Mine is a long story, but I will try to hit the highlights. My bowel problems started in about 1990 and which time I was searching for answers to chest pain possibly associated to my breast implants I received in 1973. I found that just before leaving work for the day I would have explosive diarrhea, just anticipating the horrendous traffic that I had to drive in.
The diarrhea continued on on a daily basis for a few more years until 1999 when I consulted a rheumatologist for multiple joint pains. He put me on Sulfasone with no improvement. In 2004 I had a colonoscopy which confirmed microcytic colitis. The treatment was Bentyl, PeptoBismol and maybe one other drug, all with no response.
I have struggled with explosive diarrhea, lots of accidents even at home for a number of years. It has become more that I can handle.
I saw another gastroenterologist in November 2016 and had another colonoscopy, again with the same diagnosis. I was put on Budesonide for about 3 months with no improvement. I spent over $1000.00 on this medication so I did not want to continue on. My doctor prescribed Sulfasasone. I have not taken this because it didn’t work last time.
Because I was experiencing multiple muscle pains over much of my body, I consulted another rheumatologist and was diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
I am becoming depressed in dealing with this on a daily basis for years. I have never been in remission. It is the same every day. After reading this column I decided to try diet. I have been gluten free and caffeine free for 7 days with no results.
Does anyone have any suggestions for me?
Help, I am getting desperate!
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Help, I am getting desperate!
LINDA DAWSON
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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
welcome LInda
apologies that you have had such a rough time these past few years and have never been in remission
(and sympathies that you had to find us)
in your case, your diet will take more fine tuning than just gluten and caffeine free.
what we have found over the 12 years this forum has been in place that a bland, small amount of ingredients, low fibre, low sugar, gluten, and dairy free eating plan is required.
this means no salads, no fruit, no chemical sugar replacements, minimal processed foods.
what can you eat - well cooked protein and 1-3 safe veges (also well cooked)
we have put together a guidelines to recovery to help people take the severity out of their symptoms.
I understand the pain and have previously been diagnosed with fibromyalgia - following low inflammation eating plan and lifestyle along with taking key nutrients like magnesium, Vit D3 etc has resolve my chronic fibromyalgia symptoms.
and we have noticed over the years here that medications prescribed for MC have limited scope of success if the person is low in Vit D3/magnesium.
please read through the guidelines to recovery. Another good resource is our member success stories area, here you will see what others have done with eating plan, lifestyle and supplements and the improvements they have gained (and how long it took)
hope this helps
Guidelines to recovery - http://perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=79
Members success stories - http://perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=71
apologies that you have had such a rough time these past few years and have never been in remission
(and sympathies that you had to find us)
in your case, your diet will take more fine tuning than just gluten and caffeine free.
what we have found over the 12 years this forum has been in place that a bland, small amount of ingredients, low fibre, low sugar, gluten, and dairy free eating plan is required.
this means no salads, no fruit, no chemical sugar replacements, minimal processed foods.
what can you eat - well cooked protein and 1-3 safe veges (also well cooked)
we have put together a guidelines to recovery to help people take the severity out of their symptoms.
I understand the pain and have previously been diagnosed with fibromyalgia - following low inflammation eating plan and lifestyle along with taking key nutrients like magnesium, Vit D3 etc has resolve my chronic fibromyalgia symptoms.
and we have noticed over the years here that medications prescribed for MC have limited scope of success if the person is low in Vit D3/magnesium.
please read through the guidelines to recovery. Another good resource is our member success stories area, here you will see what others have done with eating plan, lifestyle and supplements and the improvements they have gained (and how long it took)
hope this helps
Guidelines to recovery - http://perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=79
Members success stories - http://perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=71
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Hello Linda,
And welcome to our Internet family. I'll be brief because I recently had a stoke so I'm very slow at typing.
A chronic magnesium deficiency is often misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia. Depression is a symptom of magnesium deficiency. 80% of the general population is probably magnesium deficient. Virtually all IBD patients (including MC patients) are magnesium deficient. They're also virtually all vitamin D deficient. The medical test most often ordered by physicians for measuring magnesium is such a poor indicator of the actual magnesium level, it's almost useless.
Your main problem is food sensitivities that cause the production of antibodies that regenerate the inflammation with every meal. Food sensitivities are caused by leaky gut. Vitamin D and magnesium treat leaky gut to help heal the damage caused by food sensitivities.
Again, welcome to the forum and please feel free to ask anything.
Tex
And welcome to our Internet family. I'll be brief because I recently had a stoke so I'm very slow at typing.
A chronic magnesium deficiency is often misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia. Depression is a symptom of magnesium deficiency. 80% of the general population is probably magnesium deficient. Virtually all IBD patients (including MC patients) are magnesium deficient. They're also virtually all vitamin D deficient. The medical test most often ordered by physicians for measuring magnesium is such a poor indicator of the actual magnesium level, it's almost useless.
Your main problem is food sensitivities that cause the production of antibodies that regenerate the inflammation with every meal. Food sensitivities are caused by leaky gut. Vitamin D and magnesium treat leaky gut to help heal the damage caused by food sensitivities.
Again, welcome to the forum 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.
Forgot to mention: You won't recover after just 7 days on the diet. Your body didn't become inflamed in just 7 days and it will take much more than 7 days to heal the damage done by 72 years of eating gluten. Most of us require 3 to 6 months on the diet to heal and some take a year or longer, depending on the amount of damage. A few are lucky and their symptoms stop after a few weeks on the diet. Microscopic colitis is a serious disease and it requires serious dedication to control it, but it's doable with hard work and dedication.
But if you've stuck with the diet for a week you're well on your way. You're past the biggest challenge — getting started.
Tex
But if you've stuck with the diet for a week you're well on your way. You're past the biggest challenge — getting started.
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.
My apologies for not replying to the messages from Gabes, Tex and Erica. I really appreciate all the encouragement and information you all have given to me. I have been busy trying to figure out what to eat, etc. I did order your book, Tex and found it to be very informative. I am sure I will refer to it often. It has now been 3 1/2 weeks with gluten free, milk free, and caffeine free. Over the years I developed a taste for whiskey and consumed a fair amount daily. I have not had this in 3 1/2 weeks also. Very proud of myself for accomplishing that. Most days are still about the same. Some days it seems slightly better (not having such urgency and volume). I have only been able to identify 2 items that just absolutely cleaned me out. They were sweet potatoes and vegetable juice. I will not be having those again any time soon. I am eating chicken, fish, beef, pork, potatoes, green beans, GF granola cereal with almond milk, strawberries, bananas, GF crackers and GF bread sandwiches with ham or turkey. I have taken Vitamin D3 for years, but may not be taking enough. I did buy some magnesium pills and am taking those. I still have accidents with some regularity. 
LINDA DAWSON
Linda,
Most magnesium pills can become a laxative with larger doses. I would suggest you don't use more than about 200 or 300 mg of oral magnesium at first. And try to find some chelated magnesium (magnesium glycinate). It's the least likely form to cause diarrhea. But better yet, use magnesium oil or lotion, applied to your arms or legs. You can absorb magnesium through your skin without disturbing your digestive system. Or soak your feet in an Epsom salt bath, or put Epsom salts in your bathwater.
Most of us take an average of 5,000 IU of vitamin D, but you can probably get by with 3,000 if you're concerned about taking more. Vitamin D and magnesium will help the diet to heal your gut. It may take a while to heal your intestines, but you're on your way to recovery.
Tex
Most magnesium pills can become a laxative with larger doses. I would suggest you don't use more than about 200 or 300 mg of oral magnesium at first. And try to find some chelated magnesium (magnesium glycinate). It's the least likely form to cause diarrhea. But better yet, use magnesium oil or lotion, applied to your arms or legs. You can absorb magnesium through your skin without disturbing your digestive system. Or soak your feet in an Epsom salt bath, or put Epsom salts in your bathwater.
Most of us take an average of 5,000 IU of vitamin D, but you can probably get by with 3,000 if you're concerned about taking more. Vitamin D and magnesium will help the diet to heal your gut. It may take a while to heal your intestines, but you're on your way to recovery.
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.
-
Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Linda
well done on your efforts to adjust eating plan etc.. that is a huge milestone in the wellness journey. (especially the whiskey!)
looking at your eating plan my only comment/suggestion - only have small quantities of the GF bread, Granola cereal etc. and ensure you are having good serves of the safe proteins and safe veges etc.
I would also be cautious of the strawberries in this early stage of healing as they are high fibre and high sugar and high lectin. the these items could be contributing to the ongoing urgency/accidents
THe efforts you are doing to come up with your safe eating plan is definitely worth it - it is the foundation of wellness for life. once you know your safe items, any time you feel poorly you can revert back to these safest low inflammation items.
hope this helps
well done on your efforts to adjust eating plan etc.. that is a huge milestone in the wellness journey. (especially the whiskey!)
looking at your eating plan my only comment/suggestion - only have small quantities of the GF bread, Granola cereal etc. and ensure you are having good serves of the safe proteins and safe veges etc.
I would also be cautious of the strawberries in this early stage of healing as they are high fibre and high sugar and high lectin. the these items could be contributing to the ongoing urgency/accidents
THe efforts you are doing to come up with your safe eating plan is definitely worth it - it is the foundation of wellness for life. once you know your safe items, any time you feel poorly you can revert back to these safest low inflammation items.
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 Linda,
If you are still visiting this forum, I'd like to know if you ever correlated any of your symptoms to your breast implants?
I'm learning so much about BII that I'm starting to suspect that my implants are to blame for ALL my inflammation starting in 2007 four years after my implants were put in 2003. I've researched and read up on studies and symptoms of BII and am fairly positive that all my symptoms and diagnoses are due to my implants :-(
I am currently reaching out to my Primary and looking to be referred to having them Explanted. The follow up success stories from other women who have had the exact symptoms as myself including the lymphocytic colitis and ironically many of those here at this forum based on inflammation scenarios, have found major relief after having them completely taken out.
I know the stories here are all different and everyone's inflammation has been stemmed from other types of issues, but for me I strongly feel I have been fighting a toxic battle for the last 12 years and didn't know it.
Our immune system is a beautiful thing and when it talks I hope anyone with issues keeps looking for the reason why it is talking to us. I hope to one day be able to make a post here and I'm able to say that my body is finally in a true healing state instead of a continuous detoxing supplementing state.
If you are still visiting this forum, I'd like to know if you ever correlated any of your symptoms to your breast implants?
I'm learning so much about BII that I'm starting to suspect that my implants are to blame for ALL my inflammation starting in 2007 four years after my implants were put in 2003. I've researched and read up on studies and symptoms of BII and am fairly positive that all my symptoms and diagnoses are due to my implants :-(
I am currently reaching out to my Primary and looking to be referred to having them Explanted. The follow up success stories from other women who have had the exact symptoms as myself including the lymphocytic colitis and ironically many of those here at this forum based on inflammation scenarios, have found major relief after having them completely taken out.
I know the stories here are all different and everyone's inflammation has been stemmed from other types of issues, but for me I strongly feel I have been fighting a toxic battle for the last 12 years and didn't know it.
Our immune system is a beautiful thing and when it talks I hope anyone with issues keeps looking for the reason why it is talking to us. I hope to one day be able to make a post here and I'm able to say that my body is finally in a true healing state instead of a continuous detoxing supplementing state.
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
Hi Erica,Erica P-G wrote:Hi Linda,
If you are still visiting this forum, I'd like to know if you ever correlated any of your symptoms to your breast implants?
I'm learning so much about BII that I'm starting to suspect that my implants are to blame for ALL my inflammation starting in 2007 four years after my implants were put in 2003. I've researched and read up on studies and symptoms of BII and am fairly positive that all my symptoms and diagnoses are due to my implants :-(
I am currently reaching out to my Primary and looking to be referred to having them Explanted. The follow up success stories from other women who have had the exact symptoms as myself including the lymphocytic colitis and ironically many of those here at this forum based on inflammation scenarios, have found major relief after having them completely taken out.
I know the stories here are all different and everyone's inflammation has been stemmed from other types of issues, but for me I strongly feel I have been fighting a toxic battle for the last 12 years and didn't know it.
Our immune system is a beautiful thing and when it talks I hope anyone with issues keeps looking for the reason why it is talking to us. I hope to one day be able to make a post here and I'm able to say that my body is finally in a true healing state instead of a continuous detoxing supplementing state.
I too have wondered if my implants have contributed to my inflammation and GI issues. I have been in remission but decided to explant a year ago in June and can tell you I feel great! I've read so many stories of women suffering and am SO GLAD to have them out of me. Good luck to you.
Hi Cathy,
Thanks for responding, I’ve been able to get to a stable place in all this but I’m hoping I can achieve a bit better health with them out.
I still have ringing in the ears constantly, heat is intolerable, mild stress still sets me off, I only have so much energy to offer it’s never continuous and if I do anything the next day my muscles and joints pay for it. I’m connecting the dots a lot about being in a continuous inflammatory state. Nothing has given me a chunk of time where I felt I don’t have to think about my LC.
I’ve done everything under the sun regarding healing.
I’m so encouraged that you feel good! So far I haven’t read anything where after an explant took place that someone felt worse so even if I can relieve 50% of my symptoms I’ll be happy
Thanks for responding, I’ve been able to get to a stable place in all this but I’m hoping I can achieve a bit better health with them out.
I still have ringing in the ears constantly, heat is intolerable, mild stress still sets me off, I only have so much energy to offer it’s never continuous and if I do anything the next day my muscles and joints pay for it. I’m connecting the dots a lot about being in a continuous inflammatory state. Nothing has given me a chunk of time where I felt I don’t have to think about my LC.
I’ve done everything under the sun regarding healing.
I’m so encouraged that you feel good! So far I haven’t read anything where after an explant took place that someone felt worse so even if I can relieve 50% of my symptoms I’ll be happy
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
Linda,
You might try cutting out the green beans also. I was eating them every meal with my chicken and rice and still wasn't feeling really great. Since they are a legume, they are related to the soy family and when I cut them out, I had a lot more success.
You might try cutting out the green beans also. I was eating them every meal with my chicken and rice and still wasn't feeling really great. Since they are a legume, they are related to the soy family and when I cut them out, I had a lot more success.
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
Re: Help, I am getting desperate!
So I went thru breast cancer 18 years ago with double mastectomy (no implants) and chemo. I developed MC, verified by biopsy, a couple months after completing chemo. My understanding is chemo degrades or impacts the gastro system and I believe it caused my MC. So not sure about implants but consider whether you had chemo and possible impact.