Newly Diagnoses

[Madcap Minx]

I am overwhelmed by the information on these pages. Over the months that my doctors kept guessing what it was, I thought once they got rid of the parasite or the toxin I would be fine again. As an aside, one of the doctors said lets do a colonoscopy. When he said the diagnoses I had no idea what it meant. I had a hard time remembering CC when I got back to the office. Then I started researching and finally found this site. Obviously this is a whole change in how you live. I particularly liked the trip to Tenn at Christmas - most of the time I just did not eat. The few things my doctor did say was watch out for dehydration and malnutrition. He did offer to put me on Endocort but since I had no idea what I was dealing with I passed. Was that a mistake? Should I reconsider? At least your posts have me laugh - and I love the Jeff Foxworthy type jokes. They gave me a different perspective but I am really scared of having an accident somewhere. How do you deal with this?

[Mags]

Welcome, Minx!

I love your name. First of all, it is absolutely normal to get all kinds of different opinions on how to treat MC (CC & LC). Entocort is a drug that is particularly helpful, and many members of this forum have taken it for years, with very good results. I am sure they will chime in to advise you.

As for "accidents", I think everyone has their own way of dealing with them. Adopting a gluten-free diet, after years of "nasties", finally did the trick for me. Before that, I took Immodium, Lomotil, and always carried wet-wipes and a change of clothes with me.

You have found the most friendly, accepting, and knowledgeable group of people in existence to help you navigate your way through the minefield of MC.

Hang in there. It will get better!

Mags

[Zizzle]

Madcap Minx!!
It must at least be a relief to have a diagnosis. Unfortunately now you know it's not as easy as ridding yourself of a parasite. Many people here (me included) go on diet changes alone without meds. Others start meds to calm things down and eventually wean off as the diet changes take over. Others continue to take meds long term. It all depends on how badly your symptoms are affecting you. If you are having accidents, perhaps a drug is in order? Only you can decide. I suspect many here keep an extra pair of underpants in the purse or in the car. Perhaps a whole outfit! Probably tissues for wiping on hand all the time too. My near-miss accidents have all seemed to happen at home so far so I've been lucky. I think many here begin to experience some relief from the urgency when the GF diet starts working. You may still have D, but perhaps not as explosive and urgent. Welcome aboard!

[Celie]

HI Madcap!
Welcome to this wonderful board. This is a supportive, helpful, knowledgeable group.

For me, Entocort was like a miracle. I was going to the bathroom 20 or more times a day. I could not keep ahead of the D and kept winding up at the hospital. Entocort controls my symptoms. I was not able (by Dec) to control my LC symptoms with diet alone. Perhaps someday I will be able to use diet alone to get my life back, but for now, medicine is making my life comfortable.

I can tell you that the GF diet has made me feel better in other ways. So, even if you decide to use medicine, I think you should consider your diet, too.

You can make your own decisions, but if you can tolerate it, Entocort is good medicine.

Celie

[Madcap Minx]

Thanks for the advice. I am so glad I found this site. I just keep going through to see what everyone says and what they've tried. It seems you are a really caring group.

[tex]

Hi Madcap,

I have to get back to work, but I wanted to welcome you to our internet family. We consider ourselves a family because no one truly understands this disease, unless they have it.

When the risk is serious enough, some of us have been known to wear adult diapers.

As Jeff Foxworthy might say, (if he told jokes about MC):

If you look at having to clean up after yet another embarrassing accident, as "just another day in paradise",

You might have MC.

Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.

Tex

[MaggieRedwings]

Welcome Madcap!

I too love the name. Sorry you had to find us this way but you have landed at the site and family that has compiled the most extensive and beneficial store of knowledge on our diseases. Accidents do happen and they can be depressing but I always just smiled and said there goes another pair of undies and heck - it is just CC and will get it under control. Took me a long time and went through the meds & diet routine - started strict GF diet day after diagnosis after find the old board. I am now just diet alone and did do Entocort too but had bad side effects. Side effects occur in a minimal number of people by experience here on the board.

Glad you enjoy our humor and do feel free to question away.

Maggie

[sarkin]

Welcome, Minx!

I know the relief you must be feeling finding this forum - I felt just the same way. I joined a little over a month ago and am feeling so much better, so far by diet alone. I have even eaten out a few times, but am very strict and low-risk about it (though of course, since I don't now exactly what I can/can't eat, the risk is there).

I started out very committed to "diet alone" and have always been uneasy about taking prescription drugs. But if I didn't feel relief, I would absolutely try a medication. I did use Pepto-Bismol in the first weeks of being sick, and it helped me. But it has made many other members here feel terrible. Some people have had success with a variety of medications. Nothing works for everyone, and some things that are like a miracle for some are a problem for others. But there's so much experience here, whichever path you choose, whatever foods or medications you try, we'll be there for you.

I hope you're speedily on your way to symptom control, and then find what works for you in the long run,

Sara