Hi all!
After being diagnosed with the CC and experiencing all the wonderful effects of D I have been strictly sticking to a GF diet and with the exception of a little dairy in the Smart balance butter I am using nothing with dairy. Great results so far as the D is gone. The big problem now is that I am finding I am very constipated. I drink loads of water everyday. Prior to getting diagnosed with the CC I was having problems with constipation and needed to take a stool softener sometimes daily, but I was also eating as I pleased and the morning cup of coffee always got things moving. I had a chicken Caesar salad from the GF menu at Chili's the other day with the hopes of getting things moving. I think the cheese in it may have bothered me as I have been very gassy only from my stomach ever since. My health care provider finally got around to approving the Entocort for me, which I have not taken yet and my test kit from Enterolab goes out tomorrow. What should I take for the constipation if anything at all and should I be taking the Entocort being I have no D issues? Thanks for the help!
Gary
From one extreme to the other
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hi Gary,
Believe it or not, many people react to dairy products with constipation, not diarrhea. Avoiding all dairy, 100 %, might help to relieve your constipation problem.
Also, if you are not having diarrhea, Entocort will cause constipation. Most members here who are taking Entocort, use constipation as their signal that it's time to lower their dose of the drug.
You're very welcome.
Tex
Believe it or not, many people react to dairy products with constipation, not diarrhea. Avoiding all dairy, 100 %, might help to relieve your constipation problem.
Also, if you are not having diarrhea, Entocort will cause constipation. Most members here who are taking Entocort, use constipation as their signal that it's time to lower their dose of the drug.
You're very welcome.
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.
-
Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Gary
I have been a C dominate MC'er
my suggestions to assist motility, relieve inflammation and not bulk up the stool size;
- increase intake of oils, coconut oil, rice bran oil, animal fats (have meat servings on the bone)
(Chef Tex cooks his fish in coconut oil, I have tried this and it is very tasty!!)
- Use lubricant like parraffin or Lactulose
- Anti-inflammatory foods like Pear Juice (watered down) and small peeled apple, eaten slowly.
- increase water intake
- small amount of lemon juice in warm water (no more than 5ml of juice for cup of warm water)
these can take 24-48 hours to work, so be patient and start off with small amounts wait 48 hours before increasing the amount you have of any or all of the things you try.
- Supplement wise, Magnesium helps motility. (and whole heap of other MC related issues)
the slightly tricky part is that there are different forms of magnesium, and they all have a different role within the body.
a few of us have had the situation where one type of magnesium absorbs better than others.
Having a supplement with a mixture of magnesium types will be of benefit.
This is a good summary
http://www.metabolics.com/blog/the-defi ... pplements/
I have been a C dominate MC'er
my suggestions to assist motility, relieve inflammation and not bulk up the stool size;
- increase intake of oils, coconut oil, rice bran oil, animal fats (have meat servings on the bone)
(Chef Tex cooks his fish in coconut oil, I have tried this and it is very tasty!!)
- Use lubricant like parraffin or Lactulose
- Anti-inflammatory foods like Pear Juice (watered down) and small peeled apple, eaten slowly.
- increase water intake
- small amount of lemon juice in warm water (no more than 5ml of juice for cup of warm water)
these can take 24-48 hours to work, so be patient and start off with small amounts wait 48 hours before increasing the amount you have of any or all of the things you try.
- Supplement wise, Magnesium helps motility. (and whole heap of other MC related issues)
the slightly tricky part is that there are different forms of magnesium, and they all have a different role within the body.
a few of us have had the situation where one type of magnesium absorbs better than others.
Having a supplement with a mixture of magnesium types will be of benefit.
This is a good summary
http://www.metabolics.com/blog/the-defi ... pplements/
So although Magnesium oxidehas the highest elemental Magnesium (60%), it also has a high stability constant, meaning that it does not dissociate, or ionize and is therefore poorly bioavailable Gut absorption is believed to be as low as 4%( leaving 288mg of a 500mg capsule unabsorbed in the intestines).
You will find that Magnesium oxide is very common in poor quality supplements simply because it is cheap however, only about 4% of its elemental magnesium is absorbed, equivalent to about 12 mg out of a 500 mg tablet.
Magnesium Chloride Supplements.
Magnesium chloride (12% elemental Magnesium) has a stability constant of 0 and is completely ionized across a large pH range, 2 (found in stomach acid) to 7.4 found in extracellular tissues such as blood and lymph. Magnesium chloride has the chloride part of its compound to produce hydrochloric acid in the stomach and enhance its absorption. This is particularly suitable for anybody with low stomach acid.
Magnesium Malate Supplements
Magnesium malate (6.5% elemental Magnesium) has a stability constant of 1.55 and is nearly completely ionisable. Again the weak ionic bonds of Magnesium and malic acid are easily broken making it readily soluble in the body.
Magnesium Citrate Supplements
Magnesium citrate (16% bioavailability) and stability constant of 2.8. Weak bonds provide a high bioavailability. Magnesium citrate works by attracting water through the tissues by osmosis. When the Magnesium citrate reaches the small intestine it attracts enough water to induce defecation. The extra water helps create more faeces, stimulating bowel motility and may have a mild laxative effect. This form of Magnesium functions best on an empty stomach followed by a full glass of water or juice to aid absorption.
Researchers have demonstrated that Magnesium bioavailability is greater in citrate than oxide taking the pH of stomach acid and alkalinity of pancreas into consideration. (Lindberg, Zobitz et al. 1990)
Magnesium sulphate Supplements
Magnesium sulphate (10% elemental Magnesium) is also known as Epsom salts. It contains Magnesium; Sulphur and Oxygen. It is the main preparation of intravenous Magnesium. Bioavailability is limited and variable with degrees of mild diarrhoea. (Morris, LeRoy et al. 1987).
Magnesium Ascorbate Supplements
Magnesium Ascorbate (6.4% elemental Magnesium) is a source of both vitamin C and Magnesium. It is a neutral salt having a significantly higher gastrointestinal tolerance than some of the other forms.
Magnesium Phosphate Supplements
Magnesium (19% elemental Magnesium) but practically insoluble in water. Magnesium is bound to phosphate in teeth and bone.
Magnesium Carbonate Supplements
Magnesium Carbonate (42% elemental Magnesium). Research sources suggests different bioavailability rates between 5-30%. In large doses this form may have a mild laxative effect. Magnesium carbonate reacts with hydrochloric stomach acid to form Magnesium chloride. This conversion is dependent on adequate stomach acid levels.
Magnesium Hydroxide Supplements
At 41.67%, Magnesium Hydroxide has a relatively high percentage of elemental magnesium but has a low solubility in water, suggesting poor absorption. When in a suspension in water it is often called milk of magnesia, used as an antacid or laxative.
Although a high percentage of elemental Magnesium, the Magnesium ion is very poorly absorbed from the intestinal tract, drawing water from the surrounding tissues by osmosis.
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Thank you both for your reply. Nothing is ever easy is it. Prior to having the extended bout of D and being diagnosed with CC I would have to take a stool softener just about every evening. It seems that I am back to having those same problems, which I suppose is better to some degree than the never ending D. Would taking the stool softener have any adverse effect? It seems like everything I am eating in the GF diet is primarily Rice based. Is that causing me the issue? Thanks again for all the advice!
Gary
Gary
Gary, I am having similar issues to you also.... I am also a newbie.
It seems the colonoscopy prep has stopped the D, for me. I am now in the C camp.
This is how I was before the MC flare. I was taking stool softeners and Miralax a few times a week.
After this flare of D (for 6 months) and the diagnosis, I am having a BM every 4 days. I was prescribed entocort, but never used it.
With the 4 day issue, I am so bloated, gassy. I am trying GF and cutting out raw veggies and fruit. I really craved real veggies and salads.
I slowly (for me) started adding things to my menu. I am now up to full salads!!! as I used to. And i have a huge salad for supper almost every day. I very slowly worked my way up to that. I can have stir fries---with a tiny bit of flavoring sauces--I eat them over rice.
The only gluten I have is from the 6 croutons I put in them.
I am somewhat lactose sensitive. I have yogurt occasionally for breakfast. I have slowly gone back to Orange Juice, have switched to decaf coffee, use almond milk exclusively, (except or mashed potatoes) and can have a small amount of cheddar cheese. I use some feta cheese on my salads. I have even attempted a small soft serve vanilla ice cream--results were gas and bloating.
I love hummus. I can have it almost daily. I did cut out chocolate.
I seem to be able to have peanuts and almonds.
Yes, I am trying to lose weight also, PCP orders. The only way I am able to do this is by the above diet. I have lots of chicken--simply cooked on a stove top grill.
I now have Normans! It has been every 2- 3 days or so. It is the fuzzy kind, but it is not bad. It is now at a point where I do know if I go again that day, it will be back to the D. I am watching and adding more food in.
I can have a bosc pear and apples, occasionally.
I do have a lot of gas and bloating, though.
I am at a loss at what to eat also.
I drink lots and lots of water! I always have a water bottle with me.
I am under a lot of stress, but not to the extent it was several months ago. I try walking for exercise.
I honestly feel my MC D period was brought on by stress, cymbalta (for pain management) and NSAID use (pain also). I probably had MC most of my life, but the D was very strange for me. I always had C.
So you are not alone with this.....
I know my diet goes against what 99% of what is posted on this forum. I have lurked, asked advice for people here, and put things together for myself. Everyone here is great!!
The gas and bloating are the worst!
I am fortunate (maybe) because I am home now, recovering from some shoulder surgery, so I have access to the BR. I also have complete control of my food and eating schedule. The stress is still there but not as bad as working 4-5 days a week under dysfunctional situations..........
I am trying to work on the bloating and gas now..
I do not know if this long winded post will help, but I want you to know that you are not alone in you in this.....
If anyone has any ideas, or can help, I know I would truly appreciate it!
It seems the colonoscopy prep has stopped the D, for me. I am now in the C camp.
This is how I was before the MC flare. I was taking stool softeners and Miralax a few times a week.
After this flare of D (for 6 months) and the diagnosis, I am having a BM every 4 days. I was prescribed entocort, but never used it.
With the 4 day issue, I am so bloated, gassy. I am trying GF and cutting out raw veggies and fruit. I really craved real veggies and salads.
I slowly (for me) started adding things to my menu. I am now up to full salads!!! as I used to. And i have a huge salad for supper almost every day. I very slowly worked my way up to that. I can have stir fries---with a tiny bit of flavoring sauces--I eat them over rice.
The only gluten I have is from the 6 croutons I put in them.
I am somewhat lactose sensitive. I have yogurt occasionally for breakfast. I have slowly gone back to Orange Juice, have switched to decaf coffee, use almond milk exclusively, (except or mashed potatoes) and can have a small amount of cheddar cheese. I use some feta cheese on my salads. I have even attempted a small soft serve vanilla ice cream--results were gas and bloating.
I love hummus. I can have it almost daily. I did cut out chocolate.
I seem to be able to have peanuts and almonds.
Yes, I am trying to lose weight also, PCP orders. The only way I am able to do this is by the above diet. I have lots of chicken--simply cooked on a stove top grill.
I now have Normans! It has been every 2- 3 days or so. It is the fuzzy kind, but it is not bad. It is now at a point where I do know if I go again that day, it will be back to the D. I am watching and adding more food in.
I can have a bosc pear and apples, occasionally.
I do have a lot of gas and bloating, though.
I am at a loss at what to eat also.
I drink lots and lots of water! I always have a water bottle with me.
I am under a lot of stress, but not to the extent it was several months ago. I try walking for exercise.
I honestly feel my MC D period was brought on by stress, cymbalta (for pain management) and NSAID use (pain also). I probably had MC most of my life, but the D was very strange for me. I always had C.
So you are not alone with this.....
I know my diet goes against what 99% of what is posted on this forum. I have lurked, asked advice for people here, and put things together for myself. Everyone here is great!!
The gas and bloating are the worst!
I am fortunate (maybe) because I am home now, recovering from some shoulder surgery, so I have access to the BR. I also have complete control of my food and eating schedule. The stress is still there but not as bad as working 4-5 days a week under dysfunctional situations..........
I am trying to work on the bloating and gas now..
I do not know if this long winded post will help, but I want you to know that you are not alone in you in this.....
If anyone has any ideas, or can help, I know I would truly appreciate it!
oh, also I have allergies and asthma. I take a zyrtec daily, year round, take singular for asthma-nightly, use a nasal spray-non steroid,seasonally, and . I also take 5,000 mg of vit D daily.
Maybe it is the Vit D or the nasal anti histamine kicking in????
any ideas, anyone?
yes, I have a kitty also
Maybe it is the Vit D or the nasal anti histamine kicking in????
any ideas, anyone?
yes, I have a kitty also
I had WD for 6 months, then on Uceris it stopped. Now if I don't have a norman every morning I will eat a few raisins, some coconut, or maybe a few beans (small amount of fiber). I feel all bloated and crampy if I don't have a bm at all. I think the food remedies work better than taking a laxative, I am afraid that will bring back the d. I am really afraid of the toxic megacolon and if I didn't go for 4 days I can only imagine how bad that would be.
Theresa
MC and UC 2014
in remission since June 1, 2014
We must all suffer one of two things: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. ~Jim Rohn
MC and UC 2014
in remission since June 1, 2014
We must all suffer one of two things: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. ~Jim Rohn
Gary,
If your normal routine before MC was C, then it's not surprising that pattern is back after you begin to suppress your MC symptoms. Stool softeners shouldn't cause any undue problems.
The odds are extremely high though, that your C is due to a food sensitivity that remains in your diet.
Good luck tracking down and resolving the problem.
Tex
If your normal routine before MC was C, then it's not surprising that pattern is back after you begin to suppress your MC symptoms. Stool softeners shouldn't cause any undue problems.
The odds are extremely high though, that your C is due to a food sensitivity that remains in your diet.
Good luck tracking down and resolving the problem.
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.
Cyn1,
It's not uncommon for the colonoscopy prep to bring temporary remission for some of us. But that doesn't mean that we no longer have MC. The gas and bloating is due to food rotting in your intestines, after it was not properly digested. When food is only partially digested, bacteria take advantage of the opportunity to ferment it, producing gas and bloating. The main reason why your digestion is compromised is almost surely due to the fact that, despite your good intentions, you are not actually following a GF diet. If you are willing to allow croutons on your salad, then there are probably numerous other sources of traces to small amounts of gluten in your diet. 1 crouton is more than enough to defeat the purposes of a GF diet. A GF diet means absolutely avoiding all sources of gluten, including trace amounts.
Also, at this stage of your recovery, (where your digestion is still compromised due to the presence of gluten in your diet) you are probably not ready for that much fiber in your diet (at least your digestive system is not ready for it), and throttling way back on the fiber in your meals will probably also do wonders in the short term to help suppress the gas and bloating. You can add the fiber back in after your gut has had more time to heal from the gluten damage.
While a low-gluten diet may be helping in your case, if you want to eliminate the gas and bloating, and minimize your asthma symptoms (or possibly eliminate them altogether) you should get serious about avoiding gluten, and avoid every last speck of it. You might be surprised at how your symptoms (including your allergies) fade away. It probably won't happen overnight, but give it some time, and stay the course, and you will eventually be boasting about your improved health.
We have many members who have kicked asthma to the curb by making the necessary diet changes. Good luck with this, and please keep us posted on your progress.
Tex
Tex
It's not uncommon for the colonoscopy prep to bring temporary remission for some of us. But that doesn't mean that we no longer have MC. The gas and bloating is due to food rotting in your intestines, after it was not properly digested. When food is only partially digested, bacteria take advantage of the opportunity to ferment it, producing gas and bloating. The main reason why your digestion is compromised is almost surely due to the fact that, despite your good intentions, you are not actually following a GF diet. If you are willing to allow croutons on your salad, then there are probably numerous other sources of traces to small amounts of gluten in your diet. 1 crouton is more than enough to defeat the purposes of a GF diet. A GF diet means absolutely avoiding all sources of gluten, including trace amounts.
Also, at this stage of your recovery, (where your digestion is still compromised due to the presence of gluten in your diet) you are probably not ready for that much fiber in your diet (at least your digestive system is not ready for it), and throttling way back on the fiber in your meals will probably also do wonders in the short term to help suppress the gas and bloating. You can add the fiber back in after your gut has had more time to heal from the gluten damage.
While a low-gluten diet may be helping in your case, if you want to eliminate the gas and bloating, and minimize your asthma symptoms (or possibly eliminate them altogether) you should get serious about avoiding gluten, and avoid every last speck of it. You might be surprised at how your symptoms (including your allergies) fade away. It probably won't happen overnight, but give it some time, and stay the course, and you will eventually be boasting about your improved health.
We have many members who have kicked asthma to the curb by making the necessary diet changes. Good luck with this, and please keep us posted on your progress.
Tex
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.