Good morning!
I am new to the forum, but learned about the MC foundation site several years ago and get the monthly newsletter.
I have been suffereing with uncontrollable symptoms since 2008. Finally went to a Gastro Dr. in 2009 and diagnosed with Lymphositic and Collegenous Colitis. I had negative results on the Celiac blood test, but now see gluten still could be an issue.
I go back to the Gastro Dr. annually - but there is never new news. So I search - and contemplate changing docs.
There are horrid days, and not so horrid days - just never know what I will get for any given day. Thankfully, I am able to work full time but always have a change of clothes and other needed items, "just in case". I know you all understand - and we all live with the eternal "just in case" attitude.
I have not had any type of stool testing done - but will be broaching that subject with Gastro Dr. next visit.
I will admit I have not been the most diligent of patients - because when a treatment makes life MORE miserable, I quit that regimen immediately.
Thank you all - I do enjoy reading through comments, and especially the remissions/success stories - I am learning many things from you all.
Cindy
Hello - new to forum
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Hello - new to forum
Cindy Hartley
Hello Cindy,
Welcome to the group. I would be very surprised if your doctor will recommend a test for food sensitivities that actually produces any accurate and reliable results for you. Virtually all of the "doctor-recommended" blood or stool tests are pretty much worthless for detecting the type of food sensitivities we have as MC patients. We have found that the only tests that will consistently provide accurate and reliable food sensitivity results are the stool tests offered by EnteroLab, in Dallas. And most doctors will not endorse those tests because EnteroLab was one of the first labs to offer direct-to-patient tests, starting way back in the 1990s. So most doctors still hate their guts, since they cut doctors out of the loop. But you may be lucky and find a GI doctor who is actually interested in the best interests of his or her patients. Many Internists, for example, are willing to order the EnteroLab tests.
Usually, if we're only dealing with gastroenterologists, we have to order the tests ourselves (without telling the doctor), online, or by phone. If you call the lab, they can give you the insurance codes, and then you can call your insurance company to see if the tests are covered for reimbursement. Most people here who use the tests to help them get to remission, order the A1 plus the C1 Panels. Below is a direct link to a description of those tests, in case you're interested in learning more about them:
https://www.enterolab.com/StaticPages/T ... #PanelA1C1
Medications only treat the symptoms, so they are only effective on a temporary basis. To get permanent relief (and get our lives back) we have to change our diet so that we avoid all the food sensitivities that the disease has triggered in our case. It takes a while for the diet to heal the gut, but once you experience how much more enjoyable life can be without having to deal with MC every day, you will never choose to go back.
Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.
Tex
Welcome to the group. I would be very surprised if your doctor will recommend a test for food sensitivities that actually produces any accurate and reliable results for you. Virtually all of the "doctor-recommended" blood or stool tests are pretty much worthless for detecting the type of food sensitivities we have as MC patients. We have found that the only tests that will consistently provide accurate and reliable food sensitivity results are the stool tests offered by EnteroLab, in Dallas. And most doctors will not endorse those tests because EnteroLab was one of the first labs to offer direct-to-patient tests, starting way back in the 1990s. So most doctors still hate their guts, since they cut doctors out of the loop. But you may be lucky and find a GI doctor who is actually interested in the best interests of his or her patients. Many Internists, for example, are willing to order the EnteroLab tests.
Usually, if we're only dealing with gastroenterologists, we have to order the tests ourselves (without telling the doctor), online, or by phone. If you call the lab, they can give you the insurance codes, and then you can call your insurance company to see if the tests are covered for reimbursement. Most people here who use the tests to help them get to remission, order the A1 plus the C1 Panels. Below is a direct link to a description of those tests, in case you're interested in learning more about them:
https://www.enterolab.com/StaticPages/T ... #PanelA1C1
Medications only treat the symptoms, so they are only effective on a temporary basis. To get permanent relief (and get our lives back) we have to change our diet so that we avoid all the food sensitivities that the disease has triggered in our case. It takes a while for the diet to heal the gut, but once you experience how much more enjoyable life can be without having to deal with MC every day, you will never choose to go back.
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.
Tex,
Thank you for the info and the link. I had already discovered the Enterolab - and read in someones post here that the A1 & C1 were the way to begin!!
I actually intend to contact the lab Monday to get started. If this will help me find my way through food sensitivity, etc.....it is MORE than worth the $$.
I am so happy to have found you guys - and I look forward to improvement for us all.
Thank you again for your welcome and reply. I look forward to more interaction with the group - and my most favorite have been the success stories which give me hope for a more normal life in several years AFTER healing.
Be safe!
Cindy
Thank you for the info and the link. I had already discovered the Enterolab - and read in someones post here that the A1 & C1 were the way to begin!!
I actually intend to contact the lab Monday to get started. If this will help me find my way through food sensitivity, etc.....it is MORE than worth the $$.
I am so happy to have found you guys - and I look forward to improvement for us all.
Thank you again for your welcome and reply. I look forward to more interaction with the group - and my most favorite have been the success stories which give me hope for a more normal life in several years AFTER healing.
Be safe!
Cindy
Cindy Hartley