Hi. Some of you may remember I posted 2 months ago that I had a flare up of my MC after a relatively ok year. I live in Vermont and my doctors here have not given me much help so I made an appt. with a well known (i have been told) gastroenterologist in Boston. My appt. was yesterday and I have some questions about some advice and some medications he prescribed.
He told me that on the "bad" list of foods is asparagus (which I love and which we are growing tons of in our garden). Does anyone know if this is true? It will be awful to not be able to eat asparagus.
On the "good" list was rice, bananas, potatoes, pasta, and cooked veggies. Does anyone disagree or agree?
Now for the prescriptions. In Feb. i was prescribed here in Vermont lomotil because I was flying to Tucson (3000 miles) to see my family and could not have made it without something. Lomotil seems to work pretty well and I only take it when necessary (i still have the original bottle that was filled in Feb. with more than half of the pills left). Yesterday in Boston the doctor told me he was prescribing in place of lomotil something called colestid. I read about it online and apparently it interferes with absorption of vitamins and other meds (I am on thyroid meds). I figure I am losing enough vitamins and nutrients from having D everytime I eat, I am afraid to add to it by taking this med. I am happy on lomotil which I only take when i absolutely have to. Has anyone any experience or knowledge with colestid? Why are doctors so reluctant to prescribe lomotil? My own doctor here in Vermont did so only because I needed it to fly across the country and is hestitant to refill.
Also, for the times I get really nauseous I have been taking promethazine. I take it rarely and only when I feel my sickest. However the doctor in Boston prescribed tigan, a drug that is supposed to be for nausea. Anyone here ever take tigan?
Keep in mind, I only take things when I absolutely have to, I try not to take meds very often. I am just wondering if anyone has experience with, or knowlege of these meds (colestid and tigan).
Sorry for the long length of this post, I came back to Vermont (from Boston) feeling more confused than before I went. It almost makes me want to give up and just let my body do whatever it is going to do.
Would appreciate any advice on some questions
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Dear Andi,It will be awful to not be able to eat asparagus.
On the "good" list was rice, bananas, potatoes, pasta, and cooked veggies. Does anyone disagree or agree?
Since you have MC and the Doctor is talking about diet, which is rare in itself, IMHO he should have started his "bad" list with pasta (which is gluten), unless he meant rice pasta which would be fine; next would be potato (a nightshade) which like other nightshades (e.g. tomato) is "bad" for some of us. I have never heard or read anywhere of asparagus being "bad". "Bad" veggies are all legumes - i.e. peas and beans.
Hope this helps, Ant
Hi Andi,
Asparagus is a diuretic, and as such, it has medicinal properties. It imparts a distinctive, (usually considered offensive), odor to urine, which is generally true for everyone who eats it, but some people do not have the olfactory chemistry which allows them to smell the odor. The primary reason why it may be contraindicated for MC, though, is because asparagus belongs to a group of foods known as oligosaccharides, (which are compounds of several simple sugars), and specifically, asparagus is in a group known as fructo-oligosaccharides. Fructo-oligosaccharides are also known as prebiotics, because when they are consumed, the undigested portion serves as food for the microflora in the gut. Depending on the type of oligosaccharide, different bacterial groups are stimulated or suppressed. For people, (and animals), with a good normal balance of intestinal bacteria, fructo-oligosaccharides can be benefical, but for someone with a bacterial imbalance, they can make the situation much worse, because in those causes, the harmful bacteria will often benefit more than the good bacteria, resulting in a disbiosis problem that can feed upon itself, and make the situation much worse. If you've been eating asparagus without any problems, chances are that you can continue to do so - just be aware of the possibilities, in case things start going downhill.
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/jour ... 1&SRETRY=0
I really don't see the point of prescribing Colestid for your purposes - that's a cholesterol lowering drug, and as such, it "messes" with your liver. I'm pretty sure that the reason why he prescribed it to you is because one of it's primary side effects is constipation - serious constipation. That's a bit like prescribing Prednisone to a patient who needs to gain weight, because one of the common side effects of Prednisone, is weight gain. Sure, it will probably cause weight gain, but the benefit is not worth the risks that go with the drug, obviously. Cholesterol-lowering drugs are not to be taken lightly, because cholesterol is a vital component of many body functions, and interfering with such things, (when they are doing just fine to begin with), is asking for unanticipated problems that can sometimes lead to dire consequences, under the wrong circumstances. That said, most people shouldn't have any serious problems because of the drug. Maybe it's just me, but the thought of using drugs specifically for their side effects, doesn't appeal to me at all. No drugs are without risk, so I can't help but wonder what the drug might be doing to the rest of my body, if I'm using it for a side effect.
Doctors are reluctant to prescribe lomotil, because it is opioid-based, and theoretically, can lead to addictive behavior. The product contains atropine, just for that purpose, so addiction is rather unlikely, because an overdose of lomotil will bring a very scary reaction to the atropine, thus preventing a patient from trying that again. I'm not aware of any member who has reported any problems of that sort with lomotil. At the rate you're taking them, I don't see how you could be accused of overdoing it.
Tex
Asparagus is a diuretic, and as such, it has medicinal properties. It imparts a distinctive, (usually considered offensive), odor to urine, which is generally true for everyone who eats it, but some people do not have the olfactory chemistry which allows them to smell the odor. The primary reason why it may be contraindicated for MC, though, is because asparagus belongs to a group of foods known as oligosaccharides, (which are compounds of several simple sugars), and specifically, asparagus is in a group known as fructo-oligosaccharides. Fructo-oligosaccharides are also known as prebiotics, because when they are consumed, the undigested portion serves as food for the microflora in the gut. Depending on the type of oligosaccharide, different bacterial groups are stimulated or suppressed. For people, (and animals), with a good normal balance of intestinal bacteria, fructo-oligosaccharides can be benefical, but for someone with a bacterial imbalance, they can make the situation much worse, because in those causes, the harmful bacteria will often benefit more than the good bacteria, resulting in a disbiosis problem that can feed upon itself, and make the situation much worse. If you've been eating asparagus without any problems, chances are that you can continue to do so - just be aware of the possibilities, in case things start going downhill.
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/jour ... 1&SRETRY=0
I really don't see the point of prescribing Colestid for your purposes - that's a cholesterol lowering drug, and as such, it "messes" with your liver. I'm pretty sure that the reason why he prescribed it to you is because one of it's primary side effects is constipation - serious constipation. That's a bit like prescribing Prednisone to a patient who needs to gain weight, because one of the common side effects of Prednisone, is weight gain. Sure, it will probably cause weight gain, but the benefit is not worth the risks that go with the drug, obviously. Cholesterol-lowering drugs are not to be taken lightly, because cholesterol is a vital component of many body functions, and interfering with such things, (when they are doing just fine to begin with), is asking for unanticipated problems that can sometimes lead to dire consequences, under the wrong circumstances. That said, most people shouldn't have any serious problems because of the drug. Maybe it's just me, but the thought of using drugs specifically for their side effects, doesn't appeal to me at all. No drugs are without risk, so I can't help but wonder what the drug might be doing to the rest of my body, if I'm using it for a side effect.
Doctors are reluctant to prescribe lomotil, because it is opioid-based, and theoretically, can lead to addictive behavior. The product contains atropine, just for that purpose, so addiction is rather unlikely, because an overdose of lomotil will bring a very scary reaction to the atropine, thus preventing a patient from trying that again. I'm not aware of any member who has reported any problems of that sort with lomotil. At the rate you're taking them, I don't see how you could be accused of overdoing it.
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.
Tex,
Thank you so much for your response. You know a lot about many different topics and I knew you would have the perfect advice.
I am not going to take the colestid, I will just use the lomotil when needed. Like I said in previous post, I have had the bottle for over 2 months and have taken pills about 6 times. I see my primary care doctor next week and I will ask her if she will renew the lomotil when needed.
Do you know anything about the anti-diarrhea med. I mentioned?
I hope you are doing well. Your value to this forum can never be matched.
Thank you so much for your response. You know a lot about many different topics and I knew you would have the perfect advice.
I am not going to take the colestid, I will just use the lomotil when needed. Like I said in previous post, I have had the bottle for over 2 months and have taken pills about 6 times. I see my primary care doctor next week and I will ask her if she will renew the lomotil when needed.
Do you know anything about the anti-diarrhea med. I mentioned?
I hope you are doing well. Your value to this forum can never be matched.
Andi,
I will tell you that I love asparagus and there are times that I cannot eat it. For me, it appears to be a fiber issue. Even very young asparagus has a tendency to have fibers. If you eat some and have problems, know you may not be healed enough yet.
I haven't used or heard of your anti-nausea medication. I am sure someone else will pop in with an answer.
Jan
I will tell you that I love asparagus and there are times that I cannot eat it. For me, it appears to be a fiber issue. Even very young asparagus has a tendency to have fibers. If you eat some and have problems, know you may not be healed enough yet.
I haven't used or heard of your anti-nausea medication. I am sure someone else will pop in with an answer.
Jan
While you are proclaiming peace with your lips, be careful to have it even more fully in your heart. - Saint Francis of Assisi
Do you mean tigan? I'm not familiar with it. I looked it up and noticed that it has some warnings about certain conditions that might apply to someone with MC:Andi wrote:Do you know anything about the anti-diarrhea med. I mentioned?
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
* Dehydration or
* Electrolyte imbalance (high or low levels of minerals in the blood) or
* High fever or
* Intestinal infection, severe—May cause side effects to become worse .
* Kidney disease—Use with caution. The effects of this medicine may be increased because of slower removal from the body .
http://www.drugs.com/cons/tigan.html
I'm doing fine, Thanks.
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.
-
MaggieRedwings
- King Penguin
- Posts: 3865
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 3:16 am
- Location: SE Pennsylvania
Hi Andi,
When it comes to drugs, I am a total dummy on that subject. Tex is the Britannica there.
As far as asparagus, I always felt I was fine with eating it but this past season I have had great difficulty with it and it seems to spur flares for me. Not sure why but guess as I am getting older, I need to start sorting more things out.
Maggie
When it comes to drugs, I am a total dummy on that subject. Tex is the Britannica there.
As far as asparagus, I always felt I was fine with eating it but this past season I have had great difficulty with it and it seems to spur flares for me. Not sure why but guess as I am getting older, I need to start sorting more things out.
Maggie
Maggie Scarpone
___________________
Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
___________________
Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
Hi Andi,
Back when I was in school, we used to take tigan in suppository form out to sea for the newbies that were sure they wouldn't get sea sick and sure enough ended up
. The university doctors recommended it because it was in suppository form (someone throwing up won't get a pill down) and had very few interactions and side effects. If I remember correctly, it had less of a drowsy side effect than many of the other antiemetics. I think they stopped making the suppository form. I looked up the tablets and lactose was one of the ingredients which is a problem for some people.
Karen
Back when I was in school, we used to take tigan in suppository form out to sea for the newbies that were sure they wouldn't get sea sick and sure enough ended up
. The university doctors recommended it because it was in suppository form (someone throwing up won't get a pill down) and had very few interactions and side effects. If I remember correctly, it had less of a drowsy side effect than many of the other antiemetics. I think they stopped making the suppository form. I looked up the tablets and lactose was one of the ingredients which is a problem for some people.Karen
Andi,
I have seen three very competent GI's over the past three years and they are in complete agreement with your Boston GI regarding diet suggestions.
If I ate rice, bananas, potatoes and white pasta everyday I would never have any D. The only reason I have to limit them is because I am diabetic. Prior to developing LC, my diet was very high in high fiber foods simply because they digest more slowly. I know I am in the minority on this forum, but gluten is not an issue for me.....nor for a lot of people with MC.....at least according to the GI docs I have seen.
I agree with Jan, the asparagus is a no no because of the high fiber content. Believe me, it's worth giving up high fiber foods if it means no more D.
You can try to go GF, SF and dairy free, but I would suggest eliminating high fiber foods first and see what happens. It's much easier than going GF, SF and dairy free.
You have to have some faith (and respect) in GI doctors after all they have years of education, and years of day to day experience with patients suffering with diarrhea. I think that they certainly know a little something about LC.
Issy
I have seen three very competent GI's over the past three years and they are in complete agreement with your Boston GI regarding diet suggestions.
If I ate rice, bananas, potatoes and white pasta everyday I would never have any D. The only reason I have to limit them is because I am diabetic. Prior to developing LC, my diet was very high in high fiber foods simply because they digest more slowly. I know I am in the minority on this forum, but gluten is not an issue for me.....nor for a lot of people with MC.....at least according to the GI docs I have seen.
I agree with Jan, the asparagus is a no no because of the high fiber content. Believe me, it's worth giving up high fiber foods if it means no more D.
You can try to go GF, SF and dairy free, but I would suggest eliminating high fiber foods first and see what happens. It's much easier than going GF, SF and dairy free.
You have to have some faith (and respect) in GI doctors after all they have years of education, and years of day to day experience with patients suffering with diarrhea. I think that they certainly know a little something about LC.
Issy
IssyW123
So I wonder why did my GI doc not recommend removing high fiber, but instead just said I could and should eat anything I liked?