New here...Diet, supplements, Meds

[jnmast]

Hi to all,
First, I'm so grateful to have found this group, and even after life-long study of food and my body issues, have learned so many new things already. Wayne, the book has been incredibly helpful and I'm inspired by the success and hope I read about here.

I have had life-long 'food-sensitivies' and autoimmune problems, and my first change was back in 1999 when I realized the extreme abdominal pain and bloating was caused by milk products. Going lactose free helped a lot at that point. I quit alcohol in 2005 and then really began noticing extreme symptoms with wheat, so cut out most gluten. My food/ GI issues leveled off for a few years and then I began experiencing increased neurological and skin issues (had slowly began to have more cheese, so cut that out and felt a bit better.) I also resorted to soy free and as well, as that felt like an extreme trigger for bloating and skin issues.
I tended toward a vegetarian diet but was eating seafood/ fish, craving vegetables and gluten free carbs. I made it a point to cut out processed foods and went with whole, fresh / frozen and as organic as possible.
Fast-forward 10 years and I was miserable with ezcema and increased bloating, along with fatigue, overall weight loss and malnutrition.. then FINALLY diagnosed with Celiac. I work in healthcare, so was down on myself for not pinpointing this. At the time, I had no serious GI issues, just the usual gas/ bloating and somewhat constipated if not consuming decent amounts of fiber.... but I had things under control (I now see my 'normal' was not so great.)
After getting very serious about gluten elimination, my skin cleared up but my malabsorption continued (no weight gain) and gut healing seemed slow.
I was seeing a holistic nutritionist who recommended Glutamine, Zinc and a new probiotic (I overdid it with prior kind.) I also began to see a Naturopath and uncovered serious inflammation issues and major genetic tendency for Mast cell issues/ Histamine overload and SIBO. I began supplements to deal with that and felt better immediately with skin issues.
Things were going well by Jan. of this year, I had gained 5 lbs. and had decent energy despite chronic sleep deprivation and being run down. Despite daily wellness regimen (running and/or yoga, meditation, etc.) life caught up to me. My career is loaded with stress and by Feb/ beginning of March I was blind-sided by watery, urgent D (4x per day) and low-energy/ fatigue/ weight loss. EGD showed old ulcers, gastritis and healthy small bowel... and Colonoscopy showed Collagenous Colitis diagnosis in the same work-up.
In looking back, I believe that increased use of Ibuprofen (I rarely take but had more the prior month due to leg injury), stress and chronic leaky gut must have been the cause. I'm also wondering if eggs are a serious problem for me-- I was having 3 whites and one yolk each day for prior 4 years...
My doc prescribed Budesonide and the first experience was initially positive but too quickly tapered, so I'm on round two of a much slower taper. I realize that at this point, it is not worth doing any Enterolab tests.
I'm really trying to remain hopeful.. stools are once per day now and formed with a very limited diet. Steamed veg, rice, boiled/ roasted potatoes, lots of fish, healthy oils and I stay far away from fruit, raw veg and other prior 'no' foods. I do have one small salad per day, which I 'm wondering if I should stop. I also enjoy a small cashew bar (LaraBar) and decent amounts of coconut milk (the cereal kind). I cut out my daily coffee, oatmeal and quinoa and beloved lentils, beans, legumes, etc.. This is all very challenging but worth it to feel better.
Questions center around wariness to taper.
Does this diet seem to much/ full? Should I be reassured with formed stool at this point? (nearing end of 2nd month of 9 mg/ day, soon going down to 6 mg/ day). I assume I 'll soon find out!
I'm interested in the Magnesium discussion.. I take a daily supplement with Calcium-- is it true that we need it for gut healing? I was worried it might cause D as I continue to taper so had thought about cutting back.
My Vitamin D was so difficult to increase, but I finally did get that up to above 40 last year.

Has anyone tried Glutamine for gut healing? My naturopath recommended and it really seems to help. I need to research any negative, long-term effects.
During my last visit to the naturopath, I increased my histamine support and feel that change already-- I am hoping it helps my taper continue well.

This feels like such a crazy-long initial post, but I've been dealing with all of this for so long and am just humbled and inspired by you all. Any suggestions, insight or input greatly appreciated!
Thank you! and blessings to all~
Jacqueline

[tex]

Hello Jacqueline,

Welcome to the group. I'm sorry to hear that you've been having to deal with digestive issues for so long. I hope you can find some helpful information here. Your current diet looks good, except that your digestive system would probably heal better if you held off on the salad until you have been off the budesonide (in stable remission) for a couple of months. The vegetables (with rinds) should be peeled, and the rice should be white, in order to minimize the fiber, while you are recovering. A vegan diet usually contains plenty of magnesium (green, leafy vegetables are good sources), so you may not be deficient. On the other hand, budesonide depletes magnesium. Magnesium glycinate is the least likely oral magnesium supplement to cause diarrhea, but I wouldn't take more than the RDA, while recovering, if you take any oral magnesium.

Stress is a huge predisposing factor for MC, both the initial development of the disease and subsequent relapses. Adopting measures to minimize stress will definitely provide benefits. The jury is still out on whether L-Glutamine is helpful for treating MC. So far, I haven't seen any clear evidence that it helps.

Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.

Tex (Wayne)

[Erica P-G]

Welcome Jaqueline,

You are on a very good road to understanding all the colitis ins and outs. The only thing I can catch is not taking any Magnesium is why you are not increasing VitD levels very well, and also you will not need any calcium due to the magnesium utilizing the calcium in what you eat (I don't take extra calcium because my diet has plenty of it even without dairy and soy)...It wasn't until I started adding at least 400-600mg Magnesium Glycinate to my daily regimen that my Vitd levels went from 43 to 83 in one year I have been very pleased with this.

I tried Glutamine, not sure I saw much of any results from it. What I have seen results with has been Nano Silver Solution and Saccharomyces Boulardii along with my daily other supplements fine tuned over the last two years. The silver (taken since April of this year) has helped immensely with any SIBO I may have been dealing with and I notice I am only needing one antihistamine during the day while it is very hot outside right now. For women it doesn't hurt to investigate Candida Yeast as it seems to creep up on us and make its home all over the interior of our body which skin breakouts are a prime example of this. The silver also tends to this yeast and removes it from the body, while the S. Boulardii puts back natural yeast bacteria.

My top culprits and not in any order would be; Stress, Fiber, Heat, Sugar, Hormones. On any given day if I have issues it is usually one of these that has sparked it. Balancing these has also been a constant chore.

You're doing great! Keep up the investigating

[JAB]

Hi from Canada

Can't remember how many years I have lived on chicken, turkey, wild fish, olive oil and about 6 varieties of veggies... 3 times a day
I want more.
I have eliminated most supplements , slippery elm, probiotic and digestive enzyme. I still take 5000 IU of Vitamin D drops a day (at breakfast), and 2 - Mg Bis-glycinate 80mg capsules a day (both Mg are with supper)
I believe I should be taking a calcium--have osteopinea
Would you have suggestions on brands that are MC safe? and are my dosages suitable? and what about the calcium?
And taking 9mg of entocort per day(all at breakfast)

Thank you so much for all the fabulous info. GREAT forum!!! :)

[Gabes-Apg]

JAB
Welcome to the group.

Calcium will not resolve bone health issues.
Right eating plan, right lifestyle plan, right supps namely Vit D3 and magnesium.

If you use the search function you will find lots of previous discussions on how to reverse osteoporosis issues, and the science supporting the benefits of Vit D3 and magnesium rather than calcium.

Keep reading and keep asking questions
Happy healing.

[JAB]

Will you suggest brands and dosages of Vitamin D and Mg?

[Gabes-Apg]

Jab, info in the guidelines to recovery section.

https://perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=22331