My quest to eliminate all inflammation in my body

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Kari
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My quest to eliminate all inflammation in my body

Post by Kari »

I discovered this forum 8+ years ago after living for 10 years with the hope of "spontaneous remission" of my LC diagnosis. I believe I have suffered with GI problems all my life in one form or another. Enterolab testing revealed that I have double celiac genes, and I'm convinced that my mom and a couple of my sisters suffered from undiagnosed MC.

I always thought that my constant WD was due to something I ate, but the Gastroenterologists I saw told me I should be able to eat anything. I didn't believe them, so I kept tweaking my diet, but to no avail, since I never eliminated gluten. Anyhow, when I tested at Enterolab 8 years ago I discovered that I was reactive to gluten, dairy and yeast. When I eliminated these items, I immediately felt better, but was never totally "cured".

Over time, I kept experimenting with my diet, but never got it quite right. However, I felt well enough to lead a productive, relatively healthy life until 1+ years ago when I started having episodes of Aphasia and was diagnosed with Vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels in my brain). This sure made me take notice and start rethinking my GI condition, as I think inflammation anywhere in the body is connected. My last colonoscopy (6 years ago) showed that I no longer had the markers for LC, but I got the new diagnosis of Mastocytic Enterocolitis (histamine related).

Back to today. Because of the Vasculitis I started focusing back on my diet to try and eliminate any inflammation in my intestines. I stopped eating out altogether close to half a year ago. This helped a lot, but I was still not where I wanted to be. My next step was to test for the 11 antigenic foods at Enterolab, thinking that I might be sensitive to beef and fish. Well, imagine my surprise when the results showed that I am sensitive to all grains and white potato :shock: .

This was a difficult result to accept, but I'm determined to get to remission, so I immediately adjusted my diet accordingly. This is now about 4 weeks ago. I can't say it has been easy, but it is amazing how much better I feel. I have been reading up on the Paleo diet as I'm eating pretty much along those lines. Since the test showed no sensitivity to any of the meats, fish or nuts, I have been varying my diet more and cooking delicious meals.

If anyone had told me that I would be able to eliminate all grains from my diet, I would have said no way. I was eating a lot of gluten free bread and tortillas, so rice and corn was a big part of my diet, as was white potatoes.

Bottom line: I'm not sure that this is the final step in my food journey, as we all know that MC keeps hitting back in unexpected ways, but I'm extremely encouraged and believe that remission is close at hand!!! A special thank you goes to Dr. Fine and his lab - I believe in his procedures whole heartedly. If any of you are like me that you can't quite get there, I would encourage you to look into testing to see if anything you are eating regularly causes a reaction.

Wishing radiant health to all of you!!!

Kari

P.S. I can't end this post without thanking you for keeping up this forum Tex. You offer a sense of security and sanity to so many of us. Even though I don't post often, I frequently come on here to read.
"My mouth waters whenever I pass a bakery shop and sniff the aroma of fresh bread, but I am also grateful simply to be alive and sniffing." Dr. Bernstein
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A lot of work ahead of me
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Post by A lot of work ahead of me »

I hope I have your determination and courage after my taper is complete.

Good job in my opinion!

Jeanine
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tex
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Post by tex »

Hi Kari,

Great detective work. You make me proud as punch that you've learned what I consider to be the main point of this forum — and that's to keep searching until we find a solution, just as you're doing. Whether it's the final key to remission from MC, or what's making our car hard to start, the solutions are out there, we just have to find them. We can't always rely on the professionals to find solutions because they're blinded by the fact that they're in business to earn a buck. So they almost always assume that when they hear hoof beats, they're caused by horses, not zebras.

In the medical world, it seems that MC is a zebra, unfortunately. Here's hoping that you've found the final key to your permanent remission.

Love,
Tex
:cowboy:

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.
Kari
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Post by Kari »

Jeanine - Thank you for your note - I'm sure you have the determination to beat this disease - good luck to you :smile: .

Tex - Your post made me smile - thanks for the encouragement.

Love,
Kari
"My mouth waters whenever I pass a bakery shop and sniff the aroma of fresh bread, but I am also grateful simply to be alive and sniffing." Dr. Bernstein
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Erica P-G
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Post by Erica P-G »

I have a feeling I will need to re-do that testing as well to see if I am still reacting to things that I may not be aware of since histamine creeps into my life often. At that point I must be sensitive to something.

I'll give myself another year or two just because I have only passed year 3 in healing and may have a little bit more to go. But once I feel plateaued again I'll follow your path and retest.

I agree with Tex! :grin:

Thanks for reiterating that re-testing can still be a good thing even after a bit of time has passed!
To Succeed you have to Believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a Reality - Anita Roddick
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
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JFR
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Post by JFR »

Kari,

I am so happy that you are finding solutions for yourself. I have found that the rewards of a very curtailed diet far outweigh any downside. I've been eating paleo for years, no grains, no sugars, no artificial anything. I also keep my carbohydrates very low since I am sure that I could have been diagnosed with diabetes years ago if I hadn't changed my diet to low carb. Any temporary pleasure some food might give me is trivial compared to the ongoing benefits of reasonable health. I am no longer a slave to food. It is my medicine. It serves no other function in my life. I no longer eat for entertainment. I wish you similar success.

Jean
Kari
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Post by Kari »

You're welcome Erica - we all have to find our own way through this jungle, but it's nice to know Enterolab is there when we need it.

Jean - As I've said before, you're my role model for healing - I so admire how you have gotten your system under control by educating yourself, and sticking with what works - kudos to you!!! Thank you for your encouragement.

I'm almost afraid to say it, but things are looking up for me and I feel great :grin:.

Love,
Kari
"My mouth waters whenever I pass a bakery shop and sniff the aroma of fresh bread, but I am also grateful simply to be alive and sniffing." Dr. Bernstein
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