From D to LC diagnosis five days ago, now C
Moderators: Rosie, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
From D to LC diagnosis five days ago, now C
Hello, I’m new to the forum, and have just been diagnosed with LC. I had bad D for three and a half months, finally saw a gastroenterologist and got the news last Tuesday. My gastroenterologist prescribed the B medicine (can’t think of the name right now, sorry!) , but I’m reluctant to take it because I’m almost certain that my LC was brought on by 18 months of various strong drugs (cortisone, tramadol, muscle relaxants, diclofenac, ibuprofen, paracetamol, Lyrica) prescribed by doctors to treat two very painful issues. A final dose of 600mg of ibuprofen twice a day for two weeks in early September to try to eliminate bursitis in one of my hips (it didn’t!) pushed me into serious D territory! I have a fantastic acupuncturist who has worked on my injuries in the past 18 months who has since started working on my D problem and it seems to work quite well as I’ve not had D for 6 days now. I’ve also been very careful with my diet in the past month, and since my diagnosis I have researched and eliminated massively. I read Wayne’s book the other night and that’s when I decided to not take the B and to treat my LC via diet. My issue at the moment is that I’m pretty constipated. I’ve tended to be constipated for decades, so when the D started back in late June of this year I was almost happy. Of course I grew increasingly concerned when it continued. I had D off and on all summer, then it got insane in September and early October. But now I’m back to being constipated… What do I do? How do I regulate my intestines to avoid going from D to C and back again? Have any of you experienced this? Will it eventually sort itself out if I follow the elimination diet ? What do you suggest? Best wishes, Francesca
Re: From D to LC diagnosis five days ago, now C
Hello Francesca,
Welcome to the group. If you have constipation, you definitely don't want to take budesonide, because it's constipating. Constipation predominant microscopic colitis (MC) is not common, but it happens to some of us, including me. And similar to you, I was mostly constipated most of my life. You're almost surely right about the cause of your MC, ibuprofen is notorious for causing MC.
The constipation might be occurring simply because you still have inflammation occurring. Diarrhea usually doesn't resolve that quickly. It takes a few weeks (or more) for most of us to achieve remission after we adopt the diet. It's also possible that you might still have some cross-contamination in your diet, or you might need to increase your water intake. If the constipation doesn't resolve reasonably soon, you may need to introduce prunes or some other source of fiber into your diet, or take a stool softener, as needed. Unfortunately, in many cases, constipation is more difficult to resolve than diarrhea. It may take a while to find the right balance in your diet. Taking fish oil capsules, or flaxseed oil might help to relieve the constipation, also. It sounds as though you're on the right track though. Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.
Tex
Welcome to the group. If you have constipation, you definitely don't want to take budesonide, because it's constipating. Constipation predominant microscopic colitis (MC) is not common, but it happens to some of us, including me. And similar to you, I was mostly constipated most of my life. You're almost surely right about the cause of your MC, ibuprofen is notorious for causing MC.
The constipation might be occurring simply because you still have inflammation occurring. Diarrhea usually doesn't resolve that quickly. It takes a few weeks (or more) for most of us to achieve remission after we adopt the diet. It's also possible that you might still have some cross-contamination in your diet, or you might need to increase your water intake. If the constipation doesn't resolve reasonably soon, you may need to introduce prunes or some other source of fiber into your diet, or take a stool softener, as needed. Unfortunately, in many cases, constipation is more difficult to resolve than diarrhea. It may take a while to find the right balance in your diet. Taking fish oil capsules, or flaxseed oil might help to relieve the constipation, also. It sounds as though you're on the right track though. 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.
Re: From D to LC diagnosis five days ago, now C
Thank you, I had a BM this morning when I woke up (can’t believe I’m posting this , I mean, seriously 
). I have found a baker who makes fresh buckwheat bread, is that ok early on? With honey? Do I have to stop butter too? I don’t seem to react to it. Obviously no milk, I’m using almond milk and have been for years. Is organic beef ok? It’s not listed in Wayne’s book… I’ve ordered Paleo books, should arrive soon!
Thanks again for your answer.
Best wishes,
Francesca
). I have found a baker who makes fresh buckwheat bread, is that ok early on? With honey? Do I have to stop butter too? I don’t seem to react to it. Obviously no milk, I’m using almond milk and have been for years. Is organic beef ok? It’s not listed in Wayne’s book… I’ve ordered Paleo books, should arrive soon! Thanks again for your answer.
Best wishes,
Francesca
Re: From D to LC diagnosis five days ago, now C
Most commercially processed bread products won't work for us until we are in remission (at least, that's true for most of us), but if he or she understands food sensitivities correctly (which is uncommon), that bread might be safe, assuming that it doesn't contain very many ingredients, and they're all allergen free. The problem with most commercially processed bread products is that they contain waaaaaaaaaaaay too many ingredients, so that most of us react to one or more any of those ingredients, especially before we manage to attain remission.
Butter is loaded with casein, and casein is the main protein in dairy products to which we react. Organic beef should be safe for most of us, but a few of us do react to beef. Personally, I don't develop diarrhea from beef, but I do get bloating, pain between my shoulder blades in my upper back, and a headache, the next day after I eat it. You might be interested in reading a newsletter about the patio diet that was published by the Microscopic Colitis Foundation back in March of this year. You can read or download a copy at the following link:
https://www.microscopiccolitisfoundatio ... 46cea2.pdf
Your body may just need more time to heal — for most of us, digestive system healing is a slow process that takes months. Normally, it takes several years for the cells in the mucosal lining of the intestines to return to normal histology (so that biopsy samples of the lining of your intestine will again appear normal under a microscope).
Tex
Butter is loaded with casein, and casein is the main protein in dairy products to which we react. Organic beef should be safe for most of us, but a few of us do react to beef. Personally, I don't develop diarrhea from beef, but I do get bloating, pain between my shoulder blades in my upper back, and a headache, the next day after I eat it. You might be interested in reading a newsletter about the patio diet that was published by the Microscopic Colitis Foundation back in March of this year. You can read or download a copy at the following link:
https://www.microscopiccolitisfoundatio ... 46cea2.pdf
Your body may just need more time to heal — for most of us, digestive system healing is a slow process that takes months. Normally, it takes several years for the cells in the mucosal lining of the intestines to return to normal histology (so that biopsy samples of the lining of your intestine will again appear normal under a microscope).
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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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8330
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Re: From D to LC diagnosis five days ago, now C
Given your health journey of medications after pain issues I can highly recommend magnesium to help resolve the constipation issues
the medications you have had previously are known to deplete magnesium in the system
spread oral dosages through out the day to minimise the D returning
Topical magnesium is very beneficial.
and TEx's suggestion about increasing water intake is very important
the medications you have had previously are known to deplete magnesium in the system
spread oral dosages through out the day to minimise the D returning
Topical magnesium is very beneficial.
and TEx's suggestion about increasing water intake is very important
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Re: From D to LC diagnosis five days ago, now C
Hi, thanks to both of you for your replies. I’ve dropped butter. The GF buckwheat bread seems to be ok but I’ve been reading a Paleo book and it says absolutely no grain not even buckwheat! What do you think? I made banana pancakes this morning, just with an egg and a banana. I’ll see what happens !!
What I am noticing already from eating meat and potatoes for 5 days along with stewed apple is that not only has my D stopped but also the bursitis in my right hip is barely noticeable any more! Which is pretty impressive considering it’s been really sore for months. Oh, and I I have a magnesium oil spray that I’ve been using.
Paleo says no potatoes… but I suppose for now they are ok since I feel much better. I’m looking forward to adding a vegetable or two over the next week or so.
I’m currently in Spain and where we are there is a lovely organic vegetable garden… What vegetables do you think would be the safest to start with?
I’m so grateful for all this information! Thank you so much for providing it.
Have a wonderful day,
Francesca
What I am noticing already from eating meat and potatoes for 5 days along with stewed apple is that not only has my D stopped but also the bursitis in my right hip is barely noticeable any more! Which is pretty impressive considering it’s been really sore for months. Oh, and I I have a magnesium oil spray that I’ve been using.
Paleo says no potatoes… but I suppose for now they are ok since I feel much better. I’m looking forward to adding a vegetable or two over the next week or so.
I’m currently in Spain and where we are there is a lovely organic vegetable garden… What vegetables do you think would be the safest to start with?
I’m so grateful for all this information! Thank you so much for providing it.
Have a wonderful day,
Francesca
Re: From D to LC diagnosis five days ago, now C
Hi Francesca,
You appear to be doing well. Please note that in order to select a safe diet for microscopic colitis, if you're going to base your diet on the paleo diet, it must be modified, because the patio diet allows foods that we cannot tolerate, and disallows foods that are safe for us. Note that officially, buckwheat is not a grain, but rather a fruit seed that comes from a flowering plant related to rhubarb. But the pyramid-shaped kernels are similar to grains in both their culinary and nutritional characteristics.
From a taxonomy viewpoint, all grains are grasses. Despite its name, buckwheat is not closely related to wheat. It's not a cereal, nor is it even a member of the grass family. Buckwheat is related to sorrel, knotweed, and rhubarb, and is known as a pseudocereal because its seed's culinary use is the same as cereals, because of their high starch content. But just because it's used like a grain, doesn't make it a grain. Pure buckwheat is perfectly safe for virtually all of us. Potatoes are safe for most of us. About two thirds of us are sensitive to chicken eggs.
From the Microscopic Colitis Diet Book, these vegetables are safe for virtually all of us:
•carrots
•squash
•green beans
•Brussels sprouts
•kohlrabi
•rutabagas
•turnips
•parsnips
•sweet potatoes
•yams
•cassava
•broccoli
•cabbage
•cauliflower
But note that broccoli, cabbage, and other crucible vegetables tend to cause the creation of gas, and many of us have problems eliminating gas early on (before we reach remission). As long as they don't create a gas and bloating problem, they're good safe choices. And note that while green beans are safe, mature beans and peas are not, because they're legumes, and anyone who is sensitive to soy is usually sensitive to most legumes.
I hope this helps.
Tex
You appear to be doing well. Please note that in order to select a safe diet for microscopic colitis, if you're going to base your diet on the paleo diet, it must be modified, because the patio diet allows foods that we cannot tolerate, and disallows foods that are safe for us. Note that officially, buckwheat is not a grain, but rather a fruit seed that comes from a flowering plant related to rhubarb. But the pyramid-shaped kernels are similar to grains in both their culinary and nutritional characteristics.
From a taxonomy viewpoint, all grains are grasses. Despite its name, buckwheat is not closely related to wheat. It's not a cereal, nor is it even a member of the grass family. Buckwheat is related to sorrel, knotweed, and rhubarb, and is known as a pseudocereal because its seed's culinary use is the same as cereals, because of their high starch content. But just because it's used like a grain, doesn't make it a grain. Pure buckwheat is perfectly safe for virtually all of us. Potatoes are safe for most of us. About two thirds of us are sensitive to chicken eggs.
From the Microscopic Colitis Diet Book, these vegetables are safe for virtually all of us:
•carrots
•squash
•green beans
•Brussels sprouts
•kohlrabi
•rutabagas
•turnips
•parsnips
•sweet potatoes
•yams
•cassava
•broccoli
•cabbage
•cauliflower
But note that broccoli, cabbage, and other crucible vegetables tend to cause the creation of gas, and many of us have problems eliminating gas early on (before we reach remission). As long as they don't create a gas and bloating problem, they're good safe choices. And note that while green beans are safe, mature beans and peas are not, because they're legumes, and anyone who is sensitive to soy is usually sensitive to most legumes.
I hope this helps.
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.
-
Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8330
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Re: From D to LC diagnosis five days ago, now C
I think part of the reason modern low inflammation eating plans say no grains is not related to the actual grain, moreso it is related to the modern day growing methods and processing techniques of grains.
the grain products in our food chain now are far different to the quality of 30-40 years ago.
they are harder to digest, in some cases have more chemicals, and have lower vital nutrients
the grain products in our food chain now are far different to the quality of 30-40 years ago.
they are harder to digest, in some cases have more chemicals, and have lower vital nutrients
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
Re: From D to LC diagnosis five days ago, now C
Again, thank you so much for your generous, precious feedback. I feel better, although I have dips in energy and get tired. I suppose it’s my body getting used to this new way of eating. Still slightly C… when you talk about a stool softener would magnesium citrate be a possibility? I’m terrified of getting chronic D again by taking something that will mess me up. I’m not sure what to take.
Merci!
Francesca
Merci!
Francesca
Re: From D to LC diagnosis five days ago, now C
It might, but magnesium citrate is more of a laxative in larger doses, I was thinking of something more like a product based on docusate sodium as the active ingredient. But I would use this only if the more natural remedies didn'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.