My story is a little different than most. Although I was diagnosed MC (Lymphocytic) Nov 28, I do not have diarrhea (3 times in seven months), but do have cramping and bloating feeling, chills and some nausea when I lie down on bad days making sleeping very difficult. Since I seem to be good in the morning, and start feeling bad late in the day, this I believe is a direct result of what I am eating. From all the posts I have read, Gluten may be the most likely factor. Although pricey, if the test results from Enterolab are accurate it seems money well spent.
Is it possible that anything besides Gluten could be the cause, too much sugar? other proteins? I need to get to the bottom of this as my bad days are becoming more frequent, as it is 3am and I am not sleeping yet again.
Enterolab testing
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
.jpg){kind=avatar}
Doug,
After gluten the most likely foods that could be causing problems are dairy (the protein in dairy, casein, rather than lactose), soy and eggs. Lots of people here have other foods they have to avoid as well but the big four of gluten, dairy, soy and eggs are a good place to start. I found the Enterolab testing well worth the money but even before I did the test I eliminated the big four and things got better. Try not to get hung up on whether or not your symptoms match the diagnostic criteria for MC. You are having gastrointestinal symptoms; your biopsy showed intestinal damage; the most likely cause is the foods you are eating, specifically gluten and very likely others. The medications that doctors prescribe are for the control of symptoms, mostly diarrhea, so since you do not have that symptom these medications will probably not help but eliminating the offending foods should. My approach was to find a few single ingredient foods that I could tolerate and stick with those. It takes some discipline but it is a whole lot better than feeling sick.
Good luck,
Jean
After gluten the most likely foods that could be causing problems are dairy (the protein in dairy, casein, rather than lactose), soy and eggs. Lots of people here have other foods they have to avoid as well but the big four of gluten, dairy, soy and eggs are a good place to start. I found the Enterolab testing well worth the money but even before I did the test I eliminated the big four and things got better. Try not to get hung up on whether or not your symptoms match the diagnostic criteria for MC. You are having gastrointestinal symptoms; your biopsy showed intestinal damage; the most likely cause is the foods you are eating, specifically gluten and very likely others. The medications that doctors prescribe are for the control of symptoms, mostly diarrhea, so since you do not have that symptom these medications will probably not help but eliminating the offending foods should. My approach was to find a few single ingredient foods that I could tolerate and stick with those. It takes some discipline but it is a whole lot better than feeling sick.
Good luck,
Jean
Doug, I think you and are about as "newbie" to this group as we can be. I understand your confusion and frustration more than you will ever know! After a partial reading of Tex's book yesterday, I finally am understanding what we are up against with this formidable disease. Because there are so many sensitivities we have, I think that it would behoove me to have the most expensive panel (A & C, I think) done.
Sugar, dairy (and that is really a sad recognition that I am coming to), soy--all kinds of things and how are we to know other than a frustrating and time-costly food elimination process? One of the things I have found helpful in giving up some of my favorite foods is remembering that the food industry has worked hard for years to get me "hooked" on their processed crap! I do not want to be a pawn and continue to line their pockets or the pockets of the pharmaceutical magnates.
Jane
Sugar, dairy (and that is really a sad recognition that I am coming to), soy--all kinds of things and how are we to know other than a frustrating and time-costly food elimination process? One of the things I have found helpful in giving up some of my favorite foods is remembering that the food industry has worked hard for years to get me "hooked" on their processed crap! I do not want to be a pawn and continue to line their pockets or the pockets of the pharmaceutical magnates.
Jane
Jane
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis 12/19/12
"When it gets dark enough,you can see the stars."
Charles A. Beard
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis 12/19/12
"When it gets dark enough,you can see the stars."
Charles A. Beard
Doug,
I agree with Jean that Dairy is a very likely suspect (in addition to gluten), because dairy sensitivity is typically associated with gas, bloating, and cramps. For some people, dairy causes diarrhea, while for others, it causes constipation. Based on those extremes, it's likely that some people experience only gas, bloating, and cramps.
Jane,
As you get farther into the book (chapter 7), you will learn why so many of us become "addicted" to gluten and dairy — they actually contain chemicals that react with opiate receptors in the brain. For some individuals, the effect is much more powerful than for others, and they even experience withdrawal symptoms if they try to discontinue eating those foods. It's one of the reasons why some people find it so difficult to make needed diet changes.
Tex
I agree with Jean that Dairy is a very likely suspect (in addition to gluten), because dairy sensitivity is typically associated with gas, bloating, and cramps. For some people, dairy causes diarrhea, while for others, it causes constipation. Based on those extremes, it's likely that some people experience only gas, bloating, and cramps.
Jane,
As you get farther into the book (chapter 7), you will learn why so many of us become "addicted" to gluten and dairy — they actually contain chemicals that react with opiate receptors in the brain. For some individuals, the effect is much more powerful than for others, and they even experience withdrawal symptoms if they try to discontinue eating those foods. It's one of the reasons why some people find it so difficult to make needed diet changes.
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.
Personally, I like Panel B, because it includes the main food sensitivities, plus the gene test. The gene test is certainly not essential, but for some of us, it gives us insight into the reasons why we are having certain problems, and it's insight that can't be obtained any other way. We keep a list of these test results, and by analyzing the gene test results, we can sometimes see patterns.
Many of us are able to achieve remission by following the recommendations of a Panel B test. When that doesn't work, then the additional information provided by Panel C can help to track down additional food sensitivities. Of course, if you can justify the cost of the tests as a complete package, you can save a lot of time in the event that you do have additional sensitivities. And there's a price discount when the tests are ordered in combinations because that saves them a lot of sample prep time at the lab.
Note that the Panel C test results are reported in relative terms (rather than absolute terms), so they are a little more difficult to interpret than the Panel A or Panel B results (in order to make the tests more affordable), but they are still very helpful for most of us, for tracking down less-obvious food sensitivities.
You can review some of the past test results for other members here.
The gene test results alone can be viewed here.
Tex
Many of us are able to achieve remission by following the recommendations of a Panel B test. When that doesn't work, then the additional information provided by Panel C can help to track down additional food sensitivities. Of course, if you can justify the cost of the tests as a complete package, you can save a lot of time in the event that you do have additional sensitivities. And there's a price discount when the tests are ordered in combinations because that saves them a lot of sample prep time at the lab.
Note that the Panel C test results are reported in relative terms (rather than absolute terms), so they are a little more difficult to interpret than the Panel A or Panel B results (in order to make the tests more affordable), but they are still very helpful for most of us, for tracking down less-obvious food sensitivities.
You can review some of the past test results for other members here.
The gene test results alone can be viewed here.
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.
Doug, I found the tests to be a huge help. It was very difficult for me to change my diet and having actual results on paper gave me the strength I needed to stick with it. I did not see immediate results which made it more difficult to commit so the test was a needed tool for me. I had the panel A test done about a year ago and am now waiting for the results of the panel C tests. I am still struggling, although much better than where I was at a year ago, and didn't feel I had a choice but to invest in the test for additional sensitivities.
I agree with everyone about the dairy, soy, and eggs. It'd be worth a try to eliminate them to see if it helps. I can't have any of them. I went a very long time being GF and was frustrated that I didn't feel better. It wasn't until I gave up soy that my constant stomach aches went away.
Be patient (easier said than done) and best of luck to you.
Deb
I agree with everyone about the dairy, soy, and eggs. It'd be worth a try to eliminate them to see if it helps. I can't have any of them. I went a very long time being GF and was frustrated that I didn't feel better. It wasn't until I gave up soy that my constant stomach aches went away.
Be patient (easier said than done) and best of luck to you.
Deb