The colon and the small intestine

Lilja · Post by **Lilja** » Sun Sep 14, 2014 6:29 am

Hello everybody :-)

There are many things I do not understand about colitis, but I am reading and learning a lot at this board, so let me emphasize that I am very grateful!

The doctors said back in 2010 that I have collagenous colitis shown in the biopsies that were taken from my colon. I finally got the diagnosis after having had explosive D for 7 months. So, colitis is an inflammation in the colon, right?

However, if the majority of nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine, how come some of us lose an awful lot of weight, and have every signs of malnutrition (underfed) before we are diagnosed, when the problem lies in the colon?

(A peek in the mirror was enough to state that I did not look very healthy, and the lab tests also showed dramatically low B12, vitamin D and zink, among other things).

And, why do gastroenterologists only take biopsies from the colon when people suffer from D?

Hopefully, my questions are not too silly...

Post by **tex** » Sun Sep 14, 2014 10:25 am

Hi Lilja,

No those questions are not silly, because they address issues about which most GI specialists are confused (due to lack of proper research/training). You already probably know more about the disease than most of them do (because you have spent more time experiencing it, and studying more recent information that's available about the disease). I'll try to answer your questions.

Lilja wrote:So, colitis is an inflammation in the colon, right?

The disease was originally described as a disease of the colon, and so that description has stuck with it, even though it is incorrect. MC almost always also affects the small intestine and the stomach, and it can affect any part of the digestive system in some cases. In many cases the terminal ileum (the bottom end of the small intestine) is more inflamed than most parts of the colon, and the area of maximum (most widespread) inflammation is typically centered in the ileum and the right-side colon. As I recall, you have a copy of the book. If you will go back to chapter 9, and start reading on page 110, where the paragraph heading says, "Are celiac disease and microscopic colitis actually symptoms of another disease?", and read to the end of the chapter (on page 118), you should find a detailed explanation to answer your queston.

Lilja wrote:However, if the majority of nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine, how come some of us lose an awful lot of weight, and have every signs of malnutrition (underfed) before we are diagnosed, when the problem lies in the colon?

You should also find the information to answer that question when you read those pages that I noted above.

Lilja wrote:And, why do gastroenterologists only take biopsies from the colon when people suffer from D?

My own opinion of this is that they are only concerned about D as a symptom because it is associated with cancer. Most gastroenterologists do not view MC as a serious disease (or even as an IBD). They view it as a minor inconvenience. It's unfortunate that they cannot experience firsthand the joys of living with the disease for a few months, in order to correct their attitude about the disease.

Tex

Lilja · Post by **Lilja** » Mon Sep 15, 2014 12:28 am

Thank you, Tex!

I have not bought your book, yet. I will however look it up, and see how much the shipment costs are. Usually, buying on the net is rather convenient and not too expensive, but the shipment costs to Norway sometimes exceed the cost of the item itself.

However, I suspect the book to be a life-saver, so I might have to disregard the amount of cost.

Thank you, Tex. You are doing a great job for all of us

Best regards from
Lilja

Deb · Post by **Deb** » Mon Sep 15, 2014 4:24 am

Lilja, you can also get the Kindle version of the book. Happy reading! Deb

Post by **tex** » Mon Sep 15, 2014 6:55 am

Lilja,

I'm sorry. I apparently had you confused with someone else, regarding owning a copy of the book. I wasn't trying to persuade you to buy it. I realize that it's more difficult and more expensive to buy such books in some countries. I'll be happy to send you a PDF copy of the book that you can read on your computer (using Adobe reader), or if you have a dedicated digital reading device, such as an iPad, Nook, Kindle, etc., I can send you a version of the book formatted to work properly on the particular brand of reader that you have.

Just let me know which device you use, or if you would prefer the PDF version, and I can attach the file to an email and send it to you (free of charge, of course).

Tex

Lilja · Post by **Lilja** » Mon Sep 15, 2014 8:20 am

Thank you Tex and Deb!

I love books, and I love holding them in my hands, to see them on my shelf, going back searching and re-reading. Treasures!

But, thank you for offering to send me a PDF-file, I will be back on your offer if the shipping costs are offensively expensive

Lilja · Post by **Lilja** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 12:33 am

Hello Tex,

I have now ordered your book at Amazon. I look forward to receiving and reading it.

Lilja

PS: Shipping & handling cost: Only USD 8.

Post by **tex** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 9:36 am

Hi Lilja,

I hope that you find it to be worthwhile reading. The first few chapters are just background information about the disease, its diagnosis, and conventional treatments. After that, most of the other chapters contain a lot of original material, supported by medical research references, and I hope that you will find most of the information to be interesting and helpful.

Tex

Lilja · Post by **Lilja** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 5:01 pm

I'm so looking forward to reading your book!

I am a member of a norwegian facebook-community for people with celiac and non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and my heart goes out for all those members struggling with diets and confusing diagnoses. It is easy to put oneself in their place.

Today someone brought up the subject of protein intolerance, and I was reminded of one of the rare scientists in Norway researching the consequences of gluten and kasein in people who cannot "cut" the enzymes of the two, and where the peptides form opioids messing up with the brain (bad english there... sorry).

He has never been recognized for his work in Norway, though, but is well known abroad. It's a shame, but as we know "no one becomes a profet in his own country". His name is Ludvig Reichelt. I have to find some literature on his work.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalle_Reichelt

I wish you a happy weekend!
Lilja

Post by **tex** » Fri Sep 19, 2014 5:52 pm

Hi Lilja,

You will find casomorphin and gluteomorphin mentioned in the book. They are the primary reasons why many people become addicted to dairy products and gluten, and they actually have withdrawal symptoms if/when they try to stop eating them. I wasn't aware that Dr. Reichelt was the original researcher, though. Thank you for pointing that out.

Tex

Lilja · Post by **Lilja** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 4:41 am

Hi again,

I had colonoscopy four weeks ago, and the result came in yesterday.

The doctor doesn't mention the colitis at all (!) , but says there was some small cell changes/moderate dysplasi in one of the 3 polyps/adenoms they removed, and that I will be called in for a new colonoscopy in 3 years.

It's funny they did not mention the colitis, but my GP said that it doesn't matter. "It is there, and you will always have it".

I am still on Entocort, tapering, and am now down to 1 pill every fourth day. No D.

Post by **tex** » Fri Oct 03, 2014 8:20 am

Hi Lilja,

Your GP is correct of course. The lymphocyte count of your biopsy samples may have declined to below the level considered to be the minimum for a diagnosis of MC (20 lymphocytes per 100 enterocytes). That would be expected if you have removed the main food sensitivities from your diet some time ago.

Thanks for the update.

Tex

Lilja · Post by **Lilja** » Sun Oct 19, 2014 2:18 am

Hello,

I stopped taking Entocort October 6, and did great for 10 days. Then the D came back, but it is different this time. I have stomach pain, which I haven't had earlier.

I don't know if it was an accident of tasting 1 teaspoon of whipped creme last Thursday, or if it is the MC that has decided to come back. I will have to wait and see how long it lasts this time, since I don't feel like starting Entocort again. This is so sad and frustrating. Just as I started to gain weight...

It also frightens me a bit that I dont' feel like eating. I'm not hungry, and the thought of food disgusts me.

My first D period lasted for 7 months, Entocort did not help. My second lasted 11 days before I had to start Entocort, which helped.

Tex: I received your book yesterday! Looking forward to reading it :-)

Lilja

Post by **tex** » Sun Oct 19, 2014 10:07 am

Lilja,

Have you tried an antihistamine? Sometimes when we discontinue Entocort and the D returns, taking an antihistamine can work almost as well as Entocort. And an antihistamine works quickly, so you should know within a day or 2 whether it is going to help. Some members here take a non-drowsy antihistamine in the morning, and Benedryl at bedtime to control their symptoms.

I hope you find the book to be helpful.

Tex

Lilja · Post by **Lilja** » Mon Oct 20, 2014 4:12 am

Hi Tex,

Thank you, Tex, I will definitely follow your advice.

What is new this time, is that I have to go to the toilet during nighttime; 4 times last night, together with stomach cramps. This gives me a hope that this is "only" a food poisoning experience...

My legs feel like jelly, and my head is dizzy. Could the latter mean that peptides already have reached the brain?

One of the improvements I noticed before this last D, was that my brainfog totally disappeared, but it is creeping up on me again.

Nevertheless: I'm so grateful that I've found this forum. Thanks again!

PS: Do we have a poll as to what the forum participants themselves think lead to their MC disease?

Lilja