Hi there, thank you for being here! As I read, I am finding that there may be hope, this forum is such an education.
I am new to this diagnosis, but have known for a few years that I was suffering. I was DX with LC. Next week we discuss medications, possibly Entocort.
I have read a lot here about the Paleo (sp) diet and being gluten free. I desperately need to eat something that allows me to leave my home. Being a vegetarian has made that quite difficult and I am even considering meat at this point if it will heal!
Thanks again!
new here & to MC
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hi again,
The key that usually determines whether or not a vegetarian or vegan diet can be continued while treating MC by diet, is whether or not sensitivity to soy is a problem. At least half of us are sensitive to soy, and those who are sensitive to soy are usually sensitive to most legumes, as well. For those who have that problem, it's virtually impossible to get enough protein without including meat or other animal products (such as eggs) into the diet. (Unfortunately, some of us are also sensitive to eggs, but egg sensitivity is not as common as sensitivity to gluten, dairy, and soy). This disease damages the intestines, and it takes increased protein in the diet to heal the intestines, so reducing protein intake, is not really a practical option.
Please don't be surprised if your GI specialist denies any connection between diet and LC. Many of them are still operating with outdated training about this disease.
You seem to be motivated, and motivated people get results, so I'm confident that you will be able to get your life back.
Please feel free to ask anything.
Tex
The key that usually determines whether or not a vegetarian or vegan diet can be continued while treating MC by diet, is whether or not sensitivity to soy is a problem. At least half of us are sensitive to soy, and those who are sensitive to soy are usually sensitive to most legumes, as well. For those who have that problem, it's virtually impossible to get enough protein without including meat or other animal products (such as eggs) into the diet. (Unfortunately, some of us are also sensitive to eggs, but egg sensitivity is not as common as sensitivity to gluten, dairy, and soy). This disease damages the intestines, and it takes increased protein in the diet to heal the intestines, so reducing protein intake, is not really a practical option.
Please don't be surprised if your GI specialist denies any connection between diet and LC. Many of them are still operating with outdated training about this disease.
You seem to be motivated, and motivated people get results, so I'm confident that you will be able to get your life back.
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!
If you want to know for sure whether you are sensitive to the major four inflammatory culprits, there is a lab that you can send a stool sample for testing to called Enterolab. Look up their web site. If you can afford it, the results will save you a lot of time wondering whether you can stay vegetarian. Like Tex said, protein helps healing. When I first started the healing process, I went on Entocort and ate mostly meats, homemade chicken soup, cooked veggies, applesauce, and rice for a while. Very healing.
Entocort worked wonders for me and very quickly, but it was also in conjunction with major diet changes. If you continue to eat the foods that give you inflammation, then when you wean off of the drugs, the likelihood of you relapsing is very high
Again, welcome to our family and read as much as you can on this board.
Keep us posted :)
Leah
If you want to know for sure whether you are sensitive to the major four inflammatory culprits, there is a lab that you can send a stool sample for testing to called Enterolab. Look up their web site. If you can afford it, the results will save you a lot of time wondering whether you can stay vegetarian. Like Tex said, protein helps healing. When I first started the healing process, I went on Entocort and ate mostly meats, homemade chicken soup, cooked veggies, applesauce, and rice for a while. Very healing.
Entocort worked wonders for me and very quickly, but it was also in conjunction with major diet changes. If you continue to eat the foods that give you inflammation, then when you wean off of the drugs, the likelihood of you relapsing is very high
Again, welcome to our family and read as much as you can on this board.
Keep us posted :)
Leah
Hi, I too am newly diagnosed. Besides reading Tex's book called Microscopic Colitis, I would like to recommend some books I read the fall of 2011 that made me decide to quit eating gluten before I ever experienced any problems or thought that I had anything wrong with me. I read The Vegetarian Myth by Lierre Keith and Wheat Belly by Dr. William Davis. If you must start eating meat, the book by Lierre Keith might be very helpful to you.
Recently my acupuncturist told me to get Deep Nutrition by Dr. Shananhan and her husband. It is a fascinating book that I have found quite helpful in understanding what I need to do to try to figure out what I can eat.
I find the process of figuring out what I can safely eat very perplexing and frustrating and plan to get my gastroenterologist to order the Enterolab testing this week. I am very lucky to be fortunate enough to have a Dr. who thinks that diet IS important and that the meds are only for short-term to get the gut calmed down long enough to get the D stopped.
Good luck to you as you start this life-changing journey. It really is helpful to have so many people who have experienced the problems we are facing now and can give us some guidance and encouragement. A great place to vent as well!
Recently my acupuncturist told me to get Deep Nutrition by Dr. Shananhan and her husband. It is a fascinating book that I have found quite helpful in understanding what I need to do to try to figure out what I can eat.
I find the process of figuring out what I can safely eat very perplexing and frustrating and plan to get my gastroenterologist to order the Enterolab testing this week. I am very lucky to be fortunate enough to have a Dr. who thinks that diet IS important and that the meds are only for short-term to get the gut calmed down long enough to get the D stopped.
Good luck to you as you start this life-changing journey. It really is helpful to have so many people who have experienced the problems we are facing now and can give us some guidance and encouragement. A great place to vent as well!
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
-
MaggieRedwings
- King Penguin
- Posts: 3865
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 3:16 am
- Location: SE Pennsylvania
Welcome and sorry you have to endure this disease but there is light at the end of the tunnel!
I was a vegan for over 35 years and unfortunately, I had to revert to meat and fowl since I am also soy intolerant and most of the vegan meat substitutes are either soy or grain based - mostly wheat. I was a very hard decision for me since it is part of my religion to not indulge in eating "other creatures" so it was a long and very debated decision. I have come to peace with it and it definitely did me well since I was very much dimished when it came to protein sources.
Just wanted to let you know this if it will help at all in your decision. I am GF, SF, DF, YF, EF.
Maggie
I was a vegan for over 35 years and unfortunately, I had to revert to meat and fowl since I am also soy intolerant and most of the vegan meat substitutes are either soy or grain based - mostly wheat. I was a very hard decision for me since it is part of my religion to not indulge in eating "other creatures" so it was a long and very debated decision. I have come to peace with it and it definitely did me well since I was very much dimished when it came to protein sources.
Just wanted to let you know this if it will help at all in your decision. I am GF, SF, DF, YF, EF.
Maggie
Maggie Scarpone
___________________
Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
___________________
Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
Hi and 
I was also a vegetatrian (ethical) - for 12 years before the MC hit. It seemed like a cruel cosmic joke when I found out that, in fact, I have "meateater genes" and had to ditch my former diet. And, I believe that those years of eating large amounts of wheat, soy, and dairy may have precipitated my MC.
It was a difficult transition at the time but I feel terrific and have been in long-term remission with diet alone. I am one with multiple sensitivities (see list to the left under avatar) and found out that there were even many fruits/veggies that I couldn't tolerate and that were also making me sick.
Good luck on your path to wellness.
Polly
I was also a vegetatrian (ethical) - for 12 years before the MC hit. It seemed like a cruel cosmic joke when I found out that, in fact, I have "meateater genes" and had to ditch my former diet. And, I believe that those years of eating large amounts of wheat, soy, and dairy may have precipitated my MC.
It was a difficult transition at the time but I feel terrific and have been in long-term remission with diet alone. I am one with multiple sensitivities (see list to the left under avatar) and found out that there were even many fruits/veggies that I couldn't tolerate and that were also making me sick.
Good luck on your path to wellness.
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Wow, thank you for the welcome and for letting me know that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Polly and Maggie, as for being vegan and vegetarian, thank you for that. I am still taking a deep breath before I absolutely have to consume meat. I know I will eventually, but when and what is the question.
Polly and Maggie, as for being vegan and vegetarian, thank you for that. I am still taking a deep breath before I absolutely have to consume meat. I know I will eventually, but when and what is the question.