Hello All,
I am so thankful for this forum. I was diagnosed in November with lymphocytic MC and have been fumbling through life since then.
Back in May my hubby and I moved with our three young children half across the country. Shortly after moving I started experiencing WD. I have Celiac Disease and have not had a "normal" BM for 10 yrs plus.
My diarrhea was only n issue in the morning and was even somewhat formed but about a week ago I started having WD again and issues late in the evening too. I felt like I was on the road to recovery until my MIL came to visit. She is the most amazing cook and I ate whatever I wanted and how much I wanted! I was doing well without dairy, sugar and corn...but literally stuffed myself with all of that during her visit. I feel like I made things a lot worse than before I was diagnosed.
My kids also all had some kind of stomach virus that caused diareah which I think I may of gotten too. I need to start the elimination diet but I feel so overwhelmed. We are to move again in 30 days and I have a whole house that needs to be packed up. I homeschool my children and barley have enough energy to do that without limiting my food. I'm also scheduled next week for sinus surgery to remove a polyp.
Also, I worry that when I do the strict elimination I will not be able to contol my blood sugar levels. I struggle with hypoglycemia. Is there anyone on here who has been successful eliminating food and keeping their blood sugar under control.
I am so overwhelmed and feeling hopeless... A little encouragement would be appreciated.
Thanks a million!
Brooke
New here and discouraged
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hi Brooke,
Welcome to our Internet family. Most of us have experienced that hopeless feeling that you mentioned. I know that I certainly did, when I discovered that my gastroenterologist could not help me. But by hard work and attention to detail, we can enable our digestive system to heal and get our life back. You have probably had LC for 10 plus years — most gastroenterologists didn't even look for MC in younger patients 10 years ago. And they can't find the disease if they don't especially look for it.
Stress is a major factor in the development of the disease and the perpetuation of symptoms. Even when we are in remission, a very stressful event may trigger a relapse for many of us. So we have to learn techniques to help relax and relieve stress, because chronic stress is our enemy.
It takes self-control and perseverance, but we learn not to cave in and eat the foods that cause our digestive system to become or remain inflamed. Eventually, controlling the disease becomes second nature, and we do it automatically, and it becomes much easier to avoid those foods that tempted us in the past. We can no longer eat those foods because they are no longer food for us — they are now toxic for us. Once we accept that, and come to peace with it, controlling the disease becomes much easier.
Controlling this disease involves a huge learning curve so it takes a while to learn everything we need to know, and it takes a while for our digestive system to heal, but it's certainly doable, and many of us have been in remission for many years now. I've been in remission for over 11 years, myself.
Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.
Tex
Welcome to our Internet family. Most of us have experienced that hopeless feeling that you mentioned. I know that I certainly did, when I discovered that my gastroenterologist could not help me. But by hard work and attention to detail, we can enable our digestive system to heal and get our life back. You have probably had LC for 10 plus years — most gastroenterologists didn't even look for MC in younger patients 10 years ago. And they can't find the disease if they don't especially look for it.
Stress is a major factor in the development of the disease and the perpetuation of symptoms. Even when we are in remission, a very stressful event may trigger a relapse for many of us. So we have to learn techniques to help relax and relieve stress, because chronic stress is our enemy.
It takes self-control and perseverance, but we learn not to cave in and eat the foods that cause our digestive system to become or remain inflamed. Eventually, controlling the disease becomes second nature, and we do it automatically, and it becomes much easier to avoid those foods that tempted us in the past. We can no longer eat those foods because they are no longer food for us — they are now toxic for us. Once we accept that, and come to peace with it, controlling the disease becomes much easier.
Controlling this disease involves a huge learning curve so it takes a while to learn everything we need to know, and it takes a while for our digestive system to heal, but it's certainly doable, and many of us have been in remission for many years now. I've been in remission for over 11 years, myself.
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.
Thank you, Tex!
I realize I am obsessing over this. I literally have a panic attack if I feel I have to fart, javascript:emoticon(':shock:')and I wake up in a panicked state because I usually have to run to the bathroom 3 seconds after I open my eyes.
I started the elimination diet yesterday, which terrified me before but it wasn't as bad as I had made it out to be in my mind. javascript:emoticon(':???:')
Speaking of which, I feel my biggest battle with this is not necessarily the disease but my mind. My mind automatically takes me to worse case scenario and I start thinking I will never heal or I have some other fatal disease too.
I am grateful that I have a good GI Dr. though. He suggested I try some alternative methods such as diet or Plexus (which he said some of his patients swear by) and even mentioned the possibility of leaky gut.
Anyhoo, thanks again for the encouragement!
I realize I am obsessing over this. I literally have a panic attack if I feel I have to fart, javascript:emoticon(':shock:')and I wake up in a panicked state because I usually have to run to the bathroom 3 seconds after I open my eyes.
I started the elimination diet yesterday, which terrified me before but it wasn't as bad as I had made it out to be in my mind. javascript:emoticon(':???:')
Speaking of which, I feel my biggest battle with this is not necessarily the disease but my mind. My mind automatically takes me to worse case scenario and I start thinking I will never heal or I have some other fatal disease too.
I am grateful that I have a good GI Dr. though. He suggested I try some alternative methods such as diet or Plexus (which he said some of his patients swear by) and even mentioned the possibility of leaky gut.
Anyhoo, thanks again for the encouragement!
Brooke,
That's a typical routine with active MC. Virtually all of us have been there. It's always at it's worst first thing in the morning, and for most of us it lets up somewhat as the day goes on. Our bathroom routine slowly returns to a more normal pattern as our digestive system heals. As an MD who is one of the founding members of this site pointed out over 10 years ago, "Happiness is a dry fart!"
You're on your way back to good health! Getting started on the journey back to health is always the most difficult part, because of all the unknowns we face in the beginning. It gets easier as we make progress.
Yes, this disease definitely messes with our mind because it's able to hit us where it really hurts. Our dignity, confidence, and self-respect are held hostage when MC is in control. But after we learn how to control the disease, we're able to reclaim those attributes, and precious few things in life can boost our moral as much as being back in control of our own body. Having active MC is the pits, but being able to control the disease by our own abilities is awesome. It's extremely empowering. You'll feel the same way when you get there.
You're very fortunate to have such an open-minded and understanding gastroenterologist. They're not easy to find, because very few of them understand the disease at this point in the evolution of medicine.
You're very welcome,
Tex
That's a typical routine with active MC. Virtually all of us have been there. It's always at it's worst first thing in the morning, and for most of us it lets up somewhat as the day goes on. Our bathroom routine slowly returns to a more normal pattern as our digestive system heals. As an MD who is one of the founding members of this site pointed out over 10 years ago, "Happiness is a dry fart!"
You're on your way back to good health! Getting started on the journey back to health is always the most difficult part, because of all the unknowns we face in the beginning. It gets easier as we make progress.
Yes, this disease definitely messes with our mind because it's able to hit us where it really hurts. Our dignity, confidence, and self-respect are held hostage when MC is in control. But after we learn how to control the disease, we're able to reclaim those attributes, and precious few things in life can boost our moral as much as being back in control of our own body. Having active MC is the pits, but being able to control the disease by our own abilities is awesome. It's extremely empowering. You'll feel the same way when you get there.
You're very fortunate to have such an open-minded and understanding gastroenterologist. They're not easy to find, because very few of them understand the disease at this point in the evolution of medicine.
You're very welcome,
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
Brooke
welcome to the group!
MC is a bit cruel in that it does make mornings stressful... you are not alone with your experiences.
in line with your comment about your mind, along with the diet recommendations, it is very important to do the mental and emotional work of living with life with MC.
I encourage you to grab a cuppa and spend some time reading some posts, A good thread is Erica's recent journey.
it includes all these aspects
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=21173
Page 2 we talk about books/audiobooks that are very helpful to handling the mental and emotional side, acceptance, being able to calm the mind and manage stress etc.
hope this helps
welcome to the group!
MC is a bit cruel in that it does make mornings stressful... you are not alone with your experiences.
in line with your comment about your mind, along with the diet recommendations, it is very important to do the mental and emotional work of living with life with MC.
I encourage you to grab a cuppa and spend some time reading some posts, A good thread is Erica's recent journey.
it includes all these aspects
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=21173
Page 2 we talk about books/audiobooks that are very helpful to handling the mental and emotional side, acceptance, being able to calm the mind and manage stress etc.
hope this helps
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Hi Brooke
I have struggled with hypoglycemia since I was about 14. Actually it really wasn't a struggle once I learned to control it with diet and I learned that pretty quickly. I always made sure that I had some protein with every meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner). I did not drink any caffeine drinks, soft drinks (what you call soda), or really any sugary drinks at all.
I think the key is to keep your blood sugar on an even keel. It is when you let it get too high with high sugar foods (or caffeine for me) then it can plunge down low. Just eat enough of your safe protein through the day. Safe meats are good. You will have to work out which ones are safe for you (turkey and lamb seem to be good). Eggs are good but not everyone can tolerate eggs. And nuts are good for blood sugar but they seem to be a common intolerance. I have eliminated nuts at the moment and I am working on eliminating eggs to see how that goes.
I am a relative newbie and I am still trying to work out my food intolerances. I have done an elimination diet in the past but not for long enough as now I have learned how long it takes for gluten to leave the body. However even when I have done an elimination diet in the past I had no problem with hypoglycemia because I kept the protein up and the sugar down.
I was only diagnosed with MC two months ago and I am slowly learning about all of this. Try not to be too hard on yourself. Step by step and you will get there as I am sure I will as well
I have struggled with hypoglycemia since I was about 14. Actually it really wasn't a struggle once I learned to control it with diet and I learned that pretty quickly. I always made sure that I had some protein with every meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner). I did not drink any caffeine drinks, soft drinks (what you call soda), or really any sugary drinks at all.
I think the key is to keep your blood sugar on an even keel. It is when you let it get too high with high sugar foods (or caffeine for me) then it can plunge down low. Just eat enough of your safe protein through the day. Safe meats are good. You will have to work out which ones are safe for you (turkey and lamb seem to be good). Eggs are good but not everyone can tolerate eggs. And nuts are good for blood sugar but they seem to be a common intolerance. I have eliminated nuts at the moment and I am working on eliminating eggs to see how that goes.
I am a relative newbie and I am still trying to work out my food intolerances. I have done an elimination diet in the past but not for long enough as now I have learned how long it takes for gluten to leave the body. However even when I have done an elimination diet in the past I had no problem with hypoglycemia because I kept the protein up and the sugar down.
I was only diagnosed with MC two months ago and I am slowly learning about all of this. Try not to be too hard on yourself. Step by step and you will get there as I am sure I will as well
Hi, Brooke. I don't have anything to add other than welcome to our group. We've all been in your shoes so we understand how you feel. Stress is definitely a factor in this disease and you certainly have had enough of that in your life. Feel free to ask questions, we're all here to help. Read the success stories on here, they will definitely help you when you feel at your lowest point.
Marcia
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My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style. - M. Angelou
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My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style. - M. Angelou
Hi Brooke, so sorry you have had to find this website!!
I have had D for 8 years. I have been on elimination diet since July of last year. Just recently my BMs are starting to form somewhat, it's still not perfect but better than WD. It's very encouraging but know I still have a long road. I have 3 kids myself and know that's stressful in itself. I really wanted to homeschool, but knew with my disease it would be too much on me. Thumbs up to you!!!
My only input would be to give your children a daily multivitamin along with vitamin d. Literally every fall, winter, spring, my children and I were sick, passing sickness around until I started giving them that. Plus I'm taking 8000 units of d3 myself. I give the kids 1200 units or 2200 when I see any stuffy nose....
I'm a flip flop kind of person and long for heat, that vitamin has really helped me until I can get my husband to move to the Caribbean
.
Good luck with your move!! Hang in there!
I have had D for 8 years. I have been on elimination diet since July of last year. Just recently my BMs are starting to form somewhat, it's still not perfect but better than WD. It's very encouraging but know I still have a long road. I have 3 kids myself and know that's stressful in itself. I really wanted to homeschool, but knew with my disease it would be too much on me. Thumbs up to you!!!
My only input would be to give your children a daily multivitamin along with vitamin d. Literally every fall, winter, spring, my children and I were sick, passing sickness around until I started giving them that. Plus I'm taking 8000 units of d3 myself. I give the kids 1200 units or 2200 when I see any stuffy nose....
I'm a flip flop kind of person and long for heat, that vitamin has really helped me until I can get my husband to move to the Caribbean
. Good luck with your move!! Hang in there!
Martha E.
Philippians 4:13
Jul 2008 took Clindamycin for a Sinus infection that forever changed my life
Dec 2014 MC Dx
Jul 15, 2015 Elimination Diet
Aug 17, 2015 Enterolab Test
Dec 2015 Reflux
Sept 2016 IC
Philippians 4:13
Jul 2008 took Clindamycin for a Sinus infection that forever changed my life
Dec 2014 MC Dx
Jul 15, 2015 Elimination Diet
Aug 17, 2015 Enterolab Test
Dec 2015 Reflux
Sept 2016 IC
Hi Brooke,
I've been healing for almost a year now (wow, can't believe it), and stress still does the WD on me everytime yet. I revert to safe foods so often, it becomes a joke around our house at times. My poor husband doesn't eat the same as me hardly ever...but he understands and it has taken time but we have relaxed to the fact that this is the way life is gonna be for now.
Always....Progress....not Perfection
I've been healing for almost a year now (wow, can't believe it), and stress still does the WD on me everytime yet. I revert to safe foods so often, it becomes a joke around our house at times. My poor husband doesn't eat the same as me hardly ever...but he understands and it has taken time but we have relaxed to the fact that this is the way life is gonna be for now.
Always....Progress....not Perfection
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