Hi everyone,
I am pregnancy (about 37 weeks now) and my doctor knows I have microscopic lymphocytic colitis. However, he keeps referring to my MLC as just "colitis" which is way different than UC or Crohn's as we all know. I was always wondering if he was realizing the difference or not...
My MLC has not made me lose weight, put me in the hospital for pain, caused me to lose blood, etc. My baby is right on target for height and weight. I even had my vitamin B tested (as my primary was SURE I had deficiency d/t MLC and being vegetarian and vegan) and I was right in the middle of the normal range. I've had MLC for 9 years and it hasn't gotten worse or better.
During the pregnancy, especially in the 3rd trimester, it's about the same. If anything has changed, its the amount of times I go to the bathroom. Instead of 3 times a day, sometimes its just 1.
My doctor at 36 weeks though wanted to "schedule a day in the OR just in case" because he doesn't want me going past 40 weeks with "colitis". He says it can really exacerbate the disease. Despite all the searching I do online, and my husband who is an MD and looking too, we can't find any guidelines to support this.
However, we could be wrong. I wanted to come here and see have any other pregnant women with MC or MLC been told the same thing?
Is it irresponsible of me to refuse a scheduled c-section at 39 weeks and undergo the risk of increasing the symptoms of my MLC?
MLC and pregnancy
Moderators: Rosie, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hi,
I hope that someone here who has completed one or more pregnancies with LC will notice your post and respond, but in the meantime my thoughts are that pregnancy brings one of 2 responses from MC. About half of subjects see a dramatic improvement (relief) in their symptoms, while the other half see worsening symptoms. If my memory is on target, this change typically takes place during the first trimester when the diamine oxidase enzyme level increases by roughly 500 % or so.
This suggests (my opinion, not proven medical fact) that symptom improvement in such cases may be due to improved control of histamine levels as a result of the additional DAO enzyme availability. In such cases, mast cell activation disorder (MCAD) may be contributing to symptoms (prior to pregnancy).
I don't recall any member who opted for a C-section or even considered one.
I hope that this is helpful.
Tex
I hope that someone here who has completed one or more pregnancies with LC will notice your post and respond, but in the meantime my thoughts are that pregnancy brings one of 2 responses from MC. About half of subjects see a dramatic improvement (relief) in their symptoms, while the other half see worsening symptoms. If my memory is on target, this change typically takes place during the first trimester when the diamine oxidase enzyme level increases by roughly 500 % or so.
This suggests (my opinion, not proven medical fact) that symptom improvement in such cases may be due to improved control of histamine levels as a result of the additional DAO enzyme availability. In such cases, mast cell activation disorder (MCAD) may be contributing to symptoms (prior to pregnancy).
I don't recall any member who opted for a C-section or even considered one.
I hope that this is helpful.
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.
Hi, if you are on Facebook there is a closed group "Living with Lymphocytic Colitis." Someone on there might be able to answer your question.
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
Pregnancy and mc
I recently had a baby (6 months) and I had no issues during pregnancy or delivery. It seemed to abate a little while I was pregnant but the lack of sleep after birth really exacerbated my MC. I’m hoping a diet change will help but the increase in cortisol from not getting enough sleep completely put me over the edge and I’m back to where I was 5 years ago. I’m a little concerned about nursing and diet change but I’m staying on the prenatal vitamins hoping that will help. I can’t find anything online about breastfeeding and MC.
Hi,
Welcome to the group. Kudos to you for recognizing that you probably need to take certain vitamin and mineral supplements because of the MC. MC depletes many nutrients, some of which are obviously more important than others. First and foremost, make sure that you keep your vitamin D level well above the sufficiency level (30ng/mL or better) because almost everyone who develops MC is vitamin D deficient. The immune system uses lots of vitamin D when it's fighting the inflammation that causes MC. The disease also depletes magnesium, and most MC patients are magnesium deficient. Vitamin D and magnesium are very important for the health of your and your baby's immune systems and your healing ability. In my opinion, vitamin D and magnesium deficiency are the cause of virtually all autoimmune diseases.
MC depletes the "B" vitamins, so eventually you may need to supplement vitamin B-12, but the liver can store up to a 5-year supply, so supplementing B-12 may not be urgent for several years, unless you have been reacting for years or you are or have been following a vegetarian or vegan diet. You are already probably taking a vitamin B-9 (folic acid) supplement because of the usual medical recommendations concerning folic acid. But post-partum, that's not as urgent.
Other than vitamin D and magnesium, most other vitamins and mineral supplements can wait until after you are in remission unless you happen to know that you are deficient in certain vitamins or minerals. The fewer non-vital vitamin and mineral supplements we take during recovery, the faster we usually recover. The magnesium should preferably be in the form of chelated magnesium (magnesium glycinate) or magnesium citrate. Too much magnesium can become a laxative, especially forms such as magnesium oxide or magnesium citrate. Magnesium glycinate is the least likely form to cause diarrhea when taken in moderate doses. The RDA for magnesium is 320 mg for women, but taking slightly more might be a good idea because of the malabsorption issue. You can also use transdermal (topically-applied) magnesium. Magnesium oils or lotions seem to work well, as do Epsom sale foot soaks, or adding Epsom salt to the bathwater.
If you wish to check your blood level of vitamin D before supplementing, it's a simple, accurate test. The serum test that doctors always use for magnesium, on the other hand, is pretty much worthless, since only about 1 or 2 % of the body's magnesium is in blood serum, and the body automatically regulates that to make sure that it is in the "normal" range. Your body's cells can be starving for magnesium and the serum test will still show "normal" results.
I hope this helps. Again welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.
Tex
Welcome to the group. Kudos to you for recognizing that you probably need to take certain vitamin and mineral supplements because of the MC. MC depletes many nutrients, some of which are obviously more important than others. First and foremost, make sure that you keep your vitamin D level well above the sufficiency level (30ng/mL or better) because almost everyone who develops MC is vitamin D deficient. The immune system uses lots of vitamin D when it's fighting the inflammation that causes MC. The disease also depletes magnesium, and most MC patients are magnesium deficient. Vitamin D and magnesium are very important for the health of your and your baby's immune systems and your healing ability. In my opinion, vitamin D and magnesium deficiency are the cause of virtually all autoimmune diseases.
MC depletes the "B" vitamins, so eventually you may need to supplement vitamin B-12, but the liver can store up to a 5-year supply, so supplementing B-12 may not be urgent for several years, unless you have been reacting for years or you are or have been following a vegetarian or vegan diet. You are already probably taking a vitamin B-9 (folic acid) supplement because of the usual medical recommendations concerning folic acid. But post-partum, that's not as urgent.
Other than vitamin D and magnesium, most other vitamins and mineral supplements can wait until after you are in remission unless you happen to know that you are deficient in certain vitamins or minerals. The fewer non-vital vitamin and mineral supplements we take during recovery, the faster we usually recover. The magnesium should preferably be in the form of chelated magnesium (magnesium glycinate) or magnesium citrate. Too much magnesium can become a laxative, especially forms such as magnesium oxide or magnesium citrate. Magnesium glycinate is the least likely form to cause diarrhea when taken in moderate doses. The RDA for magnesium is 320 mg for women, but taking slightly more might be a good idea because of the malabsorption issue. You can also use transdermal (topically-applied) magnesium. Magnesium oils or lotions seem to work well, as do Epsom sale foot soaks, or adding Epsom salt to the bathwater.
If you wish to check your blood level of vitamin D before supplementing, it's a simple, accurate test. The serum test that doctors always use for magnesium, on the other hand, is pretty much worthless, since only about 1 or 2 % of the body's magnesium is in blood serum, and the body automatically regulates that to make sure that it is in the "normal" range. Your body's cells can be starving for magnesium and the serum test will still show "normal" results.
I hope this helps. Again welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.
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.
Thank you so much. I am going to the doctor today so I will ask about a vitamin D test. When I first discovered that I had MC, my B12 and vit d levels were so low that I was constantly dizzy and almost fainting. I had to get the shots. That was about 5 years ago and I had completely forgotten that. Also, no one had ever told me about magnesium so I will get some of that, too. Thank you again. I cannot tell you how much this community means to me. I finally feel some hope.