Hello everyone, I want to thank everyone for their advice on my last post. I'm still desperately trying to stop this flare up. I've cut out Gluten and dairy for about 2 1/2 weeks now and not one bit of improvement. Not one bit at all. I need some more advice about what to do. Should I just eat the same every meal for a while to see, and if so, what should I eat? At this point I am so desperate to take control of this. I'm even wondering if I possibley have a misdiagnosis. I still haven't taken my Prednisone, but I'm wondering if that is the only thing that may push me into remission. Any thoughts on that? I have an appointment with my Gastro on the 9th. I hope they won't be upset that I didn't start taking it. With everything that I've read and heard about Gluten and Dairy, I thought sure I would see some sort of improvement. If anything, my "sour stomach" feeling and distention are even worse.
Thanks again everyone, I would have a much harder time getting through this without your experience and wisdom on this horrible condition. Still not working and still scared to look!
Can't seem to get control
Moderators: Rosie, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
It almost always takes several months for the intestines to heal enough from the diet changes, before any substantial improvement in symptoms can be noticed. Often, the aches and pains will begin to diminish first, and then after a while, the D will begin to fade away. In some cases, it may suddenly disappear overnight. Some members see improvement sooner, and some take longer. The only way to suppress the symptoms faster, would be to take either prednisone or Entocort, in order to suppress the symptoms, while the diet changes are healing the gut.
Corticosteroids actually retard the healing process, so it will take longer to heal if we use them, but they can suppress the D, in the meantime. I'm not a fan of prednisone, because of the relatively high risk of side effects, and the fact that it can't be safely taken long-term. Entocort EC is a much safer choice for someone with MC. Of course, prednisone is much, much cheaper.
Tex
Corticosteroids actually retard the healing process, so it will take longer to heal if we use them, but they can suppress the D, in the meantime. I'm not a fan of prednisone, because of the relatively high risk of side effects, and the fact that it can't be safely taken long-term. Entocort EC is a much safer choice for someone with MC. Of course, prednisone is much, much cheaper.
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.
Rhyes,
What exactly ARE you eating? If you are eating everything EXCEPT gluten and dairy there is something that is upsetting you.
I would try eating some form of meat and rice or potatoes. THAT'S IT!
Write down whatever you eat, and how you feel. Write down ALL your feelings over the days you do it. If the diarrhea doesn't die down change ONE of the things you are eating. See what happens then.
That's what I would, and will do again if I can ever figure out if my C right now is like D was when I was diagnosed.
What exactly ARE you eating? If you are eating everything EXCEPT gluten and dairy there is something that is upsetting you.
I would try eating some form of meat and rice or potatoes. THAT'S IT!
Write down whatever you eat, and how you feel. Write down ALL your feelings over the days you do it. If the diarrhea doesn't die down change ONE of the things you are eating. See what happens then.
That's what I would, and will do again if I can ever figure out if my C right now is like D was when I was diagnosed.
I've been reading about the "Few Foods Diet". I'ts almost like the Paleo Diet. I think I'm going to try that. It says to basically eat two or three things for a couple of weeks. I will alter my meat and potatoes. It says to stay away from white potatoes though, only eat sweet potatoes. I'm confused about chicken. I guess I should stay away from that as well. Which will leave me alternating Salmon, Flounder and Talapia. I assume only fish would be healthy. I can alternate my veggies with boiled carrots, sweet potatoes, cauliflower and brussel sprouts. I'm not sure if I can eat fruit with this or not. Should I also stop my Whey Protein? I've continued that because it's really my only substantial source of Protein for breakfast or lunch.
Most of us react to any dairy products or derivatives of dairy, including whey protein. You might try just eliminating it for a couple of weeks , to see if it makes a difference, since it could well be the problem. In any event, if I were going to follow a very restricted diet, (which is how I was able to recover), I would definitely cut out the whey protein while trying that restricted diet.
Tex
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.
I would never recommend that anyone take Prednisone, under any circumstances, I haven't taken it, but only refused to take it because of the side effects it has had on people I know personally, one who is considered "permanently disabled" now because her MD didn't monitor her.
Have you been strictly GF since you joined this forum? I had been GF for over 4 months before my dx/w/MC, but it still took awhile before my dx/w/mc before my D stopped.
I wish I could offer help as to diet, other than being GF, I can eat pretty much everything except gluten and tapioca.
Have you been strictly GF since you joined this forum? I had been GF for over 4 months before my dx/w/MC, but it still took awhile before my dx/w/mc before my D stopped.
I wish I could offer help as to diet, other than being GF, I can eat pretty much everything except gluten and tapioca.
Resolved MC symptoms successfully w/L-Glutamine, Probiotics and Vitamins, GF since 8/'09. DX w/MC 10/'09.
You must be sure you have eliminated all gluten, as Tex says. And ALL dairy. Make salmon patties and take them with you for lunch. Whey protein does terrible things to me.
Just do it strictly, and relax because nothing good can happen if you don't.
Take it from me, I get worked up and upset from time to time (ask anyone here) and I know how hard it is to deal with feeling horrible day after day. If you don't take a deep breath and dive into this diet with conviction you can't get well.
So both of us together. Deep breath and diet on!
You notice, of course, I am cheer leading for myself!
Just do it strictly, and relax because nothing good can happen if you don't.
Take it from me, I get worked up and upset from time to time (ask anyone here) and I know how hard it is to deal with feeling horrible day after day. If you don't take a deep breath and dive into this diet with conviction you can't get well.
So both of us together. Deep breath and diet on!
You notice, of course, I am cheer leading for myself!
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draperygoddess
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I would also watch out for some of the veggies, esp. cauliflower--if you're still reacting, it might be too "bumpy" for you. Most of us don't have any problem with chicken, but if you're okay with the fish, it should work.
Have you checked soy? It's in lots of foods that don't have dairy, and lots of us react to it as well.
I agree with Lesley--if you're still eating everything except gluten and dairy, chances are it's not a misdiagnosis--you're just reacting to something you're still eating.
Good luck! Don't give up! You can figure this out!
Have you checked soy? It's in lots of foods that don't have dairy, and lots of us react to it as well.
I agree with Lesley--if you're still eating everything except gluten and dairy, chances are it's not a misdiagnosis--you're just reacting to something you're still eating.
Good luck! Don't give up! You can figure this out!
Cynthia
"Can we fix it? YES WE CAN!" -Bob the Builder
"Can we fix it? YES WE CAN!" -Bob the Builder
Stanz, I read on your footer that you resolved your symptoms with L-Glutamine and Probiotics. I've heard of L-Glutamine. What brand are you taking? I've stopped all of my vitamins and my Lialda about a week ago and don't plan on taking them again until either this Sunday or next Sunday, the 12th. I'm trying to see if any of my vitamins are causing this.
Thanks for the advice on Whey Tex. I'll cut that out for a while as well. I'm going to research the "Few Foods Diet" more this week and start a super strict elimination diet this Sunday or the 12th as well. If anyone has any ideas on what I should eat for two weeks, please let me know. Just a few foods that I will eat every meal every day. I need much advice, as if you all can't tell. I really can't thank all of you enough.
Thanks for the advice on Whey Tex. I'll cut that out for a while as well. I'm going to research the "Few Foods Diet" more this week and start a super strict elimination diet this Sunday or the 12th as well. If anyone has any ideas on what I should eat for two weeks, please let me know. Just a few foods that I will eat every meal every day. I need much advice, as if you all can't tell. I really can't thank all of you enough.
Rhyes, I have only ever used the Vital Nutrients Glutamine Powder. When I first started this after my dx/w/MC I took 2 rounded tsp/3 times I day, I believe. I also took 1 ProBoulardi and 2 probiotics and the D and B vites. I now only use them when I need it. It worked for me.
Resolved MC symptoms successfully w/L-Glutamine, Probiotics and Vitamins, GF since 8/'09. DX w/MC 10/'09.
Thanks Stanz, I may try that after my restrictive diet. I'm now considering just eating Turkey and Pears for a couple of weeks. It's similar to the Lamb and pear diet, which from what I understand, is the most effective elimination diet. I love lamb meat, but it's awful costly if that's all your eating :)
Does anyone think I should go that drastic, or pick two or three meats and two or three veggies and alternate only those foods. I know I have so many questions, but I'm just bound and determined to figure this out.
Last night I ate two Flounder fillets with Worchestire sauce and petite red potatoes with GF BBQ sauce. Most of the potatoe came out undigested this morning. Tonight I'm going to try a chicken breast with GF BBQ and boiled carrots.
Tex, what did you eat while on your restrictive diet. The more I research online, the more confused I get. All different sites say different things.
Does anyone think I should go that drastic, or pick two or three meats and two or three veggies and alternate only those foods. I know I have so many questions, but I'm just bound and determined to figure this out.
Last night I ate two Flounder fillets with Worchestire sauce and petite red potatoes with GF BBQ sauce. Most of the potatoe came out undigested this morning. Tonight I'm going to try a chicken breast with GF BBQ and boiled carrots.
Tex, what did you eat while on your restrictive diet. The more I research online, the more confused I get. All different sites say different things.
I ate mostly pork and mashed potatoes, eggs and bacon, rice, occasional chicken, and only 2 or 3 servings of veggies per week, (overcooked squash, broccoli, or green beans). It finally dawned on me that virtually all commercially-processed products seemed to cause me to react. That means all commercial mixes, as well, and all commercial sauces and seasonings, with the exception of salt, (I used Redmond's sea salt), and occasional garlic salt, (garlic salt is the best seasoning available, for pork, IMO). Commercial seasonings and sauces tend to cause problems for most of us, until we reach remission, regardless of how safe the ingredient list appears to be.
The biggest problem with eating a lot of pears, IMO, is that they are very high sources of fructose, sorbitol, and fiber, all three of which are problems for most of us, during recovery. Many of us can tolerate maybe half of a canned or cooked peach, or pear, but more than that in a day is often more than we can handle. I could usually handle half a banana, but a whole banana would cause a reaction. Sorbitol still causes D for me, if I get a significant amount of it. High amounts of sugar, (even natural sugar), can be just as bad as high amounts of fiber, because they both are likely to wind up in the colon, being fermented by an undesirable strain of bacteria, producing gas, bloating, and D.
Tex
The biggest problem with eating a lot of pears, IMO, is that they are very high sources of fructose, sorbitol, and fiber, all three of which are problems for most of us, during recovery. Many of us can tolerate maybe half of a canned or cooked peach, or pear, but more than that in a day is often more than we can handle. I could usually handle half a banana, but a whole banana would cause a reaction. Sorbitol still causes D for me, if I get a significant amount of it. High amounts of sugar, (even natural sugar), can be just as bad as high amounts of fiber, because they both are likely to wind up in the colon, being fermented by an undesirable strain of bacteria, producing gas, bloating, and D.
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 Rhyes,
Definitely discontinue the whey as it contains milk.
Suggest very "narrow" diet when you are on flare.....make it something you like.....for me it was chicken, overcooked green beans and rice for about 4 weeks straight. After about 3 days on this my D went from 7 x per day down to just once a day and finally I got "soft serve." after about a month. Brandy
Definitely discontinue the whey as it contains milk.
Suggest very "narrow" diet when you are on flare.....make it something you like.....for me it was chicken, overcooked green beans and rice for about 4 weeks straight. After about 3 days on this my D went from 7 x per day down to just once a day and finally I got "soft serve." after about a month. Brandy