Like vitamin D, most people in the general population are short on magnesium, and people who have MC are especially likely to be short on vitamin D and magnesium. If you have either restless leg syndrome or foot or leg cramps (especially at night), you're probably deficient in magnesium. The RDA for women is 320 mg (if I recall correctly), so don't overdo it, because magnesium is a laxative in larger amounts.
Tex
I want my life back...............
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Karen,
Some members have used skin applications of magnesium solutions in order to get around the D risk. Soaking in Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) is another option. I'm currently taking a 400 mg tablet daily, because the last time I ran out, I couldn't find the 250 mg tablets that I previously used.
Tex
Some members have used skin applications of magnesium solutions in order to get around the D risk. Soaking in Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) is another option. I'm currently taking a 400 mg tablet daily, because the last time I ran out, I couldn't find the 250 mg tablets that I previously used.
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.
Another HUH for me Tex..I have recently been having major foot cramps. Will have to check out magnesium. Thanks for this!tex wrote:Like vitamin D, most people in the general population are short on magnesium, and people who have MC are especially likely to be short on vitamin D and magnesium. If you have either restless leg syndrome or foot or leg cramps (especially at night), you're probably deficient in magnesium. The RDA for women is 320 mg (if I recall correctly), so don't overdo it, because magnesium is a laxative in larger amounts.
Tex
I'll start with 250 mg, and if it causes D, I'll try soaking in Epsom salt.
I've been GF/DF/SF free for 3 weeks now, and I can tell the difference.
Improvement from 20 epsiodes of watery D, to maybe one or two.
I took myself off Prednisone because of the side effects, so I am happy
with these results, however, I know I can probably expect flare's from
time to time if I slip up. This gluten free diet is time consuming because
of reading lables, and figuring out hidden things in those labels, not to mention
the expense of gluten free food products. But, I'm being very deligent.
I will say, I am very tried all the time, and very weepy. I have never been
a weepy person. I thought prednisone was responsible for that, but now
I'm wondering if it just is part of this awful disease.
I've been GF/DF/SF free for 3 weeks now, and I can tell the difference.
Improvement from 20 epsiodes of watery D, to maybe one or two.
I took myself off Prednisone because of the side effects, so I am happy
with these results, however, I know I can probably expect flare's from
time to time if I slip up. This gluten free diet is time consuming because
of reading lables, and figuring out hidden things in those labels, not to mention
the expense of gluten free food products. But, I'm being very deligent.
I will say, I am very tried all the time, and very weepy. I have never been
a weepy person. I thought prednisone was responsible for that, but now
I'm wondering if it just is part of this awful disease.
Cathy,
For a few years I had frequent foot and calf cramps so bad that sometimes I jumped out of bed in the middle of the night to walk around to try to stop the pain. That's when I did the research and discovered the magnesium connection. I've read that a deficiency of potassium and other electrolytes (such as calcium) can also cause the problem, but most of us are more likely to keep our electrolyte levels up. It's easy to overlook magnesium, and doctors rarely mention it.
I'm not sure what mechanism is involved, but the disease seems to permanently alter our emotions and/or our tendency to express our emotions. I have a hunch that it has something to do with our perception of priorities and the reordering of those priorities PMC. Once we get our life back, we tend have a permanently-altered, and usually much more perceptive outlook on life. Little things mean more to us. Not only is our digestive system more sensitive, but so is our emotional state and our psyche.
At least that's how I see it.
Tex
For a few years I had frequent foot and calf cramps so bad that sometimes I jumped out of bed in the middle of the night to walk around to try to stop the pain. That's when I did the research and discovered the magnesium connection. I've read that a deficiency of potassium and other electrolytes (such as calcium) can also cause the problem, but most of us are more likely to keep our electrolyte levels up. It's easy to overlook magnesium, and doctors rarely mention it.
IMO, it comes with the turf for many of us. Prior to the advent of my symptoms, the only tears I ever shed were due to pollen allergies. Post microscopic colitis (PMC) it's a whole new ballgame. Now, the tears seem to flow at the drop of a hat (and I've been in remission for over 8 years). I can read about a member here relapsing and not being able to regain control, and tears well up. I can read about someone finally achieving remission after a long, hard struggle, and I get all misty-eyed.Karen wrote:I will say, I am very tried all the time, and very weepy. I have never been
a weepy person. I thought prednisone was responsible for that, but now
I'm wondering if it just is part of this awful disease.
I'm not sure what mechanism is involved, but the disease seems to permanently alter our emotions and/or our tendency to express our emotions. I have a hunch that it has something to do with our perception of priorities and the reordering of those priorities PMC. Once we get our life back, we tend have a permanently-altered, and usually much more perceptive outlook on life. Little things mean more to us. Not only is our digestive system more sensitive, but so is our emotional state and our psyche.
At least that's how I see it.
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 agree with this Tex and I think it's the grieving process-- a loss of health and a loss of confidence as well. We can no longer take anything for granted, especially our health. For most of us things changed instantly with that first big flare. We can no longer make plans with the expectation that we'll be able to follow through-- it's always tempered with "if I feel up to it". We see the impact not only on our own lives but on our family as well and nothing is more important to us than our family. We worry about losing the activities we love, the companionship of people we love and the very things that add quality to our lives.I'm not sure what mechanism is involved, but the disease seems to permanently alter our emotions and/or our tendency to express our emotions. I have a hunch that it has something to do with our perception of priorities and the reordering of those priorities PMC. Once we get our life back, we tend have a permanently-altered, and usually much more perceptive outlook on life. Little things mean more to us. Not only is our digestive system more sensitive, but so is our emotional state and our psyche.
I can already see that these worries do not come to fruition even though I'm not yet in remission but when I was at my sickest the losses were all I could see. Eventually we get to a new normal but getting there is a daily battle. That's why a support group is worth it's weight in gold, and PP is an exceptionally good support group. IMO.
Carol
“.... people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Maya Angelou
I think this says it all for me. It's the thought that I'll never feel well enough to do the things I alwyascarolm wrote:I agree with this Tex and I think it's the grieving process-- a loss of health and a loss of confidence as well. We can no longer take anything for granted, especially our health. For most of us things changed instantly with that first big flare. We can no longer make plans with the expectation that we'll be able to follow through-- it's always tempered with "if I feel up to it". We see the impact not only on our own lives but on our family as well and nothing is more important to us than our family. We worry about losing the activities we love, the companionship of people we love and the very things that add quality to our lives.I'm not sure what mechanism is involved, but the disease seems to permanently alter our emotions and/or our tendency to express our emotions. I have a hunch that it has something to do with our perception of priorities and the reordering of those priorities PMC. Once we get our life back, we tend have a permanently-altered, and usually much more perceptive outlook on life. Little things mean more to us. Not only is our digestive system more sensitive, but so is our emotional state and our psyche.
I can already see that these worries do not come to fruition even though I'm not yet in remission but when I was at my sickest the losses were all I could see. Eventually we get to a new normal but getting there is a daily battle. That's why a support group is worth it's weight in gold, and PP is an exceptionally good support group. IMO.
Carol
did. Travel, decide on the spur of the moment to just get up and go out to a movie, out to eat or
go visit friends and family.
This weekend was a cousin weekend at one of my cousins house. I was afraid to go. Afraid I would
have an accident, and I was just so damn tired. I went, but didn't spend the night like the others were. I was afraid to. I wasn't my usually chatty self, because i found the chatter kind of bothered me. It was like loud music from the neighbors that always bother you. lol
I was so damn tired. But, I'm glad I went for the 6 hours I was there , but I grieved the loss of energy and stamina to stay and play cards half the night. I kind of felt this fog, like I was on the outside looking in, if that makes sense.
Karen,
I'm in the same place as you and new to this board as well. I'm still trying to figure everything out with diet, labs for allergy testing, etc. It's awful to be so sick with D. Eating scares me b/c I usually wind up hitting the toilet not too long thereafter. I sure wish there was a specific meal-plan for me to follow. My GI told me that I know as much about my conditions, Celiac Disease and LC, as he knows. Great. So now he wants to send me on to a tertiary care provider at a large University. I can only imagine what that'll cost, and wonder will they know a thing about immunology there?!! Anyway, I feel your pain. I'm take care of my 7 month old and four year old each day, and with this illness it's exhausting. I'm on 2.5mg of Prednisone, Pepto Bismol (every six hours), and Immodium 1x a day...but still having D. Best wishes for health to you!
I'm in the same place as you and new to this board as well. I'm still trying to figure everything out with diet, labs for allergy testing, etc. It's awful to be so sick with D. Eating scares me b/c I usually wind up hitting the toilet not too long thereafter. I sure wish there was a specific meal-plan for me to follow. My GI told me that I know as much about my conditions, Celiac Disease and LC, as he knows. Great. So now he wants to send me on to a tertiary care provider at a large University. I can only imagine what that'll cost, and wonder will they know a thing about immunology there?!! Anyway, I feel your pain. I'm take care of my 7 month old and four year old each day, and with this illness it's exhausting. I'm on 2.5mg of Prednisone, Pepto Bismol (every six hours), and Immodium 1x a day...but still having D. Best wishes for health to you!
Wow Marie. i feel terrible complaining. You have two babies to care. Bless your heart !Marie wrote:Karen,
I'm in the same place as you and new to this board as well. I'm still trying to figure everything out with diet, labs for allergy testing, etc. It's awful to be so sick with D. Eating scares me b/c I usually wind up hitting the toilet not too long thereafter. I sure wish there was a specific meal-plan for me to follow. My GI told me that I know as much about my conditions, Celiac Disease and LC, as he knows. Great. So now he wants to send me on to a tertiary care provider at a large University. I can only imagine what that'll cost, and wonder will they know a thing about immunology there?!! Anyway, I feel your pain. I'm take care of my 7 month old and four year old each day, and with this illness it's exhausting. I'm on 2.5mg of Prednisone, Pepto Bismol (every six hours), and Immodium 1x a day...but still having D. Best wishes for health to you!
Isn't it sad that our GI's know so little about MC, and apparently don't care to learn more.
So, yeah, we are on our own to find what works for us.
BTW, my GI told me I could take 2 Immodium every 4 hours. That seemed like a lot, but I did
take it when I was in my worst state, but, ya know, it didn't stop the D !
I've been GF for 3 weeks now, and that seems to be the only thing that has helped me.
Being weepy can also be part of depression.
Watch that as one can quickly slide into a very bad place. We don't want to lose members that way. Personally, I am a great fan of St Johns Wort. I only take half the recommended dose of a supermarket version, but that is enough to get me out of the cycle.
If you think you might be depressed, there is a good chance you are. Regardless of the cause, it is important to talk to people. Real people tend to be even better than online people for this, but at least talk to the people here.
Take care.
Lyn
Watch that as one can quickly slide into a very bad place. We don't want to lose members that way. Personally, I am a great fan of St Johns Wort. I only take half the recommended dose of a supermarket version, but that is enough to get me out of the cycle.
If you think you might be depressed, there is a good chance you are. Regardless of the cause, it is important to talk to people. Real people tend to be even better than online people for this, but at least talk to the people here.
Take care.
Lyn
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Karen,
As we say in the south, Bless Your Heart! I am new to this as well, and have CC plus celiac. All I can tell you is that diet is the key. Prior to my celiac DX four and a half years ago, I was having so much chronic D that, like you, I was afraid to leave the house. I knew the location of every bathroom in every place I frequented, and any place that was new to me, that was the first thing I looked for! But after a few weeks on the GF diet, things got considerably better. It gets easier to know what to look for when reading labels and figuring out "dangerous" ingredients once you get the hang of it -- the hard part is grieving the loss of some favorite foods..... But feeling better is SO worth the trade-off! The CC came along just in the past few months, even though I was completely GF, and had already eliminated nearly all dairy and soy as well. Turns out I have multiple intolerences to tons of other stuff, and since eliminating those, there's been a 95% improvement. The GI doc wanted me on Entocort, but though I filled the prescription, it's still sitting in the bottle, untouched. After all, if diet changes alone can cause such dramatic improvement, why take meds?? So be encouraged --- it often takes a long time to heal and to feel better after changing your diet, but slow progress is still progress!
You certainly have your hands full right now, but I'll bet that a year from now, with due diligence and a lot of support, much of this will be vastly improved. Praying you find the answers and support you need!
Blessings,
Cindy
As we say in the south, Bless Your Heart! I am new to this as well, and have CC plus celiac. All I can tell you is that diet is the key. Prior to my celiac DX four and a half years ago, I was having so much chronic D that, like you, I was afraid to leave the house. I knew the location of every bathroom in every place I frequented, and any place that was new to me, that was the first thing I looked for! But after a few weeks on the GF diet, things got considerably better. It gets easier to know what to look for when reading labels and figuring out "dangerous" ingredients once you get the hang of it -- the hard part is grieving the loss of some favorite foods..... But feeling better is SO worth the trade-off! The CC came along just in the past few months, even though I was completely GF, and had already eliminated nearly all dairy and soy as well. Turns out I have multiple intolerences to tons of other stuff, and since eliminating those, there's been a 95% improvement. The GI doc wanted me on Entocort, but though I filled the prescription, it's still sitting in the bottle, untouched. After all, if diet changes alone can cause such dramatic improvement, why take meds?? So be encouraged --- it often takes a long time to heal and to feel better after changing your diet, but slow progress is still progress!
You certainly have your hands full right now, but I'll bet that a year from now, with due diligence and a lot of support, much of this will be vastly improved. Praying you find the answers and support you need! Blessings,
Cindy
Cindy
2008 Celiac disease
2012 Collagenous Colitis
Family history includes ALS, ulcerative colitis, Lyme disease, mild epilepsy
2008 Celiac disease
2012 Collagenous Colitis
Family history includes ALS, ulcerative colitis, Lyme disease, mild epilepsy
Thanks Cindy.
I decided to try some gluten free pasta as I am getting bored with potatoes and rice.
I got corn pasta. It sure was a nice change. I enjoyed it.... but... this morning
I have watery D. So.... now is corn a no-no?
Guess I'll try rice pasta.... I think they have that.
It's all just a process of trial and error I've found.
I couldn't afford the Endocort, so my GI prescribed Prednisone. Too many side effects for
me. i just want to do everything I can not to take steroids of any kind, so I took myself
off the Pred. I did taper off the Pred.
I have seen improvement on the GF, DF, Sf diet. Looks like anything with corn might me
thrown into my list of things i need to avoid.
I decided to try some gluten free pasta as I am getting bored with potatoes and rice.
I got corn pasta. It sure was a nice change. I enjoyed it.... but... this morning
I have watery D. So.... now is corn a no-no?
Guess I'll try rice pasta.... I think they have that.
It's all just a process of trial and error I've found.
I couldn't afford the Endocort, so my GI prescribed Prednisone. Too many side effects for
me. i just want to do everything I can not to take steroids of any kind, so I took myself
off the Pred. I did taper off the Pred.
I have seen improvement on the GF, DF, Sf diet. Looks like anything with corn might me
thrown into my list of things i need to avoid.
Did you use a tomato-based sauce on the pasta? That could be the problem.Karen1129 wrote:So.... now is corn a no-no?
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.