Hi Tex. I was reading your book ( I am skipping around) and happened upon the "stress being the reason for MC" I realize that it could mean physical and/or mental stress. I can't think of any big stress factor for me. Is it possible to simply be that mine has happened because of my being IgA deficient?.... and a high fiber diet?
Leah
as per your book... stress?
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hmmmmmm. Your situation is unusual, but based on the references that I cited concerning the damaging effects of fiber on the mucosa of the intestines, a high fiber diet could certainly impose chronic physical stress upon the intestines.
Thanks for bringing that up. This possibility never occurred to me before, but the government and the medical community began to promote higher levels of carbs and fiber in the diet during the late 1970's. A lot of health problems appear to have escalated since then. I'm just thinking out loud here, but there's a possibility that the double whammy of increased carbs (primarily grain, with it's unique storage proteins) and more fiber in the diet, may be imposing enough physical and chemical stress to be sufficient to set up the type of environment that I describe in the book as essential to the development of MC or some other IBD or autoimmune disease, for those of us who have the appropriate genes.
After you read chapters 7, 8, and 9, this should make more sense to you.
Tex
Thanks for bringing that up. This possibility never occurred to me before, but the government and the medical community began to promote higher levels of carbs and fiber in the diet during the late 1970's. A lot of health problems appear to have escalated since then. I'm just thinking out loud here, but there's a possibility that the double whammy of increased carbs (primarily grain, with it's unique storage proteins) and more fiber in the diet, may be imposing enough physical and chemical stress to be sufficient to set up the type of environment that I describe in the book as essential to the development of MC or some other IBD or autoimmune disease, for those of us who have the appropriate genes.
After you read chapters 7, 8, and 9, this should make more sense to you.
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'm going to keep reading.... the stress factor really caught my attention too. I've had major on-going stress for the past 15 years. It seems I have major events one right after the other throughout my life and I my way of dealing with it is to accept that these are life lessons that I must learn from and grow. In times when I feel sorry for myself, I remind myself that everyone is going through their own problems and I'm probably not much different from anyone else. I've mentally listed these events and if I were to put them on paper I think my life would sound like one big saga.
However, my latest event is that I received a promotion this year that doesn't always feel like one. I work in a high paced, stressful environment that I like to feel I handle with some grace. But I do wonder how much it hinders my recovery. It is very draining and most of the time I feel so drained after work that I basically make it through the evening so I can go to bed and get up and do it all over again. Recently, I've noticed a slight increase in energy and it gives me hope when I actually do things after work that I enjoy instead of plopping on the couch until bedtime.
Then mention the physical stress- my diet was just what you described Tex and at my worst I ate my dessert (not unusual to eat 6 cookies at a time) before my meal so if I felt full I could stop eating without missing my chocolate and sweets. Processed foods and sugary treats were a staple along with lots of bread and pastas. I made myself feel good because I stayed away from chips and salty snacks.
However, my latest event is that I received a promotion this year that doesn't always feel like one. I work in a high paced, stressful environment that I like to feel I handle with some grace. But I do wonder how much it hinders my recovery. It is very draining and most of the time I feel so drained after work that I basically make it through the evening so I can go to bed and get up and do it all over again. Recently, I've noticed a slight increase in energy and it gives me hope when I actually do things after work that I enjoy instead of plopping on the couch until bedtime.
Then mention the physical stress- my diet was just what you described Tex and at my worst I ate my dessert (not unusual to eat 6 cookies at a time) before my meal so if I felt full I could stop eating without missing my chocolate and sweets. Processed foods and sugary treats were a staple along with lots of bread and pastas. I made myself feel good because I stayed away from chips and salty snacks.
I truly believe the stress issue is real. I know that my job had been stressful for the last yr and half to where I was experiencing chest pains and all. Not knowing how long I was going to be fighting this ugly disease I decided to retire Sep 1. And low and behold I had 100 lbs of stress lifted off my shoulders it seemed like. And now of course my MC is acting ssssoooo much better. Of course that is also the time I started entocort......so who knows what the real turn-a-round is from but I know the stress relief was HUGE!!!!!!
Cathy