Hello everybody.
Stopped by to give you some intel on my progress since http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... highlight= :) and hopefully contribute to the so useful exchange of knowledge that happens here…
So, I’m on my elimination diet since the end of August. The feeling is that is going to take forever but I’m learning so much…
I’ve had some setbacks so far with eggs, cinammon and gluten… I also tried carrots, beets, squash, mushrooms and almond. Fortunately, these last 5 were ok. I still want to try eggs again because I think I wasn’t healing yet when I tried them. Of course I won’t try those I know for sure are terrible for me: casein, corn, dark green leafy vegetables, asparagus, citrus.
I went to my GI and she was very receptive, heard all the information I’ve learned here, was supportive on the elimination diet, and followed the suggestion to test Vitamins B12 and D. B12 was within reference numbers but Vitamin D was very low - no surprise there from what I learned here. I’m going to take a supplement. Folic acid is also low and (again no surprise) I’m anemic, iron is within reference numbers though.
I also told her that I noticed a pattern: since 2012 (when I was diagnosed): my most significant crisis happened in July/August so she recommended me to go to an allergist. The allergist told me that common allergies could affect the intestine so I did more blood tests and it only revealed mites (I’m not sure if this is the correct translation) allergies. I’m on an anti-histamine 3 week treatment – liquid because pills usually contain lactose (the allergist was careful).
The blood test she ordered also revealed positive for ANA which is related to autoimmune diseases but my GI doesn’t believe that is related to LC and she told me she had ordered this test before (but after de LC diagnose) and came back negative, she wants to investigate. More blood work awaits :(
Did any of you test for ANA and came back positive?
I definitely feel better, my gut is healing, not so tired all the time or with body aches (I think gluten caused that), but I’ve been feeling sleepy and with some lack of energy. Could it be vitamin d, folic acid or simply lack of foods that give energy? Any suggestions?
Thank you all for being here…
My progress
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Glad to hear your update and that things are getting better for you on the elimination diet.
I noticed an increase in intestinal problems during our fall allergy season. Hopefully things will improve for both of us in the future.
I noticed an increase in intestinal problems during our fall allergy season. Hopefully things will improve for both of us in the future.
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
Hi Portianna,
It's good to see that you are making progress and feeling better. To get increased energy, and improved mood, I take the active form of vitamin B-12 (methyl cobalamin). The fact that you were low on folic acid means that you were not able to utilize vitamin B-12 normally (if folic acid is low, the body cannot utilize vitamin B-12).
Even though your test result showed your B-12 to be in the normal range, it is almost surely lower than it was back when you were feeling better. Some of us feel much better when our B-12 level is in the upper part of the normal range, not just "somewhere" in the normal range. And since LC causes malabsorption of the B vitamins (and vitamin D), the active form of B-12 (methyl cobalamin) is much easier to absorb. Sublingual lozenges are available that can be dissolved under the tongue, so that the B-12 goes directly into the bloodstream, without ever entering the digestive system.
Yes, seasonal allergies can definitely make LC symptoms worse.
We have quite a few members who have elevated ANA levels. Most of them have found that by avoiding the foods that causes inflammation in their body, they can prevent the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), or similar issues.
Thank you for the update,
Tex
It's good to see that you are making progress and feeling better. To get increased energy, and improved mood, I take the active form of vitamin B-12 (methyl cobalamin). The fact that you were low on folic acid means that you were not able to utilize vitamin B-12 normally (if folic acid is low, the body cannot utilize vitamin B-12).
Even though your test result showed your B-12 to be in the normal range, it is almost surely lower than it was back when you were feeling better. Some of us feel much better when our B-12 level is in the upper part of the normal range, not just "somewhere" in the normal range. And since LC causes malabsorption of the B vitamins (and vitamin D), the active form of B-12 (methyl cobalamin) is much easier to absorb. Sublingual lozenges are available that can be dissolved under the tongue, so that the B-12 goes directly into the bloodstream, without ever entering the digestive system.
Yes, seasonal allergies can definitely make LC symptoms worse.
We have quite a few members who have elevated ANA levels. Most of them have found that by avoiding the foods that causes inflammation in their body, they can prevent the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), or similar issues.
Thank you for the update,
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.
What does ANA mean? I'm sorry it's taking me a bit to get familiar with all these terms and their initials.
I'm glad you are feeling better Portianna- In the world of allergies in English- they test for "Dust mites" ... for whatever reason if you say just "mites"- (at least to me) it sounds gross- like lice or bedbugs... but if you say "dust mites" somehow it's more accepted that it's just a part of life.
I am going now to read your original post you linked. Thank you for sharing your story. I am just starting out and I find everyone's sharing to be so helpful and generous.
-Sarah
I'm glad you are feeling better Portianna- In the world of allergies in English- they test for "Dust mites" ... for whatever reason if you say just "mites"- (at least to me) it sounds gross- like lice or bedbugs... but if you say "dust mites" somehow it's more accepted that it's just a part of life.
I am going now to read your original post you linked. Thank you for sharing your story. I am just starting out and I find everyone's sharing to be so helpful and generous.
-Sarah
Anti-nuclear antibodies. This test is sometimes ordered by doctors to distinguish between fibromyalgia and lupus, for example, but an elevated ANA level is not actually definitive of anything, it's just another clue that something may be going on.Sarah wrote:What does ANA mean?
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.
Theresa, i really hope for some improvement for us too. I'll probably be on anti-histamines next summer because my sun allergy is not under control at all for 2 years now, exactly when i was diagnosed... coincidence? Dunno...
Tex, thanks for the advice and the explanation on ANA... I've read that false positives are common... so i'm really hoping that's the case...
Sarah, thanks for the tip on dust mites... i thought that mites wasn't quite correct, it didn't sound right... :)
Tex, thanks for the advice and the explanation on ANA... I've read that false positives are common... so i'm really hoping that's the case...
Sarah, thanks for the tip on dust mites... i thought that mites wasn't quite correct, it didn't sound right... :)
Portianna, many of us find that antihistamines help not just during allergy season, but year round. At the peak of my flare, I was taking one in morning and one at night, now take one. I react to some foods with higher histamine levels, with allergy-like symptoms and GI symptoms can get worse at times. There are many threads about histamine, and food lists, if you want to read further.
Hope you are doing better soon.
Lisa
Hope you are doing better soon.
Lisa
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Sheila
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Portianna,
I didn't know anything about ANA antinuclear antibodies until my new doctor added that test and the test for rheumatoid factor to my yearly blood test. Mine came back elevated and a speckled pattern was noted. The different patterns noted signify the possibility of different disorders. My Rheumatoid factor was also elevated and I will see a rheumatologist on Friday. As you probably know, many of us have several auto-immune disorders. It seems to be prudent to check for other immune issues when ordering blood work for someone with at least one known auto-immune disorder.
I take antihistamine (Zyrtec) every night and it does help. When allergy season is here, I take an additional Claritin during the day, nasal spray and eye drops when necessary. In South Florida, allergy season is almost all the time.
Glad you're feeling better and have a receptive GI doc.
Sheila W
I didn't know anything about ANA antinuclear antibodies until my new doctor added that test and the test for rheumatoid factor to my yearly blood test. Mine came back elevated and a speckled pattern was noted. The different patterns noted signify the possibility of different disorders. My Rheumatoid factor was also elevated and I will see a rheumatologist on Friday. As you probably know, many of us have several auto-immune disorders. It seems to be prudent to check for other immune issues when ordering blood work for someone with at least one known auto-immune disorder.
I take antihistamine (Zyrtec) every night and it does help. When allergy season is here, I take an additional Claritin during the day, nasal spray and eye drops when necessary. In South Florida, allergy season is almost all the time.
Glad you're feeling better and have a receptive GI doc.
Sheila W
To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.
A person who never made a mistake never tried something new. Einstein
A person who never made a mistake never tried something new. Einstein