Recently diagnosed, have a question

Laura1986 · Post by **Laura1986** » Fri Mar 09, 2018 2:46 am

Yesterday I was diagnosed with collagenous colitis. I’ve had stomach problems a few years ago after an h pylori infection. I had ongoing heartburn for a while afterwards. In December I noticed more urgency and looser stools after breakfast. Then in January I had a diarrhea attack at the gym, which scared me. My mom has Crohn’s and UC, so I thought it seemed like that. There was no blood but that day I had diarrhea several times. I also noted that I had lactose and caffeine. I had looser stools or diarrhea a few days after that in the morning but then it decreased. I started eliminating lactose and decreasing caffeine. So there could be a week where I only had 1 bowel Movement all week, then the next week looser stool. The days with looser stool or diarrhea I would go maybe 3 times in the morning at the most. I also had lower abdominal cramping mainly on the left. I tried taking Metamucil to bulk the stool and florastor probiotic. Metamucil may have helped but it made me bloated. I had another diarrhea attack on a day I did have some lactose, so I thought I may have a lactose intolerance or IBS. I had a colonoscopy in February. Everything was normal but yesterday he said he noticed the microscopic colitis. He said he was surprised because he doesn’t usually see that in patients in their 30s. His treatment plan was to pay attention to what I eat and notice my triggers. To take pepto bismol pills. The next step would be 5 asa pills and If that didn’t work then steroids, the one that begins with a B. Anyway, this is my question .. I don’t have diarrhea right now. If I go to the bathroom its once or twice after breakfast. It may be looser stool but not diarrhea and it isn’t always even loose. Yesterday I had some cramping, starting at my left hip bone done to my lower abdominal. Sometimes I even have pain on my pelvic bone, I’m not sure if this is a symptom. But I also have my period right now so I don’t know if these may just be period cramps. Should I take the first treatment plan he provided, pepto bismol pills? Or only if I actually have diarrhea? I also bought buscopsn for cramping.

Post by **tex** » Fri Mar 09, 2018 8:04 am

Hi Laura,

Welcome to the group. Initial symptoms can vary for a year or so in some cases, while others have a sudden onset of severe symptoms, but your pattern of symptoms is typical for many of us early on. In most cases, symptoms eventually become persistent and intense (the diarrhea will become constant and intractable), but that doesn't happen to everyone who has CC/LC/MC. All of us are sensitive to gluten, most of us are sensitive to all dairy products (the casein also, not just the lactose), and many of us are also sensitive to soy, eggs, and certain other foods. Each of us has our own pattern of sensitivities.

To answer your question, the Pepto-Bismol treatment is generally as effective as any medication prescribed to treat this disease. It will typically bring remission within about 2 weeks or less, but unless you change your diet to totally avoid (100 %) your food sensitivities, your symptoms will relapse somewhere between a few days to a few weeks after ending the treatment. That's true for any medical treatment, because they treat the symptoms, not the cause of the disease.

The cause of the disease is chronic inflammation caused by food or drug sensitivities. If you cut all of your food and drug sensitivities out of your diet, your inflammation will slowly decline and your intestines will heal, bringing remission. Maintaining a safe diet should maintain remission in the future, unless disrupted by stress or any "new" food or drug sensitivities.

I hope this addresses your concerns. Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.

Tex

Marcia K · Post by **Marcia K** » Sat Mar 10, 2018 8:51 am

Hi, Laura. I had success with the Pepto treatment. My GI recommended 2 tablets/3xday for 8 weeks. I had to reduce to 4/day after a week of so because I became constipated. During the treatment I researched and found this wonderful group and I made major dietary changes as Tex mentioned. I bought his book which is listed in the upper right hand corner of this page which was also a great help to me. Search the forums here and you'll find a lot of great tips to help you on your journey to healing. It will be 5 years for me in September and I have not had to take medication or had a major flare. My life is pretty much normal again as long as I watch what I eat.

vivian · Post by **vivian** » Sat Mar 10, 2018 2:23 pm

Marcia, how encouraging. I am unable to take pepto bismol but I do take immodium and that seems to help me. It is great to know that there might be light at the end of the tunnel. As a new member, I also appreciate all the good info. this site has to offer. Vivian

Marcia K · Post by **Marcia K** » Sat Mar 10, 2018 5:29 pm

Hi, Vivian. This is the best group for advice and support. When I first came here I couldn't imagine being "normal" again but reading the posts of others who had found relief kept me coming back. Hang in there, it will happen for you, too!

jlbattin · Post by **jlbattin** » Mon Mar 12, 2018 6:43 am

I would also agree with Marcia. I came here feeling sorry for myself and thinking my life was over. I read everything I could read on here, changed my diet immediately, and began to heal. I had the Enterolab tests so I would know what to avoid and that was a lifesaver.

I'm just a couple of months short of being diagnosed for 3 years now, and I feel like I have my life back and can do anything I want to do. I've even been able to add many foods back in on a rotating basis, but I still steer clear of gluten, dairy, and soy.

Welcome to our little family and please ask questions. We've all been there.