I was diagnosed with LC today...

[Jumpindogs]

The other thing I thought of overnight, is workplace / work schedule.
is your work day stressful?

are the symptoms worse after work days, bit better on non work days?

Yes, high stress...Level I Trauma Center Transfusion Service. And yes, worse on work days.

Unfortunately I must work and my profession is specialized so only two other local employment options and both would also be high stress. But retirement is only a few years away.

[Jumpindogs]

So after replying to all of you...and I can't express how much I appreciate and am grateful for your advice; it really helped me and I would've been completely lost and alone without you...I wanted to explain that I am doing much better. :-)

I had a colonoscopy a month ago and no lymphocytes in the biopsies. My new GI doc is slowly weaning me off Uceris and, if successful, will then slowly wean me off Loperamide. So far so good. I am occasional friends with Norman again! I still have some urgency but I can't help but wonder if some of that is psychological. You know, once a panty pooper...

I really like my new GI doc and especially since he agrees with so much of what you guys have told me. Although his idea of MC is hallmark watery D and he thinks I am comparatively recovered if I don't have that. He is young, really smart, very kind and has MC patients who are in much worse shape than I was which leaves me feeling very sad for them and grateful for my many blessings.

Of course I can't post without asking a question so here goes...I would like to try a protein smoothie for breakfast and recall mention of hemp powder but cannot find any recommended brands listed or even any recipes beyond two that had "smoothie" in the heading and I am sure there are more wonderful safe smoothie recipes here. I don't know if it's my old, blonde brain or what but I try every word combo that I can think of in the search function and am unable to find the answer to those burning questions. Also, is the fiber in hemp protein powder a problem? I've been trying to stay low fiber as recommended.

TIA for the hemp advice and hugs to all.

Hi all

Just wanted to share that I am generally doing well with infrequent, periodic watery D when I try a food that doesn't agree with me. Like blueberries. And spinach. So sad as those were two of my loves pre-LC diagnosis. But I am sometimes Norman, off Uceris and weaning off Loperamide so life is very good.

After some experimentation I am successfully handling this breakfast smoothie. It makes a lot so I drink half and the rest the next day. I included the brands since that was always a question for me, wondering if a particular brand was better due to no additives like gums, secret soy, etc. I realize not all brands are available in all countries but these will work for those USA folks who shop Amazon.

8 ounces 100% coconut milk (Aroy-D)
2-3 T. organic 100% hemp protein powder (Nutiva)
1 frozen banana
1/2 avocado
1 t. raw honey
pinch Madagascar gourmet vanilla bean powder (Terrasoul)

My new integrative medicine doc discovered that I have a MTHFR mutation so I have a new set of food/supplement/lifestyle guidelines to try and meet. Life is full of surprises, isn't it?

And my zinc levels are too high...high enough that we are trying to figure out why. Hadn't taken a multi-vitamin/mineral supplement for months before testing and none of my other supplements contain zinc. Even tested our well water...no zinc. Strange.

Take care everyone. Hope you are all doing well and hanging in there.

[Gabes-Apg]

Joanne
great news to hear of your progress - that is pretty good considering you are only 5 months into the healing journey...

we have some information about MTHFR / methlyation in this section
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=78

hope the improvements and wellness continues to flourish