New and wondering where to start.

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Mon May 16, 2016 8:16 pm

that is interesting about the break room and you react at that time.

we cant always avoid every trigger, but being aware of them and minimising exposure is best way forward.
I was just about to type maybe you need to wear a mask! but makes eating a bit hard so ignore that suggestion
having something 30 mins before your break (if that is possible) would maybe help

for me, it took a few months of 800mg per day minimum to correct my deficiency.
the RDI is about 400mg so to correct deficiency we need to take higher doses for a couple of months.

magnesium is also used to clear toxins etc - it is common to 'feel worse' when you start taking higher doses. the cells get a bit excited that there is enough magnesium around that they can do their job properly and clear the toxins!! with your diet changes the body is having a bit of a spring clean!
that will settle down once things have levelled out..

All in all, things are progressing and getting better! which is great news..
glad you liked the podcast..

Post by **tex** » Mon May 16, 2016 9:10 pm

I took 200 mg of magnesium citrate plus 100 mg of magnesium glycinate following breakfast, and then another 300 mg of magnesium glycinate scattered during the rest of the day (after meals). I also used magnesium oil spray about 20—30 minutes before taking a shower at least every other day. The leg cramps slowly faded away and disappeared after a few weeks or so, but if I missed a single pill the cramps usually reminded me. After about 6 or 8 months I was able to cut back to 500 mg per day, and I seem to be getting by OK without any magnesium oil, also. But I'm not using a corticosteroid, and no antibiotics, either. Those would require a big increase in my magnesium dose.

My blood pressure really settled down after my magnesium level improved. These days I have to skip lisinopril some days in order to keep my systolic pressure above 100 mmHg.

Tex

renee2 · Post by **renee2** » Wed May 18, 2016 6:19 pm

I only took pepto in the am yesterday and didn't have any stomach rumblings last night. I've only taken it once today and my tummy is fine. I'm so excited about this. I just hate taking that stuff. The thought of it makes me sick. I guess this means my colon is healing?

I want to replace some of the beef with fish because I am still over weight. I also want to replace some of the rice and potatoes with turnips and broccoli and other lower carb vegetables. I'm fearful of tipping the apple cart because I'm convinced the protein in the beef has helped me heal in what seems to me a reasonable amount of time. I got my diagnosis, and started treatment, April 17th, so it's only been four weeks. I'm thinking this is pretty good. I still haven't had a normal BM, but no urgency, WD, and no intense cramps since the biscuit and gravy day. HA.

I still have the runny nose thing going on, but I'm only taking a 5mg claritin reditab once a day. Maybe I should increase that to twice a day with one being before lunch as you suggested Gabes? I am going to increase the magnesium to see if that corrects the leg problem. I've already increased the vitamin D.

I also scheduled an appointment with a therapist because I believe I'm just trying too hard to do too many things and this causes me anxiety if I do them and guilt if I don't. I honestly don't have that much to concern myself with. My home is pleasant and free of chaos. My children are healthy and happy. My job is stressful but a big part of my identity. I've been reading books on balance and treating my body better by eating to fuel myself.

What a journey. Thanks again for all of the support.

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Wed May 18, 2016 6:33 pm

for now dont worry about the weight side of things -
the body needs to be 'in balance' (healthy gut, minimal toxins, adrenals, immune, thyroid etc) for good weight loss to happen

putting energy into the mental and emotional side of things is a good priority - accepting what the changes you have made etc
while ever there is anxiety the body will store reserves...

please keep the good serves of fatty animal protein.. for a few weeks (ideally months) you are on a good healing regime, stick with it!! (healing leaky gut is first step to optimising health and wellness, and being able to lose weight) replacing some of the rice is a good idea. things like Sweet potato are good (lots of Vit C, Vit A etc) not as starchy as white potato. take it really slow. One new thing at a time, small serves at first, try a small serve each day for three days. if no ongoing symptoms after the third day, it is a keeper.

Post by **tex** » Wed May 18, 2016 8:40 pm

I agree with Gabes — it takes a lot of protein to heal the damage that the inflammation causes to the intestines. And recent research shows that it isn't fat in the diet that causes weight gain — it's calories that come from carbs, especially grains. Humans can live without carbs, but they cannot survive without adequate protein and fat in the diet. So Gabes' suggestions appear to be right on target.

You're making good progress, but remember that the healing process has barely begun, and the more protein you eat, the faster you will heal.

Tex

renee2 · Post by **renee2** » Thu May 19, 2016 6:19 am

Great advice. I will focus on moving forward with vegetables for now and stick to my current meat plan and cut down on the rice. I have added green beans and I'm doing well with avocado. I love sweet potatoes so that's next. I haven't tried any spices other than salt and though I miss them, I know better. The times I had them before I got so strict were not good at all. I also cannot do condiments of any sort. I thought of trying spaghetti squash just drizzled with coconut oil and salt. Oh how I miss my pasta dishes. I found some gluten free recipes but they call for eggs which I've also eliminated. I don't really see the point in trying to introduce foods back in that have a high potential for problems. I'm trying not to think of this as a diet but more of a new way of eating. Eggs don't seem to offer much in the way of nutrition anyway so why bother with the experiment? Now cheese sounds like it would be worth it. I found a recipe for almond cheese that only contains ingredients I know I can handle. I'm not going to try it soon, but it is in the forecast.

crervin · Post by **crervin** » Thu May 19, 2016 8:02 am

I can't remember if I've told you this before, but you could try duck eggs. They are a different protein than chicken eggs. Eggs are a great source of protein and b12....

Post by **tex** » Thu May 19, 2016 9:37 am

Eggs are one of the most nutritious foods available. They're the bird equivalent of colostrum And duck eggs should work for most people who are sensitive to chicken eggs.

Tex

crervin · Post by **crervin** » Thu May 19, 2016 10:35 am

When my husband was taking radiation treatments several years back for cancer, his Dr told him to eat small amounts of eggs throughout the day and sip on gatorade. This kept him out of the hospital. He was severly dehydrated and his energy was gone. Now I swear by eggs (duck eggs for me of course). I try to feed my kids them daily. They fill you up and give you energy......

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Thu May 19, 2016 1:43 pm

if you can tolerate Eggs (even duck eggs or quail eggs) they are fantastic source of protein and other key nutrients, and generally as a per serve cost, one of the cheapest!

renee2 · Post by **renee2** » Sun May 22, 2016 4:46 am

So, I've cut back on rice. I hope this helps with the weight thing. I'm only 5 ft tall and I'm pushing 150 lbs. It's very uncomfortable to be this heavy for me. I think it feels even worse because most of it is belly fat, which doesn't seem to be going down much. I've gained twenty-seven pounds since the symptoms of LC started. My guess is my body sensed malnutrition and this is why I was hungry all of the time. I'm no longer so hungry and not eating as much as I was, but now I'm feeling stuffed all of the time. The weight limits my physical stamina. Bending over with such a belly is difficult.

I do try to be grateful that I'm not stuck in the toilet all of the time, but this is a real struggle for me, too.

I ate eggs without problems. They tasted so good. I also took an antihistamine just before lunch and had no reaction in the break room. Progress.

Post by **tex** » Sun May 22, 2016 12:36 pm

Renee,

Has your doctor ruled out hypothyroidism? Belly fat and gaining weight when you shouldn't be gaining are classic symptoms of hypothyroidism. I can't remember if you're taking budesonide, but if you are, it causes weight gain for many patients.

on the progress.

Tex

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sun May 22, 2016 1:53 pm

I ate eggs without problems. They tasted so good. I also took an antihistamine just before lunch and had no reaction in the break room. Progress

I would say fantastic progress!!
you are doing well, as you figure out what works for your MC management plan, and things are more routine, life will flow more and you wont have to overthink it

reduced anxiety and 'being in the flow' will also help with weight loss

and agree with Tex, have you check thyroid? another good test is iodine urine test,

renee2 · Post by **renee2** » Sun May 22, 2016 7:08 pm

Yes, my thyroid tests came back normal times two. It was the first thing the GI doctor suspected because of the weight gain. I think he would have thought MC right away because weight gain is usually not compatible with so much D. He thought cdiff or parasites at first. Both of those were ruled out, too.

I am not on budesonide. I took it for maybe a week before he, probably mistakenly, assumed it was the cause of my leg problems. I believe I gained weight simply because I ate too much. It's just that I'm not doing that now and I'm not noticing a dip in the scale. I chowed right through the terrible D phase. I was also so sedentary during that time. I just need to be more patient with myself I suppose. I didn't get to this spot over night so I'll probably not get through it overnight. I'm learning that I'm a sort of instant gratification girl.

renee2 · Post by **renee2** » Wed Jun 01, 2016 10:06 am

I'm getting concerned. My time with pepto ended Sunday and yesterday I had D again. It was only once but pretty watery. My stomach was super crampy this morning and I've had a few trips to the toilet already. I've stuck to the bland diet and haven't added anything new. The only difference I can think of is I cut rice down and I replaced some of the beef with chicken and turkey.

I called the GI today and I'm waiting to see what he says though I don't have a lot of faith in him. He doesn't ask questions that would lead to a meeting of the minds. I call and leave a message with his receptionist who relays the information to his assistant who then asks him what to do. I did tell them that I was on a bland diet and that I was taking magnesium and that I wondered if the budesonide was ever the problem I was having with my legs.

Well, I just needed to vent I guess. I really don't want to go back to square one. I'm certainly no where near as bad as I was and there are some really good things that have come from this process. For one, I really don't want to eat some of the things I used to eat. I'm concerned about how things are handled before they get to the grocer. I read labels and have learned so much about what's in food that I just don't need. I've learned about my relationship to food and how I can consider it more of a way to nourish my body instead of numb my emotions. I'm in the process of learning to enjoy celebrations without focusing on food, which means I'm paying more attention to people.

My son is getting married in August and I really don't want to be swollen and sick. I want to dance at his wedding.