MICROSCOPIC COLITIS SUPPORT

Very interesting regarding AN PEP
I wash all the veggies, the meat is only meat (not commercially coated/marinated/crumbed), and the goats milk is 100% goats milk. On the rare occasion I eat rice, I rinse it first before cooking. Besides that I only buy an oil to cook with, and singular products like vinegar - I don’t buy tins of anything, packets of anything, or processed items.
Would there be gluten contaminating meat, or vegetables..?

Pixigal wrote:Would there be gluten contaminating meat, or vegetables..?

Sometimes there is, if it's not handled properly, especially if anyone handling those items touches anything that has contained an item that contains gluten, including countertops, knives, bowels, etc. Contaminated cutting boards can be a serious problem, because it's extremely difficult, if it's even possible, to completely clean them if they become contaminated with gluten.

If someone opens a bag of flour nearby, the fine particles drift everywhere, and settle on everything. They can even drift from room to room through the air duct system. This is a major problem with most fast food restaurants that claim to be gluten-free, even though they handle wheat flour in some parts of the kitchen. As time wears on during the day, wheat flour ends up on most countertops (and everything sitting on those countertops) in their kitchen.

Some of us are able to tolerate such low-grade cross-contamination, especially if we've been in remission for a long time, but unfortunately, those of us who have more sensitive immune systems, tend to react at much lower contamination levels.

incidentally, if you're sensitive to the casein in cows milk, you're sensitive to the casein in goats milk. Goats milk does contain a lower percentage of the offending casein, but it still contains far more than enough to cause us to react. For those of us who are casein sensitive (which is most of us), the only safe milk is milk from the camelid family (camels, llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos).

Tex













etc.

ThanksTex, super helpful stuff
I haven’t eaten out/eaten take away for years, and I live alone (also for many years) so helping to eliminate a couple of those sources. I wash everything that comes into the house, including each food item, so I’m hoping it’s not that.
I haven’t been able to source camelid milks, so making yoghurt from goats milk is the best option I’ve found so far (I don’t drink it in its usual state - I only consume it after I’ve made it into yoghurt, and I feel very lucky that I haven’t reacted to it to date).
Thank you kindly again for sharing your knowledge, I’ll be extra mindful of washing the food when I bring it home
Edit: I also was thinking about the amount of air that gets into my digestive tract, and have sometimes wondered if this would have an effect on the bacteria (good or bad) and the chemistry/function…I use a (non invasive) ventilator when fatigued and at night, which takes over the task of breathing due to partial paralysis/lack of function of my diaphragm and some associated muscles of breathing. The in breath pressure can be quite high at times due to the complete lack of breathing I do myself, so for almost the entire time, this machine is forcing air into my chest for every breath, hours at a time. Some of that air gets forced into my oesophagus and can continue the entire digestive tract (if I don’t burp in my sleep). The only way to circumvent this is to have a tracheostomy however there are many down sides to living with this that I do not want to have to live with unless absolutely necessary. (The pressures are high due to partial paralysis/complete lack of functional breathing while sleeping, however I am normal BMI/waist measurement. Often, these types of vents are used for either people with upper neck spinal cord injury and have tetraplegia or significant additional weight which affects breathing when laying down, or other health issues that limit the ability to breathe. For instance, machine is similar to the ones used by Stephen Hawking and Christopher Reeve to maintain enough breathing volume and rate when you can’t do it alone).
I was wondering if you would have any ideas regarding GIT effects from chronic gastric insufflation as a result of non invasive ventilation..? I haven’t found anything conclusive myself
Thank you again

Unfortunately, I know virtually nothing about that issue. I can offer some insight, though, on weaker than normal diaphragm muscles. MC depletes magnesium. The corticosteroids used to treat MC, including budesonide, deplete magnesium. A lot of other things deplete magnesium, including antibiotics, PPIs, and many other medications. Even coffee depletes magnesium. Some authorities claim that at least 70% of the population is magnesium deficient, simply because there's not as much magnesium in our food these days, due to the fact that magnesium has been depleted from our soils, because of centuries of farming. And the general population doesn't have to contend with the magnesium depleting effects of MC and budesonide.

So I'll share an experience I had seven or eight years ago after I had several back-to-back antibiotic treatments because of extensive dental work. I was taking magnesium at the time, so it never occurred to me that my magnesium supplementation program might not be adequate. Obviously, it was Inadequate, though, because a few months later I began to have problems with kidney stones, and my kidney function had deteriorated to the point where my doctor decided I had kidney disease. But my symptoms didn't stop there. I had most of the symptoms of prediabetes — a frequent need to urinate, even throughout the night, occasional episodes when I apparently had low blood sugar, because I would become lightheaded, have the shakes, etc. eating something would resolve the problem, just as it does for diabetics.

I would wake up in the wee hours of the morning with severe leg cramps, shallow breathing, tachycardia (a heart rate of about 115), and severe feelings of anxiety, something I had never experienced before in my life. I described all the symptoms to a number of doctors, and I was always met with blank stares, because magnesium deficiency is not on 99.999% of doctors' radar. It finally got so bad a few months later, that one morning I couldn't force myself to eat breakfast, because I felt so bad. So I went to the emergency department of the biggest hospital in the area and they took all sorts of tests, including my blood magnesium. But when my results came back, the doctors reviewed them, and told me that all my results were fine, so they sent me home.

The next day it occurred to me that maybe I should check those test results myself, so I logged on to my hospital account, and reviewed my test results. Bingo! My blood magnesium level was flagged as low by the lab. The emergency department doctors performed just like all doctors — they ignored that magnesium result, because they don't consider magnesium levels to be important. I doubled my magnesium supplement, and by the next day, I was fine. All those symptoms were gone. The only reason why the lab was able to catch that low magnesium level, what because I didn't take any of my medications or my supplements that morning (or eat breakfast) because I felt so badly. If I had taken my magnesium supplement, or eaten breakfast, as usual, that blood test would have come back perfectly fine, because they check the serum blood level of magnesium in those tests. And for some unknown reason, doctors have traditionally ordered the same type of tests test for their patients when checking magnesium levels. Consequently they never diagnose a magnesium deficiency, because once you eat breakfast you'll have enough magnesium in your system to last you most of the day. The only way you can catch a magnesium deficiency in those routine tests, is to check the magnesium level in your cells, because your body automatically regulates the magnesium level in your bloodstream between strict limits. If it didn't, you would have cardiovascular issues, and all sorts of other problems. Because magnesium is a critical electrolyte.

Anyway, the point of this tome, is that for most of the time when I had a chronic magnesium deficiency, I couldn't take a deep breath, no matter how hard I tried. My diaphragm just didn't have the strength to do it. And the reason for that is because magnesium is critical for proper muscle function. It cannot only cause autonomic nervous system issues (such as the inability to breathe properly, or the inability to swallow properly, etc.), but it can cause problems such as GERD, due to the fact that the lower esophageal sphincter may not have adequate strength to remain clinched, thereby aligning stomach acid to be regurgitated/refluxed. A chronic magnesium deficiency can cause muscle spasming, which can not only cause reflux issues, but it can cause slow stomach emptying issues. Diabetics are frequently diagnosed with gastroparesis (slow stomach emptying), and interestingly enough, diabetics are notorious for having a chronic magnesium deficiency. I'm somewhat of an authority on this issue, because a few years ago, I wrote a book titled Why Magnesium Is the Key to Long-Term Health. The bottom line is, as soon as I resolved my chronic magnesium deficiency, I had no trouble taking a deep breath. The inability to take a deep breath typically causes you to constantly want to take a deep breath, and the fact that you can't, is not only worrisome, but it's maddening. Resolving that issue was like lifting a huge weight from my shoulders.

I can't say with any degree of certainty that a magnesium deficiency is your problem, but if I were in your situation I would certainly investigate it. if you're not taking a good, easily absorbed, magnesium supplement, such as magnesium glycinate, you almost surely have a chronic magnesium deficiency, If you ask your doctor for a magnesium test, make sure that he or she orders a red blood cell (RBC) magnesium test, not a serum test. Some doctors have apparently realized their mistake, and so they now order the RBC magnesium test by default, but certainly not all of them. As far as I'm concerned the serum magnesium test should only be used in an emergency department setting, because it measures the magnesium level at the moment, and that's important in an emergency department visit.

if this turns out to be your primary problem, it may take a while to recover, because your muscles have been short of magnesium for so many years, that it will probably take them a while to regain their strength and coordination. Sorry for the slow response, but I had to get caught up with my work, so that I had time to write this. I hope it turns out to be helpful.

Tex

Hi there Tex,
Just want to say the time and effort you’ve put in to your very kind and generous reply is greatly appreciated; thank you kindly
My diaphragm is weak because I have dislocated and damaged my neck at C3,4, & 5, in the past, so this is what affects my diaphragm in particular (damage to the roots that also supply the phrenic nerves), and why I use a non invasive ventilator to keep me alive at night or when I’m fatigued after extensive use of accessory muscles of breathing.
I am weak in other muscles, however this is due to incomplete SCI and other degenerative processes (as tested by various conduction investigations).
Having said that, when I feel as if I’m low in magnesium, I do get spasms in the muscles that have been affected by nerve damage - they go into positions of flexion that is difficult to release (however I have minimal sensation of cramping; I often notice it when I attempt to move).
I’m sure there is net cellular depletion of magnesium, as I’ve had lots of surgeries too, and this also accelerates the body’s use of it in the enzymatic processes involved in wound healing.
I’ll check out access to some quality magnesium supplementation, thank you so much again for your time and sharing of information; I really do appreciate it
Edit: I’ve never had reflux (I have low acid due to nerve damage; never taken proton pump inhibitors), and I haven’t drank coffee for around 18 years…Today I’m again attempting to taper Budesonide (with the ok of specialist), so here’s hoping I don’t have to install a tv in the bathroom…

regarding Magnesium supplementation, what is a good dose to start with. I have used budesinide long term and did not know of the mag deficiency issue.

I think this is your first post - so welcome

the daily RDI for magnesium is about 350mg - 400mg ELEMENTAL magnesium per day
this needs to be increased if you are consuming items that deplete magnesium ( medications, coffee etc)

depending on what product you are using - oral medication or topical sprays (or both) the main thing to do is to spread the dosage through out the day. do not take oral medication all at once.

my suggestion at least 400mg elemental magnesium per day
(check the fine print on the label of your product as to how much elemental magnesium you are getting with each dosage)

Hi all,

Can I check whether or not we are allowed roasted meats and vegetables please? I saw baked in the original post.

Kind Regards,

Amy

Roasted meats and vegetables are fine so long as you use 'safe' oils etc

I use rice bran oil on my vegetables in the air fryer
or cook the vegetables in pan with my safe meats so the juices from the meat put flavour into the vegetables

Gabes-Apg wrote: ↑Thu Jan 05, 2023 4:08 pm Roasted meats and vegetables are fine so long as you use 'safe' oils etc

I use rice bran oil on my vegetables in the air fryer
or cook the vegetables in pan with my safe meats so the juices from the meat put flavour into the vegetables

Thank you!

I know these posts here are from quite awhile ago....but I was wondering if there was a link to a recommended Stage 2 Meal Plan?

Yes. a few posts down. 'eating plan - stage two'
viewtopic.php?t=22329

Hi everyone,
I was diagnosed with MC two months ago, but had gut problems for years - sometimes mild, sometimes a little bit harder. So far I didn't have really bad simptoms, but now after antibiotic I have a flare up. By that I mean two or three toilet visitations in the morning and cramps and diarrhea after lunch (main meal for me around 2 PM). So I'm trying to figure out what to eat. I'm not on any medication. Can you advise me about vegetables? Which ones are mostly ok, and do not cause problems? My dr. also said that I should reduce gluten intake, but not avoid it altogether? I am lactose intolerant so no dairy for me for few years now. Generally my diet consists meat(all meat), almost all vegetables, olive oil, all fruits. My meals are home cooked cause we rarely eat in restaurants. But I did eat carbohydrates- bread, oat, rice. I'm baking my glutenfree bread now, and avoid carbo exept rice. I will try to put myself on stage one diet and see how will it go. Maybe somebody's simptoms are similar and can advise me about diet, probiotics, medication etc.
Eh, also I have Hashimoto syndrome and am on Eutyrox 50 mg a day.
Thanks in advance, Joy

Hello Joy,

Welcome to the group. First, please note that your doctors are wrong: gluten must be avoided 100% if you intend to put this disease in remission. The Microscopic Colitis Foundation published a newsletter back in May 2021 that included a few tips about selecting foods that you might find useful. If you haven't seen it, here's a direct link where you can download it:

https://www.microscopiccolitisfoundatio ... 479987.pdf

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

Tex

Hi, just a little update,

I've been feeling ok lately. Just normal BM every morning (sometimes two or three times, but normal consistency). Changes I made: eating GF, DF, SF, for now I'm eating only potato, batat, rice, meat, carrots, parsnips, kohlrabi, bananas, apple (cooked) or other fruit (also cooked) and I'm making my GF bread from Schar B mix flour ( rice flour, corn starch, can contain soy in traces). Idea for breakfast - banana and batat squished together (I like it very much). Also I'm taking D vit, Mg in oil form and B vit complex because that's what I'm lacking. Now, I wanted to ask about probiotic called " Linex" ( lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5, Bifidobacterium animalis BB-12). It helped me with my problem after antibiotics, so should I take it every day or just when I need it like last time? And for how long sould I eat like this and feeling ok to be ready to introduce some fruit in my diet. I'm asking approximately, I know it is different for everyone (months, weeks?)
Oh, and sorry if my english is not the best, I'm from Croatia so it is not my native language.
Best to all, Joy