Advice/Help Please Newbie

[Erica P-G]

HI Kate,
Thank you for the kinds words

Here is the link to Vitacost Magnesium spray http://www.vitacost.com/life-flo-pure-m ... oil-8-oz-3

and here is the link to the D spray from Vitacost http://www.vitacost.com/now-foods-vitam ... ay-2-fl-oz

and here is the link to Mercola.com http://shop.mercola.com/product/vitamin ... 1,44,0.htm

This way for the D3 you have a choice as far as price and what you feel most comfortable with. The Mag spray oil this is the cheapest I have found anywhere so far.

You are on track....keep it up, it takes lots of time to heal The more baby steps the better, otherwise stress is apt to kick in.

You will know if something isn't working right, you will feel good for a while then your body will notice something else in the mix and start reacting to it, if you notice that, back off on a vegetable, or all of them for a day or two, or even something you might have a feeling about, stabilize again and start fresh.
Hugs
Erica

[jlbattin]

You might try the Yukon gold potatoes. I do those really well. I make hash browns and fry them in a little bit of coconut oil. That's the only veggie that I'm getting right now. I tried green beans initially, but they caused a lot of bloating.

It's a pretty bland boring diet, but nothing outside of bland and boring is worth what it might do to you or how bad it may make you feel. I had to change my attitude from "Live to Eat!" to "Eat to Live!". I just eat because I have to and to survive now. It'll get better, I'm sure, but right now..........it sure helps me feel better!

[Kate0129]

Thanks Jari....

It's tough, no doubt....i have been eating bananas, rice, chicken, hamburger (plain w/salt). That's it so far for 2 days......i am not going to try any vegetable for a while.....i just don't trust my gut right now at all. Yes, i can handle bland over pain & diarrhea anyday!!! I have plenty of potatos, i have the red ones though, but i don't eat the skin anyway. I need to get some coconut oil though. I normally don't fry stuff, but hash browns sounds good!

Erica~thanks for the links! I will be ordering mine today:) My nurse did say my Vit D level was good, she didn't say what it was though, i may call her back and ask.....i've been doing about 4000 mgs a day....she wanted me doing 5000. So that is one piece of good news anyway. Now on to getting that potassium up!!! I ate 2 bananas yesterday, 2 small gatorades, all though, you all said that wasn't the best for me to be drinking....drank almost 2 bottles of water, i'm not big on water, but am trying SO hard to do it!!! It's so weird that most of the foods that have the most potassium in it, i cannot eat.....nuts, dark green leafy stuff, raisins.....so infuriating!!! Supplements it is then......I have noticed though that for the past 2 days, i've gone to the bathroom pretty much first thing after waking, then only about 2-3 times yesterday, and it was only small amounts......and then today only once, and i've been up since 7ish....so that's better than it has been for sure.

[tex]

Kate,

It sounds as though you're making good progress with your recovery. Mostly early morning bathroom traffic is the most common pattern for people who have MC.

Yukon Gold potatoes are excellent, and I prefer them too. However, red potatoes will work about as well as yellow potatoes (such as Yukon Gold). The colored potatoes are mostly composed of a type of starch that is much easier to digest than the starch in Russet potatoes. Russets are preferred for baking and mashing, because the starch in them is not water soluble, so they don't turn to mush, when cooked in water. But that starch is much harder to digest than the type of starch found in potatoes classified as "waxy" potatoes. All of the colored potatoes are waxy potatoes, and therefore easier to digest than Russets (because the starch is easily broken down by the water in our digestive system).

Tex

[Kate0129]

Thanks Tex!

I have a question for you....i also have another auto immune disease called Lichen Sclerosis......do you think all of this may be related in some way. I know the LS is in the female area but it's auto immune, so just wondering.....

I think i am having diarrhea today b/c i've eaten 3 bananas since yesterday. Maybe too much fiber? Is it safe to take immodium with MC?

[tex]

Lichen sclerosus is somewhat commonly associated with other AI diseases, and while it's not particularly common with MC, there are a number of members here who have it. Here's some information on the association with AI diseases:

Association of Autoimmune Diseases with Lichen Sclerosus in 532 Male and Female Patients

I had to limit my banana intake to 1 per day or less while I was recovering, so it's certainly possible that they could be causing your digestive problems.

Yes, Imodium is safe to take with MC, and many members here carry a supply as insurance, just in case it's needed. Most authorities agree that up to about 8 per day can be safely taken, if needed. Of course, it's always a good idea to take no more than needed, and that applies to all medications.

You're very welcome,
Tex

[jlbattin]

Kate,

I was diagnosed several years ago with lichen sclerosus.............and diagnosed with microscopic colitis this summer...........I haven't seen any connection necessarily................but then, what do I know? :) I do think there is a connection among many AI diseases............so there could be.............but I'm in the same boat you are........although I don't have much trouble with my lichen sclerosus much anymore.........

[Kate0129]

Jari,

wow, i've met quite a few that have LS....i was diagnosed back in 2003 i think it was.....i'm 49 now...so it's been awhile....i've had some damage from it as well....Are you using Clobestol ointment or cream for it? That's what i use, and it works really well, but i have to use it every night, now she's got me doing it twice a day. I'm glad you aren't having much trouble with yours....i've got the itching under control, but i still tear on occasion, well everytime i have sex, but i just deal with it, luckily my husband is very understanding and patient so that helps.

Yea, i'm not sure if it's related to the colitis or not, but both are auto immune so there is no telling really. What do i know either:) Not too much......so if you have your colitis under control somewhat, i wonder if that's making your LS better too....hmm interesting thought.

[jlbattin]

I've had lichen sclerosus since around 1998 or so. I had trouble when I first was diagnosed. I used a steroid cream for awhile and haven't needed it ages and haven't used it in a few years. I've had no issues with it. I also have it in my mouth. My dentist saw it and made me got get biopsies done (that was AWFUL) and it was diagnosed as lichen planus (same family) also.........the white streaks..............

I have everything under control at the moment (knock on wood). That, of course, as we all know can change at a moment's notice. Trying to stay stress free and eat safe foods really helps.

[brandy]

The paleo mom, Sarah Ballantyne went into remission with her lichen planus through paleo.

http://www.thepaleomom.com/2012/05/my-e ... ichen.html

[Kate0129]

Jari you are very lucky you are not having any problems from the LS~ I've heard of the LP but i do not have that, so far anyway. I bet that biopsy was not fun, i know the one i had for the LS was not fun at all!

Tex~yes, i do believe i need to cut it to only 1 banana a day....smart thinking! I have been using immodium for years, but often if i take 2 i end up worse off on that 3rd day...i did take one yesterday and it stopped the d. So i will hold off on it today, and see what happens.....i hope that taking one every other day will be sufficient. Time will tell......thanks again for all your advice/suggestion/knowledge!!!

I feel so much better having found this group!

[TREESE]

WELCOME, Kate! You have certainly found your way to the right place! This Forum changed my whole outlook about having Collagenous Colitis. But ya know? Even more than that, it taught me that people really do care and want sincerely to help! And they DO help! That kind of support alone makes life still worth living, even with our struggles and fears. And when you begin to actually experience the results of all the positive diet changes you are making... Wow! How different everything will look to you!

I'm only with the Forum maybe 2 months now, but I have come to profoundly respect each person's wisdom and contribution of time on my and everyone else's behalf. They are genuine and tireless in their efforts to be of assistance.

You asked for a PRAYER a few posts back... I will pray for You, Kate! It will be a privilege to do so. So consider yourself bathed in Prayer from this moment on!

Sending you an Angel Hug,
TREESE

[Kate0129]

Treese,

Wow, you are making me cry of happiness though I appreciate it so very much! This is the most supportive and kind group i have come across in a very long time...so thank you all, from the bottom of my heart!

This is scary, no doubt.....but i have suddenly come to the realization that i just cannot eat what i want, and that's all there is to it. If i do, i pay...simple as that. I will be doing my very best to stay away from things i know will hurt me...i am still struggling giving up my Pepsi though , i will admit that. But I have cut back soooooo much! I was drinking way too much of it.....i am addicted to them. But i soon found out, i cannot go cold turkey!!! Ouch my aching head!!!!! So slowly i will drift away from them.....adding more water to my intake helps.

There is so much to read and learn here, i've been reading since tuesday! I love it, and i love all of you. You all are in my prayers every single night!!!!

Thanks again for all the support!!!!!

[Gabes-Apg]

HI there Kate
you have been given fantastic advice about eating plans etc

I am another that has Lichen Sclerosis, mine was Dx'd after the MC dx.
at a time when I was struggling physically, emotionally, mentally I would have bad bad flares.
I found coconut oil worked well (healing)

Since minimising inflammation in my body and fixing key nutrient deficiencies, such as magnesium. I have not had a Lichen Sclerosis flare for over 10 months.

take it a day at a time, week at a time. taper off the pepsi at a pace you can handle, stick with the bland well cooked meals... get into the Vit D3 and Magnesium.
just like it takes 8 weeks to heal a broken bone, it takes 8-12 weeks to fix nutrient deficiencies. Stick with the bland eating, and the Vit D3 and magnesium and in a few weeks things will gradually improve...

[Kate0129]

Thank you Gabes Ryan,

It's been a real struggle, and now i've had a setback this weekend, don't know if i've got a bug or what, but i have felt just awful all weekend, but this too shall pass, soon hopefully!!!

I have ordered the magnesium spray that Erica suggested, so hopefully that will be here this week, and i will get started on that. My Vit D level is up and good according to my doctor, so that is good news, i've been taking approx 4-5000 mg's a day, and will continue that. Do you all think the spray Vit D is better than the gummy supplements?

LS is the devil, but lately mine has not been that bad....my doctor had me using clobetasol two weeks on, two weeks off.....so that is what i will continue with for now. I am also going to get some coconut oil to use as well. Thanks for that tip:)

It will take time, but i think if i stick to a good diet plan, then i will be much better off, and yes, i'm really trying hard not to drink so much Pepsi:) Daily struggle, but i will get there.....and even now, they taste too sweet to me most times anyway.

Thanks again yall are the best!!!!