation mode" thing. We couldn't figure out why I wasn't experiencing any weight loss after all this constant d and normal calorie intake. I can't really pinpoint any particular foods that give me trouble- yeah if I eat roasted red pepper pasta I can get bad belly pain, but also can get it after a banana, or a bowl of cereal. My d happens no matter what. I will look into this Enterolab test:)
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MaggieRedwings
- King Penguin
- Posts: 3865
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 3:16 am
- Location: SE Pennsylvania
Welcome Lish,
Sorry to hear that after such a bit of time you are still not healing. I cannot endorese medications since they never worked for me but can seriously endorese diet and sorting out of intolerances. It sounds to me from the diet you indicate you are eating that gluten would be the first thing I eliminated and I think after a week or so you will start to feel much better. After that, sorting the rest of the intolerance including dairy and soy will be helpful.
Please do not apologize for whining - and you weren't - we all come here to vent, etc. and the support you receive will help give you strength and determination with your healing.
Maggie
Sorry to hear that after such a bit of time you are still not healing. I cannot endorese medications since they never worked for me but can seriously endorese diet and sorting out of intolerances. It sounds to me from the diet you indicate you are eating that gluten would be the first thing I eliminated and I think after a week or so you will start to feel much better. After that, sorting the rest of the intolerance including dairy and soy will be helpful.
Please do not apologize for whining - and you weren't - we all come here to vent, etc. and the support you receive will help give you strength and determination with your healing.
Maggie
Maggie Scarpone
___________________
Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
___________________
Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
Hi Lish and 
I can't add much to the good advice you have already received, but wanted to say "hi" and let you know we totally understand your anxiety. It is impossible to have ongoing explosive D and NOT be extremely anxious. It goes with the territory. Some have found that Depends can provide a little security when out in public. Also, that it helps to carry wipes and an extra change of clothes, just in case. Have you tried Imodium AD to help control the D?
I am one who has been mostly in remission now for 10 years with diet alone. I agree that Enterolab is the place to start in order to determine your food sensitivities. The odds are overwhelming, based on our experiences here, that you are sensitive to gluten for sure and possiblly some other foods.
The good news is that you WILL figure out the right path to wellness for yourself - with or without help from your doc! You WILL get better, but not overnight. Patience is the name of the game when identifying and eliminating offensive foods.
And we are all here to listen to ranting/whining and offer support.
Hang in there and keep us posted.
Hugs,
Polly
P.S. How do you make your roasted red pepper pasta? I am sensitive to tomatoes, so would love to know how you make the sauce.
I can't add much to the good advice you have already received, but wanted to say "hi" and let you know we totally understand your anxiety. It is impossible to have ongoing explosive D and NOT be extremely anxious. It goes with the territory. Some have found that Depends can provide a little security when out in public. Also, that it helps to carry wipes and an extra change of clothes, just in case. Have you tried Imodium AD to help control the D?
I am one who has been mostly in remission now for 10 years with diet alone. I agree that Enterolab is the place to start in order to determine your food sensitivities. The odds are overwhelming, based on our experiences here, that you are sensitive to gluten for sure and possiblly some other foods.
The good news is that you WILL figure out the right path to wellness for yourself - with or without help from your doc! You WILL get better, but not overnight. Patience is the name of the game when identifying and eliminating offensive foods.
And we are all here to listen to ranting/whining and offer support.
Hang in there and keep us posted.
Hugs,
Polly
P.S. How do you make your roasted red pepper pasta? I am sensitive to tomatoes, so would love to know how you make the sauce.
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Lish,
Your doctor may have already checked this out, but if not, you should be tested for hypothyroidism. One of the symptoms of hypothyroidism is the inability to lose weight, even with a restricted calorie diet. According to our poll among members here, we are 7 times as likely to have thyroid problems as someone in the general population - that's an extremely high correlation. Hypothyroidism lowers the metabolism rate, so that the body uses calories more efficiently, and as a result, fewer calories are burned, and more are converted into fat.
Like Crohn's disease, MC can affect any part of the GI tract, and it can affect the entire GI tract, at the same time. That seems to have happened in your case.
FWIW, I never could tell that I was sensitive to gluten, either - everything else seemed to make me sick, in sort of a random fashion. Like you, I was always getting sick, no matter what I did. After I cut gluten out of my diet, though, (along with some other foods that I was sensitive to), my gut began to heal, and all my symptoms slowly went away.
Here's a link to the Enterolab tests:
http://www.enterolab.com/StaticPages/TestInfo.aspx
Tex
Your doctor may have already checked this out, but if not, you should be tested for hypothyroidism. One of the symptoms of hypothyroidism is the inability to lose weight, even with a restricted calorie diet. According to our poll among members here, we are 7 times as likely to have thyroid problems as someone in the general population - that's an extremely high correlation. Hypothyroidism lowers the metabolism rate, so that the body uses calories more efficiently, and as a result, fewer calories are burned, and more are converted into fat.
Like Crohn's disease, MC can affect any part of the GI tract, and it can affect the entire GI tract, at the same time. That seems to have happened in your case.
FWIW, I never could tell that I was sensitive to gluten, either - everything else seemed to make me sick, in sort of a random fashion. Like you, I was always getting sick, no matter what I did. After I cut gluten out of my diet, though, (along with some other foods that I was sensitive to), my gut began to heal, and all my symptoms slowly went away.
Here's a link to the Enterolab tests:
http://www.enterolab.com/StaticPages/TestInfo.aspx
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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BuggityBoo
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Tue Jun 28, 2011 12:44 pm
Hypothyroidism
I was just diagnosed a few weeks ago with MC. Something interesting was brought up by Tex. You said you have mental health issues. Well so do I, and I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism months ago. I'm not sure if you take meds for mental health issues, but I do. Once I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, psych and MD attribute it ( hypo) to taking lithium. Apparently that has been known to happen.
My thyroid has been tested before, I believe the number was 2.9(??) which I was told was within normal range. I have many conflicting things going on- depression and panic disorder, frequent heart palps, hair loss, the gerd and mc, exaustion yet high anxiety. It's like the chicken/egg thing- which one came first, which one effects the other. I take Zoloft, but eliminated that for 6 months with no improvement (d wise) I also am on a beta blocker for my PVC's, and klonopin for the panic attacks. I'd love to believe all this is related and find the miracle cure-all!!! And of course, each different doctor ( Gastro, GP, Psych, Cardio) has their own opinion, which tend to contradict each other. I do trust and like all my doctors but I now know they don't know everything!
Thank you all again for the welcome and all the info. Looks like I'll be saving my pennies for Enterolab:)
Thank you all again for the welcome and all the info. Looks like I'll be saving my pennies for Enterolab:)
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Joefnh
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 2478
- Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2010 8:25 pm
- Location: Southern New Hampshire
Hi Lish and welcome from NH. I can't add much to what advice you have already received. I will echo the others in saying that working on food intolerances is the best thing you can do to achieve wellness. If you find that diet is unable to control the D the Entocort may be a way to settle things down.
Best wishes Lish
Joe
Best wishes Lish
Joe
Joe
Lish,
I believe I have not yet said Welcome! It seems as though you're off to a great start, asking questions and gathering info... it took me a while to find my way around here when I was sick, and I only figured out how bad my "gluten brain fog" was when it started to lift ;)
Best of luck with bringing about the remission we all deserve - wishing you as smooth a road as we can help you find through some pretty rough territory of MC.
All my best,
Sara
I believe I have not yet said Welcome! It seems as though you're off to a great start, asking questions and gathering info... it took me a while to find my way around here when I was sick, and I only figured out how bad my "gluten brain fog" was when it started to lift ;)
Best of luck with bringing about the remission we all deserve - wishing you as smooth a road as we can help you find through some pretty rough territory of MC.
All my best,
Sara