Do I have two different diseases?

[mjbonsais]

She's also a doctor and wouldn't mind my sharing her response about MC. She has lymphocytic colitis hersself. Here is her answer to me:


I was found to have lymphocytic colitis, a different form of microscopic colitis, during my work up for CD.  At this point in time, lymphocytic colitis and collagenous colitis are considered to be variations on a theme, with the latter showing a band of collagen in the lining of the colon that the former lacks.  MC is considered to be an "associated condition" to CD. 

There is evidence that at least in some people, lympohcytic colitis may represent "colonic sprue."  For these people, the symptoms resolve with a GF diet.  (I was fortunate to be one of them.)  In others, the MC and it symptoms develop or persist even when they are on a strict GF diet.  Yet others, especially those with CC as opposed to LC, do not seem to have gluten intolerance as part of the picture and don't show any improvement even on a GF diet. 

There's a lot to be learned about MC.  It was only identified as a distinct entity in the late 70s, and few have done research on it.  Dr. Fine was one of the pre-eminent researchers until he left Baylor, research and seeing patients and diverted into his present professional course of stool testing for food sensitivities.  He did some good research that showed that many people improve or are cleared MC by a course of Pepto-Bismol, nine tablets a day for nine weeks.  MC was thought at one time to be what one specialist called a "kinder, gentler" form or inflammatory bowel disease, a little sibling of nasties like ulcerative colitis, and was treated with the same drugs.  For some people, this worked.  Lotronex, the controversial drug for irritable bowel syndrome in women, also controls symptoms in some people.

There's still a lot of work to be done in regards to understanding this disease--or diseases, as it may well be that there are several diffeerent pathological processes that may be producing similar symptoms and histological changes. 

Bobbie

[mle_ii]

Wow, lots more great info. Thanks all!

[Polly]

Hiya Mary Jo, you pretty Elf!!

I had some conversations with Bobbie on her website several years ago. With all due respect, I believe that some of her info is a little outdated.

Dr. Fine's research has found essentially no difference in LC vs. CC with respect to gluten sensitivity or response to diet. And I think that has been our experience here, although earlier I recall thinking that perhaps those with CC took longer to respond to diet. Of course, Dr. Fine's research on this has not been published yet, so it's not unusual for people not to know about it.

We should do a survey here to document our experience in this regard. Perhaps we should start it in the Experience with Diet Forum. Whaddya think?

Love,

Polly

[mjbonsais]

Thank you for clearing up this matter too! I like Delphi for it's up to date food/medicine/beauty etc.... pdf files; other than that, I really don't feel all that comfortable there. I only have basic with them and I think you miss out on information on a one to one basis. I really don't feel like paying for a premium membership and for what I need it is truly nice they open up the pdf files for everyone.

I don't know Bobbi all that well and am glad I shared what she said with you. I do hope Dr. Fine is close to a publication date. I know he was sending out updates to previous patients ( I received this awhile ago ) just to see how I was doing since testing.


After seeing my pcp and an allergist, my belief is that some of these doctors are coming around to the form of testing I had done at Enterolab. None of my personal physicians spoke negatively to me. My hope is that they are enlightened and up for newer standards upon testing gluten senstitivity and celiac disease. I am so pleased to have met some nice people on this board that make me feel at home.

love ya

MJ