3 weeks ago I had a run in with gluten. Thought the grilled chicken at Culvers was gluten free….not so. Woke up at 3:00 am, extremely dizzy, thought I was going to throw-up. Sweated like crazy, got chills. Awful. After a few BMs the next day I felt better, but very tired… Weird thing is that after that episode my stools had been formed.
I stopped eating eggs that week too. So for three weeks I’ve had formed stools. Still cramping a little each day, but stools formed!!!
Two days ago I went to the Gastro, just to know my options for treatment and to get his thoughts...this is a new Doc for me. Told him my story. Told him I didn’t want to do steroids. Surprisingly he was okay about that. Granted I don't have it has bad as some of you do all, and my heart seriously goes out to you.
For what it's worth, he said when there’s a flare I should use Imodium instead of Pepto. Said I could take Imodium everyday without side affects….sounds a little too good to be true, but hopeful. I asked if my CC would get worse and he said that it typically doesn’t. This true with you all?
He did not believe me one bit that hormones were a player. I beg to differ!! Hormones are definitely a player with me. I could tell he didn’t think my diet made a difference but IT DOES! I showed him my stool test from EnteroLabs and he was like…whatever…
However, funny thing was is that he said to keep on doing what I was doing and to use Imodium when needed.
I must be doing something right. Just wanted to know more about the possible hormone connection.
Good news is that I gained 5#’s since October. :)
Today, unfortunately, my stools are loose again (mid cycle). Had a good run. Gave me hope.
If you have thoughts, would love to hear them.
What the Gastro said
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Hi DD,
You seem to understand MC better than your GI doc. You are correct — this disease is strongly affected by hormones.
Imodium is a safe drug, and yes, it is useful for slowing down motility, but it doesn't reduce the inflammation — Pepto does. One of it's side effect risks for some people is tinnitus. That may be why your gastroenterologist didn't like Pepto.
The path to healing is not without occasional setbacks so maybe this is just one of those minor setbacks and you will be back on track soon. Or it might be some source of cross-contamination sneaking into your diet. Double check the labels on any processed foods or supplements.
Tex
You seem to understand MC better than your GI doc. You are correct — this disease is strongly affected by hormones.
Imodium is a safe drug, and yes, it is useful for slowing down motility, but it doesn't reduce the inflammation — Pepto does. One of it's side effect risks for some people is tinnitus. That may be why your gastroenterologist didn't like Pepto.
The path to healing is not without occasional setbacks so maybe this is just one of those minor setbacks and you will be back on track soon. Or it might be some source of cross-contamination sneaking into your diet. Double check the labels on any processed foods or supplements.
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.