One more question today...
I'm wondering if I can ever expect my stools to look normal again? I realize I haven't been at this long...I've only been on a really strict diet (SCD) for about 2 weeks now. My stomach pains and nausea are mostly gone, but still have "puffy poo". Only one bm/day, but that's been my typical for the past 6 months. I've only been going once a day, but before dietary changes, I had terrible cramping and nausea, which the diet has helped with tremendously. I'm wondering, given enough time for gut to heal, if I can ever expect my stools to be normal again, and if so, are we talking months from now...years from now...never? I'm sure it's different for everyone, but I'm just wondering what others have experienced.
(My big problem now is the terrible brain fog that won't go away. Uugh!)
Thanks,
~Louise
Will stools ever be "normal" again?
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It may take a little time, but if you had "normal" stools before MC, then you should have "normal" stools after you reach remission, long before you finish healing. The brain fog will stick around a lot longer, as a rule.
Tex
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.
I saw on the other thread you are taking the Thorne Methylguard. Don't give up on it. I fully credit it with getting rid of the brain fog. It was about 10-12 weeks after I started taking the Methylguard that I woke up one day and my brain fog was TOTALLY GONE. It was like night and day. I'd had brain fog for about 16 months before that.
I think the fog clearing is also a function of the gut healing. As the gut heals we can upload more nutrition into our brain.
Also--make sure you are getting some fats in your diet but be careful as fat can cause "D".
I have normal ish stool. It took me 24 months to get there. I was age 50 at the time. Younger folks will heal faster.
I think the fog clearing is also a function of the gut healing. As the gut heals we can upload more nutrition into our brain.
Also--make sure you are getting some fats in your diet but be careful as fat can cause "D".
I have normal ish stool. It took me 24 months to get there. I was age 50 at the time. Younger folks will heal faster.
My stools are normal. I am four years post-diagnosis and I don't remember how long it took me to get there. I don't recall having puffy poos. Hang in there, it will come if you stick with the diet, magnesium & D3.
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
Grammy,
You seem to be adopting the food regimen. Those who adopt GF DF sooner heal sooner. Those who balk/delay diet changes take much longer to heal.
One of the saddest things on the forum is we have folks who find us, look around, decide diet changes are not for them. About 4-5 years later after they've tried every drug on the planet to no avail they make a post and start diet changes.
You seem to be adopting the food regimen. Those who adopt GF DF sooner heal sooner. Those who balk/delay diet changes take much longer to heal.
One of the saddest things on the forum is we have folks who find us, look around, decide diet changes are not for them. About 4-5 years later after they've tried every drug on the planet to no avail they make a post and start diet changes.
Hi Brandy. I am totally IN for the diet change. I am really paranoid about taking any kind of drugs. I will be 60 in a few months, and so far am not on any prescription meds and would love to keep it that way! I was really nervous about taking the budesonide that my GI prescribed a couple months ago. I did take it for the 6 weeks, and it really didn't have any effect on me, good or bad. At the time I wasn't feeling bad, just had the puffy poo so I just went on my merry way. then a couple months later everything went down hill, so now I am committed to the diet.
You mentioned that you think the Methylguard really helped you. Did you take it 3 times/ day? I am even really paranoid about taking all these supplements. Did you take magnesium also? I bought the Kirkman magnesium bisglycinate chelate. The first day I only took 1 magnesium. Yesterday and today I took morning and evening, and so far haven't reacted. But it still makes me nervous!
~Louise
You mentioned that you think the Methylguard really helped you. Did you take it 3 times/ day? I am even really paranoid about taking all these supplements. Did you take magnesium also? I bought the Kirkman magnesium bisglycinate chelate. The first day I only took 1 magnesium. Yesterday and today I took morning and evening, and so far haven't reacted. But it still makes me nervous!
~Louise
1 per day. One per day is the equivalent of prescription Metanx B vitamins dose that we talk about on the forum. The higher doses would be for extreme diabetic neuropathy cases.
When we are healing less is more when it comes to supplements.
Be prepared for it to take some time to kick in but it really really helped me with brain function.
When we are healing less is more when it comes to supplements.
Be prepared for it to take some time to kick in but it really really helped me with brain function.
What exactly is remission?
Hi all, I was diagnosed with Collagenous Colitis back in June 2017, had symptoms for 2 years but not severe, gastro thought it was IBS. Finally got a colonoscopy...MC. Long story short, I'm trying to heal my gut without steroids...there are reasons. I did complete the Pepto Bismol treatment in Sept./Oct. and it helped. Since then I've had on and off D and cramping. Not a lot of it, like 2/day. It seems to get worse with my menstrual cycle. If fact, I think my hormones are playing a big role in this whole aliment.
Anyway, I got Entero labs done in August and have adjusted my diet due to my results. Gluten is a big NO for me. Eliminate daily. Eliminated oats. Extremely careful about soy. Eggs are hard to do...but I'm only eating them in GF baked goods or products.
My hair is thinning too, not sure if that's related or if its the stress of this "new" way of life. I'm having a hard time accepting this.
Have two questions:
1- When is it okay to do the Pepto treatment again if at all?
2- What exactly is remission? How do I know if I'm making progress?
Thanks for your feedback.
Anyway, I got Entero labs done in August and have adjusted my diet due to my results. Gluten is a big NO for me. Eliminate daily. Eliminated oats. Extremely careful about soy. Eggs are hard to do...but I'm only eating them in GF baked goods or products.
My hair is thinning too, not sure if that's related or if its the stress of this "new" way of life. I'm having a hard time accepting this.
Have two questions:
1- When is it okay to do the Pepto treatment again if at all?
2- What exactly is remission? How do I know if I'm making progress?
Thanks for your feedback.
Hi DD,
Yes, certain hormones definitely affect MC, and probably vice versa.
You can safely eat duck eggs, or any other type other than chicken. You can find them at Farmers Markets and a few Supermarkets.
Hair thinning is a common complaint, so it may be associated with the vitamin and mineral deficiencies associated with MC, but it's often associated with the use of certain medications, especially some of the anti-inflammatory medications such as Asacol.
Most people can do the Pepto treatment whenever they want. The only ones who can't safely do that are those who are unable to eliminate the bismuth subsalicylate and it continues to build up in their body.
Remission has a different definition for almost everyone. Ideally, it's when you're back to whatever you consider "nornal", based on your situation prior to the advent of MC, but it can be vastly different from that.
You're making progress when you feel better, and you have fewer symptoms than you did a month ago.
I hope this helps.
Tex
Yes, certain hormones definitely affect MC, and probably vice versa.
You can safely eat duck eggs, or any other type other than chicken. You can find them at Farmers Markets and a few Supermarkets.
Hair thinning is a common complaint, so it may be associated with the vitamin and mineral deficiencies associated with MC, but it's often associated with the use of certain medications, especially some of the anti-inflammatory medications such as Asacol.
Most people can do the Pepto treatment whenever they want. The only ones who can't safely do that are those who are unable to eliminate the bismuth subsalicylate and it continues to build up in their body.
Remission has a different definition for almost everyone. Ideally, it's when you're back to whatever you consider "nornal", based on your situation prior to the advent of MC, but it can be vastly different from that.
You're making progress when you feel better, and you have fewer symptoms than you did a month ago.
I hope this helps.
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.
Vitamin recommendation?
Thanks Tex. Yes it does help. Can you recommend a vitamin or the vitamins we need? Right now I'm taking B12, 4000 mg D3, Garden of Life Raw One for Women.
About half the population has methylation issues, so some members take the active forms of vitamins B-12, B-9, and B-6. This is found in the prescription-only medication known as Metanx, which is prescribed to treat peripheral neuropathy, but most users choose an OTC version from Thorne Laboratories known as Methyl-Guard or Methyl-Guard Plus (which is twice is strong).
Other than that, most MC patients are magnesium deficient, so many members take a magnesium supplement. Most take Doctor's Best chelated magnesium (magnesium glycinate).
Tex
Other than that, most MC patients are magnesium deficient, so many members take a magnesium supplement. Most take Doctor's Best chelated magnesium (magnesium glycinate).
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.
You're very welcome. I forgot to mention, the Methyl-Guard Plus is equivalent to Metanx, and much cheaper, but still somewhat expensive. It will resolve the brain fog that so often accompanies MC for some patients. I suppose regular Methyl -Guard will also, but it's half as potent.
Tex
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.