As you may see from some of my other posts, probiotics seem to work well for me. That said I am considering going gluten free or using a anti-inflamatory drug. I guess in the back of my mind I think that my colon is damaged, and the probiotics just control the symptoms, while going gluten free or using drugs would allow my colon to heal.
Is it true that Entocort or other drugs eliminate the damage?
Are there long term unreversable (irreversible?) issues with not eliminating gluten or stopping inflamation with drugs?
Thanks
does Entocort or other drugs eliminate the damage?
Moderators: Rosie, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
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trialanderror
- Little Blue Penguin
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2011 8:20 pm
- Location: Pittsburgh
Actually, drugs cannot eliminate the inflammation, but they can certainly suppress it. The inflammation is generated by an auto immune reaction against certain proteins, so the only way to totally eliminate the inflammation, is to remove the source, (food-sensitivities, or drug-sensitivities, in cases of drug-induced MC).
Theoretically, the right gut-bacteria populations can sometimes do wondrous things, since they can have symbiotic properties, and it is known that gut bacteria can alter our genetic responses, by way of epigenetic effects. Someday, when we figure out how to use them effectively, they may well be the treatment choice of the future. Most of us aren't able to accomplish such a lucky balance, but you might be more fortunate than most of us. Never look a gift horse in the mouth - if probiotics work for you, by all means, make the most of them.
The two biggest risks of untreated gluten-sensitivity are, (IMO), the increased risk of developing additional autoimmune diseases, and the risk of developing neurological damage, (gluten crosses the blood/brain barrier), and many of us who were probably gluten-sensitive long before our symptoms developed, have gluten-induced neurological issues, today, (myself included).
I'll say this, (and this is strictly my opinion, and remember that I'm not a doctor) - if you can/could control all your symptoms by the use of probiotics alone, then you probably would have little to no risk of long-term damage to your intestines, (due to food-sensitivities). Controlling our symptoms is the primary goal of whatever treatment program that we might choose. Control of clinical symptoms is usually valid evidence that histopathological damage is being averted.
Tex
Theoretically, the right gut-bacteria populations can sometimes do wondrous things, since they can have symbiotic properties, and it is known that gut bacteria can alter our genetic responses, by way of epigenetic effects. Someday, when we figure out how to use them effectively, they may well be the treatment choice of the future. Most of us aren't able to accomplish such a lucky balance, but you might be more fortunate than most of us. Never look a gift horse in the mouth - if probiotics work for you, by all means, make the most of them.
The two biggest risks of untreated gluten-sensitivity are, (IMO), the increased risk of developing additional autoimmune diseases, and the risk of developing neurological damage, (gluten crosses the blood/brain barrier), and many of us who were probably gluten-sensitive long before our symptoms developed, have gluten-induced neurological issues, today, (myself included).
I'll say this, (and this is strictly my opinion, and remember that I'm not a doctor) - if you can/could control all your symptoms by the use of probiotics alone, then you probably would have little to no risk of long-term damage to your intestines, (due to food-sensitivities). Controlling our symptoms is the primary goal of whatever treatment program that we might choose. Control of clinical symptoms is usually valid evidence that histopathological damage is being averted.
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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trialanderror
- Little Blue Penguin
- Posts: 32
- Joined: Sun Jul 17, 2011 8:20 pm
- Location: Pittsburgh
Thanks, basically the probiotics control the diarrhea, but I still have some gas and bloating (but not too bad).
That said I still have "pencil stool" and wonder about some of the other symptoms (tiredness, aches, etc. -- which could be a combination of long work hours and getting old, or could be related to lymphocytic colitis).
I take a lot of probiotics (every meal and snack) and note that if I stop taking/eating probiotics, my diarrhea and burning recurs withing 1-4 days.
That said I still have "pencil stool" and wonder about some of the other symptoms (tiredness, aches, etc. -- which could be a combination of long work hours and getting old, or could be related to lymphocytic colitis).
I take a lot of probiotics (every meal and snack) and note that if I stop taking/eating probiotics, my diarrhea and burning recurs withing 1-4 days.
Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of MC. Most of us can do very little work, without becoming exhausted, when our MC is active. We often feel as though we have a bad case of the flu.
The gas and bloating is probably due to undigested food, (or partially digested food), being fermented. The "pencil poop" is also a symptom of MC, but it beats the heck out of D, so it's a sign of improvement.
Tex
The gas and bloating is probably due to undigested food, (or partially digested food), being fermented. The "pencil poop" is also a symptom of MC, but it beats the heck out of D, so it's a sign of improvement.
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.
Hi Trialanderror - welcome to the board!! 
You've already figured out the method we use to determine our intolerances: Trial and error. You're already one step ahead!
Gloria
You've already figured out the method we use to determine our intolerances: Trial and error. You're already one step ahead!
I believe I read that you are also taking Imodium. If so, Imodium doesn't treat the D; it slows the passage of the intestine contents. I can take 1/2 pill of Imodium and not have any symptoms, but I still have active MC. It's quite probable that the combination of Imodium and probiotics are controlling your symptoms. Nonetheless, if you can control them that easily, you are better off than many others.Trialanderror wrote:basically the probiotics control the diarrhea, but I still have some gas and bloating (but not too bad).
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
I didn't recognize my other MC symptoms till they started to alleviate, because they were mild (especially compared to crisis-like D episodes). But it sure is nice not having aches, stiffness, headaches, odd skin itchy patches, etc. My balance has also improved - and I had mild tingling in the fingers of my left hand that's gone... I assumed it meant I needed to look into a new computer keyboard, but now believe it might have been the beginnings of peripheral neuropathy. YIKES.
My fatigue was relatively mild until it became debilitating overnight (along with severe D). Only weeks later, when I recovered my energy and then some, did it occur to me that I'd been winding down into 'middle age' a little faster than I needed to.
Pre MC crisis, I was also been a long-time fan of probiotics - now I wonder whether maybe I might bought myself some time before the gluten hit the fan? For sure, the thing that's working for me now is diet - no dairy, gluten, legumes, eggs. (Not everyone has the same list!)
For me, bloating is definitely a danger sign. It may not mean that the specific food I have eaten is out of the question, but it does mean things are in upheaval. At my worst, a small amount of rice caused bloat really soon; now, I can have small portions of rice without a big problem, because the overall level of inflammation is finally calming down. (I'm thinking - is rice that important to me?) It's great that bloat/gas are not too bad, but I'd be looking out for an underlying cause, if you can...
Hope you're feeling good,
Sara
My fatigue was relatively mild until it became debilitating overnight (along with severe D). Only weeks later, when I recovered my energy and then some, did it occur to me that I'd been winding down into 'middle age' a little faster than I needed to.
Pre MC crisis, I was also been a long-time fan of probiotics - now I wonder whether maybe I might bought myself some time before the gluten hit the fan? For sure, the thing that's working for me now is diet - no dairy, gluten, legumes, eggs. (Not everyone has the same list!)
For me, bloating is definitely a danger sign. It may not mean that the specific food I have eaten is out of the question, but it does mean things are in upheaval. At my worst, a small amount of rice caused bloat really soon; now, I can have small portions of rice without a big problem, because the overall level of inflammation is finally calming down. (I'm thinking - is rice that important to me?) It's great that bloat/gas are not too bad, but I'd be looking out for an underlying cause, if you can...
Hope you're feeling good,
Sara