After 2 years of chronic diarrhea, I was just diagnosed with microscopic colitis (I have the collagenous one). I do NOT have sensitivity to gluten they said, but now what do I do? I went back to the doctor a month after the tests and had had 1 surprisingly good month, so he said let's not do anything right now (which seems reasonable). However since Thanksgiving and the holidays of eating junk, plus taking an antibiotic for a sinus infection, the diarrhea is back with a vengeance and is uncontrollable. That 1 good month was the only one I'd had in 2 years.
I started a probiotic hoping it would get me back to where I was for that 1 good month of solid bowel movements. By the way, I achieved the solid bowels by taking a veterinarian recommended autoimmune booster that is specifically made for animals however is fine for human consumption ( it just hasn't been pursued with the US for human consumption). As you can guess, when I told the doctor, he didn't like that idea.
Now what do I do? Do I hope the probiotic helps? Does anything think the rich food and antibiotic caused the flare up? Do I start taking some type of drug? Immodium does virtually nothing to help me when it's this bad.
Do I follow or ask a nutritionist for some type of diet? Do I need to go on a bland diet for awhile? Are there general specific foods that seem to affect this condition more than others? I haven't been able to pinpoint much. I have been told to stay away from greasy food, it seems that tomato sauce may affect it.
I can tell what I had to eat by the P**P since it comes right through. I have lost weight because of this and cannot afford to lose anymore since I'm about 114 pounds now. Even with the holidays, I lost weight.
I have so many questions.
I know there is so many posts here but if members would help me with a few answers and direct me, It would help so much. Thanks![/url]
Just Been Diagnosed with Microscopic Colitis But Now What?
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
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birdlover3
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 202
- Joined: Mon Dec 31, 2012 2:04 pm
- Location: Illinois
Dear Birdlover,
Welcome to the group. I'm so sorry you have MC, but this is the place to get some answers.
The first answer that most of us will give you is that doctors on the whole do not believe that diet affects MC, and that all of us know from experience that they are wrong. My guess is that you are indeed sensitive to gluten, but it didn't show up on whatever test they did for you.
The best place to find out if you are sensitive to gluten is Enterolab. They do a stool test that is much more sensitive than the blood tests that are commonly done. Enterolab is in Dallas, but you can send in the sample from anywhere.
If you don't want to do Enterolab testing, or feel you can't afford it, the next best thing is to go on a strict elimination diet, and then very slowly add foods back in. Most of us here are sensitive to gluten and dairy (casein, which is the protein in dairy), and many of us to soy. Some are sensitive to other things as well. When you are reacting, as you are now, a lot of other foods, like vegetables and fruit, can act as irritants. Those can usually be added back in to the diet once adequate healing has taken place. Healing can only take place when you stop eating the foods that actually cause the inflammation, such as gluten, dairy, and soy. It takes patience and diligence.
Entocort is the medicine that is best for helping with MC, but it doesn't cure it, it suppresses the symptoms. Many of us use Entocort for a while, especially while making the diet changes. I myself took it for 3 months, relapsed as the doctor said I would, and then started searching for other answers, found this group, and went gluten, dairy, and soy free. I now manage my MC by diet alone.
If I were you, I'd quit eating gluten right away. Two years of D is way too long. I know, because that's about how long I had it, too.
Best of luck to you.
Martha
Welcome to the group. I'm so sorry you have MC, but this is the place to get some answers.
The first answer that most of us will give you is that doctors on the whole do not believe that diet affects MC, and that all of us know from experience that they are wrong. My guess is that you are indeed sensitive to gluten, but it didn't show up on whatever test they did for you.
The best place to find out if you are sensitive to gluten is Enterolab. They do a stool test that is much more sensitive than the blood tests that are commonly done. Enterolab is in Dallas, but you can send in the sample from anywhere.
If you don't want to do Enterolab testing, or feel you can't afford it, the next best thing is to go on a strict elimination diet, and then very slowly add foods back in. Most of us here are sensitive to gluten and dairy (casein, which is the protein in dairy), and many of us to soy. Some are sensitive to other things as well. When you are reacting, as you are now, a lot of other foods, like vegetables and fruit, can act as irritants. Those can usually be added back in to the diet once adequate healing has taken place. Healing can only take place when you stop eating the foods that actually cause the inflammation, such as gluten, dairy, and soy. It takes patience and diligence.
Entocort is the medicine that is best for helping with MC, but it doesn't cure it, it suppresses the symptoms. Many of us use Entocort for a while, especially while making the diet changes. I myself took it for 3 months, relapsed as the doctor said I would, and then started searching for other answers, found this group, and went gluten, dairy, and soy free. I now manage my MC by diet alone.
If I were you, I'd quit eating gluten right away. Two years of D is way too long. I know, because that's about how long I had it, too.
Best of luck to you.
Martha
Martha
Hi BL3,
Welcome to the board. I totally agree with Martha. The celiac tests that your doctors gave you to rule out gluten sensitivity will only detect fully developed celiac disease. They won't detect any earlier stage of the disease (nor will they detect the type of gluten sensitivity that most people have when they have MC). That's why the average length of time to get a celiac diagnosis in this country, from the time of the first symptoms to diagnosis is still 9.7 years (according to the latest published statistics). Forget what the doctors said about you not being gluten-sensitive, they don't have a way to diagnose gluten sensitivity, and they don't seem to be in any hurry to find a way that works. The EnteroLab tests are the only ones sensitive enough to get reliable results, and most doctors aren't up-to-date on those tests, so we are on our own when it comes to determining whether or not we're gluten-sensitive. To cut to the chase, if you have MC, and you are a member of this board, your chances of being sensitive to gluten are at least 95% or better, according to our own statistics.
I had symptoms for years, also, before I discovered that diet changes were the key to getting my life back, so I had a lot of intestinal damage that took a long time to heal. And it worked, thank goodness, because for a long time, after I gave up on the doctors, I was afraid that I was doomed to spend the rest of my life that way, sick as a dog, practically chained to the bathroom, with no hope of ever improving. That's no way to live, that's for sure, not if there's a way to resolve it.
There are no nutritionists/dietitians who know anything about MC and treating it by diet, except for the few who are members of this board. That makes seeking such services in most areas, a waste of time and money, for the most part.
Again, welcome to the board, and please feel free to ask anything.
Tex
Welcome to the board. I totally agree with Martha. The celiac tests that your doctors gave you to rule out gluten sensitivity will only detect fully developed celiac disease. They won't detect any earlier stage of the disease (nor will they detect the type of gluten sensitivity that most people have when they have MC). That's why the average length of time to get a celiac diagnosis in this country, from the time of the first symptoms to diagnosis is still 9.7 years (according to the latest published statistics). Forget what the doctors said about you not being gluten-sensitive, they don't have a way to diagnose gluten sensitivity, and they don't seem to be in any hurry to find a way that works. The EnteroLab tests are the only ones sensitive enough to get reliable results, and most doctors aren't up-to-date on those tests, so we are on our own when it comes to determining whether or not we're gluten-sensitive. To cut to the chase, if you have MC, and you are a member of this board, your chances of being sensitive to gluten are at least 95% or better, according to our own statistics.
I had symptoms for years, also, before I discovered that diet changes were the key to getting my life back, so I had a lot of intestinal damage that took a long time to heal. And it worked, thank goodness, because for a long time, after I gave up on the doctors, I was afraid that I was doomed to spend the rest of my life that way, sick as a dog, practically chained to the bathroom, with no hope of ever improving. That's no way to live, that's for sure, not if there's a way to resolve it.
There are no nutritionists/dietitians who know anything about MC and treating it by diet, except for the few who are members of this board. That makes seeking such services in most areas, a waste of time and money, for the most part.
Again, welcome to the board, and please feel free to ask anything.
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.
Welcome birdlover. If you really want to get control of this disease, you need to educate yourself with info from people who have been there. Read as much as you can from this board. Tex has written a book that is a wonderful source and it can be ordered from Amazon.
Like Tex and Martha have said, most of us are gluten intolerant. Check out Enterolab's web site. If you decide to get tested , it will save you a lot of time. I also have CC and went on Entocort almost right away. The relief I got was almost instant. I went from 10 trips to the bathroom to one in about a week's time. But I also did a drastic elimination diet at the same time. I was able to slowly reduce the dosage until I was completely off the drug in about a 6 month period of time . When I was at my worst, I basically lived on meats, eggs, rice and rice cakes, cooked veggies, apple sauce, canned peaches, Rice or corn chex with almond milk.... No gluten, no dairy, no soy, no raw fruits and veggies,No salad, tomato, beans, fiber, citius, coffee or tea. I also stayed away from most processed foods. Was it hard? YES! VERY! But to heal, you have to do the hard work at the beginning. I have since been able to add things back in.
Some people have had luck with the Pepto Bismul protocol- which I think is 8 tablets a day for a couple of months and then you wean off. But remember what ever you choose to do, diet is key to long term healing.
Good luck and keep us posted
Leah
Like Tex and Martha have said, most of us are gluten intolerant. Check out Enterolab's web site. If you decide to get tested , it will save you a lot of time. I also have CC and went on Entocort almost right away. The relief I got was almost instant. I went from 10 trips to the bathroom to one in about a week's time. But I also did a drastic elimination diet at the same time. I was able to slowly reduce the dosage until I was completely off the drug in about a 6 month period of time . When I was at my worst, I basically lived on meats, eggs, rice and rice cakes, cooked veggies, apple sauce, canned peaches, Rice or corn chex with almond milk.... No gluten, no dairy, no soy, no raw fruits and veggies,No salad, tomato, beans, fiber, citius, coffee or tea. I also stayed away from most processed foods. Was it hard? YES! VERY! But to heal, you have to do the hard work at the beginning. I have since been able to add things back in.
Some people have had luck with the Pepto Bismul protocol- which I think is 8 tablets a day for a couple of months and then you wean off. But remember what ever you choose to do, diet is key to long term healing.
Good luck and keep us posted
Leah
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birdlover3
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 202
- Joined: Mon Dec 31, 2012 2:04 pm
- Location: Illinois
Thank you Leah, Tex and Martha,
You told me what I didn't want to hear
...that gluten could still be my problem. I tried for a little bit gluten elimination but couldn't stand it, however if that ends us being the problem, and I want to get well, I realize I will have to do it. I CAN do without dairy. I already use the almond milk on my cereal in the morning and stopped eating ice cream (used to eat it every night for supper).
The test they did for gluten was from biopsies taken from the colon ...I didn't have any blood tests.
After reading on the board yesterday I bought some Pepto Bismol. It did NOTHING for me. Immodium works a little better but not much.
Questions for you guys or anyone else:
* Why would I all of a sudden though be sensitive to gluten or dairy after 57 years no problem?
* How could I have 1 month of 'normalcy' right before Thanksgiving, then a big flareup if gluten was an issue?
* How much does it cost to use the Enterolab? (I'll check their website)
* Have you heard of Lomotil? Anyone on the boards mention it so far?
* Have any of you had the steroid that my doctor mentioned trying? Is this a good or bad thing? When anyone talks about steroids, I always understood it is not a good thing.
* Do you know if taking an antiobiotic makes a flareup happen?
* Do probiotics do any good?
* Did you all have biopsies with your testing?
* Is there a difference between the 2 TYPES of MC as far as treatment? My doc says CC is basically just a further along stage of the LC.
It irritates me that I went up to a big city med center and spent a wad of money only to find out that they may not know anymore than the GI people around me. (well, my first GI doc after telling him I went 2 years with diarrhea did the colonoscopy and endoscopy (no biopsies), then getting the results that looked normal said 'just eat more fiber'!) EAT MORE FIBER????
What topics do you recommend I investigate here on the forum knowing I'm a "newbie"?
I appreciate your help and all of your comments. Birdlover
You told me what I didn't want to hear
...that gluten could still be my problem. I tried for a little bit gluten elimination but couldn't stand it, however if that ends us being the problem, and I want to get well, I realize I will have to do it. I CAN do without dairy. I already use the almond milk on my cereal in the morning and stopped eating ice cream (used to eat it every night for supper). The test they did for gluten was from biopsies taken from the colon ...I didn't have any blood tests.
After reading on the board yesterday I bought some Pepto Bismol. It did NOTHING for me. Immodium works a little better but not much.
Questions for you guys or anyone else:
* Why would I all of a sudden though be sensitive to gluten or dairy after 57 years no problem?
* How could I have 1 month of 'normalcy' right before Thanksgiving, then a big flareup if gluten was an issue?
* How much does it cost to use the Enterolab? (I'll check their website)
* Have you heard of Lomotil? Anyone on the boards mention it so far?
* Have any of you had the steroid that my doctor mentioned trying? Is this a good or bad thing? When anyone talks about steroids, I always understood it is not a good thing.
* Do you know if taking an antiobiotic makes a flareup happen?
* Do probiotics do any good?
* Did you all have biopsies with your testing?
* Is there a difference between the 2 TYPES of MC as far as treatment? My doc says CC is basically just a further along stage of the LC.
It irritates me that I went up to a big city med center and spent a wad of money only to find out that they may not know anymore than the GI people around me. (well, my first GI doc after telling him I went 2 years with diarrhea did the colonoscopy and endoscopy (no biopsies), then getting the results that looked normal said 'just eat more fiber'!) EAT MORE FIBER????
What topics do you recommend I investigate here on the forum knowing I'm a "newbie"?
I appreciate your help and all of your comments. Birdlover
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Christine.
- Gentoo Penguin
- Posts: 260
- Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2012 1:15 pm
Dear Birdlover
I will try to answer a few of your questions and I'm sure others will give you their slant on them as well.
1. I have learned here that with the onset of the disease we develop all those food sensitivities for foods we have eaten our whole lives. I love to cook and for the longest time I mourned the loss of many favorite foods. Know that with time you can add some back and life goes on....I cooked a great Christmas dinner. No one even knew it was g/f, s/f,e/f and d/f. Besides, I gave them some good rolls, real butter and a beautiful trifle for dessert that I didn't eat.
2. Some of us have tried lomotil but for me ( and others) it wasn't any better than Immodium.
3. Enterolab costs vary. Depends which panels you order.
4. Check some of the other main message board recent posts about Entercort. I never took it. I tried strict diet first and it worked!
5. My MC was definitely triggered by taking Clindimycin, an antibiotic that I took for a dental infection. For those of us who have the genetics, taking antibiotics can create the "perfect storm".
6. I took Culturelle probiotic for 7 or 8 months. I finally quit taking it cause it didn't seem to help or hurt. I would suggest that your Dr. Check for vitamin D deficiency. I requested the test after reading discussions here and I was low.
7. Yes, I thought I had colon cancer or a C diff infection from the antibiotics.and had a colonoscopy. The biopsies showed no infection but did show Lymphocitic colitis. I dont believe The G I doctor had ever seen L C before. Finding this forum was my lifesaver.
If I were you I would order Tex's book on microscopic colitis. Actually I did take that advice and it has proven a great reference. You seem detail oriented and you will find definitive answers to most all your questions in the book.
Best of luck with your semi-clueless doctors. We have all been there.
Christine
I will try to answer a few of your questions and I'm sure others will give you their slant on them as well.
1. I have learned here that with the onset of the disease we develop all those food sensitivities for foods we have eaten our whole lives. I love to cook and for the longest time I mourned the loss of many favorite foods. Know that with time you can add some back and life goes on....I cooked a great Christmas dinner. No one even knew it was g/f, s/f,e/f and d/f. Besides, I gave them some good rolls, real butter and a beautiful trifle for dessert that I didn't eat.
2. Some of us have tried lomotil but for me ( and others) it wasn't any better than Immodium.
3. Enterolab costs vary. Depends which panels you order.
4. Check some of the other main message board recent posts about Entercort. I never took it. I tried strict diet first and it worked!
5. My MC was definitely triggered by taking Clindimycin, an antibiotic that I took for a dental infection. For those of us who have the genetics, taking antibiotics can create the "perfect storm".
6. I took Culturelle probiotic for 7 or 8 months. I finally quit taking it cause it didn't seem to help or hurt. I would suggest that your Dr. Check for vitamin D deficiency. I requested the test after reading discussions here and I was low.
7. Yes, I thought I had colon cancer or a C diff infection from the antibiotics.and had a colonoscopy. The biopsies showed no infection but did show Lymphocitic colitis. I dont believe The G I doctor had ever seen L C before. Finding this forum was my lifesaver.
If I were you I would order Tex's book on microscopic colitis. Actually I did take that advice and it has proven a great reference. You seem detail oriented and you will find definitive answers to most all your questions in the book.
Best of luck with your semi-clueless doctors. We have all been there.
Christine
Hi, Birdlover, and welcome! I hope you find answers on this forum. I'm fairly new, both to this group and to LC. I was diagnosed in Oct. I am just now, as of yesterday, experiencing normans (yay! Although more times per day than I'd like. lol). I think everyone is different, but it took a fair amount of time for meds to work. I ended up using both Pepto and budesonide. Up until two days ago, I was taking three 3mg doses of budesonide and 8 Peptos a day. I recently stopped the pepto as I worried I might have caused a bit of toxic build-up, however, quitting did not cause the D to return (yay!). But I really reduced the fiber (upped the amount of white rice I eat and really watched the amount of mushy veggies.
I say this to suggest, as I'm sure others here will as well, give yourself time. I remember, for the first month feeling like I wasn't getting any better despite the meds. But as time progressed I went from watery to pudding (not to be vulgar), and slowly progressing. And for me, it really, really helped when I stayed consistent. Meaning, I take my budesonide at 7, 12, and 5. I give my gut time to absorb the budesonide in the morning before attempting to eat anything. Meaning, I don't eat until around 9, and I take a pepto at 12. Same with lunch. I take the budesonide at noon, then eat maybe around one, and take a Pepto at 2. I've also had to kinda watch the amount I eat. I figure, I may as well since, if I eat too much, my body won't get it anyway. But to help with calories, (because I've also dropped weight and have begun to feel quite ugly. :( ), I add a fair amount of olive oil to pretty much all my meals, which usually is either potatoes or rice. And when I do add veggies in (carrots, brocoli or cauliflower), I cook it to soupy consistency.
I've found it helps to cook the rice and veggies together in one pot, with lots of water or almond mild, letting it simmer until it is very, very soft. By making one pot that can provide for three meals, I lessen the chance that I will get impatient and eat firmer food. Which I've found is a big no-no for me. Even with the meds. Which could be the case for you, as well. And the olive oil, I've found, is very soothing to my intestines.
Blessings to you, and keep your chin up. Healing does come!
I say this to suggest, as I'm sure others here will as well, give yourself time. I remember, for the first month feeling like I wasn't getting any better despite the meds. But as time progressed I went from watery to pudding (not to be vulgar), and slowly progressing. And for me, it really, really helped when I stayed consistent. Meaning, I take my budesonide at 7, 12, and 5. I give my gut time to absorb the budesonide in the morning before attempting to eat anything. Meaning, I don't eat until around 9, and I take a pepto at 12. Same with lunch. I take the budesonide at noon, then eat maybe around one, and take a Pepto at 2. I've also had to kinda watch the amount I eat. I figure, I may as well since, if I eat too much, my body won't get it anyway. But to help with calories, (because I've also dropped weight and have begun to feel quite ugly. :( ), I add a fair amount of olive oil to pretty much all my meals, which usually is either potatoes or rice. And when I do add veggies in (carrots, brocoli or cauliflower), I cook it to soupy consistency.
I've found it helps to cook the rice and veggies together in one pot, with lots of water or almond mild, letting it simmer until it is very, very soft. By making one pot that can provide for three meals, I lessen the chance that I will get impatient and eat firmer food. Which I've found is a big no-no for me. Even with the meds. Which could be the case for you, as well. And the olive oil, I've found, is very soothing to my intestines.
Blessings to you, and keep your chin up. Healing does come!
BL3,
I'll try to address some of your questions that the others skipped.
If the test was on biopsy samples from one of the sections of the small intestine, (duodenum, jejunum, or ileum), it will only detect fully developed celiac disease. It will not detect any other type of gluten-sensitivity, so it's useless for the purposes of anyone who has MC.
By the way, the EnteroLab tests are stool sample tests, not biopsy tests. They are non-invasive, but more reliable. The DNA test sample is easy. It's obtained by rubbing a cotton swab inside your cheek.
There are at least 12 different types of MC (not 2, as most GI docs believe), but the treatment is the same for all of them.
By the way, you can find some excellent ice creams made from coconut milk, if you look around in the right stores. So Delicious makes excellent ice cream, and I believe there are other non-dairy brands, also.
http://sodeliciousdairyfree.com/product ... ice-creams
Tex
I'll try to address some of your questions that the others skipped.
If they did an ELISA test, and looked for IgA antibodies, then the test results should be reliable (if they did it correctly). I've never heard of any GI doc doing that, though, outside of certain types of research projects. Are you sure the biopsy samples weren't taken from the ileum, or some other part of the small intestine? Analyzing biopsy samples from the small intestine (to rule out celiac disease) is standard procedure, but they never do that test with the colon, because the colon contains no villi.birdlover3 wrote:The test they did for gluten was from biopsies taken from the colon
If the test was on biopsy samples from one of the sections of the small intestine, (duodenum, jejunum, or ileum), it will only detect fully developed celiac disease. It will not detect any other type of gluten-sensitivity, so it's useless for the purposes of anyone who has MC.
The treatment regimen is 8 or 9 tablets per day, for 8 weeks. Most people will reach remission within about 2 weeks. That treatment has about an 85 % success rate, according to published trials. Without a GF diet, though, most patients relapse within a few days to a few weeks after completing the treatment program.birdlover3 wrote:After reading on the board yesterday I bought some Pepto Bismol. It did NOTHING for me. Immodium works a little better but not much.
By the way, the EnteroLab tests are stool sample tests, not biopsy tests. They are non-invasive, but more reliable. The DNA test sample is easy. It's obtained by rubbing a cotton swab inside your cheek.
There are at least 12 different types of MC (not 2, as most GI docs believe), but the treatment is the same for all of them.
By the way, you can find some excellent ice creams made from coconut milk, if you look around in the right stores. So Delicious makes excellent ice cream, and I believe there are other non-dairy brands, also.
http://sodeliciousdairyfree.com/product ... ice-creams
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.
Yes Birdlover, I was on Budesonide. When I said I took Entocort, that is the brand name for Budesonide. I went from 8-10 loose or WD down to one a day within days! But just as Tex said, the diet must coincide with taking the drugs or you will relapse. I was off the drug in about 6 months. GF,DF,SF
I tried taking probiotics and I actually think it made things worse for me so I stopped. I do however take L-Glutamine powder every day. It is suppose to help heal the intestines.
Eating smaller amounts also helped me
Going gluten free is not as hard as it seems once you get use to it. There are some pretty good GF pasta out there ( but since I can't have tomato sauce, I don't use it often). Rice cooked in half coconut milk/half chic stock is delicious. Try not to indulge too much in all the processed GF products on the shelves- especially now. They contain A LOT of ingredients and you may react to some of them. Keep it simple with ingredients. I didn't have my first piece of GF toast until I was somewhat healed and off the drugs.
Remember, this is the hardest part right now. As you get a grip on all of this and start feeling better, there is light at the end of the tunnel. I have added foods back in over time and although I will never be able to go back to gluten or dairy, I can now eat salad, beans, nuts, a little fruit, raw cabbage ( coleslaw), and a little dark chocolate.
Keep reading and learning!
Leah
I tried taking probiotics and I actually think it made things worse for me so I stopped. I do however take L-Glutamine powder every day. It is suppose to help heal the intestines.
Eating smaller amounts also helped me
Going gluten free is not as hard as it seems once you get use to it. There are some pretty good GF pasta out there ( but since I can't have tomato sauce, I don't use it often). Rice cooked in half coconut milk/half chic stock is delicious. Try not to indulge too much in all the processed GF products on the shelves- especially now. They contain A LOT of ingredients and you may react to some of them. Keep it simple with ingredients. I didn't have my first piece of GF toast until I was somewhat healed and off the drugs.
Remember, this is the hardest part right now. As you get a grip on all of this and start feeling better, there is light at the end of the tunnel. I have added foods back in over time and although I will never be able to go back to gluten or dairy, I can now eat salad, beans, nuts, a little fruit, raw cabbage ( coleslaw), and a little dark chocolate.
Keep reading and learning!
Leah
Welcome Birdlover!
Just wanted to add that I too enjoyed a one-month remission after my colonoscopy and barium swallow study. I think the clean out cleared out all my bacteria temporarily, good and bad, and my colon enjoyed a nice vacation from all the resident infighting. I've heard this phenomenon from a few others on the board, but most people seem to get worse after the colonoscopy. For some, routine screening colonoscopy triggered the MC!! Of course the antibiotic you took could definitely have gotten the ball rolling again, unfortunately. Most of us avoid them, meaning we wait until they are absolutely warranted.
When I ordered my Enterolab tests 2 years ago, I think I paid about $400 for the 4 part panel (gluten, dairy, soy, yeast, fat malabsorption, and gene cheek swab test). They have larger panels now, but this is the basic. Not bad considering what our doctors try to charge for tests! I'm ordering for my daughter in the next couple of months.
I have a hunch that holiday eating patterns account for a major uptick in autoimmune flares. Could be winter, infections going around, etc. but the junk food/comfort food people consume at holiday time is really mind-boggling. Not to mention the stress many people experience...which we know is a major contributor to MC.
Just wanted to add that I too enjoyed a one-month remission after my colonoscopy and barium swallow study. I think the clean out cleared out all my bacteria temporarily, good and bad, and my colon enjoyed a nice vacation from all the resident infighting. I've heard this phenomenon from a few others on the board, but most people seem to get worse after the colonoscopy. For some, routine screening colonoscopy triggered the MC!! Of course the antibiotic you took could definitely have gotten the ball rolling again, unfortunately. Most of us avoid them, meaning we wait until they are absolutely warranted.
When I ordered my Enterolab tests 2 years ago, I think I paid about $400 for the 4 part panel (gluten, dairy, soy, yeast, fat malabsorption, and gene cheek swab test). They have larger panels now, but this is the basic. Not bad considering what our doctors try to charge for tests! I'm ordering for my daughter in the next couple of months.
I have a hunch that holiday eating patterns account for a major uptick in autoimmune flares. Could be winter, infections going around, etc. but the junk food/comfort food people consume at holiday time is really mind-boggling. Not to mention the stress many people experience...which we know is a major contributor to MC.
Hi Birdlover,
Just wanted to say Welcome and best of luck on your diet changes! It's tough at first but it gets easier.
I opted for the Pepto protocol and went into remission the first day I took it. I took 7 pills a day for 2 months then slowly weaned off for an additional month. Was afraid to stop any med cold turkey as I was worried about side effects from that. I, luckily, had no issues with the Pepto which was good as it was easy to get and very cheap. Can't beat that! I've been off a month now and have only taken a few doses once a week as preventative as I had too many holiday gatherings to attend.
I've been GF since July 1 and DF since August 24. I was still having some D in September so got on the Pepto then. I try to stay away from soy as best I can and I do eat some eggs. I'm hoping that Gluten and Dairy are all I have to give up but only time will tell. It takes a few months for gluten to get out of your system which is why I probably didn't notice any big improvements with the D after going GF for 4 months. I did, however, noticed pretty quickly that my stomach/abdominal pain, nausea, heartburn and bloating had diminished greatly.
Too scared to introduce a probiotic at this time....not until I've had a lot more healing. I took a lot the last 3 years and they apparently didn't help me at all.
Be patient....it takes awhile. Good luck!
Terri
Just wanted to say Welcome and best of luck on your diet changes! It's tough at first but it gets easier.
I opted for the Pepto protocol and went into remission the first day I took it. I took 7 pills a day for 2 months then slowly weaned off for an additional month. Was afraid to stop any med cold turkey as I was worried about side effects from that. I, luckily, had no issues with the Pepto which was good as it was easy to get and very cheap. Can't beat that! I've been off a month now and have only taken a few doses once a week as preventative as I had too many holiday gatherings to attend.
I've been GF since July 1 and DF since August 24. I was still having some D in September so got on the Pepto then. I try to stay away from soy as best I can and I do eat some eggs. I'm hoping that Gluten and Dairy are all I have to give up but only time will tell. It takes a few months for gluten to get out of your system which is why I probably didn't notice any big improvements with the D after going GF for 4 months. I did, however, noticed pretty quickly that my stomach/abdominal pain, nausea, heartburn and bloating had diminished greatly.
Too scared to introduce a probiotic at this time....not until I've had a lot more healing. I took a lot the last 3 years and they apparently didn't help me at all.
Be patient....it takes awhile. Good luck!
Terri
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis in July, 2012 then with Celiac in November, 2012.
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birdlover3
- Adélie Penguin
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Your expectations are unrealistic. There are no miracle drugs to treat MC. Give the Pepto 2 weeks (at 8 tablets or the equivalent per day), and you will probably begin to see some benefits.birdlover3 wrote:After reading on the board yesterday I bought some Pepto Bismol. It did NOTHING for me.
Immodium is just an anti-diarrheal (it slows gut motility). Pepto-Bismol also does that, but in addition, it actually has mild antibiotic properties that help to reduce the inflammation.birdlover3 wrote:Is there a reason that no one mentions Immodium? Everyone seems to be on Pepto. Thanks.
Most of us have used Imodium at one time or another. It's very handy to have available when we are reacting and we absolutely have to go somewhere, because it will usually postpone the need for an urgent trip to the bathroom for several hours or more. It does nothing to help treat the inflammation, however. It simply helps to temporarily make life a bit 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.
Yes, give the Pepto some time and see if you get better. I used Imodium before I was diagnosed and it worked wonders for me and I only took one a day after the initial 3 pills the first day. But two days after stopping the Imodium the D would always come back (because I hadn't made any changes to my diet at that time). I was so worried that when I got off Pepto that the same would happen but it hasn't because I gave up lots of foods during that time as well. Diet is the key! I've been very lucky with OTC meds but they don't work for everyone.
Take care,
Terri
Take care,
Terri
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis in July, 2012 then with Celiac in November, 2012.
When I was flaring I didn't like to use Immodium because it just stopped things up at one end, but left the churning and gas boiling up inside and I felt miserable. I prefer getting rid of the D than trying to put a plug in it. One added benefit of Pepto is that is makes the D and any gas much less stinky.
From Wikipedia:
From Wikipedia:
Bismuth subsalicylate is used as an antacid and antidiarrheal, and to treat some other gastro-intestinal diseases, such as nausea. It is the active ingredient in various stomach-settling medications, including Pepto-Bismol.
The means by which this occurs is still not well documented. It is thought to be some combination of the following:[4]
Retarding the expulsion of fluids into the digestive system by irritated tissues, by "coating" them.
Stimulation of absorption of fluids and electrolytes by the intestinal wall (antisecretory action)
Reducing inflammation/irritation of stomach and intestinal lining through inhibition of prostaglandin G/H Synthase 1/2
Reduction in hypermotility of the stomach
Binding of toxins produced by E. coli
Bactericidal action of a number of its subcomponents, including salicylic acid[5]
Bactericidal action via a so-called oligodynamic effect in which small amounts of heavy metals such as bismuth are toxic for a number of microbes.
Weak antacid properties
In vitro and in vivo data has shown that bismuth subsalicylate hydrolyzes in the gut to bismuth oxychloride and salicylic acid and less commonly Bismuth Hydroxide. In the stomach, this is likely an acid-catalyzed hydrolysis. The salicylic acid is adsorbed and therapeutical concentration of salicylic acid can be found in blood after bismuth subsalicylate administration. Bismuth oxychloride and bismuth hydroxide are both believed to have bactericidal effects, as is salicylic acid for enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli a common cause of "traveler's diarrhea."[5]