[/b]Flare up advice?
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wannabenormal
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Mon Oct 27, 2014 1:27 pm
- Location: Trinity
Flare up advice?
I'm 32 years old. I got diagnosed with LC like 2 years ago and have been diagnosed with celiacs disease for 10 years. I have been humbled in every way. I went almost a year with no major issues almost feeling normal and then for the last month my insides are so irritated. The bloating, cramping, Rollie stomach, gas, diarrhea, nausea, fatigue all back. I can't get appointment with my GI specialist for 2 months almost. I have endocort on hand so I'm taking that but not really working. Any advice or suggestions?? [/b]
[/b]Dana
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fatbuster205
- Gentoo Penguin
- Posts: 342
- Joined: Tue May 22, 2012 7:53 am
- Location: Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland
Dana,
Sympathies! I too am in flare up and it is miserable. However, what is helping me is simple chicken soup and rice. Others here will be able to advice you better than me, but the simple diet is helping me at the moment! Hope you improve soon!
Anne
Sympathies! I too am in flare up and it is miserable. However, what is helping me is simple chicken soup and rice. Others here will be able to advice you better than me, but the simple diet is helping me at the moment! Hope you improve soon!
Anne
If you ever feel too insignificant to be noticed, you have never been to bed with a mosquito!
Hi Dana,
Welcome to our Internet family. We consider ourselves a family because no one really understands this disease unless they actually have it.
Anne is quite correct. The key to remission from the symptoms of MC is diet changes (despite the fact that most GI specialists still don't realize that food sensitivities that were triggered when microscopic colitis is triggered are the cause of the perpetuated state of inflammation that characterizes MC). Just as the production of antibodies to gluten (anti-gliadin antibodies) result in the inflammation that characterizes celiac disease, antibodies to gluten and other foods cause the inflammation pattern so familiar with MC. Virtually all of us are sensitive to not only gluten, but also casein (the primary protein in all dairy products). In addition, most of us are sensitive to soy (including most legumes) and eggs. Many of us also have various other food sensitivities.
Certain medications are notorious for triggering MC symptoms, also, and if we are sensitive to any of those medications, then we have to avoid them if we hope to attain remission (or remain in remission). The key to remission then, is to avoid all of our food and drug sensitivities (even in trace amounts) at all times. As long as we do that, the production of antibodies will slowly fade away, and we will be free of inflammation (and free of MC symptoms). Medications such as Entocort can mask the symptoms, but they cannot prevent the inflammation from being regenerated. The only way to stop the inflammation (permanently) is to totally avoid the foods and/or medications that cause us to react.
Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.
Tex
Welcome to our Internet family. We consider ourselves a family because no one really understands this disease unless they actually have it.
Anne is quite correct. The key to remission from the symptoms of MC is diet changes (despite the fact that most GI specialists still don't realize that food sensitivities that were triggered when microscopic colitis is triggered are the cause of the perpetuated state of inflammation that characterizes MC). Just as the production of antibodies to gluten (anti-gliadin antibodies) result in the inflammation that characterizes celiac disease, antibodies to gluten and other foods cause the inflammation pattern so familiar with MC. Virtually all of us are sensitive to not only gluten, but also casein (the primary protein in all dairy products). In addition, most of us are sensitive to soy (including most legumes) and eggs. Many of us also have various other food sensitivities.
Certain medications are notorious for triggering MC symptoms, also, and if we are sensitive to any of those medications, then we have to avoid them if we hope to attain remission (or remain in remission). The key to remission then, is to avoid all of our food and drug sensitivities (even in trace amounts) at all times. As long as we do that, the production of antibodies will slowly fade away, and we will be free of inflammation (and free of MC symptoms). Medications such as Entocort can mask the symptoms, but they cannot prevent the inflammation from being regenerated. The only way to stop the inflammation (permanently) is to totally avoid the foods and/or medications that cause us to react.
Again, welcome aboard, and 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.
Hi Dana,
Sorry you are experiencing a flare up. Sounds like you went a good year without one. One thing that helps me get a flare under control is pepto bismal. It stops the runs long enough for my chicken broth/soup diet to kick in and once my intestines settle from their state of inflammation I can slowly start adding things back in my diet. Your GI must be popular to be booked up 2 months in advance. Most of us could not go that long feeling awful. Drink lots of water so you don't get dehydrated.
Best,
Cory
Sorry you are experiencing a flare up. Sounds like you went a good year without one. One thing that helps me get a flare under control is pepto bismal. It stops the runs long enough for my chicken broth/soup diet to kick in and once my intestines settle from their state of inflammation I can slowly start adding things back in my diet. Your GI must be popular to be booked up 2 months in advance. Most of us could not go that long feeling awful. Drink lots of water so you don't get dehydrated.
Best,
Cory
CoryGut
Age 71
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis Sept. 2010
On and off Entocort(Currently Off)
Age 71
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis Sept. 2010
On and off Entocort(Currently Off)
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wannabenormal
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Mon Oct 27, 2014 1:27 pm
- Location: Trinity
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Well cooked meats and vegetables, bland (small amount of salt)
no more than 3-4 vegetables in the meal, stick with the ones that most of us can handle, white potato, sweet potato, carrot, squash, zucchini. type things. If you are having gas, avoid things like broccoli/cauliflower for now.
Avoid beans/peas in case you react to soy
things like cooked salmon or other fish settle really well (easy for the body to digest)
Red meats are harder for the body to digest, but if slow cooked meat on the bone (where the meat is very tender) it will be ok.
Soups / stews work well where the meat and vegetables are slow cooked for a long period.
Even better if the soups /stews are made with home made bone broth, as the bone broth has gut healing gelatine and much needed amino acids.
small serves/meals through the day 5-6 - rather than 3 large meals.
So far as what medicines to avoid, there is no set list per say, it can be fairly individual.
quite a few people have reacted to SSRI antidepressants, quite a few have reacted to HRT, Tex and others will chime in with more info.
no more than 3-4 vegetables in the meal, stick with the ones that most of us can handle, white potato, sweet potato, carrot, squash, zucchini. type things. If you are having gas, avoid things like broccoli/cauliflower for now.
Avoid beans/peas in case you react to soy
things like cooked salmon or other fish settle really well (easy for the body to digest)
Red meats are harder for the body to digest, but if slow cooked meat on the bone (where the meat is very tender) it will be ok.
Soups / stews work well where the meat and vegetables are slow cooked for a long period.
Even better if the soups /stews are made with home made bone broth, as the bone broth has gut healing gelatine and much needed amino acids.
small serves/meals through the day 5-6 - rather than 3 large meals.
So far as what medicines to avoid, there is no set list per say, it can be fairly individual.
quite a few people have reacted to SSRI antidepressants, quite a few have reacted to HRT, Tex and others will chime in with more info.
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Hi Dana,
Regarding safe meats, the two common meats that seem to be the least likely to cause any of us to react are turkey and lamb. Potatoes and sweet potatoes are safe for most of us. There are now 6 flavors of Chex cereals that are gluten-free (check the label, because all Chex cereals are not GF). I like the Corn Chex and Vanilla Chex with almond milk.
Pepto-Bismol is one of the better choices for settling stomach (and intestine) acidity/upset. Taking a normal dose will help. Taking 8 or 9 tablets (or the equivalent) per day, for 8 weeks, is known as the "Pepto" treatment for MC, and a fair number of members have reached remission by using that treatment. But be aware that the treatment can cause tinnitus in some cases, so if your ears should begin to ring, discontinue the treatment.
Another simple treatment that can reduce stomach acidity is to take an ordinary H1 type antihistamine. H2 type antihistamines are more effective at reducing stomach acidity, but they can cause problems for some of us. Pepto-Bismol would probably be safer to use than an H2 antihistamine.
Medications known to trigger MC in some cases include (but are not limited to) antibiotics, NSAIDS, PPIs, SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, beta blockers, bisphosphonates, type 2 antihistamines, etc.
Tex
Regarding safe meats, the two common meats that seem to be the least likely to cause any of us to react are turkey and lamb. Potatoes and sweet potatoes are safe for most of us. There are now 6 flavors of Chex cereals that are gluten-free (check the label, because all Chex cereals are not GF). I like the Corn Chex and Vanilla Chex with almond milk.
Pepto-Bismol is one of the better choices for settling stomach (and intestine) acidity/upset. Taking a normal dose will help. Taking 8 or 9 tablets (or the equivalent) per day, for 8 weeks, is known as the "Pepto" treatment for MC, and a fair number of members have reached remission by using that treatment. But be aware that the treatment can cause tinnitus in some cases, so if your ears should begin to ring, discontinue the treatment.
Another simple treatment that can reduce stomach acidity is to take an ordinary H1 type antihistamine. H2 type antihistamines are more effective at reducing stomach acidity, but they can cause problems for some of us. Pepto-Bismol would probably be safer to use than an H2 antihistamine.
Medications known to trigger MC in some cases include (but are not limited to) antibiotics, NSAIDS, PPIs, SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, beta blockers, bisphosphonates, type 2 antihistamines, etc.
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.
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wannabenormal
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Mon Oct 27, 2014 1:27 pm
- Location: Trinity
I appreciate all the sympathy and advice from you guys. So yesterday I tried eating grilled plain chicken and plain mash potatoes and last night unable to sleep my stomach was churning and having heartburn, took pepto was able to sleep the last few hours. So today ate only Handful plain rice chex and have had 4 stools, burning stomach and heartburn. Tonight I will try chicken broth. I've only been drinking water. Should I be taking probiotics or vitamins now ? Or is that something to consider when my stomach heals a little.
Dana
Dana,
As per my post above, I would drop the chicken and try turkey. If potatoes are a problem, try sweet potatoes. Either Pepto or an antihistamine should help to reduce heartburn.
Probiotics are usually counterproductive for most of us while we are still reacting. The only supplements that should be considered while we are actively reacting are vitamin D (for everyone) and vitamin B-12 (for those who have been reacting for a long time and may have developed a deficiency). It is much safer to reorganize a supplementation program after we are in remission. Taking many supplements now will not help, and may prevent you from being able to attain remission.
If leg and/or foot cramps are a problem, most members use a spray-on magnesium, or an Epsom salt foot soak regularly to supplement a magnesium deficiency. Oral magnesium tends to act as a laxative in substantial doses, but the external absorption bypasses that problem.
Tex
As per my post above, I would drop the chicken and try turkey. If potatoes are a problem, try sweet potatoes. Either Pepto or an antihistamine should help to reduce heartburn.
Probiotics are usually counterproductive for most of us while we are still reacting. The only supplements that should be considered while we are actively reacting are vitamin D (for everyone) and vitamin B-12 (for those who have been reacting for a long time and may have developed a deficiency). It is much safer to reorganize a supplementation program after we are in remission. Taking many supplements now will not help, and may prevent you from being able to attain remission.
If leg and/or foot cramps are a problem, most members use a spray-on magnesium, or an Epsom salt foot soak regularly to supplement a magnesium deficiency. Oral magnesium tends to act as a laxative in substantial doses, but the external absorption bypasses that 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.
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wannabenormal
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Mon Oct 27, 2014 1:27 pm
- Location: Trinity
Thankful
So I have only eaten turkey and sweet potatoes for days feeling better. I want to eat something different now but feeling scared to try something.
Dana
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wannabenormal
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Mon Oct 27, 2014 1:27 pm
- Location: Trinity
As I mentioned above, lamb is usually a safe meat choice. So is venison, duck, goose, pheasant, quail, rabbit, etc.
Most of us can tolerate potato chips, not cooked in vegetable (soy) oil. Unless you're sensitive to corn, tortilla chips are usually safe (again, depending on the oil in which they are fried). There are 6 different Chex cereals available in Gluten-Free versions (Rice, Corn, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Apple-Cinnamon, Honey-Nut). They can be eaten with almond milk or coconut milk as a conventional breakfast cereal, or dry, as a snack.
While it's not necessarily the healthiest snack in the world, most of us seem to be able to to tolerate deep fried pork skins (if you crave a crunchy snack).
Nut butters (such as almond butter, cashew butter, etc.) on rice snaps or rice cakes make good snacks (for those of us who can tolerate nut butters and rice).
Tex
Most of us can tolerate potato chips, not cooked in vegetable (soy) oil. Unless you're sensitive to corn, tortilla chips are usually safe (again, depending on the oil in which they are fried). There are 6 different Chex cereals available in Gluten-Free versions (Rice, Corn, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Apple-Cinnamon, Honey-Nut). They can be eaten with almond milk or coconut milk as a conventional breakfast cereal, or dry, as a snack.
While it's not necessarily the healthiest snack in the world, most of us seem to be able to to tolerate deep fried pork skins (if you crave a crunchy snack).
Nut butters (such as almond butter, cashew butter, etc.) on rice snaps or rice cakes make good snacks (for those of us who can tolerate nut butters and rice).
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.
Hi Dana-
So sorry that you are experiencing a flare.
So many food suggestions are very individual, because each of us reacts differently to different foods. Unfortunately, at any given point you're likely to have to use trial and error to see what works for you. That said, I find bananas are good, and I generally prefer to eat organic foods. Erewhon makes some good GF cereals that you could have with almond or soy milk (if you can tolerate nuts or soy). I am partial to their corn flakes. I try to stick with protein (mainly chicken, turkey, salmon) and soluble-fiber foods when having a flare, and the simpler, the better. I have also had good luck with organic acacia fiber, but not everyone on the forum can tolerate that. Soups and smoothies can be easiest to digest. If you don't want to go out to get foods (and risk being away from a bathroom), you can order a lot on the internet and have it delivered.
Good luck, and I hope that you feel better soon! Let us know how it goes.
Meg
So sorry that you are experiencing a flare.
So many food suggestions are very individual, because each of us reacts differently to different foods. Unfortunately, at any given point you're likely to have to use trial and error to see what works for you. That said, I find bananas are good, and I generally prefer to eat organic foods. Erewhon makes some good GF cereals that you could have with almond or soy milk (if you can tolerate nuts or soy). I am partial to their corn flakes. I try to stick with protein (mainly chicken, turkey, salmon) and soluble-fiber foods when having a flare, and the simpler, the better. I have also had good luck with organic acacia fiber, but not everyone on the forum can tolerate that. Soups and smoothies can be easiest to digest. If you don't want to go out to get foods (and risk being away from a bathroom), you can order a lot on the internet and have it delivered.
Good luck, and I hope that you feel better soon! Let us know how it goes.
Meg
Courage is the price that life exacts for granting peace; the soul that knows it not, knows no release from little things. - Amelia Earhart
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wannabenormal
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Mon Oct 27, 2014 1:27 pm
- Location: Trinity
Was feeling better no flared again
Was feeling better for a little while watching what I am eating following the wonderful advice from above then three days ago just started a back with the watery diarrhea about 8 times a day feeling sick stomach all acidy. I tried pepto. Seems to make the diarrhea worse but helps the acidy feeling. I limited my dairy and Soy intake . I am not sure what the culprit is. I've been trying to keep food journal but don't see any real patterns. I can eat something once and do fine the next time sick. I have been a little extra stressed. Recently
Dana