Hey all...
I'm starting week 3 of my treatment. I made it through the week of NO meat.. ugh.. I could never be a vegetarian.
Today I had my first meat in a week. It was NUMMY.
Anyway, I discovered a few more things this past week. For one, the *I feel great* feeling goes away licketty split when you stop taking the Omega 3 Fatty Acids. AND the diarrhea returns. Actually, I think the diarrhea returned first, then the pain began. At any rate, I asked the doc about this, and she says that the Omega 3 Fatty Acids reduce inflammation greatly, and coat the red blood cells, which is a good thing. Lots of people don't get enough of it. Since I've been taking it regularly, I've noticed less pain and almost NO diarrhea. Originally I couldn't put a finger on what was making me feel better, and while I'm sure I was also eating something that was disagreeing with me, and the elimination diet , well, eliminated that, I also think the Omega 3 contributed greatly, because a day after I *forgot* to take one, I started feeling really cruddy again. And the day after I started taking it again (you take it right before bed), the near euphoria returned, and norman returned, and my pain went away..
So I'm doing pretty good now.. the return of pain was just a couple days ago now, so I'm still having some discomfort here and there, and for some reason since digesting all that meat I had at lunch today, I'm feeling really weak and tired. My legs are shaky like I just don't have any energy to move. It may have something to do with the past 24 hours events..
My youngest (Hunter) practically stabbed himself last night in the shower and we had to rush to the ER right around bedtime. See, the shower had a porcelain soap dish, like every other shower, and a coupla months back, some tile from the top of the shower came crashing down onto it and all of it broke. What remained was the wall portion of the soap dish, and a few jutting edges that were of slight concern. The problem was, the only time it occured to us to fix it (or seriously hammer the edges..) was when we were in the shower, and once we left the shower, we'd completely forget all about it. There's a lot of stuff going on after the shower for us.. busy household.. it's easy to get sidetracked. But we feel very guilty.
Anyway, he was dancing around in the shower, shakin' it like he often does, and "it" crashed right into one of those little jutting edges, and it punctured his skin. The result was a nasty cut, that was deep enough to nick a vein, right above his little behind, luckily on a meaty chunk. 4 stitches and some antibiotics later, he's doing fine, and telling the whole school about it LOL. He's such a story teller.
Anyway, we got home late, it was very stressful - they put us in a room that had only adult magazines - no kids books - for an hour while the anesthesia set in - so we were reading :) He's actually reading almost at a 1st grade level. Anyway, then he had 2 shots of anesthetic, because the other one didn't work well enough, and still the area refused to numb. He screamed thru every stitch. I held his little arms down so he didn't rip the needle out of the doctor's hand... So I stayed home a little late this morning with him to let him sleep more, and went to work.
Another novel. Sorry. I guess that's what happens when you post once a week. I really need to get here more often.
Have a good night all..
Love,
Christine
Update on my Treatment..
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TendrTummy
- Gentoo Penguin
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- Location: Waconia, MN, USA
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barbaranoela
- Emperor Penguin
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- Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 6:11 pm
- Location: New York
Hiya Chris----
great to hear that the food change is going good and I could do without meat----matter of fact I eat to live----I would luve to go back to the junk food eating but thats a no-no--
novels are nice to read
specially when a person is missing and then fills us in with all the goings on--
and OUCH for Hunter----glad he is ok---and dont kids luve to go to school and BRAG about their ER visits and STITCHES too!!! They feel so *big-time*
understand the *forgetting* of a repair----Lou and I do that often---but of course I am there to *nag/nag/nag* and it still doesnt get fixed!!!
Glad to see U---pop in more often
And sending U many good wishes for a happy holiday and a better new year--
luve Barbara
great to hear that the food change is going good and I could do without meat----matter of fact I eat to live----I would luve to go back to the junk food eating but thats a no-no--
novels are nice to read
specially when a person is missing and then fills us in with all the goings on--and OUCH for Hunter----glad he is ok---and dont kids luve to go to school and BRAG about their ER visits and STITCHES too!!! They feel so *big-time*
understand the *forgetting* of a repair----Lou and I do that often---but of course I am there to *nag/nag/nag* and it still doesnt get fixed!!!
Glad to see U---pop in more often
And sending U many good wishes for a happy holiday and a better new year--
luve Barbara
the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control
Christine,
My sympathies for Hunter's posterior trama. That was really a bummer, having to sit still for stiches, without the benefit of an effective anesthetic. I really feel for him. I once had to have a broken arm set, and the pain-killer that they gave me by way of an IV, didn't work either. Not much fun, for sure.
I wonder why the anesthetic didn't work for him. In my case, I blamed the problem on a malabsorption issue, since I was only a few months into the GF diet, and presumably still had a lot of damage to the villi of my small intestine. Did the doc offer any opinion on why it didn't work?
That's veeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrry interesting information about the Omega-3 fatty acids. We may learn something here. Very interesting, indeed. Please keep us informed.
Love,
Wayne
My sympathies for Hunter's posterior trama. That was really a bummer, having to sit still for stiches, without the benefit of an effective anesthetic. I really feel for him. I once had to have a broken arm set, and the pain-killer that they gave me by way of an IV, didn't work either. Not much fun, for sure.
I wonder why the anesthetic didn't work for him. In my case, I blamed the problem on a malabsorption issue, since I was only a few months into the GF diet, and presumably still had a lot of damage to the villi of my small intestine. Did the doc offer any opinion on why it didn't work?
That's veeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrry interesting information about the Omega-3 fatty acids. We may learn something here. Very interesting, indeed. Please keep us informed.
Love,
Wayne
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.
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kate_ce1995
- Rockhopper Penguin
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- Location: Vermont
Now I feel SO much better about the shinanagins the girls pull in the shower! LOL! Poor Hunter. The girls play all sorts of games in the shower and frequently the youngest "slips and falls" on purpose....its part of whatever game! We also frequently hear them inviting every friend they have into the shower with them! Hope Hunter heals quickly....kids seem to so I'm sure he will.
Glad you are feeling so good. Omega-3s are supposed to be very good for us. What version/brand do you take? They are also good for mood control...A friend of mine has a son who is bipolar and she had read about a study with Omega-3 that was stopped early because the evidence was so overwhelming towards the benefits that they felt it was unethical to withhold it from the other patients. She did say some of the brands of fish oil leave you burping, well, fish all day. I should probably consider adding a supplement because I know I don't eat enough "natural" omega-3.
Katy
Glad you are feeling so good. Omega-3s are supposed to be very good for us. What version/brand do you take? They are also good for mood control...A friend of mine has a son who is bipolar and she had read about a study with Omega-3 that was stopped early because the evidence was so overwhelming towards the benefits that they felt it was unethical to withhold it from the other patients. She did say some of the brands of fish oil leave you burping, well, fish all day. I should probably consider adding a supplement because I know I don't eat enough "natural" omega-3.
Katy
Hi TT,
I have been following your diet progress with great interest. I also take omega 3s - I use the oil in my salad dressing and also pour a little into soups, stews, etc. I think the evidence is overwhelming in favor of its benefits.
Keep up the good work! Hope the little guy is feeling better today.
Love,
Polly
I have been following your diet progress with great interest. I also take omega 3s - I use the oil in my salad dressing and also pour a little into soups, stews, etc. I think the evidence is overwhelming in favor of its benefits.
Keep up the good work! Hope the little guy is feeling better today.
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
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artteacher
- Rockhopper Penguin
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- Joined: Wed Aug 24, 2005 11:13 pm
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Hi there,
Yes it is interesting about the oil. I took borage oil for a while, and it really really agreed with me as long as I took the liquid kind, not the capsules. The capsules themselves give me screaming D.
I know that almost any kind of oil slows the digestion, and would help counteract D, but borage oil seemed to have benefits even beyond that. It honestly seemed to help calm the inflammation and bloating. The only downside was eating oil right off a spoon. Nasty. BLAAAH. After a while I just couldn't do it.
Yes it is interesting about the oil. I took borage oil for a while, and it really really agreed with me as long as I took the liquid kind, not the capsules. The capsules themselves give me screaming D.
I know that almost any kind of oil slows the digestion, and would help counteract D, but borage oil seemed to have benefits even beyond that. It honestly seemed to help calm the inflammation and bloating. The only downside was eating oil right off a spoon. Nasty. BLAAAH. After a while I just couldn't do it.
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MaggieRedwings
- King Penguin
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- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 3:16 am
- Location: SE Pennsylvania
Morning Christine,
I also feel for Hunter. Poor lad. Hope he is well healed soon.
I am really interested in the Omega 3s you are taking and would like to head down this road if possible. Chris and Polly - I would love any info or brands that will be vegan-qualified that you can recommend.
Thanks, Maggie
I also feel for Hunter. Poor lad. Hope he is well healed soon.
I am really interested in the Omega 3s you are taking and would like to head down this road if possible. Chris and Polly - I would love any info or brands that will be vegan-qualified that you can recommend.
Thanks, Maggie
Maggie Scarpone
___________________
Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
___________________
Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
Think I heard my sister say something about starting off on a lower dose for starters one day when I was the one going to WFs shopping for the both of us. I found just the thing there that was free of our "allergens" as well. She seems to be upbeat all the time, even more than usual -- do you suppose Omega-3's the reason? Ha!
Guess I just did follow up on that statement to ask her what the recommendations are.
She keeps up on all this stuff.
Anyway, will get back here to report on that if I can remember. Know I need to get myself back on Omega 3's, just always seem to be busy whenever it's meal time, and that's when I'm most likely to be able to handle the supplements. After that, I don't remember.
Yours, Luce
Guess I just did follow up on that statement to ask her what the recommendations are.
She keeps up on all this stuff.
Anyway, will get back here to report on that if I can remember. Know I need to get myself back on Omega 3's, just always seem to be busy whenever it's meal time, and that's when I'm most likely to be able to handle the supplements. After that, I don't remember.
Yours, Luce
Poor Hunter!!!!! But I'm glad it's over and he has a great story to tell now.
Poor Mom too!!!! Don't beat yourself up too bad. We have all been there (at least those of us with kids).
I'm so happy you have found something to really help you. I was starting to wonder how long you would have to live in the condition you were in. I was worried and I'm sure you were too (when you had time to think about it).
I have been taking a tablespoon of Carlson's Cod Liver Oil every day since I saw that pharmacist in PA last Sept. I take it in the morning though. Any particular reason for taking it in the evening.
I use the lemon flavor and it goes down amazingly easy. I thought I'd gag and really hate it but I don't.
I'm surely hoping you continue to improve and I wish I could find that "near euphoria" place!!!
Love, Shirley
Poor Mom too!!!! Don't beat yourself up too bad. We have all been there (at least those of us with kids).
I'm so happy you have found something to really help you. I was starting to wonder how long you would have to live in the condition you were in. I was worried and I'm sure you were too (when you had time to think about it).
I have been taking a tablespoon of Carlson's Cod Liver Oil every day since I saw that pharmacist in PA last Sept. I take it in the morning though. Any particular reason for taking it in the evening.
I use the lemon flavor and it goes down amazingly easy. I thought I'd gag and really hate it but I don't.
I'm surely hoping you continue to improve and I wish I could find that "near euphoria" place!!!
Love, Shirley
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
-- Winston Churchill
Actually, I can't tell at this point, Luce. I just know it's got the Omaga 3 acids and they are supposed to be really good for you. My diet is still kind of a joke for now. I haven't been able to stick to it much since coming down here and especially since Bill got here. I have almost given up until after Christmas/New Years.
Love, Shirley
Love, Shirley
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
-- Winston Churchill
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TendrTummy
- Gentoo Penguin
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- Location: Waconia, MN, USA
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I've got a good way to tell - stop taking it for a few days.. lol
My Omega 3 Fatty Acids is USANA brand, "BIOmega-3". It's a mix of concentrated fish oil rich in long-chain omega 3's EPA and DHA. It's a gel cap, so it's easy to digest/swallow, and isn't very big. I take 2 at bedtime. I take it at bedtime because my doc told me to, not sure why. She also told me to keep it frozen to avoid heartburn, and I keep it on the window sill where it's VERY cold. I have no issue with digesting it at all, and I've always had a VERY sensitive stomach when digesting pills. I'm now taking quite a few supplements, probably 10-15 pills a day, so I need the most gentle possible, and this works. It's all a matter of absorbancy. This USANA stuff is all water soluble.
Diet is still going well; I'm on day 4 of week 3, which means I only have 3 more days left, where I take the rice protein once a day, and can eat chicken and fish but that's about it for meats. I had to attend a family dinner last night where they had the annual lobster (sooo nummy) broil and I couldn't partake, because of the restrictive diet (no shellfish). Also couldn't have shrimp, and the rest of the treats, so that sucked.
But I went to the Natural Foods Market today and found some interesting things - some thai and indian sauces that sound promising for cooking and such, with non of my allergens, indian crackers called Palendums (sp?) and had them watching football with some smoked salmon and it was nummy. Palendums are made with bean flour, so it has an interesting, salty taste! You really should try them. They're the best cracker I've tried yet. They come flat and solid and you micro them with a light brushing of oil for 45 seconds, and they turn into a larger, tortilla chip consistency type cracker, that you can break into pieces for munching.
Also got some spelt tortillas for when I can eat processed meats again ("sammiches"), and tapioca bagels, which promise to be interesting :) Haven't tried them yet.
*TODAY* I'm waiting for Joanne to stop in!!! She was supposed to be in Waconia around 1 or so but ended up getting locked out of her sister's house in a nearby suburb (can't recall which one right now..). So she's going to call me when she's around the area.. so YAY!!! My second meeting with someone from the colitis board! :) Maybe we'll take a few pics, we'll see..
Oh, she just called, she's heading to St. Boni and then we're going to meet at a restaurant :) I'll introduce her to the local chinese joint. They have a steamed veggie/chicken dish that is yummy! (with TO DIE FOR garlic sauce)
Love,
Christine
My Omega 3 Fatty Acids is USANA brand, "BIOmega-3". It's a mix of concentrated fish oil rich in long-chain omega 3's EPA and DHA. It's a gel cap, so it's easy to digest/swallow, and isn't very big. I take 2 at bedtime. I take it at bedtime because my doc told me to, not sure why. She also told me to keep it frozen to avoid heartburn, and I keep it on the window sill where it's VERY cold. I have no issue with digesting it at all, and I've always had a VERY sensitive stomach when digesting pills. I'm now taking quite a few supplements, probably 10-15 pills a day, so I need the most gentle possible, and this works. It's all a matter of absorbancy. This USANA stuff is all water soluble.
Diet is still going well; I'm on day 4 of week 3, which means I only have 3 more days left, where I take the rice protein once a day, and can eat chicken and fish but that's about it for meats. I had to attend a family dinner last night where they had the annual lobster (sooo nummy) broil and I couldn't partake, because of the restrictive diet (no shellfish). Also couldn't have shrimp, and the rest of the treats, so that sucked.
But I went to the Natural Foods Market today and found some interesting things - some thai and indian sauces that sound promising for cooking and such, with non of my allergens, indian crackers called Palendums (sp?) and had them watching football with some smoked salmon and it was nummy. Palendums are made with bean flour, so it has an interesting, salty taste! You really should try them. They're the best cracker I've tried yet. They come flat and solid and you micro them with a light brushing of oil for 45 seconds, and they turn into a larger, tortilla chip consistency type cracker, that you can break into pieces for munching.
Also got some spelt tortillas for when I can eat processed meats again ("sammiches"), and tapioca bagels, which promise to be interesting :) Haven't tried them yet.
*TODAY* I'm waiting for Joanne to stop in!!! She was supposed to be in Waconia around 1 or so but ended up getting locked out of her sister's house in a nearby suburb (can't recall which one right now..). So she's going to call me when she's around the area.. so YAY!!! My second meeting with someone from the colitis board! :) Maybe we'll take a few pics, we'll see..
Oh, she just called, she's heading to St. Boni and then we're going to meet at a restaurant :) I'll introduce her to the local chinese joint. They have a steamed veggie/chicken dish that is yummy! (with TO DIE FOR garlic sauce)
Love,
Christine
