Hi everyone,
I've been reading that caffeine can contribute to MC, but I am so exhausted much of the time that I can't imagine not making it through the day without it. Coffee often makes me jittery, so I've been drinking sugar-free Red Bull. Today I had to teach all day, and I had to drink two cans of the stuff to keep myself awake. I'm absolutely useless to my students if I don't drink caffeine, to the point that pinching myself or clenching my muscles does nothing to keep my eyes from closing. So, it's either caffeine, or it's sleep all the time. And I certainly don't have time to sleep as often as I'm tired. What do the rest of you do?
Thanks,
Beth
Caffeine
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
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harvest_table
- Rockhopper Penguin
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Hi Beth,
I'm into green and black teas in the mornings, instead of coffee.
I'm into green and black teas in the mornings, instead of coffee.
THE GLUTEN FILES
http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com/
http://jccglutenfree.googlepages.com/
Hi Beth,
Well, you're quite correct about the fatigue and sleepiness during an active episode of MC. I can remember when I was actively reacting, and driving a truck - I would often have to pull over and either take a quick nap, or get a coke and keep going, depending on how sick I felt, otherwise.
The reason why caffeine is contraindicated for MC, is because it's classified as a secretagogue, which means that it promotes secretions. Since colonic absorption is decreased in all patients with MC, and small bowel secretion has been noted in some patients, (secretory diarrhea), most doctors recommend that dietary secretagogues should be removed from the diet. This also applies to lactose, for the same reason.
Apart from idealogical academic and medical theories, however, I personally feel the same way that you do. When I was reacting, I relied on the caffeine to help me function at work, and, to be honest, I tested myself numerous times, and I never could tell that the caffeine made my D, or any other symptoms, any worse. After all, it's pretty tough to screw up a train wreck, if you know what I mean.
Like many medical recommendations, I suspect that this does indeed have some small physical effect, but it may not be significant for all people, in the real world. It's kind of like the advice that the E R doctor gave me a few years ago, when he splinted a broken arm for me. "It will take longer for it to heal, if you don't stop smoking those cigars." I'm sure he was right, but since my arm healed sooner than the time that was predicted, it probably only took about 10 minutes or so longer for it to heal, than would have been the case if I had not smoked any cigars. IOW, an insignificant amount of time, in terms of percentages.
Be aware that many sugar-free drinks cause serious diarrhea problems for some of us - especially those with aspertame. Sorbitol, and most other artificial sweetners can cause problems for many of us, not just in drinks, but in all foods.
When we are having a flare, sugar of any kind can cause problems, but artificial sweeteners are usually worse, and artificial sweeteners affect many of us, even if we are not otherwise flaring.
Tex
Well, you're quite correct about the fatigue and sleepiness during an active episode of MC. I can remember when I was actively reacting, and driving a truck - I would often have to pull over and either take a quick nap, or get a coke and keep going, depending on how sick I felt, otherwise.
The reason why caffeine is contraindicated for MC, is because it's classified as a secretagogue, which means that it promotes secretions. Since colonic absorption is decreased in all patients with MC, and small bowel secretion has been noted in some patients, (secretory diarrhea), most doctors recommend that dietary secretagogues should be removed from the diet. This also applies to lactose, for the same reason.
Apart from idealogical academic and medical theories, however, I personally feel the same way that you do. When I was reacting, I relied on the caffeine to help me function at work, and, to be honest, I tested myself numerous times, and I never could tell that the caffeine made my D, or any other symptoms, any worse. After all, it's pretty tough to screw up a train wreck, if you know what I mean.
Like many medical recommendations, I suspect that this does indeed have some small physical effect, but it may not be significant for all people, in the real world. It's kind of like the advice that the E R doctor gave me a few years ago, when he splinted a broken arm for me. "It will take longer for it to heal, if you don't stop smoking those cigars." I'm sure he was right, but since my arm healed sooner than the time that was predicted, it probably only took about 10 minutes or so longer for it to heal, than would have been the case if I had not smoked any cigars. IOW, an insignificant amount of time, in terms of percentages.
Be aware that many sugar-free drinks cause serious diarrhea problems for some of us - especially those with aspertame. Sorbitol, and most other artificial sweetners can cause problems for many of us, not just in drinks, but in all foods.
When we are having a flare, sugar of any kind can cause problems, but artificial sweeteners are usually worse, and artificial sweeteners affect many of us, even if we are not otherwise flaring.
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.
Hi Tex and Beth and Joanna,
WOW! I can't think of anything to add to Tex' discussion. So I'll just tell you about my personal experience.
When first diagnosed with MC, I decided to switch from hi-test to decaf. I love my morning coffee - it is a necessity. I abruptly switched one day to decaf and had withdrawal symptoms - severe pains (especially in the thighs and hips) every night while sleeping. The pain had me in tears - and it was impossible to get any sleep, although I was extremely fatigued.
I mentioned this on the board and Sally confirmed the withdrawal problem. She suggested that the switch be done like this: 3/4 real coffee and 1/4 decaf for a few days, then half and half, then 3/4 decaf and 1/4 real. This did get rid of the caffeine withdrawal symptoms.
However, I have been back on real coffee for some time now. In my case, I really don't think the caffeine ever had a major impact on the MC (by the way, I have LC too).
Love,
Polly
WOW! I can't think of anything to add to Tex' discussion. So I'll just tell you about my personal experience.
When first diagnosed with MC, I decided to switch from hi-test to decaf. I love my morning coffee - it is a necessity. I abruptly switched one day to decaf and had withdrawal symptoms - severe pains (especially in the thighs and hips) every night while sleeping. The pain had me in tears - and it was impossible to get any sleep, although I was extremely fatigued.
I mentioned this on the board and Sally confirmed the withdrawal problem. She suggested that the switch be done like this: 3/4 real coffee and 1/4 decaf for a few days, then half and half, then 3/4 decaf and 1/4 real. This did get rid of the caffeine withdrawal symptoms.
However, I have been back on real coffee for some time now. In my case, I really don't think the caffeine ever had a major impact on the MC (by the way, I have LC too).
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Hi Beth,
It's rough being in that position. I also had problems with being so tired that I literally couldn't keep my eyes open. I do drink caffine and don't know what I would do without it. I depend on numerous cups of coffee a day to help with the energy - nervous energy or not, it helps me.
I also found that taking B-12 SL helped after a few days. I don't know if you are taking it or if you have tried it but it did help me somewhat.
There have been previous conversations on B12 on this site. Here are a few. I included some of these because they made you aware of some others having reactions to them due to various MI's. Carbs and peanut butter were listed to help with the tiredness also.
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... hlight=b12
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... hlight=b12
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... hlight=b12
You can use the search function located at the top of the page to search for other conversations we have had regarding being tired and using vitanmins and other solutions.
I hope you start feeling better - SOON!
Mars
It's rough being in that position. I also had problems with being so tired that I literally couldn't keep my eyes open. I do drink caffine and don't know what I would do without it. I depend on numerous cups of coffee a day to help with the energy - nervous energy or not, it helps me.
I also found that taking B-12 SL helped after a few days. I don't know if you are taking it or if you have tried it but it did help me somewhat.
There have been previous conversations on B12 on this site. Here are a few. I included some of these because they made you aware of some others having reactions to them due to various MI's. Carbs and peanut butter were listed to help with the tiredness also.
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... hlight=b12
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... hlight=b12
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewt ... hlight=b12
You can use the search function located at the top of the page to search for other conversations we have had regarding being tired and using vitanmins and other solutions.
I hope you start feeling better - SOON!
Mars
"Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful." -- Buddha
Beth,
Thank you for the compliments, but what little knowledge I have, I mostly gained right here. As Polly and Mars have just demonstrated, we learn from the experiences of others, and this discussion board is a huge database of practical experiences of people who are living with MC, and who have discovered what works and what doesn't work for them, in order to get their lives back from a debilitating disease. And most importantly, we are all willing to share our experiences, (both good and bad), so that hopefully, those who come here looking for answers, can find their way back to health in less time, and with less suffering.
We appreciate your joining us, and and hope that you will soon be symptom-free.
Tex
Thank you for the compliments, but what little knowledge I have, I mostly gained right here. As Polly and Mars have just demonstrated, we learn from the experiences of others, and this discussion board is a huge database of practical experiences of people who are living with MC, and who have discovered what works and what doesn't work for them, in order to get their lives back from a debilitating disease. And most importantly, we are all willing to share our experiences, (both good and bad), so that hopefully, those who come here looking for answers, can find their way back to health in less time, and with less suffering.
We appreciate your joining us, and and hope that you will soon be symptom-free.
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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annie oakley
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