Hi All!
I am brand new to the forum. I am 28 and was diagnosed w/collagenous colitis 2 years ago. I have consistent diarrhea, and have not had a large, formed BM for over 2 years. I have tried a couple different treatments, high doses of pepto, pentasa and entocort. Entocort worked well for me while on it the first time, controlling my symptoms while tapered down to 3mg eod, but my symptoms immediately returned upon stopping. I restarted entocort a few weeks ago, but tapered down after 2 weeks, because it seemed to be making no difference this time around, and I had some strange symptoms (got my period in the middle of the month). I decided to start fiddling with my diet and found this forum. I saw the suggestion to eat potatoes, chicken, bananas and tea. I weaned off coffee a few weeks ago (:( not fun) and began the potatoes, chicken and bananas diet 5 days ago. I also am allowing myself to eat applesauce, and I take a multivitamin once a day, that is GF, DF. I still haven't seen any difference in my stool consistency aside from going fewer times a day (I suspect because I'm eating less than usual because I'm so bored with the foods). I also don't feel great on the diet-- shaky, weak, tired, etc.
Does anyone have suggestions for a different diet I could try or what may be causing a problem with this diet? I was reading about the specific carbohydrate diet, and noticed it said potatoes weren't allowed. Is this something I could try?
Thanks ahead of time for any ideas/suggestions!
Sara
ideas for diets to get you back on track
Moderators: Rosie, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hi Sara,
Welcome to our Internet family. Our response time for diet changes can vary a great deal from one individual to another, depending on many factors, but very, very few of us see much improvement within a few days. The damage to the intestines heals slowly. so it usually takes a few weeks to a few months to see any major improvement. The good news is that the younger we are, the faster we heal, so you can expect to see improvement sooner than most of us.
Entocort can suppress symptoms as long as it is used, but it does not stop the inflammation from being regenerated, so as soon as it's use is discontinued, most people will relapse. The only way to stop the inflammation from being regenerated is to avoid the foods or medications that are causing the inflammation.
Some of us react to chicken, so for that reason, without any stool testing from EnteroLab to base decisions on, it's safer to eat turkey than chicken, because reactions to turkey are very rare. Please be aware that most chickens and turkeys are often injected with a "broth" that in some cases can even include gluten. So be sure to check the label, or better yet, avoid injected poultry completely. Often those labels are hidden on the bottom.
Contrary to most medical advice, it's not necessary to avoid coffee, unless a cup of coffee sent you rushing to the bathroom before your MC symptoms began. IOW, if coffee didn't bother you in the past, then it should be OK now. If coffee always sent you to the bathroom, then it will still do that, so it would be best to avoid it if that is the case. Most of us here can drink coffee without any problems. It's what you put in it that matters. The so-called non-dairy creamers actually contain enough casein to cause most of us to react, so if you choose to use milk in your coffee, you would need to use something such as almond milk, coconut milk, or hemp milk.
"Shaky" suggests hypoglycemia, so you may need to eat more, or do as many of us do while recovering — eat smaller meals more often during the day. "Weak" and "tired" are very common symptoms with this disease because most of our energy is wasted fighting the inflammation. Extra protein is needed to help us to heal faster.
The main problem with the SCD is that it allows dairy (yogurt and cheese) which cause most of us to react. If you remove the dairy from the SCD, you have a paleo diet, which is a much better place to start (if you want to follow a diet with a name). Most of us just customize our diet by eating whatever is safe for us, and avoiding everything that is not. All sources of fiber should be minimized until substantial healing has taken place.
Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.
Tex
Welcome to our Internet family. Our response time for diet changes can vary a great deal from one individual to another, depending on many factors, but very, very few of us see much improvement within a few days. The damage to the intestines heals slowly. so it usually takes a few weeks to a few months to see any major improvement. The good news is that the younger we are, the faster we heal, so you can expect to see improvement sooner than most of us.
Entocort can suppress symptoms as long as it is used, but it does not stop the inflammation from being regenerated, so as soon as it's use is discontinued, most people will relapse. The only way to stop the inflammation from being regenerated is to avoid the foods or medications that are causing the inflammation.
Some of us react to chicken, so for that reason, without any stool testing from EnteroLab to base decisions on, it's safer to eat turkey than chicken, because reactions to turkey are very rare. Please be aware that most chickens and turkeys are often injected with a "broth" that in some cases can even include gluten. So be sure to check the label, or better yet, avoid injected poultry completely. Often those labels are hidden on the bottom.
Contrary to most medical advice, it's not necessary to avoid coffee, unless a cup of coffee sent you rushing to the bathroom before your MC symptoms began. IOW, if coffee didn't bother you in the past, then it should be OK now. If coffee always sent you to the bathroom, then it will still do that, so it would be best to avoid it if that is the case. Most of us here can drink coffee without any problems. It's what you put in it that matters. The so-called non-dairy creamers actually contain enough casein to cause most of us to react, so if you choose to use milk in your coffee, you would need to use something such as almond milk, coconut milk, or hemp milk.
"Shaky" suggests hypoglycemia, so you may need to eat more, or do as many of us do while recovering — eat smaller meals more often during the day. "Weak" and "tired" are very common symptoms with this disease because most of our energy is wasted fighting the inflammation. Extra protein is needed to help us to heal faster.
The main problem with the SCD is that it allows dairy (yogurt and cheese) which cause most of us to react. If you remove the dairy from the SCD, you have a paleo diet, which is a much better place to start (if you want to follow a diet with a name). Most of us just customize our diet by eating whatever is safe for us, and avoiding everything that is not. All sources of fiber should be minimized until substantial healing has taken place.
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.
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Sara
hi there! welcome to the group, but sympathies you had to find us.
there is no one 'set' diet/eating plan that is guaranteed to work for MC.
quite a few people do Auto Immune Paleo, some do modified Paleo, some do a modified fodmaps, others do bits of this and that!
as Tex mentions above some react to chicken others it is the main easy to digest food, the first major hurdle is figuring out what works for you and then building an eating plan from those safe foods.
the main thing is to follow a low inflammation, low fibre, bland, easy to digest gut healing type eating plan; that being; well cooked meat and vegetables as much as possible. you will see quite a few discussions about bone broth, making this from your safe meat sources and using this for soups/stews etc is a fantastic gut healing basis for your eating plan.
there are loads of recipe ideas in the Dee's kitchen part of the forum, that provide a huge range of options for meals even if you have multiple intolerances.
hope this helps, feel free to ask questions if you want to know more
hi there! welcome to the group, but sympathies you had to find us.
there is no one 'set' diet/eating plan that is guaranteed to work for MC.
quite a few people do Auto Immune Paleo, some do modified Paleo, some do a modified fodmaps, others do bits of this and that!
as Tex mentions above some react to chicken others it is the main easy to digest food, the first major hurdle is figuring out what works for you and then building an eating plan from those safe foods.
the main thing is to follow a low inflammation, low fibre, bland, easy to digest gut healing type eating plan; that being; well cooked meat and vegetables as much as possible. you will see quite a few discussions about bone broth, making this from your safe meat sources and using this for soups/stews etc is a fantastic gut healing basis for your eating plan.
there are loads of recipe ideas in the Dee's kitchen part of the forum, that provide a huge range of options for meals even if you have multiple intolerances.
hope this helps, feel free to ask questions if you want to know more
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Welcome Sara.
When I was a child all meals were simple: meat, potatoes and canned veggies. When I grew up I started eating healthier with lots of raw fruits & veggies, less red meat and more whole grains.
Now I am back to meat, potatoes and well cooked veggies (canned mostly, carrot, green beans, yams).
As Gabes & Tex have pointed out we each have to find our own way. And that may change depending on if we are in a flare or not.
When I don't feel like eating anything I can usually eat fritos or potato chips. The salt & calories are useful at those times, sometimes electrolyte problems will cause shakiness, etc.
Most of us have figured out our diet by either having enterolab tests or doing the elimination diet.
I have always had black coffee in the morning. It does send me to the bathroom, always has. I use this to my advantage now, getting that over with in the early morning means I will be ok the rest of the day.
The main thing is to realize this is a life long situation, not something that will be healed overnight.
You will find lots of good information here, and a support system that is much needed because this is truly only understood by those of us that deal with it on a daily basis.
When I was a child all meals were simple: meat, potatoes and canned veggies. When I grew up I started eating healthier with lots of raw fruits & veggies, less red meat and more whole grains.
Now I am back to meat, potatoes and well cooked veggies (canned mostly, carrot, green beans, yams).
As Gabes & Tex have pointed out we each have to find our own way. And that may change depending on if we are in a flare or not.
When I don't feel like eating anything I can usually eat fritos or potato chips. The salt & calories are useful at those times, sometimes electrolyte problems will cause shakiness, etc.
Most of us have figured out our diet by either having enterolab tests or doing the elimination diet.
I have always had black coffee in the morning. It does send me to the bathroom, always has. I use this to my advantage now, getting that over with in the early morning means I will be ok the rest of the day.
The main thing is to realize this is a life long situation, not something that will be healed overnight.
You will find lots of good information here, and a support system that is much needed because this is truly only understood by those of us that deal with it on a daily basis.
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
I posted this elsewhere on the forum but it might fit here as well...I have had recent success with the following for breakfast each morning: Greek yogurt with a small serving of Kellogg's Bran Buds mixed in, 1 imodium and 2 generic fiber capsules...for whatever reason, the combination keeps me regular, no diarrhea, and somewhat firm BMs...best part is no Entocort anymore.
Before my diagnosis of CC I always took a fiber supplement to keep myself regular, the watery diarrhea showed up one day totally unannounced and uninvited and after about 6 months or more of that I finally saw a GI doctor, had my procedures/biopsies and was diagnosed with CC...put on Entocort, weaned off, symptoms returned, back on, went off...symptom free for 4 weeks last December and then things returned again...GI doctor seemed reluctant to keep me on Entocort, even a low dose and it seemed to be making me gain weight anyway so I didn't want to be on it long term...right now the yogurt, Bran Buds, imodium and fiber capsules seems to be keeping me feeling good so I am sticking with this at least for now.
I don't seem to have any food allergies or sensitivities so haven't tried any serious elimination diets either.
Before my diagnosis of CC I always took a fiber supplement to keep myself regular, the watery diarrhea showed up one day totally unannounced and uninvited and after about 6 months or more of that I finally saw a GI doctor, had my procedures/biopsies and was diagnosed with CC...put on Entocort, weaned off, symptoms returned, back on, went off...symptom free for 4 weeks last December and then things returned again...GI doctor seemed reluctant to keep me on Entocort, even a low dose and it seemed to be making me gain weight anyway so I didn't want to be on it long term...right now the yogurt, Bran Buds, imodium and fiber capsules seems to be keeping me feeling good so I am sticking with this at least for now.
I don't seem to have any food allergies or sensitivities so haven't tried any serious elimination diets either.
Hi,
Welcome to the discussion board. It's certainly possible that you might not have any food sensitivities. That's rather rare among the members here, but still possible. It's also possible to have periods of spontaneous remission with MC (just as with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis), but periods of spontaneous remission are not as common with MC as they are with the other IBDs.
Enjoy your remission, and I hope it continues.
Tex
Welcome to the discussion board. It's certainly possible that you might not have any food sensitivities. That's rather rare among the members here, but still possible. It's also possible to have periods of spontaneous remission with MC (just as with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis), but periods of spontaneous remission are not as common with MC as they are with the other IBDs.
Enjoy your remission, and I hope it continues.
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.
I did not test positive for Celiac but from reading your book and this and other forums understand one can have food allergies, sensitivities or intolerances.
My GI doctor has not suggested anything in terms of diet modifications and while I never did a true elimination diet, I went for periods of time when things were really flaring badly for me where I only ate chicken and eggs.
For a couple of years before my diagnosis I was on a very low-carb but mostly protein diet to lose some weight and I wondered if that big change in my diet somehow triggered my MC.
I was eating foods that had a lot of artificial sweeteners in them and at one point I was not able to use those products at all...I also found that spinach was not my friend at all.
Before my diagnosis, I never had any kind of issues with my diet and while I am not a very adventurous eater, I avoid foods only by choice not because I was allergic or otherwise.
For now, I am sticking with my yogurt, bran cereal, imodium and fiber combination as it is seeming to keep things in check and no symptoms.
The months leading up to my diagnosis were perhaps among the most stressful I have ever had at work...a very upsetting academic year...so part of me wonders how much that played into my situation but then when I was able to go off Entocort last December for 4 weeks and then bam, things returned...that happened during my holiday break which was pretty relaxing so not sure what stress has to do with my own situation but you have to wonder.
My GI doctor has not suggested anything in terms of diet modifications and while I never did a true elimination diet, I went for periods of time when things were really flaring badly for me where I only ate chicken and eggs.
For a couple of years before my diagnosis I was on a very low-carb but mostly protein diet to lose some weight and I wondered if that big change in my diet somehow triggered my MC.
I was eating foods that had a lot of artificial sweeteners in them and at one point I was not able to use those products at all...I also found that spinach was not my friend at all.
Before my diagnosis, I never had any kind of issues with my diet and while I am not a very adventurous eater, I avoid foods only by choice not because I was allergic or otherwise.
For now, I am sticking with my yogurt, bran cereal, imodium and fiber combination as it is seeming to keep things in check and no symptoms.
The months leading up to my diagnosis were perhaps among the most stressful I have ever had at work...a very upsetting academic year...so part of me wonders how much that played into my situation but then when I was able to go off Entocort last December for 4 weeks and then bam, things returned...that happened during my holiday break which was pretty relaxing so not sure what stress has to do with my own situation but you have to wonder.
Just my 2 cents worth...
These are all things most of us cannot tolerate, but as mentioned before we are each different and must find our own way.For now, I am sticking with my yogurt, bran cereal, imodium and fiber combination as it is seeming to keep things in check and no symptoms.
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