Aloha - what a journey! I was dx with the lymphocytic type 2-3 mos ago. I did not rush to start meds as I have the C type which has now pretty much normalized.
I have been working with a naturopath and took many tests to find out what I am sensitive to - some chemicals and foods. I was dx with SIBO and took a 2 wk antibiotic, Rifaximin which helped but it seems like sx are coming back.
Anyone else have the kind of mild sx of MC that I do?
Anyone aware of any link between SIBO and MC and which to treat first?
I do not know if budesonide would help the SIBO as well as the MC & discussed with the ND who suggested that I not take it due to my improvements.
One concern is that I have lost a lot of weight with my dietary restrictions (GAP, SIBO / SCD diets) & can't afford to lose more.
What tests should I ask my PCP/ DO to run to make sure that I have the needed vitamins / health to continue recovering from this (Vit D? etc).
Any input is welcome.
SIBO & Microscopic colitis
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SIBO comes up fairly often on this discussion board. If you do a search of the archives you should be able to find many discussions about it.
In general, it's a side effect of poor digestion, and it usually automatically resolves as our inflammation fades away, and our gut heals, and our digestive system begins to work more efficiently. Probably all of us have SIBO at one time during our initial symptoms, but it is automatically resolved as we get our MC under control. SIBO bacteria starve if they don't have undigested (or partially-digested) food on which to feed. The fact that you are unable to gain weight is evidence that your food is not being properly digested (and therefore it provides feedstock for SIBO bacteria).
And because SIBO bacteria thrive on poorly-digested food, that means that antibiotic treatments such as rifaximin provide only temporary relief — like virtually all medications, antibiotics don't correct the problem that is causing the SIBO in the first place. To eliminate a SIBO problem we have to restore good digestion.
If you are prone to C, budesonide can only make it worse. Budesonide only works to resolve D-predominant issues.
I see that you have been a member here less than 3 months. There is a good chance that your gut just needs to do more healing in order to resolve the remaining symptoms. As your gut heals, your ability to absorb nutrients will improve, and you will begin to gain weight again.
Vitamin D is critical for healing, so that's definitely a good test to ask for. After we have been reacting for several years, we tend to become vitamin B-12 deficient, so it may be a good idea to check your B-12 level. Most of us are also magnesium deficient, but it does no good to ask for a magnesium test, because the blood test used by most doctors will only detect a magnesium deficiency if our body is pretty much totally depleted of magnesium to the point where we at risk of a heart attack or stroke. It's a valid ER test, but it's worthless for normal health monitoring purposes.
I hope that some of this is helpful,
Tex
In general, it's a side effect of poor digestion, and it usually automatically resolves as our inflammation fades away, and our gut heals, and our digestive system begins to work more efficiently. Probably all of us have SIBO at one time during our initial symptoms, but it is automatically resolved as we get our MC under control. SIBO bacteria starve if they don't have undigested (or partially-digested) food on which to feed. The fact that you are unable to gain weight is evidence that your food is not being properly digested (and therefore it provides feedstock for SIBO bacteria).
And because SIBO bacteria thrive on poorly-digested food, that means that antibiotic treatments such as rifaximin provide only temporary relief — like virtually all medications, antibiotics don't correct the problem that is causing the SIBO in the first place. To eliminate a SIBO problem we have to restore good digestion.
If you are prone to C, budesonide can only make it worse. Budesonide only works to resolve D-predominant issues.
I see that you have been a member here less than 3 months. There is a good chance that your gut just needs to do more healing in order to resolve the remaining symptoms. As your gut heals, your ability to absorb nutrients will improve, and you will begin to gain weight again.
Vitamin D is critical for healing, so that's definitely a good test to ask for. After we have been reacting for several years, we tend to become vitamin B-12 deficient, so it may be a good idea to check your B-12 level. Most of us are also magnesium deficient, but it does no good to ask for a magnesium test, because the blood test used by most doctors will only detect a magnesium deficiency if our body is pretty much totally depleted of magnesium to the point where we at risk of a heart attack or stroke. It's a valid ER test, but it's worthless for normal health monitoring purposes.
I hope that some of this is helpful,
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.
SIBO
Aloha Tex - I wanted to thank you so much! I have stopped losing weight and have gained some back. Logging my food intake on MyFitnessPal daily. I took your advice and focused back on the MC and not the SIBO. The major change was the meat that I eat - turkey, lamb, duck & just found and bought venison and elk. I feel much better. What an adventure! I got labs back and am low on Vit D so just started supplementing the Vit D3 and drinking enriched Rice Dream that has D added. When I ask to have that rechecked in a few months I'll ask for B 12 vitamin check too. Thanks again - your speedy and very informative reply has been life altering - for the better of course! Aloha Girl
Aloha Girl,
It's great to see that you're doing so much better. And your feedback is very helpful for others who might be faced with the same type of situation.
You're very welcome, and thank you for the update. I hope your progress continues.
Tex
It's great to see that you're doing so much better. And your feedback is very helpful for others who might be faced with the same type of situation.
You're very welcome, and thank you for the update. I hope your progress 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.