Well, here I am again humbly coming before this wonderful forum with questions. I will try to make them concise.
I have been following a Phase 1 diet since February to the best of my ability and am better (usually one D per day that is not WD) but still stomach burning and discomfort and not full remission.
A few weeks ago I tried a combination of a few things that left me a bit worse off (acupuncture, PepZinc, Tums for the burning, probiotics) and was in a mess just before my son's Graduation and a big trip, so I started back on 9mg Budesonide. It may have calmed things down a bit but I don't think it is helping me much and I would like to get back off of it now. I've been on it 2.5 weeks. How should I wean off??
I have been having heart palpitations since March. I have had a CT scan and wore a Holter monitor for a week that did capture the arryhythmias, which the doctor said is a "normal" sinus arryhthmia and some Premature Atrial Contractions, neither of which are harmful. These periods that I feel the palpitations do not feel normal at all! They started about two weeks into the Pepto challenge, which I promptly quit, but the palpitations have continued for many more weeks since. I think that something has to be off in my vitamins/minerals to be causing this but I don't know what. Any thoughts?
I saw my GP today and was teary and depressed after returning from a family trip where I struggled to find things to eat and just felt like I was missing out on sharing in the food that was such a big part of the trip. She gave me a B12 shot to "help me feel better" but did not explain much about this. Am I deficient in B12? I eat plenty of meat. If so, I'm surely deficient in other vitiamins. All B vitamins? Should I try a B vitamin patch? Or multi-vitamin patch? I have recently started taking 200mg magnesium (had previously only been using spray) and it seems to be settling okay in my stomach.
The GP also said that I have sinus congestion, which I did not know that I have. She suggested Flonase, Symbicort (to help with a tight feeling in my chest) and Allegra - does this all seem okay? I'm thinking I might not try the Symbicort. Does this mean I have food histamine issues? Or environmental allergies? I'm very allergic to dogs and cats but I'm not exposed to them often.
I'm so grateful for any thoughts and answers you all can provide. You are all in my thoughts so often and I wish you all well!
Questions
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Re: Questions
Respiratory allergy symptoms are usually due to environmental issues, although in some situations they can be associated with food allergies (but usually not food intolerances). And respiratory symptoms because of food allergies are usually short-lived, not persistent.
The best way we've found to taper a budesonide dose, is to reduce the dose at the first sign of constipation.
Do you have a recent result on your eGFR level? Compromised kidney function can be associated with undertreated hypothyroidism, and reduced eGFR levels are sometimes associated with arrhythmias. The reason I know this, is because it happened to me when my Doctor cut my thyroid medication dose in half. Three weeks after my initial arrhythmia episode, I had a stroke. That might have been a coincidence, but sbout a year and a half later, I had another arrhythmia episode, and so I had to do a lot of research to figure out what had happened to me, because my doctors didn't have a clue. My eGFR was drastically reduced whenever I would have an arrhythmia, otherwise, it was okay.
I finally found the medical research articles that I needed, and figured out my problem. When I showed the research to my GP, he immediately restored my thyroid treatment dose to the original amount, and I've had no other arrhythmias or any other health issues in the 4 or 5 years since then. I'm pretty sure that if your eGFR result is in the normal range (even while you're having an arrhythmia), then this shouldn't apply to you. However, if your eGFR Is reduced (at least whenever you're having an arrhythmia episode), it might be advisable to have your thyroid function checked out. if you don't have hypothyroidism, then this is probably all Irrelevant.
Tex
The best way we've found to taper a budesonide dose, is to reduce the dose at the first sign of constipation.
Do you have a recent result on your eGFR level? Compromised kidney function can be associated with undertreated hypothyroidism, and reduced eGFR levels are sometimes associated with arrhythmias. The reason I know this, is because it happened to me when my Doctor cut my thyroid medication dose in half. Three weeks after my initial arrhythmia episode, I had a stroke. That might have been a coincidence, but sbout a year and a half later, I had another arrhythmia episode, and so I had to do a lot of research to figure out what had happened to me, because my doctors didn't have a clue. My eGFR was drastically reduced whenever I would have an arrhythmia, otherwise, it was okay.
I finally found the medical research articles that I needed, and figured out my problem. When I showed the research to my GP, he immediately restored my thyroid treatment dose to the original amount, and I've had no other arrhythmias or any other health issues in the 4 or 5 years since then. I'm pretty sure that if your eGFR result is in the normal range (even while you're having an arrhythmia), then this shouldn't apply to you. However, if your eGFR Is reduced (at least whenever you're having an arrhythmia episode), it might be advisable to have your thyroid function checked out. if you don't have hypothyroidism, then this is probably all Irrelevant.
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: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Re: Questions
to expand on tex's reply
One topic that has been discussed here is 'methylation cycle'
long story short
the methylation cycle converts inactive forms of B vitamins into active forms. The B12 injection the doctor gave you is probably the inactive form and mainstream tests are inactive form
our bodies need a couple of different active B's for balanced health (for energy, for balanced stomach acid, to balance histamine, to balance hormones, etc etc )
One thing that many people in this group take is 'active forms' of B vitamins. There is Thorne Methyl Guard is a good product
you may not be deficient in B12, but your body may not be converting it into the usable form
The other aspect the doctor didnt cover very well with you is the mental and emotional aspects of living with a condition of something like MC
sadly there is no quick fix for that, I also wonder if the heart palpitations could be anxiety related?
we have some resources in the guidelines to recovery section that may assist
viewtopic.php?t=22350
hope this helps
One topic that has been discussed here is 'methylation cycle'
long story short
the methylation cycle converts inactive forms of B vitamins into active forms. The B12 injection the doctor gave you is probably the inactive form and mainstream tests are inactive form
our bodies need a couple of different active B's for balanced health (for energy, for balanced stomach acid, to balance histamine, to balance hormones, etc etc )
One thing that many people in this group take is 'active forms' of B vitamins. There is Thorne Methyl Guard is a good product
you may not be deficient in B12, but your body may not be converting it into the usable form
The other aspect the doctor didnt cover very well with you is the mental and emotional aspects of living with a condition of something like MC
sadly there is no quick fix for that, I also wonder if the heart palpitations could be anxiety related?
we have some resources in the guidelines to recovery section that may assist
viewtopic.php?t=22350
hope this helps
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: Questions
Thank you Tex and Gabes for your quick and helpful responses!
My eGFR has been low for about five years! I'm 46 years old and I'm told I have the eGFR of someone much older. About a month ago it was 55 with a creatinine of 1.23. I think that's the lowest it's been. Before that it is has regularly been around 60. I saw a nephrologist two years ago and he said it was nothing to be concerned about and is normal for me given that I am fit/muscular/lean. I have no idea if that makes sense. As for hypothyroidism, that would certainly seem to be a fit given my heart arryhthmias and overall low heart rate. When I am resting, my Apple watch often alerts me that my heart rate has dropped below 45 bpm for an extended time. I had a "TSH, ultra-sensitive, serum" test done in March of this year with a result of 2.76 that seemed to be in the normal range. Is there a different test I should have?
Thank you for your thoughts about methylation - it seems the more I read about that topic the more confused I get - it is complicated! Is it okay for me to take the Methyl Guard supplement if I am not certain that I have methylation issues? Seems like it's worth a try?
You are right about anxiety! I weaned off Lexapro after 16 years on it at the end of last year and have been fully without Lexapro since Jan 1, 2023. I was hoping that after six months my emotions would be feeling more level, but they are not. My GP keeps suggesting that I go back on it, but I tell her that doing that would remove all hope of healing my MC. I do certainly know that anxiety can have physical manifestations, but my gut tells me there is something besides anxiety behind the heart arrhythmias. But the crying is anxiety/depression for sure! I'm planning to work in yoga over the summer and maybe getting B vitamins right will help?
I'm not sure I will get to a constipated state with Budesinide this time. I've been taking 9mg for 2.5 weeks and still D. Should I stay the course with it or assume it's not helping much and start to wean off?
You guys are true saints and I am beyond grateful for your many answers to my many questions. Thank you!
My eGFR has been low for about five years! I'm 46 years old and I'm told I have the eGFR of someone much older. About a month ago it was 55 with a creatinine of 1.23. I think that's the lowest it's been. Before that it is has regularly been around 60. I saw a nephrologist two years ago and he said it was nothing to be concerned about and is normal for me given that I am fit/muscular/lean. I have no idea if that makes sense. As for hypothyroidism, that would certainly seem to be a fit given my heart arryhthmias and overall low heart rate. When I am resting, my Apple watch often alerts me that my heart rate has dropped below 45 bpm for an extended time. I had a "TSH, ultra-sensitive, serum" test done in March of this year with a result of 2.76 that seemed to be in the normal range. Is there a different test I should have?
Thank you for your thoughts about methylation - it seems the more I read about that topic the more confused I get - it is complicated! Is it okay for me to take the Methyl Guard supplement if I am not certain that I have methylation issues? Seems like it's worth a try?
You are right about anxiety! I weaned off Lexapro after 16 years on it at the end of last year and have been fully without Lexapro since Jan 1, 2023. I was hoping that after six months my emotions would be feeling more level, but they are not. My GP keeps suggesting that I go back on it, but I tell her that doing that would remove all hope of healing my MC. I do certainly know that anxiety can have physical manifestations, but my gut tells me there is something besides anxiety behind the heart arrhythmias. But the crying is anxiety/depression for sure! I'm planning to work in yoga over the summer and maybe getting B vitamins right will help?
I'm not sure I will get to a constipated state with Budesinide this time. I've been taking 9mg for 2.5 weeks and still D. Should I stay the course with it or assume it's not helping much and start to wean off?
You guys are true saints and I am beyond grateful for your many answers to my many questions. Thank you!
-
Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8332
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Re: Questions
are you taking Vit D and magnesium?
these help reduce inflammation, help the gut heal and also proven to help with anxiety and depression. I would focus on this before the active B's
Regarding still having D with budenside - there are a few reasons
a) budenside is not as effective for you as it once was
b) you are still having contact with a high inflammation trigger or a combo of things (food, environment, stress etc)
c) low in Vit D and magnesium that the body can not calm the inflammation levels
methylation is complicated that is why I tried to give you the simplified explanation. as I said above, for now I would focus on calming the gut
these help reduce inflammation, help the gut heal and also proven to help with anxiety and depression. I would focus on this before the active B's
Regarding still having D with budenside - there are a few reasons
a) budenside is not as effective for you as it once was
b) you are still having contact with a high inflammation trigger or a combo of things (food, environment, stress etc)
c) low in Vit D and magnesium that the body can not calm the inflammation levels
methylation is complicated that is why I tried to give you the simplified explanation. as I said above, for now I would focus on calming the gut
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: Questions
My TSH has always been in the normal range. The reason I take a hypothyroid medication (Armour), because without it, my free T4 is always way below the normal range. I got that prescription from an old country doctor years ago. I doubt that I could get that prescription for Armour from an endocrinologist (especially at my age), because those guys worship the TSH, and they go by the book.
At 55, your eGFR is not that bad. When I had the arrhythmias, my eGFR result was in the 30s. And your Doctor is probably right on target, because eGFR is a calculated result (based on creatinine), and that can change Because the various influences.
Note though, that bradycardia (low heart rate) can be caused by hypothyroidism, and as I've already mentioned, hypothyroidism can cause arrhythmias, and low eGFR.
Tex
At 55, your eGFR is not that bad. When I had the arrhythmias, my eGFR result was in the 30s. And your Doctor is probably right on target, because eGFR is a calculated result (based on creatinine), and that can change Because the various influences.
Note though, that bradycardia (low heart rate) can be caused by hypothyroidism, and as I've already mentioned, hypothyroidism can cause arrhythmias, and low eGFR.
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: Questions
Tex and Gabes,
Thank you both for sharing your thoughts.
Yes, I am taking Vitamin D now and have increased it from 13 to now 70! I've been using a magnesium spray for months and recently starting taking the Doctor's Best Magnesium capsules and they seem to be settling okay. I'm taking 100mg twice per day.
Tex, I have asked my doctor to do a little more digging into T4 and possible hypothyroidism - thank you for that thought - I think it's a good one!
Wishing ya'll all the best!
Thank you both for sharing your thoughts.
Yes, I am taking Vitamin D now and have increased it from 13 to now 70! I've been using a magnesium spray for months and recently starting taking the Doctor's Best Magnesium capsules and they seem to be settling okay. I'm taking 100mg twice per day.
Tex, I have asked my doctor to do a little more digging into T4 and possible hypothyroidism - thank you for that thought - I think it's a good one!
Wishing ya'll all the best!