Question regarding MC and IBS - both at the same time?

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kimbermb
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Question regarding MC and IBS - both at the same time?

Post by kimbermb »

A little background: I'm just starting the Paleo Diet, although I've been "gluten free" a little over two weeks and dairy, egg, corn, shellfish, legume & peanut free for about 10 days. I started taking Immodium a few days ago which helps, but haven't taken it for a day and a half and the frequency of D has gone down, but it's still watery.

Since I started all this diet change I've noticed mucus in my stool, which I thought was only a symptom of IBS. Additionally, tonight I had a really weird BM at about 12:30 AM which was runny, mucous filled and had a slight pink tinge in some of the mucus (yes, I examine my "production" very closely). I've had chicken breasts the last few days (my vegetarianism has gone out the window due to desperately seeking a stop to these symptoms) with paprika -I didn't think it was affecting me adversely until now.

Is it possible to have IBS & MC going on at the same time?!?
Diagnosed July2014
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JFR
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Post by JFR »

IBS is a non-existent disease. It's what doctors say you have when they can't figure out what's really wrong. It's no different than saying you've got the runs or that you've got digestive issues. It is meaningless beyond that. Mucus is a symptom of inflammation and inflammation is the hallmark of MC. In your list of things you have eliminated I don't see soy. Soy causes severe problems for many of us here. Also how much fiber are you eating? That is a problem for most of us too, especially when you are in a flare. Try to find 4 safe foods to eat, making sure you get enough protein and not much fiber, and stick with it for as long as seems necessary. Have you considered the Enterolab testing to figure out your food sensitivities? It can be really helpful.

Good luck with this. Your determination to turn things around and your coming to the board and asking questions will surely result in success, although it can take a while.

Jean
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kimbermb
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Post by kimbermb »

Thank you, Jean! And, yes, I've eliminated soy too. I've eliminated so many foods I used to eat that when I'm posting I sometimes miss one :-)

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Post by tex »

Hi Kimber,

Jean's remarks are right on target. GI specialists invented "IBS" to save face, not to benefit patients. It sounds so much more professional to say, "You have IBS", than to have to say, "I don't have the foggiest idea what's wrong with you, but don't forget to pay my exorbitant bill anyway, before you leave the office".

If your digestive system hasn't seen any chicken in a long time, it may take some time for it to restore the production of the necessary enzymes needed for proper digestion (and that's a lot tougher to do when we have MC). You may have to start with small portions and slowly work your way up to larger portions.

While a few members here have seen exceptional results in just a couple of weeks, for most of us it takes much longer for the diet to work. It typically takes several months or more to see significant improvement, because the damage is substantial, and the gut typically heals rather slowly. IOW, don't lose faith in the diet just because you are not seeing immediate results. This disease teaches us patience and perseverance, because that's what it takes to control the disease effectively.

Tex
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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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Post by C.U.B. girl »

Hi Kimber,

One thing you might want to try is eliminating the paprika from your chicken. Paprika is derived from chili peppers, which can be very irritating to the digestive tract, especially when it's inflamed. I had to go a step beyond the Paleo diet, to the Autoimmune Paleo protocol, to finally achieve remission. The AIP eliminates the use of nightshades, including peppers. There is also the possibility that you are sensitive to one of more of the other foods you are eating (I turned up intolerant to chicken on my Enterolab test!).

I know chicken breasts can be really bland and boring without a little something to spice them up, but until your gut has healed significantly, you may be better off just using a little salt. And I know this may sound positively repulsive to a vegetarian, but the only thing that slowed the D for me this time around was eating nothing but meat for about three days! It was one of the suggestions for newbies in one of the "stickies" on the main message board, and it worked! But since your system hasn't geared itself up to digest a lot of meat yet, take it very slowly if you get desperate enough to try it. A digestive enzyme might help with processing the new form of protein until your body can take over….

Wishing you all the best in your journey to health! :grin:
Cindy
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Post by JLH »

DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor and don't play one on TV.

LDN July 18, 2014

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Post by JFR »

Great article Joan. Here's the final paragraph:

"The detachment from the term IBS-D is a challenging concept, to say the least, but certainly one that requires serious consideration. Status quo is simply unacceptable. Millions of sufferers are awaiting relief from this devastating illness and have been disappointed with management of this ailment because of their physician’s reliance on an entity that was only created to justify the failure to treat chronic diarrhea. Perhaps the time has come to acknowledge that failure to treat IBS-D is because there is no such entity as IBS-D and work up should be pursued until a definitive etiology is found. Only then millions of suffers will have a real hope of living a normal life."

So there is a doctor who gets it (other than Polly, of course)

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Post by kimbermb »

Thank you, everyone! I guess I need to stop saying I have "IBS" :-) I actually have enough "labels" to last me a while - I won't miss that one.

Cindy, thank you for your suggestions. I purchased the "Practical Paleo" book and I am targeting the Autoimmune Paleo - so I have removed the nightshades and the Paprika! I sure am going to miss ketchup though :-(

Kimber
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Post by lisaw »

AIP is a good place to start, however as long as you keep it low fiber, as well, while you try and heal. Keep in mind that although AIP seems very restrictive, there may be foods on it, that still don't work for you. AIP allows many fruits, which will prob not be good for you due to the fiber, right now. Most of us can't each much fruit, while trying to heal, except for bananas. Eating more animal protein is good, however as others have said, you aren't used to it, so build up slowly. It takes time, so keep that in mind as you go along.
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Post by DebE13 »

Kimber- me too! I really wanted to douse my ground turkey with ketchup tonight but refrained.

Cindy, I am trying that right now in hopes of some results. I figure I can try a few days of just meat and rice to see what happens. I gave up all fruit to see if that may help too. It's making meal time a bit more of a drag but I've got my fingers crossed. I'm missing my Lara bars too but have now confirmed that the world won't come to an end without them. :lol:
Deb

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