My diagnosis was "corrected" and med question

[Over Achiever]

Hi All,

The doctor who did my colonoscopy told my husband and I that I was diagnosed with Collagenous MC. The guy that just did my endoscopy had the records and said it was Lymphocytic. We confirmed it is Lymphocytic - not that it matters too much, I don't think.

I told the GI doc today that the Budesonide isn't helping in any measurable way and that I am now using topical Magnesium products and have been taking a prescription probiotic. Since I've started the mag and better probiotics I'm doing a tiny bit better - but I can tell! He wants me off the Budesonide and he wants me to take Cholestyramine powder. I do not have high cholesterol and have a real hard time even thinking about taking a statin for any reason.

On the upside I don't have any mast cell issues or problems in my small intestine. Just the LMC and gastritis in my stomach. Tomorrow I see one of my functional medicine docs.

A huge THANK YOU to those who guided me on the use of topical magnesium!! I'm thinking if 2 weeks of the mag and good probiotics helped, staying on them may bring more good changes.

:)

[Gabes-Apg]

great news that the magnesium is helping.

of note: cholestryamine is NOT a statin. It is a bile acid reducer. (which in turn reduces cholesterol and reduces diarrhea) many members have used cholestryamine and got good improvements with this.

[Over Achiever]

Thank you Gabes! So, do you think the Cholestyramine or see where the magnesium and probiotics take me?

[Gabes-Apg]

if you were still having urgent and/or multiple WD events per day then yes, cholestryamine may well be a great option.

some people only use the cholestryamine when needed ie travelling or when there is additional stress etc.

Things like cholestryamine do tend to deplete key nutrients like Magnesium and can affect the bodies ability to absorb Vit B12, Vit D3 etc. so If you think the eating plan, magnesium and probiotics are providing benefit then I wouldn't rush into it.

so far as tapering off the budenside, aside from making sure that you taper off at a pace that does not cause major issues, many have benefited from taking anti-histamines during the taper period.
Of note: fixing magnesium and B6 deficiency has resolved life long allergy/histamine issues for me and other members.

hope this helps

there are quite a few discussions about cholestraymine and how other members found it good or not so good - these may help you with the decision
http://perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic ... ht=chol%2A
http://perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic ... ht=chol%2A
http://perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic ... ht=chol%2A

[brandy]

Cholestyramine helped me. The good thing about it is you can use it short term....like 6-8-10 weeks and it is no big deal to discontinue.

[Over Achiever]

Thank you Gabes and Brandy. This is all great information to have and use to make decisions going forward.

I really appreciate the advice so much!

Lisa

[Over Achiever]

Hi Gabes and Brandy - my Functional Medicine doc is also in favor of my using the Cholestyramine. He says it's a good treatment for mold exposure (which I've also had recently). I have used it twice and results are noticeably positive!

Without this group I would still be so lost and scared and so much sicker. Thank you all for sharing your stories and experiences from over the years.

Lisa

[Gabes-Apg]

Yes Cholestryamine is one of the main treatments for mold/biotoxins

here is a previous discussion with links about that very topic
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... t=biotoxin

[Over Achiever]

Good stuff Gabes! Thank you!

Lisa