Attn newbies or anyone struggling....

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tex
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Post by tex »

We can never be absolutely sure about all the details until we are safely in remission, but if you are already seeing some improvement, you must be on the right track. I agree that it's usually a good idea to avoid dairy during recovery from MC because even if we are not sensitive to casein, when the gut is inflamed it is automatically lactose intolerant, and the rest of the components of dairy products become very difficult to digest, often compounding digestive problems that are already present. You can always add dairy back into your diet after you are safely in remission (if you can tolerate it).

It's good to see that the diet is already helping. We need all the incentives we can muster when we're trying to recover from MC, in order to keep us dedicated to the cause.

You're very welcome,
Tex
:cowboy:

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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care314
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THANKS

Post by care314 »

THANK YOU, from a total newbie to this site. Unfortunately not new to micro and lympho colitis.
CarolAnn
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Post by CarolAnn »

Your post is inspiring Gabes. My first time reading. :butterfly:
Glad I found this site. I have been diagnosed with M.C. Yet when I ask questions to my Specialist. As I read on others here.
Have mentioned they frown on the food does not make a difference.

I really do not think they know what to do other then suggested Imodium or Pepto to me. I got a wonderful retired Doctor in Emerge
and it was him that knew what I was going through. He suggest that I add more water intake and also some fiber like cereal. As I came to him as I was bleeding from taking the Imodium. I had hemorrhoids from being constipated. He checked me out Not internal bleeding. Has anyone have hemorrhoids outer . I have all along with this disease.
He phoned me an talked with me this elderly docotor. He was a replacement for my lady doctor who was on holidays. He really took and interest. So I have been watching what I take for food. Fruit and veggies have been a real danger zone for me for months prior. So last night I took some baby food veggies. Two tablespoons only. As before I blended carrots and other veggies myself. It was not agreeing with me.
My hubby is Dutch and he bought me a wee treat the other night. Should of never had it. It was mocha pastry with real butter icing. What was I thinking. How very foolish.
Cramps all night but I did not have diarrhea. It will teach me a lesson. It was not worth it. The pains and the cramps were very severe.
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care314
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Post by care314 »

Carol Ann,

Could it have been that the mocha had enough caffeine to set you off? Or perhaps the combination of sugar and caffeine?
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Grace
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Post by Grace »

Hi Carol Ann!

Do you have sensitivities to gluten (pastry) or casein (butter icing?) I can't eat gluten, and once thought I received a regular bun instead of a GF bun for a hamburger at a restaurant. I had such a severe reaction to it that I was vomiting within 3 hours.

My GI doc once told me that I "could cheat occasionally" on my GF diet. But after that experience, I'll never risk it again.
Take care!
Grace


Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.
----Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Celiac Disease, diagnosed 2007 (probably had it much longer before diagnosed)
CC 2012
Jude
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The Gratitude of a Newby

Post by Jude »

I almost want to cry actually....to find that I am not alone. I had never heard of microscopic colitis. I have always been healthy. I have always loved food - enjoy cooking, sharing and simply....well....eating. For 3 months I have, if I am honest, assumed I must be dying. My condition has deteriorated to the point that, it seems, I cannot eat anything and I count....sometimes....30 bathroom visits day and night. Ridiculously simple, plain water seems to make matters worse....so I struggle with the dehydration (and of course we know we can die from dehydration!!!!!) EEEEEK. So when I eventually forked out to see a private (and brilliant actually) consultant - who suggests that that he is 90% certain (won't know definitely until he takes the samples) that I have MC. I felt ridiculously euphoric to think that I have a chance of living to see the next phase of my life. I even celebrated with a toast - because, despite my instinct that wheat was causing problems, my consultant told me not to cut anything out of my diet. Bad move. I realise that, actually, since I cut wheat out of my diet....the bathroom sessions had started to be contained (a little) and the illness genuinely felt less and that I had, surprising amounts of energy, given that I seem to be surviving on 800 calories a day.

In desperation I searched on Amazon - M.C. and discovered, not only the book -but this fantastic form....so I now eagerly await the book dropping onto my doormat but also, feel so comforted, by the presence of so many wonderful, inspiring people. A journey.....I like that description....thank you.
Never heard of Microscopic Colitis until yesterday when consultant advised me that my chronic, 3 month long, diarrhea indicated this diagnosis (though not confirmed). Shocked, stunned and reeling a bit, although part of me is pleased to be alive.
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Erica P-G
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Post by Erica P-G »

Hi Jude,
Take comfort in that you have a very good place here, I've been a member for three months and with the wonderful support here and lots of tweaking to my diet I am very slowly feeling better. Not gonna lie it's a daily healing with MC. I have Lymphocitic Colitis 8 yrs now, have only been gluten, dairy, soy, an egg free for 3 months, although I see changes I know it is gonna take a while before I really feel better.

I'm sure others will chime in with their stories an super helpful advice. Some foods that most are able to tolerate are red or yellow potato, turkey, white rice an coconut or almond milk and canned no sugar pears not even artificial sugars. A little salt for flavoring that's it. That is a tiny list of food but you want to get your system to calm down an give it a chance to heal. You may be able to add a couple other items just watch for reaction the best you can. This healing may take a while it may not it depends on how your body is as we are all different in the healing process. Also eat protein as often as you can don't worry about an eating schedule right now, that was the best advice I got when I needed it the most.

Take care, Be strong!
Erica
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tex
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Post by tex »

Hi Jude,

Welcome to our Internet family. Erica has some good suggestions in her response.
Jude wrote:For 3 months I have, if I am honest, assumed I must be dying.
You are definitely one of the family here. After a couple of years of being sick, and losing weight until I looked like death warmed over, when the realization finally soaked in that my GI specialist was not going to be able to help me, I thought the same thing — that my days were surely numbered before malnutrition and dehydration would lead to a heart attack, or stroke. I hardly recognized myself when I looked in a mirror.

That was about 15 years ago, when very little was known about the correct way to treat this disease. But eventually it dawned on me that my problems had to be due to something I was eating, and that was the realization that led me to a solution that allowed me to get my life back.

Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.

Tex
:cowboy:

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 brandy »

Hi Jude,

I just wanted to welcome you to the forum and I'm glad that you found us! We have to eliminate all 100% gluten and I would eliminate dairy for now since you are suffering a lot. It takes a lot of protein to heal us.

Brandy
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humbird753
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Post by humbird753 »

Hi Jude,

I want to welcome you to the forum. I starting having my symptoms in mid 2009, but was not diagnosed until June of 2010. I didn't find this forum until the end of 2011, so it took me 2-1/2 years since the onset of my symptoms. I am so thankful to have found this forum. There is a lot of information here. I diligently removed all my food sensitivities 100%, and have gotten my life back. I wish you healing and renewed health on your journey. There is so much to learn, but everyone here is so supportive.

Paula
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"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass... It's learning to dance in the rain."
Jude
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Post by Jude »

Thank YOU Thank YOU Thank YOU. I feel like a lovely, comfort blanket has been put around my shoulders and that I am not alone....such an amazing forum. With such gratitude I found it so quicklyXXXX
Never heard of Microscopic Colitis until yesterday when consultant advised me that my chronic, 3 month long, diarrhea indicated this diagnosis (though not confirmed). Shocked, stunned and reeling a bit, although part of me is pleased to be alive.
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Gabes-Apg
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Post by Gabes-Apg »

Jude, welcome

The beautiful thing about this site, is the comfort blanket and a supportive hug is always there if you need it.

Take a few deep breathes, read the posts aimed at new people, read the success stories area to see what others did live life with MC.

Take care.
Gabes Ryan

"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
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Nan
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Post by Nan »

There was much valuable information and direction, backed by heartfelt emotion, in your post. Thank you.

While navigating the healing process of this confusing and complex disease since Feb. of 2015, I only got worse until I reread Tex's book and began studying these posts last week. Having begun the elimination diet as outlined by Jean, symptoms have quieted and the testing phase will begin next week. Enterolab results outlined my major sensitivities, but other then gluten, having been in denial about the soy, egg, corn and oat sensitivity, I continued to eat these "healthy" foods in organic form. Big mistake.

So Gabes, I'm ready to get my life back, but as you said, it may not be the one that I had before the Dx, and it's taken some kicking and screaming to be ready to accept that.

Thanks again for sharing so well.
64 years old. Diagnosed with MC in November. Mesalamine taken but pleuricy developed 2 weeks later; they are linked. No meds being taken. Full panel from Enterolab.
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Gabes-Apg
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Post by Gabes-Apg »

Nan,
You are very welcome and loads of healing hugs as you progress.

There is a recent discussion in the main board with Erica, in this we talk about the mental and emotional side of life with MC, acceptance, peace with what is. Part of the journey is the going through the various stages/cycles with grief. Eg, denial, anger, withdrawal, wanting to speed it up and get over it....

In the post there are some book/audiobook recommendations. There are many here that have benefitted from Pema Chodron.

Take it really slow adding foods back in.... Don't try to rush it....
Take care
Gabes Ryan

"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
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Nan
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Post by Nan »

Thank you Gabes for the further instruction. Not rushing it will be the hardest thing for me, I believe I'm still in denial, and just want things to be the way they used to be. We live a very social life and I hate driawing attention to myself and these restrictions as I try to navigate dining out and dining with friends.

I will look for Erica's post, the discussion thread will be very valuable for me.

Thank you for responding.
64 years old. Diagnosed with MC in November. Mesalamine taken but pleuricy developed 2 weeks later; they are linked. No meds being taken. Full panel from Enterolab.
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