Grateful with questions

[LJL547!]

Greetings Friends,
First, thanks to Gabes for advice on dealing with C - I added some fatty meat (bacon, yum!), some well cooked veggies (carrots & beets), a bit of apple, and magnesium spray. Within 2 days, I had some action - not the coveted brown banana, but not WD either. Somewhere in between. Also foot soaks led to more thoughts about slowing down and self care - not my strong suits. But critical to incorporate. I started reading When Things Fall Apart, by Pema Chodron - right on the money for me.

Also thanks to Tex - I had been dizzy for several days, and felt it was due to low blood sugar, as I had been avoiding all forms of sugar. I asked on the Forum about safe forms of sugar, and Tex suggested maple syrup, which I introduced slowly. Within a few hours the dizziness was gone and has not returned. What a relief!

My questions - I continue to lose weight, about 1/2 pound a day. I know my body is struggling to absorb nutrients from my food...but I thought the Budesonide (I am on day 6 of that course) might help stop the weight loss and even help me gain. I also know that if I am losing weight, that means I am putting out more than I am taking in. Today I will slow down - another thing that is hard for me to do. I have been going for a long walk each afternoon, which I love, but maybe its too much. How do other people deal with weight loss? Open to any ideas.

Last question (for today!): what can I do to further support my immune system? I feel sort of weak and susceptible, and am wondering about echinacea for example, or other suggestions for immune support.

Again, thanks to all for this wonderful work, how luck we MC community are to have this web site and Forum!

Best,
Lisa

[tex]

The malabsorption problem associated with MC (due to the chronic inflammation level) causes the weight loss, and that situation is almost impossible to reverse until we get the inflammation under control so that the intestines can begin healing, so that normal digestion can slowly return. The malabsorption problem causes too many of the nutrients in our food to go down the toilet. And unfortunately, intestinal healing is a slow process. The next newsletter published by the Microscopic Colitis Foundation on or about January 1, 2025, will carry a detailed article discussing the weight loss problem.

Your second question is easier to answer. The "fuel" on which our immune system operates is vitamin D, and magnesium is necessary in order to activate the vitamin D so that the immune system can use it. That's why the only supplements that we normally recommend for recovering MC patients is vitamin D and magnesium. The RDAs recommended by the NIH may be adequate for preventing rickets, but they're way too low for optimum immune system health and healing.

Tex

[LJL547!]

Thanks Tex, Got it! I have upped my Magnesium and D3. I will continue to be patient.
Best,
Lisa

[Gabes-Apg]

Lisa
soo chuffed that the suggestions have worked !!
and well done on your choice of Pema books - nice reminder that I should re-listen to my copy


re the weight. weight gain will happen when inflammation reduces. Be patient
with the VitD and magnesium, low inflammation eating, the self care etc things will improve in time

healing takes time. weeks and months.
to heal a broken bone we imobilise it for a few weeks and it can take 6-8 weeks to heal - we can't do that with our gut

[LJL547!]

Thanks Gabes! Today I plan to reduce my Budesonide to 3 MG - I am still constipated even with the gentle nudges toward movement. One question I can't figure out - I know weight loss is related to malabsorption - as long as my intestines are inflamed, I won't be getting the most out of my food. If I was having diarrhea it would make sense to me that I am losing weight. But I am constipated, and eating 4 to 6 small meals per day, yet still losing weight. Where does the food go? Where does the weight go?

Anyway, working on leaning in to the mystery and groundlessness of the process, bringing loving kindness to my tummy, and as always feeling so fortunate to be part of this community that lights the way.

Cheers,
Lisa

[Gabes-Apg]

when gut is inflammed the villi and operation of the gut is impacted regardless of D or C

Also where there is inflammation our immune system is active in that area trying to clear what it believes is an issue.

nutrients are absorbed from the ileum, which is lined with millions of finger like villi.
inflammatory ingredients damage the villi. this is what we are trying to heal when we recommend the low inflammation diet and lifestyle and the Vit D3 and magnesium to help optimise healing