Need Input that I'm not going to get from Dr.
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Hi Christina,
To delete a duplicate post just click on that little X in the box in the upper right-hand corner of the one that you want to delete.
IBS is not actually a disease — it's almost always the early stages of an IBD, or an undiagnosed IBD, or the doctors simply don't have the foggiest idea what is wrong. So they call it "IBS" because that sounds so much more professional than saying, "I don't have any idea what's wrong with you".
And yes, stress is a primary cause of MC. If a gastroenterologist fails to take biopsy samples during a colonoscopy exam, she or he cannot diagnose MC, so the default diagnosis will almost always be "IBS".
Your night sweats and chronic depression are the symptoms of magnesium deficiency, which is another problem that affects most people who have an IBD. Instead of wasting all that money on a naturopath and treatments that are not covered by insurance, simply using plenty of topical magnesium and/or taking oral magnesium supplements will resolve those problems. You may also need to take vitamin D (or take more vitamin D) because vitamin D can help to treat depression. A strict diet at all times and avoiding antidepressants will resolve your MC symptoms. If you use plenty of magnesium and vitamin D, and avoid gluten 100 % of the time you should be able to successfully wean off the antidepressant. Untreated gluten sensitivity and both magnesium deficiency and vitamin D deficiency are known causes of depression.
Here is a link to a reference on vitamin D and depression:
Depression
And a link to a reference on magnesium and depression:
Magnesium and the Brain: The Original Chill Pill
Here's a link to an abstract of a research article about treating depression with magnesium:
Rapid recovery from major depression using magnesium treatment
And here's a link to a article on non-celiac gluten sensitivity and depression:
Gluten May Cause Depression in People with Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity
And here's a link to the original research article mentioned in that article:
Randomised clinical trial: gluten may cause depression in subjects with non-coeliac gluten sensitivity – an exploratory clinical study
Tex
To delete a duplicate post just click on that little X in the box in the upper right-hand corner of the one that you want to delete.
IBS is not actually a disease — it's almost always the early stages of an IBD, or an undiagnosed IBD, or the doctors simply don't have the foggiest idea what is wrong. So they call it "IBS" because that sounds so much more professional than saying, "I don't have any idea what's wrong with you".
And yes, stress is a primary cause of MC. If a gastroenterologist fails to take biopsy samples during a colonoscopy exam, she or he cannot diagnose MC, so the default diagnosis will almost always be "IBS".
Your night sweats and chronic depression are the symptoms of magnesium deficiency, which is another problem that affects most people who have an IBD. Instead of wasting all that money on a naturopath and treatments that are not covered by insurance, simply using plenty of topical magnesium and/or taking oral magnesium supplements will resolve those problems. You may also need to take vitamin D (or take more vitamin D) because vitamin D can help to treat depression. A strict diet at all times and avoiding antidepressants will resolve your MC symptoms. If you use plenty of magnesium and vitamin D, and avoid gluten 100 % of the time you should be able to successfully wean off the antidepressant. Untreated gluten sensitivity and both magnesium deficiency and vitamin D deficiency are known causes of depression.
Here is a link to a reference on vitamin D and depression:
Depression
And a link to a reference on magnesium and depression:
Magnesium and the Brain: The Original Chill Pill
Here's a link to an abstract of a research article about treating depression with magnesium:
Rapid recovery from major depression using magnesium treatment
And here's a link to a article on non-celiac gluten sensitivity and depression:
Gluten May Cause Depression in People with Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity
And here's a link to the original research article mentioned in that article:
Randomised clinical trial: gluten may cause depression in subjects with non-coeliac gluten sensitivity – an exploratory clinical study
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.
Thank you for the kind words, and you're most welcome.
Best of luck to you as you continue on your path to recovery, and please keep us updated.
Tex
Best of luck to you as you continue on your path to recovery, and please keep us updated.
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.
Coconut Almond Butter
Hi All,
I'm on a strict elimination diet and wondering if the MaraNatha No Stir Coconut Almond Butter that I was eating on rice cakes is what has been causing my WD for the past 2 weeks. Anyone else have a sensitivity to nut butters? Please weigh in.
Here's what I've been eating the past 5 days and have had Bristol #5 and #6 Bms:
white rice
rice cakes with coconut oil
baked chicken
hard boiled eggs
bananas
apple sauce
gelatin (made with Welch's white grape juice)
herbal teas (Raspberry leaf, Peppermint, Spearmint)
I would love to get some feedback from all you knowledgeable, experienced MCers.
thanks so much,
Cristina
I'm on a strict elimination diet and wondering if the MaraNatha No Stir Coconut Almond Butter that I was eating on rice cakes is what has been causing my WD for the past 2 weeks. Anyone else have a sensitivity to nut butters? Please weigh in.
Here's what I've been eating the past 5 days and have had Bristol #5 and #6 Bms:
white rice
rice cakes with coconut oil
baked chicken
hard boiled eggs
bananas
apple sauce
gelatin (made with Welch's white grape juice)
herbal teas (Raspberry leaf, Peppermint, Spearmint)
I would love to get some feedback from all you knowledgeable, experienced MCers.
thanks so much,
Cristina
mcaguie
HI Cristina,
My first thoughts would be the eggs, applesauce and gelatin...maybe chicken.
Most but not all react to eggs.
Applesauce is sugar plus fiber so it is hard on our digestion and it seems to be 10x so when we are reacting. My system does not seem to take kindly to apples yet in any fashion, so those are not even a sometimes food for me at this point.
The Gelatin....well it could be made from beef and some but not all react to beef with MC and it didn't help that is has grape juice because too much sugar disagrees with us until quite a bit of healing has taken place.
Chicken is a maybe because some react to it but it can be a sometimes food for some too. I can't do egg, but I think I could handle a little of it in a baked safe food. I eat a chicken but rotated with pork and turkey.
My first thoughts would be the eggs, applesauce and gelatin...maybe chicken.
Most but not all react to eggs.
Applesauce is sugar plus fiber so it is hard on our digestion and it seems to be 10x so when we are reacting. My system does not seem to take kindly to apples yet in any fashion, so those are not even a sometimes food for me at this point.
The Gelatin....well it could be made from beef and some but not all react to beef with MC and it didn't help that is has grape juice because too much sugar disagrees with us until quite a bit of healing has taken place.
Chicken is a maybe because some react to it but it can be a sometimes food for some too. I can't do egg, but I think I could handle a little of it in a baked safe food. I eat a chicken but rotated with pork and turkey.
To Succeed you have to Believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a Reality - Anita Roddick
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
I agree with Erica (all of the above) and the grape juice in the gelatin would send me over the edge. It acts as a laxative for me. The eggs, gelatin, and applesauce would all be problematic for me (I can, just recently, eat a little apple and applesauce again, but I sure couldn't in my early stages).
Jari
Diagnosed with Collagenous Colitis, June 29th, 2015
Gluten free, Dairy free, and Soy free since July 3rd, 2015
Diagnosed with Collagenous Colitis, June 29th, 2015
Gluten free, Dairy free, and Soy free since July 3rd, 2015
Cristina, best of luck to you on your journey - it is well worth it!
I'm sure that you've read this many times on this forum, but the Enterolab testing is very helpful.
After slowly weaning myself off of budesonide and following a strict diet for a year, I did the testing. Some results were surprising but explained why I was still having problems.
I was relying too much on almond butter/milk/and flour when I have a reaction to it.
Chicken and beef are not a huge problem for me but my reaction to them warrants only eating them occasionally.
Ditto for corn (I love corn chips!).
Oats (certified GF) are about the same as corn, so I'm nibbling occasionally.
As to the apple and grape products - go slow. I have a shelf-ful of homemade apple/pear sauce in my pantry but I only indulge about once a week. In warmer months, I eat berries. Unripe bananas a couple times/week.
After a year and 1/2, I'm still mostly sticking to lamb/turkey/pork/venison - my safe meats. Rice every day and potatoes 2-3 times/week. Veggies including green beans, squash, carrots, beets, broccoli, cooked tomatoes sometimes. Still not trusting raw veggies or greens. Rice crackers and cashew butter for snacks.
Thinking of trying some well soaked and cooked legumes occasionally.
Plenty of olive oil and coconut oil, avocado, and bone broth. Boring? Sometimes, but it sure is an easy menu, when I think of the complicated recipes I used to routinely cook up!
Chris
I'm sure that you've read this many times on this forum, but the Enterolab testing is very helpful.
After slowly weaning myself off of budesonide and following a strict diet for a year, I did the testing. Some results were surprising but explained why I was still having problems.
I was relying too much on almond butter/milk/and flour when I have a reaction to it.
Chicken and beef are not a huge problem for me but my reaction to them warrants only eating them occasionally.
Ditto for corn (I love corn chips!).
Oats (certified GF) are about the same as corn, so I'm nibbling occasionally.
As to the apple and grape products - go slow. I have a shelf-ful of homemade apple/pear sauce in my pantry but I only indulge about once a week. In warmer months, I eat berries. Unripe bananas a couple times/week.
After a year and 1/2, I'm still mostly sticking to lamb/turkey/pork/venison - my safe meats. Rice every day and potatoes 2-3 times/week. Veggies including green beans, squash, carrots, beets, broccoli, cooked tomatoes sometimes. Still not trusting raw veggies or greens. Rice crackers and cashew butter for snacks.
Thinking of trying some well soaked and cooked legumes occasionally.
Plenty of olive oil and coconut oil, avocado, and bone broth. Boring? Sometimes, but it sure is an easy menu, when I think of the complicated recipes I used to routinely cook up!
Chris
Cristina,
I eat almond butter (or cashew butter) almost daily with my banana or on a rice cake. I don't have any trouble with it or cashew butter. My almond butter (I get my jar at Costco) is only ground almonds. IT doesn't have any other oil in it. I don't happen to have any trouble with most oils (unless it has soy in it), but if I were you, I would try to find an almond butter that is just ground up almonds. If you are fairly new diagnosed, you might want to stick with just the boring old bland diet of 2-3 items (at least that's what I did for about 2 months solid). I got some really good healing under my belt before I tried to add anything else back in.
I eat almond butter (or cashew butter) almost daily with my banana or on a rice cake. I don't have any trouble with it or cashew butter. My almond butter (I get my jar at Costco) is only ground almonds. IT doesn't have any other oil in it. I don't happen to have any trouble with most oils (unless it has soy in it), but if I were you, I would try to find an almond butter that is just ground up almonds. If you are fairly new diagnosed, you might want to stick with just the boring old bland diet of 2-3 items (at least that's what I did for about 2 months solid). I got some really good healing under my belt before I tried to add anything else back in.
Jari
Diagnosed with Collagenous Colitis, June 29th, 2015
Gluten free, Dairy free, and Soy free since July 3rd, 2015
Diagnosed with Collagenous Colitis, June 29th, 2015
Gluten free, Dairy free, and Soy free since July 3rd, 2015
HI Cristina,
Based on my Enterolab results almond and walnut are #3 for me....so I have to avoid them. All you can do is try it for three days, a little bit each day. the only way to tell if it is a problem source for you is to first not be having WD and then to try the almond butter a little bit for 3 days (within hours it will let you know it isn't going to sit well) or by the 3rd day you still do not have signs of WD you may be good to go with it.
This is the rule of thumb to anything new a person tries.
I just tried beets yesterday (they had been precooked and I ate them cold) my body HATED me 4 hours after the fact a sure sign that I am not ready for beets yet, lol. Maybe I can tolerate them really really overcooked and warm..but not cold.
So take it easy, expect the unexpected and just go with the flow without any expectations of outcome. That will help with any kind of depressing moment one may have if something just doesn't sit well
You can do this!
Erica
Based on my Enterolab results almond and walnut are #3 for me....so I have to avoid them. All you can do is try it for three days, a little bit each day. the only way to tell if it is a problem source for you is to first not be having WD and then to try the almond butter a little bit for 3 days (within hours it will let you know it isn't going to sit well) or by the 3rd day you still do not have signs of WD you may be good to go with it.
This is the rule of thumb to anything new a person tries.
I just tried beets yesterday (they had been precooked and I ate them cold) my body HATED me 4 hours after the fact a sure sign that I am not ready for beets yet, lol. Maybe I can tolerate them really really overcooked and warm..but not cold.
So take it easy, expect the unexpected and just go with the flow without any expectations of outcome. That will help with any kind of depressing moment one may have if something just doesn't sit well
You can do this!
Erica
To Succeed you have to Believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a Reality - Anita Roddick
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Jari and Erica,
Thanks so much for your feedback. I am on my 6th day of only 2 #5 BMs/day, so I'm feeling more encouraged.
I just got a summary of my GI panel tests (not Enterolab some other lab tests my NP ordered) and I'm sensitive to gluten (which I already knew), Dairy (before I was just lactose intolerant), and Eggs, apparently Soy is OK.
The doctor will go over the results more in depth during my appointment tomorrow. I sent her the link for Enterolab and she's reviewing their tests to see if I should do further tests.
She's great, gives me accupuncture which really relaxes me! I've also realized that for me "stress" is a biggie. I'm on a strict elimination diet, now without the hard boiled egg, and feeling a lot better.
This support board is the best thing in the world for a newbie with LC. Thanks to all of you who take the time to respond to my posts.
Cristina
Thanks so much for your feedback. I am on my 6th day of only 2 #5 BMs/day, so I'm feeling more encouraged.
I just got a summary of my GI panel tests (not Enterolab some other lab tests my NP ordered) and I'm sensitive to gluten (which I already knew), Dairy (before I was just lactose intolerant), and Eggs, apparently Soy is OK.
The doctor will go over the results more in depth during my appointment tomorrow. I sent her the link for Enterolab and she's reviewing their tests to see if I should do further tests.
She's great, gives me accupuncture which really relaxes me! I've also realized that for me "stress" is a biggie. I'm on a strict elimination diet, now without the hard boiled egg, and feeling a lot better.
This support board is the best thing in the world for a newbie with LC. Thanks to all of you who take the time to respond to my posts.
Cristina
mcaguie
That's good progress Cristina, every day counts....its not a marathon healing that's for sure It sounds like you have some good help that believes in you and works with you, that is worth a million bucks!
Keep doing what you are and let the healing continue, it takes a while.
Hugs
E
Keep doing what you are and let the healing continue, it takes a while.
Hugs
E
To Succeed you have to Believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a Reality - Anita Roddick
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
A personal update and needing to vent....
There doesn't seem to be a day that goes by that I am not reminded by my new way of eating and living with MC. I can handle most days when it is just myself and the refrigerator and choices, but when it comes to trying to be normal and interact with family even extended family and meals it feels hopeless. I don't ever feel like I am going to get across to any of them that I'm not a freak and I can eat foods just not everything that everybody else can.
IE: I asked my mom if I could contribute something to Easter dinner and I could hear my step dad in the background say "bring what you can eat".... it's times like this that make me not want to participate in family get togethers. I basically felt like I am still an outcast, could bring anything only I can eat, don't worry about anyone else and did not feel included about contributing to the dinner.
I know what my step dad cooks every year, so I am ok with the ham and potatoes, and what ever vege that gets decided (it really doesn't take much to fill me up, and I appreciate most anything if I don't have to cook it), but instead of just telling me that the menu hadn't changed and if I would like to add anything to it I was welcome to....I got the feeling no one has really taken the time to listen to me over these last 10 months. Guess I'm just saddened a bit.
It's situations like this that put a lump in my throat and a rock in the pit of my stomach and I feel so abnormal for it.
There doesn't seem to be a day that goes by that I am not reminded by my new way of eating and living with MC. I can handle most days when it is just myself and the refrigerator and choices, but when it comes to trying to be normal and interact with family even extended family and meals it feels hopeless. I don't ever feel like I am going to get across to any of them that I'm not a freak and I can eat foods just not everything that everybody else can.
IE: I asked my mom if I could contribute something to Easter dinner and I could hear my step dad in the background say "bring what you can eat".... it's times like this that make me not want to participate in family get togethers. I basically felt like I am still an outcast, could bring anything only I can eat, don't worry about anyone else and did not feel included about contributing to the dinner.
I know what my step dad cooks every year, so I am ok with the ham and potatoes, and what ever vege that gets decided (it really doesn't take much to fill me up, and I appreciate most anything if I don't have to cook it), but instead of just telling me that the menu hadn't changed and if I would like to add anything to it I was welcome to....I got the feeling no one has really taken the time to listen to me over these last 10 months. Guess I'm just saddened a bit.
It's situations like this that put a lump in my throat and a rock in the pit of my stomach and I feel so abnormal for it.
To Succeed you have to Believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a Reality - Anita Roddick
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
Oh, Erica, I'm so sorry...........I share your thoughts about all that though..........some of my family members don't understand (nor do they try to) and some just flat don't care! It is what it is..........it does seem like every single day there is something that reminds me that I have MC for life.......I suppose down the road in a year or two it'll continue to get easier?
I had that same experience at school this year. Mind you, in 2 years of working there, I can count the times on one hand we have ever had food catered in for any reason. This year, because of a grant and some specialized training, we had it catered a BUNCH of times. I just always quietly picked up my stuff and would leave as it was always time for me to go home anyway. On one occasion, my principal was all over me, "Can't you stay for just a little while?" I thought about it and then walked out very angry. I later said to her, "Really? You want me to sit in there and socialize in a room that smells to die for and watch everyone eat stuff I can't eat?" I don't think so. People don't understand and they don't try!
I had that same experience at school this year. Mind you, in 2 years of working there, I can count the times on one hand we have ever had food catered in for any reason. This year, because of a grant and some specialized training, we had it catered a BUNCH of times. I just always quietly picked up my stuff and would leave as it was always time for me to go home anyway. On one occasion, my principal was all over me, "Can't you stay for just a little while?" I thought about it and then walked out very angry. I later said to her, "Really? You want me to sit in there and socialize in a room that smells to die for and watch everyone eat stuff I can't eat?" I don't think so. People don't understand and they don't try!
Jari
Diagnosed with Collagenous Colitis, June 29th, 2015
Gluten free, Dairy free, and Soy free since July 3rd, 2015
Diagnosed with Collagenous Colitis, June 29th, 2015
Gluten free, Dairy free, and Soy free since July 3rd, 2015