Two completely unrelated issue questions

Kimelizabeth · Post by **Kimelizabeth** » Sat Feb 02, 2019 1:56 pm

Hi Guys,
Up until six weeks ago, i had been in remission for 2 1/2 years so I am back to the basics.

My first question is regarding Pepto Bismol protocol. I went into remission strictly by diet, no meds last time, but GI wants me to try the Pepto, 3 tablets, three times a day for 8 weeks. I'm only going 1-3 times per day but is pure water so I'm concerned about constipation and side effects. I have tried searching for this on the forum but I'm afraid the brain fog is crippling right now...

Second question concerns feeling shaky/jittery/weak. I've noticed that it seems I need to eat every 3 hours or this happens. I don't seem to remember this feeling the first go around. How do you know how many calories you need to consume at every meal? Eating again helps sometimes, sometimes it does not.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
Kim

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sat Feb 02, 2019 2:13 pm

Kim
I cant help on the first question

re the second question - this is related to regulation of blood sugar.
are you taking Magnesium and B6? both of these are key to regulate blood sugars etc

so far as how many calories, this depends, on your routine, lifestyle, other health issues, stress etc...
if you are depleting adrenals or doing exercise this will impact the needs of your body

are you have protein each time you eat??

Marcia K · Post by **Marcia K** » Sat Feb 02, 2019 2:15 pm

Hi, Kim. I did the Pepto treatment at the recommendation of my GI. After a few weeks I became constipated so I cut back on it, probably to four a day. It worked for me and I have not taken any medication (five years ago). I eat every 3 or four hours. I don't know how many calories I consume at each meal. I have a safe protein, sweet potato and steamed vegetable for lunch and dinner. My breakfast is hemp protein in almond milk. I have a mid-morning banana. My afternoon snack varies - rice cake with cashew butter; canadian bacon, Oskri coconut bar. They probably aren't a good choice though for someone who isn't in remission.

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sat Feb 02, 2019 5:27 pm

to expand on my reply above - when I was healing, I had to eat every couple of hours and ensure i had good protein.
now with much more balanced nutrients in my body (like the Magnesium, B6 etc) I can actually do 16-18 hour type fasting some days.
I have high protein meal at 6pm at night, and dont eat again until about 12 noon - 2pm the next day.
I have coconut oil coffee first up and drink water and that is it.
I do a couple of hours of gardening and do not have any shaking/jittery blood sugar issues. I am doing this in the Aussie Summer, and doing physical work like mowing lawns with a hand mower, digging with a shovel.

Post by **tex** » Sat Feb 02, 2019 7:02 pm

Kim,

I agree with the pattern of eating smaller, more frequent meals when we are reacting. I have had the same hypoglycemic symptoms on some days when I ate carbs for a snack without eating any protein. As mentioned above, always include some protein.

A chronic magnesium deficiency can cause low endurance and weakened muscles. Been there, done that. Iron deficiency can also weakness and fatigue.

Regarding the risk of constipation when taking Pepto-Bismol: Sure, that might happen in some cases. It often happens when taking budesonide, too. But if you simply do what Marcia mentioned (reduce the dose), that should eliminate the problem. Published trials for the Pepto treatment show that it is effective in about 85 % of cases, with an average time to remission of about two weeks.

Tex

brandy · Post by **brandy** » Sat Feb 02, 2019 8:00 pm

I've also used the pepto treatment and it worked good.

Kimelizabeth · Post by **Kimelizabeth** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 12:57 pm

Thanks for all the replies.

I think the puzzling thing is I do eat a protein with each meal and usually have rice or potatoes and at dinner add in an overcooked vegetable but perhaps I need to eat more often. I will try that for a few days and keep track of symptoms.

As for the pepto, I guess I'm a little nervous since the MC book states that Dr. Fine had actually quit recommending that protocol due to the slight risk of a toxic buildup of bismuth in the body. And if it works for 85% of all patients why isn't everyone doing that and going into remission? How long would the remission last?

Thanks again guys.

Kim

Post by **tex** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 3:23 pm

Kim,

The risk of a Bismuth buildup only applies to a few people who are unable to eliminate excess amounts of bismuth from their bodies. Most people have no trouble eliminating it. As long as one follows the diet properly, the Pepto treatment brings indefinite remission.

Here's a link to an abstract of the original published study (it shows about a 92 % efficacy rate):

Efficacy of open-label bismuth subsalicylate for the treatment of microscopic colitis

Tex

Kimelizabeth · Post by **Kimelizabeth** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 7:34 pm

Tex
Thank you for the link and since I’m already following the diet protocol it would be nice to get back into remission in 8 weeks instead of several months!

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sun Feb 03, 2019 9:25 pm

Kim
for me, in times of major stress etc I do have small flares, but with diet adjustment and increasing Vit D3 etc they resolve within 3-5 days.

dolson · Post by **dolson** » Sat Feb 16, 2019 12:21 pm

Hi Kim, I took two/three Pepto tabs four times a day per doctor's protocol. When I got up during the night, I would fall. I would lose my balance. I stopped Pepto Bismol and falling during the night ceased. Problem solved. Hope that helps. Too much of anything is not good.

Janie · Post by **Janie** » Sun Feb 17, 2019 11:15 am

I tried the pepto bismal dosage and my ears started ringing. I couldn't complete it but a lot of people have with success. I think my age and other medical problems played a key in why I couldn't complete the dosage. I would give it a try. You can always stop it if you get symptoms you don't like. I would follow Marcia's recommendation of lowering dosage when you get constipated. Be sure to follow the recommended dietary changes from this forum.