You gotta laugh, Jenn, it's the only way to get through times like you're having. If you were on a restricted diet before your Paleo weekend of exotic foods, it's no wonder your intestines just said "WTH is she doing to us, it's been so quiet down here?". You gotta go slow, but I love your husband's enthusiasm for this, lots of us wish we had a Loren in our house, please give him my appreciation.
Good luck tomorrow, don't have high expectations, OK? They are serially uninformed and truly clueless about diet being a cause of problems which is pretty unforgivable and shocking since they specialize in poop and how it gets there.
I'm sorry you are feeling like your friends are fading away, they don't live in your body and the true ones will last, from my experience. Most people think this whole gluten free thing is a crock. I'm a caterer and I can tell you that I have had many jobs where 1 in 3 have requested a GF meal. It's an epidemic.
Keep smiling,
Connie
New member- diagnosed MC 2 months ago
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hi Jenn,
Your digestive system response to the change in diet may have been due to too much fiber in the diet. We have to limit fiber while our intestines are healing, because fiber is very abrasive to hypersensitive guts (and unfortunately, many foods in the paleo diet contain a lot of fiber). Also, most of us find that we cannot tolerate peppers, onions, and acidic foods such as tomatoes, while we are recovering. Iceberg lettuce is the worst, and very, very few of us can tolerate any lettuce while we are recovering. Those few who can tolerate it, usually select romaine or one of the other less abrasive varieties. Also, any vegetables we eat tend to work much better if they are overcooked, to make them more easily digestible (think baby food, because your intestines are as sensitive as a baby's when they are inflamed).
Restless leg syndrome, and leg and foot cramps are somewhat common with this disease. Those issues are usually caused by vitamin or mineral deficiencies due to the malabsorption problem that is associated with the disease. (Again, don't expect your GI specialist to be aware of that connection). Restless leg syndrome and foot and leg cramps can usually be reduced or eliminated entirely by adding a magnesium supplement to your diet, and in some cases calcium is helpful. Vitamin D and vitamin B-12 are two vitamins that also often become depleted with this disease and a deficiency of them can lead to neurological symptoms. Don't overdo the magnesium supplement, because too much amounts to a laxative. Usually, around 250 mg per day will do the job. Some members use a spray that's absorbed through the skin, and even soaking in Epsom salts will put magnesium into your system without causing D.
Good for your husband for being so supportive — his attitude and his help will make recovery much easier.
Tex
Your digestive system response to the change in diet may have been due to too much fiber in the diet. We have to limit fiber while our intestines are healing, because fiber is very abrasive to hypersensitive guts (and unfortunately, many foods in the paleo diet contain a lot of fiber). Also, most of us find that we cannot tolerate peppers, onions, and acidic foods such as tomatoes, while we are recovering. Iceberg lettuce is the worst, and very, very few of us can tolerate any lettuce while we are recovering. Those few who can tolerate it, usually select romaine or one of the other less abrasive varieties. Also, any vegetables we eat tend to work much better if they are overcooked, to make them more easily digestible (think baby food, because your intestines are as sensitive as a baby's when they are inflamed).
Restless leg syndrome, and leg and foot cramps are somewhat common with this disease. Those issues are usually caused by vitamin or mineral deficiencies due to the malabsorption problem that is associated with the disease. (Again, don't expect your GI specialist to be aware of that connection). Restless leg syndrome and foot and leg cramps can usually be reduced or eliminated entirely by adding a magnesium supplement to your diet, and in some cases calcium is helpful. Vitamin D and vitamin B-12 are two vitamins that also often become depleted with this disease and a deficiency of them can lead to neurological symptoms. Don't overdo the magnesium supplement, because too much amounts to a laxative. Usually, around 250 mg per day will do the job. Some members use a spray that's absorbed through the skin, and even soaking in Epsom salts will put magnesium into your system without causing D.
Good for your husband for being so supportive — his attitude and his help will make recovery much easier.
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 did not know that about epsom salts, Tex, I've got a bunch of that here that I had no idea how I'd ever use. I don't have restless leg, per se, but I do have horrible foot cramps fairly often that wake me up, where my toes literally spread apart and I can't get them to straighten out until I've forced myself to walk around for awhile, usually cussing A LOT 
and then I can't go back to sleep. Whatever it is in spinach seems to help to stop that syndrome.
and then I can't go back to sleep. Whatever it is in spinach seems to help to stop that syndrome.Resolved MC symptoms successfully w/L-Glutamine, Probiotics and Vitamins, GF since 8/'09. DX w/MC 10/'09.
So sorry you are going through this but most of us, of course, understand. You may have gotten the D from eating way too many vegetables. I find that I can only tolerate squash or zuchinni and I eat a small portion of it. If I more, than it become a "way to much fiber" problem, just MO and my gut can't handle that right now. Actually, this week it can since I started the Pepto regimen. Our guts can take quite a while to heal I hear. I stay away from the gassy veges for now but hope to add them later on.
I used to get restless leg syndrome before I went GF. Your post just reminded me that I no longer have it.....huh! I've also gone dairy free....that's a high inflammatory food. Good luck on the Paleo diet....I can't give up my rice and corn right...don't think I really react to them and I need some carbs right now....trying to gain some weight back.
I do hope you feel better soon. Maybe some chicken broth/soup for a few weeks.
As for friends not understanding, I can so relate to that but unfortunately, it's my in-laws who don't understand. I've always had a problem with them and now it's just going to be worse. And with the holidays coming up, I'm just dreading it. I'm going to have to bring my own food and they just won't be understanding about it at all.
So please hang in there....we all deal with this! No fun but we are doing what we need to do to heal and get better!
Terri
I used to get restless leg syndrome before I went GF. Your post just reminded me that I no longer have it.....huh! I've also gone dairy free....that's a high inflammatory food. Good luck on the Paleo diet....I can't give up my rice and corn right...don't think I really react to them and I need some carbs right now....trying to gain some weight back.
I do hope you feel better soon. Maybe some chicken broth/soup for a few weeks.
As for friends not understanding, I can so relate to that but unfortunately, it's my in-laws who don't understand. I've always had a problem with them and now it's just going to be worse. And with the holidays coming up, I'm just dreading it. I'm going to have to bring my own food and they just won't be understanding about it at all.
So please hang in there....we all deal with this! No fun but we are doing what we need to do to heal and get better!
Terri
Hi Jenn,
I mostly wanted to say welcome! Love the King of Prussia Mall!
It sounds like you have an extremely supportive husband. Too cool that he is named Loren.
Early on I found a diet of chicken, rice and overcooked carrots worked well. That is about all I ate for about 8 weeks. Then I slowly morphed into paleo ish.
The friend thing is hard. Pre MC I ate out about 4 x per week for dinner with friends. (I'm probably the only one on this board saving money on my new food regimen) I'm starting to replace eating out with other activities....salsa dancing....some classes etc
It takes awhile to heal. Best wishes, Brandy
I mostly wanted to say welcome! Love the King of Prussia Mall!
It sounds like you have an extremely supportive husband. Too cool that he is named Loren.
Early on I found a diet of chicken, rice and overcooked carrots worked well. That is about all I ate for about 8 weeks. Then I slowly morphed into paleo ish.
The friend thing is hard. Pre MC I ate out about 4 x per week for dinner with friends. (I'm probably the only one on this board saving money on my new food regimen) I'm starting to replace eating out with other activities....salsa dancing....some classes etc
It takes awhile to heal. Best wishes, Brandy
Terri, I am sorry to read about the problem with your in-laws. I think sometimes you need to get graphic with some people....watery diarrhea 30-40 times a day, so tired I had to rest after peeling potatoes, etc (as was my case). Most people don't understand what we're dealing with and I no longer have problems telling them. If they still give you an attitude, well then that is their problem (I was going to call them a name but decided to be nice). My family seems to get it now. Worrying about the holidays will only worsen your symptoms. You have a disease and they need to know that. Deb
Awwww...thanks Deb! It's always rough with my in-laws and sometimes I tend to blame them for this disease as they've caused me chronic stress for over 10 years. I love what you said about being graphic with them....lol! Just may do that! One thing about this disease is that it has toughened me up. I won't put up with much BS from anybody anymore. I am currently eating healthier than anyone in my family and I am proud of myself! I'm going to heal and blow them all away. Maybe down the road "the others"....that's what I call the in-laws, will be in awe of me. Of course, I shouldn't care what they think, right? As for my immediate family, they are wonderful and supportive...my parents and siblings are the best and hubby even supports my diet changes.
Thanks for your comment!
Terri
Thanks for your comment!
Terri
Sounds to me as though you took things too fast. Doing all those veggies and a fresh salad when your gut is inflamed is not a good idea.
Stick with a very few foods that you know are safe. In the beginning, after doing the eterolab tests I only ate lamb and potato, and a couple of overcooked veggies, tried one at a time. I ate spinach and carrots. Coconut is OK so I used coconut milk, and later made coconut ice cream so I wouldn't go too crazy. I added in beef and found it OK for me. I literally ate only those foods for some weeks. I started to add in foods, one at a time. I can't take the fiber in fresh veggies, so I make juice, and use fresh fruit in a smoothie once a day.
Right now I am in a bad flare so I am trying to get myself back into that routine until it settles down.
My problem is constipation dominant MC, which can turn into D on a dime. I also have bad GERD. Trying to manage it all has been very, very difficult.
When I am invited and am feeling OK I go to friends, because I have managed to persuade them that they shouldn't not invite me because THEY feel bad that I can't eat. I am punished 2x that way. Deprived of company as well as the food. But they have given up inviting me to go places with them because I can never commit.
And inviting people over here will only work if I make everything because I cannot cross contaminate my house with food I can't eat.
Now I am so good at making ice cream and muffins I can take it with me as my contribution even if I can't eat the food they serve.
If you take it easy you will get to know your body and how it is reacting.
Take it very slow.
Stick with a very few foods that you know are safe. In the beginning, after doing the eterolab tests I only ate lamb and potato, and a couple of overcooked veggies, tried one at a time. I ate spinach and carrots. Coconut is OK so I used coconut milk, and later made coconut ice cream so I wouldn't go too crazy. I added in beef and found it OK for me. I literally ate only those foods for some weeks. I started to add in foods, one at a time. I can't take the fiber in fresh veggies, so I make juice, and use fresh fruit in a smoothie once a day.
Right now I am in a bad flare so I am trying to get myself back into that routine until it settles down.
My problem is constipation dominant MC, which can turn into D on a dime. I also have bad GERD. Trying to manage it all has been very, very difficult.
When I am invited and am feeling OK I go to friends, because I have managed to persuade them that they shouldn't not invite me because THEY feel bad that I can't eat. I am punished 2x that way. Deprived of company as well as the food. But they have given up inviting me to go places with them because I can never commit.
And inviting people over here will only work if I make everything because I cannot cross contaminate my house with food I can't eat.
Now I am so good at making ice cream and muffins I can take it with me as my contribution even if I can't eat the food they serve.
If you take it easy you will get to know your body and how it is reacting.
Take it very slow.
HI Jenn. I just read this last post of yours ( I'm not getting my e-mail notices) and my heart goes out to you! When I re-read your post, what stood out to me was the fact that you had salad. This is one of the reasons I don't do a complete Paleo..... because when I was at my worst, I couldn't eat any RAW FRUITS OR VEGGIES ( which includes salad) and all fruit except for apple sauce and canned peaches didn't work for me either. I found the most soothing thing was home made chicken soup with cooked carrots and rice. Keep it as simple as possible when you are in a bad way.
Please let us know what your doctor said and what your course of action is. I hope you find relief soon.
Leah
Please let us know what your doctor said and what your course of action is. I hope you find relief soon.
Leah