Hi all, I could use some advice regarding treatment...
I think I'm going to ask my pcp to put me on entocort again since my nausea is so bad I can't really eat much and don't feel like I'm doing my body any favors. When the GI put me on it it helped immediately with the diarrhea and nausea but my blood pressure went up and I was having migraines daily. I was only on it for 8 weeks. I don't want to go back to the GI as he was ridiculously unhelpful. I'm not sure what dosage/frequency I should tell my pcp though. From what I've found in Tex's book, I think I should be on 9mg for maybe two weeks, 6mg for another two or so weeks, then taper down to 3mg for a few months. Does that sound right?
Cathy
Need some advice to give doctor
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Cathy,
That sounds reasonable to me. Normally, when treating relapses, starting with less than 9 mg is unproductive for most people.
And you're correct — it's not good to just let the inflammation continue indefinitely without treatment.
Regarding the symptoms you listed:
Budesonide depletes magnesium. Active MC depletes magnesium. Hypertension is a symptom of magnesium deficiency. Migraines are a symptom of magnesium deficiency. Nausea is a symptom of magnesium deficiency.
I realize that you say you had a normal magnesium test recently. If that was the test that doctors usually order for magnesium (a serum magnesium test), it's useless for most practical purposes. It will always show a result in the normal range (because magnesium is an electrolyte, so it is closely regulated in a narrow range) unless your body is virtually completely our of magnesium, and that's a dangerous condition. If it was an RBC magnesium test and the result was over 6.0, then you do indeed have an adequate magnesium level.
Tex
That sounds reasonable to me. Normally, when treating relapses, starting with less than 9 mg is unproductive for most people.
And you're correct — it's not good to just let the inflammation continue indefinitely without treatment.
Regarding the symptoms you listed:
Budesonide depletes magnesium. Active MC depletes magnesium. Hypertension is a symptom of magnesium deficiency. Migraines are a symptom of magnesium deficiency. Nausea is a symptom of magnesium deficiency.
I realize that you say you had a normal magnesium test recently. If that was the test that doctors usually order for magnesium (a serum magnesium test), it's useless for most practical purposes. It will always show a result in the normal range (because magnesium is an electrolyte, so it is closely regulated in a narrow range) unless your body is virtually completely our of magnesium, and that's a dangerous condition. If it was an RBC magnesium test and the result was over 6.0, then you do indeed have an adequate magnesium level.
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.
Thanks, Tex. I was trying to fix things through diet alone, but if I can't eat or prepare the meat/bone broth I don't think I'm doing any good.
You did tell me about those being the symptoms of magnesium deficiency which is why I had it tested. My pcp didn't know what the skin test for magnesium was. She checked their book of tests/procedures they can order and the serum test was the only one. But nobody said to not take supplements prior to testing. I don't know what the actual number was, but I will find out. I just can't believe I have an appropriate level when I have all these symptoms.
I will go back on the budesonide because I don't think I can do what I need to do to heal with this nausea. If I need to increase my blood pressure meds, then so be it.
Also, I'm taking your book with me to show my pcp.
You did tell me about those being the symptoms of magnesium deficiency which is why I had it tested. My pcp didn't know what the skin test for magnesium was. She checked their book of tests/procedures they can order and the serum test was the only one. But nobody said to not take supplements prior to testing. I don't know what the actual number was, but I will find out. I just can't believe I have an appropriate level when I have all these symptoms.
I will go back on the budesonide because I don't think I can do what I need to do to heal with this nausea. If I need to increase my blood pressure meds, then so be it.
Also, I'm taking your book with me to show my pcp.
Hey, Tex - I'm going to respond to your post on the other thread that I was unintentionally taking over 
(sorry Brandy!)
I have been taking the 2000iu of vitD and the 200mg of magnesium daily. I was afraid to take too much and have excessive amounts.
I also started drinking a small amount of Gatorade each day since the abnormal levels of my test all seemed like they could be due to dehydration.
Not sure what my results will show when I have it done this week as I have been taking the supplements regularly for a week or so.
P.S. Are you enjoying this cooler weather? Finally!
(sorry Brandy!)I have been taking the 2000iu of vitD and the 200mg of magnesium daily. I was afraid to take too much and have excessive amounts.
I also started drinking a small amount of Gatorade each day since the abnormal levels of my test all seemed like they could be due to dehydration.
Not sure what my results will show when I have it done this week as I have been taking the supplements regularly for a week or so.
P.S. Are you enjoying this cooler weather? Finally!
Those amounts of supplements should be OK. If you took that amount of magnesium before the blood draw, that would guarantee at least a normal test result.
Gatorade used to contain a lot of sugar, which wasn't good for MC patients. I'm not sure what they use these days, but it it's any artificial sweetener other than stevia, that would definitely be contraindicated. Just about everyone here reacts to aspartame.
Yes, I'm definitely enjoying the break from all the hot weather.
Tex
Gatorade used to contain a lot of sugar, which wasn't good for MC patients. I'm not sure what they use these days, but it it's any artificial sweetener other than stevia, that would definitely be contraindicated. Just about everyone here reacts to aspartame.
Yes, I'm definitely enjoying the break from all the hot weather.
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.
Ok, this is really weird, but I haven't been having a lot of bms and when I did they were diarrhea. Last night, however, I had a normal bm. I still feel horrible and my stomach is very rumbly, although the nausea doesn't seem as drastic. I am completely confused now. I don't want to go back on budesonide with a normal bm, right?
Cathy
Cathy
Probably not, budesonide will cause constipation if you don't have diarrhea. I agree that something is still out of sorts, though, because your stomach certainly shouldn't be noisy and you shouldn't feel bad. Maybe you're getting close to remission and you're just not quite there. 
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 suppose you could say it's common, because it's certainly not rare. There's usually some sort of transition stage. Some people reach remission virtually overnight and some people reach it gradually.
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 haven't seen a GI Doc in many years. That's why most of us meet here — to compare notes on what works and what doesn't work.
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.
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