Hi,
I've been having a terrible time with the Paleo diet (meat and cooked, green veggies) which made me wonder if my body doesn't produce enough HCl, which is required to digest protein. I started taking supplements very gradually last week, and the D has gone from 8+ times per day to once or twice a day. I'm not up to the full dose of HCl, but it's been the most helpful thing I've found in a very long time.
Interestingly, stomach acid deficiency is linked to celiac disease and can contribute to bacterial overgrowth. I'm sticking with the Paleo diet and also taking several other supplements, but this has been a major breakthrough. There's some info. about HCl deficiency here:
http://www.nutritional-healing.com.au/c ... lorhydria)
I hope this helps someone.
Magyar
Hydrochloric Acid Deficiency
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Hydrochloric Acid Deficiency
Celiac (gluten-free since 2000), Lymphocytic colitis since 2000.
Hi Magyar,
It's good to see that you found a way to gain some progress. Apparently somewhere on the order of 30% of North Americans have a stomach acid deficiency, according to statistics, and yet when someone complains of heartburn, indigestion, etc., most doctors automatically prescribe an antacid, without even bothering to check stomach acid levels.
If you do a search of this discussion board, using the keyword "betaine", you will find that this topic keeps coming up, from time to time. Incidentally, the parentheses around the word "Hypochlorhydria" in your link, keeps the board software from properly converting the link. I realize that you didn't add them - it's the way that the URL is defined. But anyway, that's why it doesn't work correctly.
If anyone wants to read that article, you can click on the link, and when you get to the site, click on the tab for "Articles", at the top of the page, and then go down the list to Stomach acid deficiency (Hypochlorhydria), and click on it, to read the article.
Thanks for the link, and I'm glad you found something that's helping.
Tex
It's good to see that you found a way to gain some progress. Apparently somewhere on the order of 30% of North Americans have a stomach acid deficiency, according to statistics, and yet when someone complains of heartburn, indigestion, etc., most doctors automatically prescribe an antacid, without even bothering to check stomach acid levels.
If you do a search of this discussion board, using the keyword "betaine", you will find that this topic keeps coming up, from time to time. Incidentally, the parentheses around the word "Hypochlorhydria" in your link, keeps the board software from properly converting the link. I realize that you didn't add them - it's the way that the URL is defined. But anyway, that's why it doesn't work correctly.
If anyone wants to read that article, you can click on the link, and when you get to the site, click on the tab for "Articles", at the top of the page, and then go down the list to Stomach acid deficiency (Hypochlorhydria), and click on it, to read the article.
Thanks for the link, and I'm glad you found something that's helping.
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,
I'm glad to hear others have heard of it. It took me five years to come across it! I've never had GERD so I never considered giving it a try.
I'm up to five capsules with each meal. I might try six tomorrow. You must build up gradually, beginning with one pill. Apparently, if your stomach gets a warm feeling while eating, then you've reached your max dose. And, after about three months, you can wean yourself off the supplements.
You have to space out the pills during your main meals rather than taking all of them in one swallow. If you have a snack, you take take fewer pills. They're pretty cheap and widely available, thank goodness.
I had some D this a.m. but I think I was reacting to the colostrum supplement I just started.
I'm still in disbelief over how helpful this has been in such a short amount of time. I still have a ways to go before I am healed but I think I'm finally on the right track.
Magyar
I'm glad to hear others have heard of it. It took me five years to come across it! I've never had GERD so I never considered giving it a try.
I'm up to five capsules with each meal. I might try six tomorrow. You must build up gradually, beginning with one pill. Apparently, if your stomach gets a warm feeling while eating, then you've reached your max dose. And, after about three months, you can wean yourself off the supplements.
You have to space out the pills during your main meals rather than taking all of them in one swallow. If you have a snack, you take take fewer pills. They're pretty cheap and widely available, thank goodness.
I had some D this a.m. but I think I was reacting to the colostrum supplement I just started.
I'm still in disbelief over how helpful this has been in such a short amount of time. I still have a ways to go before I am healed but I think I'm finally on the right track.
Magyar
Celiac (gluten-free since 2000), Lymphocytic colitis since 2000.
Today's medical adventure was a trip to a Naturopath. She is adamant that colitis and everything I have is just side effects of yeast. She started me on nystatin, a herbal, psyllium, and yes, HCl. She went through the thing about how most people don't have enough acid, they just have it in the wrong spot where it goes up into the esophagus.
She's adamant that my main problem is taking pantoprozole, a proton pump inhibitor. That probably caused the yeast overgrowth by reducing my ph, which allowed the gluten and casein to leak out, hence the colitis. She says she can get me off the pantoprozole by fixing my yeast and acid level. Since I have a damaged esophagus, this is a little scary.
I couldn't handle paleo. I just had to have my rice and legumes and fruit. That's all gone for 2 weeks - strictly protein and veggies until the yeast is beaten back.
It's kind of funny to talk to someone who thinks colitis is just a side effect, not a real disease. I'm used to talking to doctors who think yeast is a fantasy. If her treatment makes a difference, I'll be a convert. Stay tuned.
She's adamant that my main problem is taking pantoprozole, a proton pump inhibitor. That probably caused the yeast overgrowth by reducing my ph, which allowed the gluten and casein to leak out, hence the colitis. She says she can get me off the pantoprozole by fixing my yeast and acid level. Since I have a damaged esophagus, this is a little scary.
I couldn't handle paleo. I just had to have my rice and legumes and fruit. That's all gone for 2 weeks - strictly protein and veggies until the yeast is beaten back.
It's kind of funny to talk to someone who thinks colitis is just a side effect, not a real disease. I'm used to talking to doctors who think yeast is a fantasy. If her treatment makes a difference, I'll be a convert. Stay tuned.
No Gluten,casein,soy,eggs,yeast
Reggie,
Have you tried the spit test? I'm kind of curious how someone with a "known" yeast problem fares in that "test". I tried it again myself, this morning, just to double check, and mine floats.
Actually, I find it hard to disagree with the opinion that MC is a "side effect" of other issues. IMO, it has too many widely varied causes to be a unique, and "well-behaved" disease. I think that Mike feels the same way about it. I'm unaware of any GI doctors who feel that way. That's not surprising though, since most of those guys don't tend to be "out-of-the-box" thinkers.
I agree with your naturopath that your main problem may be the pantoprozole. Certain proton pump inhibitors are known triggers for microscopic colitis - it's possible/likely that they may all be triggers for some individuals.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... t=Abstract
It will be interesting to see how your treatment develops.
Tex
Have you tried the spit test? I'm kind of curious how someone with a "known" yeast problem fares in that "test". I tried it again myself, this morning, just to double check, and mine floats.
Actually, I find it hard to disagree with the opinion that MC is a "side effect" of other issues. IMO, it has too many widely varied causes to be a unique, and "well-behaved" disease. I think that Mike feels the same way about it. I'm unaware of any GI doctors who feel that way. That's not surprising though, since most of those guys don't tend to be "out-of-the-box" thinkers.
I agree with your naturopath that your main problem may be the pantoprozole. Certain proton pump inhibitors are known triggers for microscopic colitis - it's possible/likely that they may all be triggers for some individuals.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/quer ... t=Abstract
It will be interesting to see how your treatment develops.
Tex
Hi Reggie,
I've been reading tons about yeast and fungal overgrowth, and your naturopath's approach sounds very reasonable. I did read of a link between proton pump inhibitors and yeast overgrowth/digestive problems.
I'm also taking psyllium and an anti-fungal drug, plus HCL and some other stuff. Cutting out sugar, fruit and nuts was very helpful for me. I'm experimenting with small amounts of brown rice and potatoes.
I'm surprised a naturopath could prescribe Nystatin. But, I hope it helps you!
Good luck,
Magyar
I've been reading tons about yeast and fungal overgrowth, and your naturopath's approach sounds very reasonable. I did read of a link between proton pump inhibitors and yeast overgrowth/digestive problems.
I'm also taking psyllium and an anti-fungal drug, plus HCL and some other stuff. Cutting out sugar, fruit and nuts was very helpful for me. I'm experimenting with small amounts of brown rice and potatoes.
I'm surprised a naturopath could prescribe Nystatin. But, I hope it helps you!
Good luck,
Magyar
Celiac (gluten-free since 2000), Lymphocytic colitis since 2000.
I just knew HCL was going to help me too. I bought it Monday at lunch and I took it Mon, Tues, and this morning with meals, but it made me feel nauseous and just sort of weird. I guess it is not for me. 
I am so glad this is working for you, Magyar. I wish it would work for me. I wish something would work.
Pat
I am so glad this is working for you, Magyar. I wish it would work for me. I wish something would work.Pat
Pat,
Did you build it gradually? I had a little nausea at first but it was minimal. It hasn't completely cured my D but greatly reduced the frequency and I'm actually digesting my food.
I'm trying some other remedies, too. Apparently mixing a teaspoon of turmeric in hot water and drinking it once a day for three days can really help with chronic D. I've done it for two days and noticed some improvement. I figured it can't hurt to try.
Another idea is to mix unsweetened coconut powder or flakes with your food or drink (a couple spoonfuls). I just started this yesterday. Hard to say if it's helping, but again, it's a harmless experiment.
If you Google these two remedies you'll find more information about them. You may need to give the Nystatin and the other things you're taking a while to work.
Good luck,
Magyar
Did you build it gradually? I had a little nausea at first but it was minimal. It hasn't completely cured my D but greatly reduced the frequency and I'm actually digesting my food.
I'm trying some other remedies, too. Apparently mixing a teaspoon of turmeric in hot water and drinking it once a day for three days can really help with chronic D. I've done it for two days and noticed some improvement. I figured it can't hurt to try.
Another idea is to mix unsweetened coconut powder or flakes with your food or drink (a couple spoonfuls). I just started this yesterday. Hard to say if it's helping, but again, it's a harmless experiment.
If you Google these two remedies you'll find more information about them. You may need to give the Nystatin and the other things you're taking a while to work.
Good luck,
Magyar
Celiac (gluten-free since 2000), Lymphocytic colitis since 2000.
Well, I started gradually taking 1 with each meal. I am not the one taking Nystatin. I guess it would be hard for you to tell what exactly is helping you since you are doing so many different things at once. I understand your thinking - I'm gonna do it all and hopefully something works, I don't care which one. I really do feel the same way. I've tried so many differnet remedies that I am just doing what my doctor says for now. I am just taking the imodium to control the D - 9 a day, and also taking VSL #3 - 4 a day. My doctor said to be patient that it takes 4-6 weeks for the probiotic to help. I don't know why but yesterday I only had one BM - very loose but just one. 
I can handle that. The days prior to yesterday were 6-8+ a day. Some days 20. We'll see what happens today. I am following the GF/DF diet. I am eating minimal rice and corn. See my new thread about that.
We're gonna lick this - eventually.
Pat
I can handle that. The days prior to yesterday were 6-8+ a day. Some days 20. We'll see what happens today. I am following the GF/DF diet. I am eating minimal rice and corn. See my new thread about that.We're gonna lick this - eventually.
Pat
Pat,
Sorry! I got you confused with Reggie. Sounds like HCL is not a solution for you.
I know it's haphazard to try multiple remedies at once, but I actually started with the HCL and am now just trying to make things that much better. The HCL made a HUGE difference for me, but I'm still not out of the woods.
I'm also taking a probiotic and found that it takes a few weeks to kick in. I hope it helps you. You could also try supplements that kill the bad bacteria, like oil of oregano or berberine. But, maybe you should just follow your doctor's orders.
I'm glad you've seen improvement! I hope it continues.
Yes, it would be nice to be done with this, especially after five years of chronic D!!
Magyar
Sorry! I got you confused with Reggie. Sounds like HCL is not a solution for you.
I know it's haphazard to try multiple remedies at once, but I actually started with the HCL and am now just trying to make things that much better. The HCL made a HUGE difference for me, but I'm still not out of the woods.
I'm also taking a probiotic and found that it takes a few weeks to kick in. I hope it helps you. You could also try supplements that kill the bad bacteria, like oil of oregano or berberine. But, maybe you should just follow your doctor's orders.
I'm glad you've seen improvement! I hope it continues.
Yes, it would be nice to be done with this, especially after five years of chronic D!!
Magyar
Celiac (gluten-free since 2000), Lymphocytic colitis since 2000.