New to this site

[zeb fontaine]

Glad I found this site for MC diagnosed folks. I’m a newbie here and would welcome advice.

I’m male/58. Was diagnosed with MC beginning of 2019. Didn’t dwell on it too much. Just accepted loose stools (one sometimes two movements a day). But all seemed to be on the mild side. I’m fairly active, fit, eat mainly Mediterranean diet, lean meats.

Then in mid-June 2020 I started getting mild ongoing heartburn. Following gastroscopy, they found mild erosion in duodenum (e.g., duodenitis) which my gastro and a dietician suggested could be related to MC because biopsies were negative for celiac and helicobacter pylori. Also, a dose of PPI didn’t seem to cure the duodenitis, and in fact felt like it was making things worse.

Since then, I’ve learned what an MC flare-up could possibly be: gut gurgling, flatulence, more frequent stools that are diarrhea in consistency, and this ongoing duodenal pangs. Am on Lowfod map diet, and this has taken the edge off very little; the symptoms still persist.

I sense underlying food allergies/leaky gut could be contributing to all this. My dietician, after working over my diet, seemed to think I was not intolerant of gluten (more possibly dairy which I’ve basically cut out). But some of the advice on here seems to suggest a gluten-free diet (and possibly soy free) is a way back to mending my gut. Daily bone broth was also suggested by a colleague. I know that mild food allergies run in the family.

Suddenly not being in control of this (for 4 months now) and understanding its chronic nature - how it can lead to other inflammations – has made me very anxious and depressed. I notice if I take a small dose of anti-depressant, the symptoms tend to lessen; there seems to be a link between high anxiety, hypervigilant nerves and this condition— something I am investigating.

I am also already on the thin/lanky side and fear losing any weight; yet there are so many dietary prohibitions suggested here.

Anyway, any more insights most appreciated. Just glad there is an MC community here.

[Erica P-G]

Hi, an welcome Zeb,

If you click on the Potty Person in the upper left of this page it will take you to more information options. The sticky notes will give you more than enough helpful direction to get you started on your healing journey.

There is so much to learn and digest regarding a MC/LC diagnosis so the next step to take would be to order our site administrator Tex’s book which is in the upper right corner of this page. Super useful, gets a person grounded on what to possibly expect moving forward because we all react to this colitis differently.

This is a great community of MC people so ask questions anytime

Cheers
Erica

[tex]

Hi Zeb.

Welcome to the group. Unfortunately, dietitians and nutritionists are not properly trained to understand MC, so it's extremely unlikely that you will find one who is capable of recommending a diet that will actually be beneficial for an MC patient.

You can find food selection guidelines here.

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

Tex

[zeb fontaine]

Thank you for both your replies. This is indeed an informative site. I started on a phase 1 elimination diet (no gluten, lactose, soy or egg...most fruits except very soft ones), and see where this goes. It seems like a VERY LONG journey. Hope I can make it. Has rather depressed me, when I used to have a great diet (and cooked big culinary meals), could eat anything sort of person, and now this. Though it kinda makes sense. I remember back in my 20s having skin test allergies, and even then they noted that I was quite allergic to all sorts of foods, which I ignored, and has quite possibly caught up with me.