Hello,
I'm not sure if this topic is appropriate for this board, but I found it interesting that my mom (age 69) was just diagnosed with collagenous colitis (I have lymphocytic colitis). She had D for a few weeks, then it disappeared on her own, so she's not taking any medication. I'm wondering if there's a genetic connection.
Polly -- you asked about my pregnancy. I'm 34 weeks along and expecting a girl. Being pregnant has made my LC worse, unfortunately. But, it's also galvanized me to search for natural remedies, since I'm nervous about taking drugs (other than Asacol) while pregnant. I'm getting some improvement with fish oil, but not consistent results.
I'm hoping that when the baby is born, the LC improves. Either way, she will be worth the trouble!
Thanks,
Magyar
Mom Diagnosed with MC/CC
Moderators: Rosie, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Mom Diagnosed with MC/CC
Celiac (gluten-free since 2000), Lymphocytic colitis since 2000.
Hi Magyar! Another Ohioan here - Mansfield. Quite a few others from Ohio too - must be something in he water......just joking!
Just wanted to congratulate you on your pregnancy! How exciting! Do you have any other kids?
There have been discussions regarding the genetic link in families here on the board. I do believe the general opinion is yes. Hopefully Polly or someone else will be able to answer your question more thoroughly.
Love,
Mars
Just wanted to congratulate you on your pregnancy! How exciting! Do you have any other kids?
There have been discussions regarding the genetic link in families here on the board. I do believe the general opinion is yes. Hopefully Polly or someone else will be able to answer your question more thoroughly.
Love,
Mars
"Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." -- Buddha
HI Magyar,
Sure, this is an appropriate place to discuss that. In fact, I believe there is a high correlation to a genetic link. Enterolab offers DNA testing, which determines if any genes are present, that are related to celiac disease, and gluten sensitivity. There are genes that are linked with celiac disease, and there are other genes which are linked with MC. Many of us have both types.
The test consists of rubbing a cotton swab inside your cheek, and, after allowing it to air dry, sending it to their lab for analysis.
Tex
Sure, this is an appropriate place to discuss that. In fact, I believe there is a high correlation to a genetic link. Enterolab offers DNA testing, which determines if any genes are present, that are related to celiac disease, and gluten sensitivity. There are genes that are linked with celiac disease, and there are other genes which are linked with MC. Many of us have both types.
The test consists of rubbing a cotton swab inside your cheek, and, after allowing it to air dry, sending it to their lab for analysis.
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.
-
moremuscle
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 706
- Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 6:16 am
- Location: South Carolina
Hi Magyar,
I don't think there is any doubt that there is a genetic link.
My mother has been diagnosed with Celiac Disease - however, I think she likely is a MC sufferer too; only, she hasn't been tested for it. I am curious to see if any of my other (3) siblings develop gastro intestinal problems as the years pass. So far I am the only one who has it besides my mother.
Congratulations on the pregnancy
Is this going to be your first baby? 34 weeks means you are almost there!!! I had both of my children before the MC started - thankfully; I don't know how you do this?!?!?!? Have you started to eliminate corn and corn derivatives from your diet yet?
Love,
Karen
I don't think there is any doubt that there is a genetic link.
My mother has been diagnosed with Celiac Disease - however, I think she likely is a MC sufferer too; only, she hasn't been tested for it. I am curious to see if any of my other (3) siblings develop gastro intestinal problems as the years pass. So far I am the only one who has it besides my mother.
Congratulations on the pregnancy
Is this going to be your first baby? 34 weeks means you are almost there!!! I had both of my children before the MC started - thankfully; I don't know how you do this?!?!?!? Have you started to eliminate corn and corn derivatives from your diet yet? Love,
Karen
Inspired by the paleolithic diet and lifestyle -
living w/o gluten, dairy, soy, corn, and yeast.
living w/o gluten, dairy, soy, corn, and yeast.
Hi,
Thanks for the info. Yes, this is my first baby. I was actually pretty much in remission when I got pregnant (was taking Asacol and slippery elm) but then the symptoms returned during my first trimester. But, I've been doing better this week -- I'm taking Asacol, fish oil, L-glutamine and a tablespoon of bentonite clay mixed with water daily. It's a strange "cocktail," but it's all OK for the baby and seems to be helping, which is rare for me (I typically always have D). So, I'm pretty excited.
Interesting about the genetic connection...I hope my baby never inherits the problems I have. Thankfully, my husband has perfect digestion.
I cut out corn for 9 mos. last year and had no improvement. I know diet has been the solution for so many of you, but it hasn't worked yet for me (I am gluten free due to celiac disease). I've cut out various foods at various times and also tested negative for dairy, yeast and egg intolerance. The only food that seems to be a relatively consistent problem is soy (which my sister also can't tolerate). Everything else is a complete mystery, though I do avoid lactose (even though I tested negative for lactose intolerance - go figure!).
So...perhaps, if any of you are still having problems, you might consider trying fish oil and L-glutamine. I think they're supposed to be good for you either way.
By the way, I was chatting with a colorectal surgeon last week (as a friend, not as a patient). He told me that he believes all inflammatory bowel diseases are related to an overactive immune system (an immune system that perceives things as problems that normal immune systems don't). Must explain why immuno-supressants work so well for some.
Take care,
Magyar
Thanks for the info. Yes, this is my first baby. I was actually pretty much in remission when I got pregnant (was taking Asacol and slippery elm) but then the symptoms returned during my first trimester. But, I've been doing better this week -- I'm taking Asacol, fish oil, L-glutamine and a tablespoon of bentonite clay mixed with water daily. It's a strange "cocktail," but it's all OK for the baby and seems to be helping, which is rare for me (I typically always have D). So, I'm pretty excited.
Interesting about the genetic connection...I hope my baby never inherits the problems I have. Thankfully, my husband has perfect digestion.
I cut out corn for 9 mos. last year and had no improvement. I know diet has been the solution for so many of you, but it hasn't worked yet for me (I am gluten free due to celiac disease). I've cut out various foods at various times and also tested negative for dairy, yeast and egg intolerance. The only food that seems to be a relatively consistent problem is soy (which my sister also can't tolerate). Everything else is a complete mystery, though I do avoid lactose (even though I tested negative for lactose intolerance - go figure!).
So...perhaps, if any of you are still having problems, you might consider trying fish oil and L-glutamine. I think they're supposed to be good for you either way.
By the way, I was chatting with a colorectal surgeon last week (as a friend, not as a patient). He told me that he believes all inflammatory bowel diseases are related to an overactive immune system (an immune system that perceives things as problems that normal immune systems don't). Must explain why immuno-supressants work so well for some.
Take care,
Magyar
Celiac (gluten-free since 2000), Lymphocytic colitis since 2000.
Hi Magyar,
That's wonderful news that the medication/suppliments/etc. have worked so well for you. It is always trial and error with this disease since what works for some doesn't work for others!
I agree and so will quite a few here, that this disease is due to an overactive immune system. Too bad the "brain" in the gut can't get the information correct. It would be nice if it realized that it is likened to a virus in that it is something we want cured!!!! Oh well, sigh, maybe someday!
I hope you're able to pinpoint the problem soon! Continued health to you and the new bundle of joy you're expecting! How exciting!
Margie
That's wonderful news that the medication/suppliments/etc. have worked so well for you. It is always trial and error with this disease since what works for some doesn't work for others!
I agree and so will quite a few here, that this disease is due to an overactive immune system. Too bad the "brain" in the gut can't get the information correct. It would be nice if it realized that it is likened to a virus in that it is something we want cured!!!! Oh well, sigh, maybe someday!
I hope you're able to pinpoint the problem soon! Continued health to you and the new bundle of joy you're expecting! How exciting!
Margie
"Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." -- Buddha
Magyar-
How wonderful to hear you are doing well, as is your baby. I had my daughter in 2002 - just about 2 years after my MC diagnosis. I am sorry you are still being somewhat bothered by the D. Not fair to have to waddle to the toilet, is it?!?! I was taking Asacol at the beginning of my pregnancy - I was also about 8 months into the GF diet when I became pregnant. Fortunately for me when I hit about 20 weeks my colon suddenly became like a normal pregnant person's....I was constipated
Good thing was I could stop the Asacol Bad thing was I soon started having preterm labor - so I got to take lots of other drugs instead My docs did not feel my colitis was a contributing factor as my previous son had been born @ 34 weeks - they thought he was a fluke, as my first pregnancy was fine. Now we know I have PTL risk-factors. Needless to say, we are done
Is your weight gain alright? I had problems for a bit and was drinking Ensure at bedtime. My daughter ended up being born about 2 weeks early, weighing just over 7 lbs. - perfect! Oh and due to you being a celiac, your pediatrician will probably recommend no solid foods until 6 months (recommended for families with any type of allergy history) and probably delay wheat/wheat products until after age 1. The thought is the longer the immune system has a chance to develop, the less likely it is to "overreact" to food proteins when they are introduced. My daughter has a strawberry allergy - I have yet to give her nuts or shellfish - we are waiting till after age 3.
Sorry this turned into a novel But those of us enduring pregnancy with this condition truly are pioneers!
Keep us updated!
Mary
How wonderful to hear you are doing well, as is your baby. I had my daughter in 2002 - just about 2 years after my MC diagnosis. I am sorry you are still being somewhat bothered by the D. Not fair to have to waddle to the toilet, is it?!?! I was taking Asacol at the beginning of my pregnancy - I was also about 8 months into the GF diet when I became pregnant. Fortunately for me when I hit about 20 weeks my colon suddenly became like a normal pregnant person's....I was constipated
Good thing was I could stop the Asacol Bad thing was I soon started having preterm labor - so I got to take lots of other drugs instead My docs did not feel my colitis was a contributing factor as my previous son had been born @ 34 weeks - they thought he was a fluke, as my first pregnancy was fine. Now we know I have PTL risk-factors. Needless to say, we are done Is your weight gain alright? I had problems for a bit and was drinking Ensure at bedtime. My daughter ended up being born about 2 weeks early, weighing just over 7 lbs. - perfect! Oh and due to you being a celiac, your pediatrician will probably recommend no solid foods until 6 months (recommended for families with any type of allergy history) and probably delay wheat/wheat products until after age 1. The thought is the longer the immune system has a chance to develop, the less likely it is to "overreact" to food proteins when they are introduced. My daughter has a strawberry allergy - I have yet to give her nuts or shellfish - we are waiting till after age 3.
Sorry this turned into a novel
But those of us enduring pregnancy with this condition truly are pioneers!Keep us updated!
Mary