Tentative Success Story

[TM]

It’s approaching a year since I discovered this forum and began following the recommendations you’ve shared here so freely. I can’t thank all of you enough and am so sorry it’s taken me so long!!!

It’s probably too soon to call this an unqualified “success” story, as I realize the next flare might be only a meal away. But I’ve made remarkable progress, especially in the last 2 months. (I was diagnosed with CC in 5/2016 but have experienced intermittent symptoms since at least 2006).

When I received my EnteroLab results at the end of February 2017, my diet was already rather restricted and I doubted whether I could also eliminate fruits, vegetables, nuts, fish and chicken on a long-term basis. However your stories and struggles spurred me on, and since they seemed so much more difficult and challenging than my own, I rationalized that I wouldn’t have to work nearly as hard and it wouldn’t take me as long to get things under “control.” Also, the diet was my last resort before filling the Budesonide Rx.

So with only a few exceptions (which I usually regretted) I ate only turkey, carrots, potatoes and vegan, G/F, coconut macaroons for the first 4+ months and drank black coffee and water. I tried to cut down on coffee, but every type of tea was now also problematic, as was bone broth, since for the most part I ate boneless turkey tenderloins. I slathered coconut oil on baked potatoes, and also roasted the turkey and carrots in it. I stopped all supplements except for oral magnesium/topical mag oil and vitamin D3 which I increased a few times (now 10,000 IU). Early on I added, P5P, re-added zinc, copper and a few other supplements, which I’ve started and stopped several times since, trying to figure out which, if any are the culprits. In September I started Methyl Guard. Improvement has been gradual and intermittent—very intermittent. The setbacks almost always involved, intense abdominal pain and cramping, weight loss, and a recurrence of gurgling and W/D anytime night or day.

After a few months of very gradual improvement, I tried adding small amounts of veggies: asparagus, cauliflower, beets and green beans, and in July HUGE amounts of blueberries, since we had tons this year and I couldn’t resist them. Sometimes these additions seemed fine—and sometimes not, and this variability along with delayed and/or cumulative reactions has been one of the most frustrating aspects of MC.

In May I had only a very minor reaction after eating out. It was a very small, plain meal—no condiments, beverages, etc. But the same meal at the same restaurant a month later, resulted in significant problems which took 3+ weeks to resolve.

My last major flare was on my birthday in late August but this time I think it was a histamine reaction. I was so focused on avoiding soy, egg, gluten and dairy, that I kinda forgot about histamines and had all sorts of HH foods. I was way more congested than usual all night and when I got up, had a burning throat, raucous cough and felt like I was catching a cold. But the cold never really followed—just a lingering raspy cough. This was accompanied by several weeks of the usual MC gut issues. I spent September ”repenting” by going back to basics only. Progress was faster this time and I finally began to gain weight fairly steadily, after hitting a worrisome low of 96 lbs.

This was enough to restore my resolve and I haven’t had any serious episodes since. Every so often there’s a fleeting pain, cramp or subdued gurgle, but these no longer seem to escalate. In May I cut back a bit on potatoes and started snacking on unsweetened coconut flakes. Since coconut seemed unproblematic I kept filling up on more and more and more…plain at first and then with coconut milk, blueberries for awhile and most recently rice chex.

Since late summer I’m back to just 1 BM in the morning (usually) ranging from solid to semi-solid. In late October I resumed eating salmon regularly, and was able to expand my menu to again include more veggies and some rice and rice crackers and (way too many) tortilla chips. I’ll probably ditch the extra carbs soon, but for now they’ve been a real treat.

I’d like to try more fruit, peanut butter—and most of all chocolate (85+%) but am reluctant to get too adventurous, in case this “remission” proves to be very temporary.

So as discouraging as MC can be, I hope you newbies (and veterans too) keep trying to discover your own optimal route to healing and staying well. And I thank everyone for their invaluable help and encouragement.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

With warm regards,

[Maximus74]

Congratulations Teri!!!

It's so encouraging to hear your story. Take the remission for what it is, a blessing. Enjoy it. It might not last forever but you'll always rest assured in the fact that you know it can be managed with perseverance and sacrifice.

[tex]

Good for you, Teri. And thanks for sharing your success story. Success stories are always good reading.

I hope your remission lasts forever.

Tex

[Gabes-Apg]

congratulations!!

love reading these posts...
not just because people are feeling better, but what i get from the tone and wording of your post is that you are in a good mental and emotional place of 'life with MC' good acceptance of the eating plan changes, and some of the limations of life in MC world.

i hope the wellness and improvements keep coming

happy healing

[brandy]

Awesome success story! Thanks for sharing! Your story will help newbies and oldbies alike.

[TM]

Thanks everyone!! I’m continually energized by the encouragement and empathy you offer any of us willing to accept it.