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Hi, all! I'm new to this board, but I've been hearing about it for several months since my mother, Marliss, joined. I haven't been diagnosed with MC myself, but last year around this time discovered that I was allergic to corn. Because of the issues my mom's been having, and especially considering her Enterolab results, I decided that now was the time to take some preventative action and she's been telling me what a good resource this forum is - so here I am!
Welcome to our internet family. I truly believe that you have the right idea. Treating this disease before it has a chance to develop, should be far superior to treating it after the fact. This way, hopefully, it will never become a reality, and your health should always be much better off, because of your preemptive steps. I hope that you can find the answers here, that you are seeking.
Your mother is obviously a great teacher, and a super mother. Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.
Tex (Wayne)
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.
Awww... Thanks, Tex. *blush* Lauren has had a few gut issues, but we think that she is more on the mastocytic side of things. Her corn intolerance manifested as a large rash (twice), and she has had hives and some other things that seem to reflect the histamine involvement. And, obviously, she has one of the gluten-sensitivity genes that I have.
Marliss Bombardier
Dum spiro, spero -- While I breathe, I hope
Psoriasis - the dark ages
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - Dec 2001
Collagenous Colitis - Sept 2010
Granuloma Annulare - June 2011
Welcome to our family and I think it's wonderful that you are interested. I hope you find plenty of information here that will help you in your search.
Love, Shirley
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
Good for you deciding to be proactive in light of your mom's testing and intolerances as well as your corn "issues". Have you noticed any problems with gluten or dairy or did you decide to eliminate them from your diet based on your strong family history? Marliss, you mentioned "gut issues" and I'm seeing some of the same minor issues with my kids as well... when they tell me about it.
My children are a bit younger (I'm guessing) and I have explained what I'm dealing with and the likelihood that they have a good chance of developing some of the same problems. I've suggested that they consider eliminating gluten and dairy now but they don't want to hear it. They tell me they "feel bad for me" and the limited diet I have and don't want to do anything unless they have to.
There is a wealth of wonderful information and people here. You have a great mom!
Kelly
Believe deep down in your heart that you are destined to do great things~ Joe Paterno
Hello Lauren from New Hampshire and welcome to the group. I think its great that you are being proactive about this condition. I certainly wish I had your opportunity a few years ago.
I guess we can say you are following your 'gut instinct' in joining the group
Sorry could not resist the pun
Anyway Lauren welcome again I look forward to reading your posts
I love your proactive nature! And I truly believe that you may be able to prevent serious health problems down the line. You will be a pioneer here in that regard - most of us found this website after becoming ill. I will follow your progress with great interest. (I am corn-sensitive too - and was the first one on this website years ago to discover a problem with corn).
Please tell me, what is the "invisible itch"?
Hugs,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
You must be a very mature young lady if you've decided to stop trouble before it begins. I look forward to hearing about your experiences. I wish my daughters would be proactive, but they aren't motivated yet.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
It's so refreshing to have someone come on here who actually wants to be proactive about their health. It must be your good upbringing :). There was just a new topic on corn started in the MRT forum by our "resident" dietitian Mary Beth - I'm sure you'll be interested in reading it. I also recently discovered that I'm sensitive to corn - what a bummer - it's everywhere!!!
The gene connection with these digestive issues seems to be very powerful. My son, who is 39, got tested at Enterolab, as I have double gluten sensitive genes - and what do you know, he turned out to be gluten sensitive as well. Then we had my 3 grandchildren tested, and they were all over the top sensitive. So now that the whole family has gone gluten free as a preventive measure, they will hopefully avoid getting this dreaded disease. I think the reason my son went along so easily with the suggestion of testing is because he has witnessed how much I have suffered (I have had MC going on 11 years now).
Anyhow, again, welcome onboard, and I hope you find the answers you're seeking.
Love,
Kari
"My mouth waters whenever I pass a bakery shop and sniff the aroma of fresh bread, but I am also grateful simply to be alive and sniffing." Dr. Bernstein
From what I've read at Enterolab, having gluten-sensitive genes does not necessarily mean that people will develop gluten sensitivity:
What role does genetic testing play in the diagnosis of gluten sensitivity?Currently, tests are available to detect the genes that control the immune system's reaction to gluten. These genes are called human leukocyte antigens or HLA. There are several types of HLA genes within each person. It is a particular type called HLA-DQ that is most useful in the assessment of the probability that a person may be gluten sensitive. The reason gene testing assesses probability rather than disease itself is because some people have the genes for gluten sensitivity but have no detectable evidence of the immune reaction to gluten or have no symptoms. In such people, gluten sensitivity is still possible but the probability (or in other words the chances or the odds) is lower than in a person who may be having symptoms attributable to gluten or that has antibodies detected. HLA testing is most useful when there is diagnostic confusion about whether or not a person is gluten sensitive. Such confusion often stems from one of the following: atypical intestinal biopsy results, the presence of associated diseases (such as microscopic colitis) that may mask the expected improvement of symptoms when gluten is withdrawn from the diet, negative tests for gluten antibodies in the midst of suggestive symptoms or signs of gluten sensitivity or celiac sprue (see the paragraph below to understand the difference), or when there are no symptoms at all and the person or the doctor can hardly believe that gluten sensitivity is really present. Other situations that HLA testing is useful is when a person is already on a gluten-free diet, and for testing family members (particularly children) for the odds that they have or will develop gluten sensitivity.
The other interesting fact Dr. Fine notes is that up to 60% of Americans have gluten-sensivite genes. I've told DH that if he did the genetic test, he would have a 60% chance of testing positive. The unanswered question is - how many of the 60% would actually develop a reaction to gluten?
The nature of the toxicity, although to some extent stems directly from the chemical nature of gluten, is mostly due to a reaction that occurs by the immune system of individuals in possession of certain genes that recognize gluten for the foreign protein that it is and hence toxic. The immune system genes in control of this reaction are actually not rare, and may be present in up to 60% of Americans (based on my research). However, there are other, as of yet undetermined, genes that control whether or not a toxic reaction will occur, and further, whether and how much the reaction will result in damage to the intestine and other tissues. It is speculated that the structure of gluten may be similar to an infectious agent (for example a virus) and that is really why the gene is present in the immune system in the first place. It is even possible that the gene controlling reactivity to gluten is so common because millions of years ago it lent a survival advantage against dying from infections to those possessing it. Thus, having an immune system that recognizes gluten as a foreign, potentially toxic protein actually may be a sign of an immune system that is particularly sensitive and protective. Although this may portend protection against infections, the down side is that the same genes lead to more severe, longer lasting immune responses to foods, environmental allergens, and even the human body itself. The consequences of these reactions are food sensitivities (of which gluten sensitivity is just one), allergies/asthma, and autoimmune disease, respectively
Red emphasis is mine.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
Amen, Gloria, that is the encouraging part about all this--if the gene(s) are not triggered, then we don't have to deal with the results. Unfortunately, most of us are dealing with the chaos the triggered genes are causing...
Kelly, I told my 23yo son tonight, and he basically said that it was further motivation to eat healthfully and to exercise. He's right, as far as it goes. But at least he's aware that he has the possibility of gluten-sensitivity developing, and since his wife has it on her side as well, they can keep an eye on their baby girl and have that come to mind as a possibility if she starts having troubles. That's all I can expect, really.
The only person I really have control over is me. Even my 16yo and my 12yo make their own choices. Our kitchen is now gluten-free (except for some crackers my husband eats), but if they are out with friends, or whatever, it is their decision. I just hope that I make it clear enough to them that what we are doing is curative for me, and preventative for them, and what I am going through is enough for them to make wise choices.
Lauren was expecting with me that I would have two gluten-sensitivity genes, and that she would have inherited one of them. She has been intolerant of corn for quite some time, maybe even before I starting dealing with MC. So she is already posed to be successful in her proactive response and to remain free from gluten sensitivity.
Marliss Bombardier
Dum spiro, spero -- While I breathe, I hope
Psoriasis - the dark ages
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - Dec 2001
Collagenous Colitis - Sept 2010
Granuloma Annulare - June 2011
Hi, everyone, and thank you for welcoming me! As for being proactive, I watched my mom be proactive in many things, so I learned from the example she set.
Polly wrote:Please tell me, what is the "invisible itch"?
Hugs,
Polly
For me, the "invisible itch" just means that I itch for no apparent reason. There's usually no rash or any other kind of breakouts. I used to think it was because I just had sensitive skin and I now use products that are specifically for people with sensitive skin. However, that didn't really take care of my itch. When I removed corn from my diet, I noticed that my itch is significantly reduced, so my conclusion is that the itch is an allergic reaction. The other day I received a sample of gluten-free shampoo, and I was amazed when I realized that my scalp didn't itch at all when I used it. Considering everything that is going on in our family right now, I think that's a pretty significant sign.
I haven't been diagnosed with MC myself, but last year around this time discovered that I was allergic to corn. Because of the issues my mom's been having, and especially considering her Enterolab results, I decided that now was the time to take some preventative action and she's been telling me what a good resource this forum is - so here I am! 
