Hi everyone,
I had diarrhea on and off for about 4 months when a new GI doctor I went to did a colonoscopy and diagnosed me with LC. He just said to stay away from fiber and dairy, which I did. I took Diarrhea Stop (like Imodium, but more natural) when needed and ate very small amounts. I lost 10 pounds and am now down to 105. About 5-6 weeks ago the diarrhea slowed down. I did not stay away from gluten, only fiber and dairy. This past week I started with a little dairy, about 1/4 cup of milk with breakfast to see what would happen. I'm eating pretty regular, except for fiber, fatty foods, etc. He also told me to use Pepto Bismol if needed. He did not want to put me on any medications. I also take a lot of probiotics. I started seeing a holistic nutritionist and she put me on another probiotic which has actual live cultures, so now I am taking three different kinds. The one she just put me on is temporary. I am always concerned that it is going to return. My doctor said some people get it like this, it goes away and never returns. Has this ever happened to anyone?
Nancy
Can't figure out food intolerances
Moderators: Rosie, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hi Nancy,
We have a fair number of members who have experienced spontaneous remission for varying periods of time, (even time spans measured in terms of years, in some cases, but I don't recall anyone who has ever gone into permanent remission, except for a few whose MC was initially caused by a drug, (such as a PPI). Of course, there is no guarantee that their MC will not become active at some point in the future, but I can recall one member who has been in remission for a couple of years, now, whose MC was originally caused by a PPI.
Sometimes an antibiotic, (such as Cipro), can cause temporary remission, and sometimes just a cleanout for a colonoscopy exam can result in a period of remission for a while. Anything can happen, but permanent spontaneous remission is something that we all dream of, but have yet to see, (at least among the membership here). By spontaneous remission, I refer to remission without any maintenance treatment of any kind. Of course, many of us here are in remission as a result of diet changes, a medication, or a combination.
Tex
We have a fair number of members who have experienced spontaneous remission for varying periods of time, (even time spans measured in terms of years, in some cases, but I don't recall anyone who has ever gone into permanent remission, except for a few whose MC was initially caused by a drug, (such as a PPI). Of course, there is no guarantee that their MC will not become active at some point in the future, but I can recall one member who has been in remission for a couple of years, now, whose MC was originally caused by a PPI.
Sometimes an antibiotic, (such as Cipro), can cause temporary remission, and sometimes just a cleanout for a colonoscopy exam can result in a period of remission for a while. Anything can happen, but permanent spontaneous remission is something that we all dream of, but have yet to see, (at least among the membership here). By spontaneous remission, I refer to remission without any maintenance treatment of any kind. Of course, many of us here are in remission as a result of diet changes, a medication, or a combination.
Tex
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.
Thank you Tex
Thanks for getting back to me Tex. The doctor did say that he considered it a mild case. So, I will wait and see and not eat anything crazy. I do like reading all the information on this website. You are all such a help.
Nancy
Nancy
-
WhyIOughta
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2011 10:39 am
I had two good months after the Colonoscopy
My symptoms went away after the "clean out" when I had my colonoscopy. I also had good results doing a colon cleanse about a year before that (probiotics, digestive enzymes, fiber, mild laxative at night). Had the best bowel movements ever, once a day, didn't even need to wipe!
At the time I did the colon cleanse I was just supporting my wife, I was not diagnosed yet with collagenous colitis. Looking back however, I've always had rather frequent diarrhea and now believe that I'm just having a worse time with it the last year and a half, that this is something I've been battling for longer than I originally realized.
I'm basically doing everything I was before on the colon cleanse with the exception of the laxative - not brave enough to add that yet since I go about 3 - 8 times a day, sometimes more, as it is.
At the time I did the colon cleanse I was just supporting my wife, I was not diagnosed yet with collagenous colitis. Looking back however, I've always had rather frequent diarrhea and now believe that I'm just having a worse time with it the last year and a half, that this is something I've been battling for longer than I originally realized.
I'm basically doing everything I was before on the colon cleanse with the exception of the laxative - not brave enough to add that yet since I go about 3 - 8 times a day, sometimes more, as it is.
Why,
Yeah, sounds like a laxative is *not* what you're needing!
A colon cleanse while MC is active is kind of like a loofah on a sunburn, it seems to me. Yes, it may 'exfoliate' or slough off or cleanse, but OUCH. Most of us, when symptoms are flaring, do better with minimal fiber, probably for (a more scientific version of) this reason.
I believe I also had been having CC symptoms for some time, before they kicked up to the level of screaming for my attention. For me, the difference between occasional/minor and YIKES was huge. If only I had known, every time I thought "guess I ate something that didn't agree with me"...
While you're inflamed, it is safe and prudent to *remove* supplements, meds, foods, etc. from the routine. *Adding* things (laxatives, fiber, probiotics... even 'good' things) increases the chance of reaction and potentially delays healing. It seems like a long hard road, but is actually the shortcut. Less, it turns out, really is more.
You may have to invent your own version of the 'BRAT' diet (banana, applesauce, rice, tea). Rice made me worse in the beginning; bananas and apples may be among the fruits that don't work for you... and you might not enjoy tea.
Another strategy: many of us keep a diary of everything we eat (item, quantity, time of day, fried vs. baked... I am less detailed than some) and every symptom (from gurgling to headaches to any sort of poo variant and frequency and more, including skin rashes and pretty much any body symptom you can think of). I found this overwhelming at first, and set it aside. Now that my symptoms are back under control, I am better able to notice variations in how I feel from day to day (fatigue, for example) and look back over what I've changed or added to my diet to see if I can spot a connection.
Other people have had relief from symptoms by taking drugs that *caused* those same symptoms in other members (one case was an antibiotic... antibiotics definitely were part of the trifecta of disasters that brought on my MC). Some folks have been badly set back, maybe even started with MC, by colonoscopy prep - hopefully your 'luck' will hold as you move forward.
Good luck,
Sara
Yeah, sounds like a laxative is *not* what you're needing!
A colon cleanse while MC is active is kind of like a loofah on a sunburn, it seems to me. Yes, it may 'exfoliate' or slough off or cleanse, but OUCH. Most of us, when symptoms are flaring, do better with minimal fiber, probably for (a more scientific version of) this reason.
I believe I also had been having CC symptoms for some time, before they kicked up to the level of screaming for my attention. For me, the difference between occasional/minor and YIKES was huge. If only I had known, every time I thought "guess I ate something that didn't agree with me"...
While you're inflamed, it is safe and prudent to *remove* supplements, meds, foods, etc. from the routine. *Adding* things (laxatives, fiber, probiotics... even 'good' things) increases the chance of reaction and potentially delays healing. It seems like a long hard road, but is actually the shortcut. Less, it turns out, really is more.
You may have to invent your own version of the 'BRAT' diet (banana, applesauce, rice, tea). Rice made me worse in the beginning; bananas and apples may be among the fruits that don't work for you... and you might not enjoy tea.
Another strategy: many of us keep a diary of everything we eat (item, quantity, time of day, fried vs. baked... I am less detailed than some) and every symptom (from gurgling to headaches to any sort of poo variant and frequency and more, including skin rashes and pretty much any body symptom you can think of). I found this overwhelming at first, and set it aside. Now that my symptoms are back under control, I am better able to notice variations in how I feel from day to day (fatigue, for example) and look back over what I've changed or added to my diet to see if I can spot a connection.
Other people have had relief from symptoms by taking drugs that *caused* those same symptoms in other members (one case was an antibiotic... antibiotics definitely were part of the trifecta of disasters that brought on my MC). Some folks have been badly set back, maybe even started with MC, by colonoscopy prep - hopefully your 'luck' will hold as you move forward.
Good luck,
Sara
This is a very interesting post, because I also had spontaneous "wellness" from the D right after my colonoscopy (actually about 2-3 weeks after), and that wellness lasted only 2 months.
Though some people have had bouts of D in the past before full blown D, I was just the opposite in that ever since the teen years, I had always been constipated to the point of having tried everything from prunes/prune juice to Miralax/Metamucil/Citrucel, even having been to the doctor for severe C with tons of tests taken. In fact, I still have a supply of Miralax on my shelf.
When the D started, I was in total shock, having never had D....ever.
However, I believe, since I have had numerous amounts of heavy antibiotics due to Lyme Disease back in 2002-2004, that it has in some way caused this D problem. I will never know for sure. Interestingly, the MC only just started in 2010.
Sara, your post started me thinking about my antibiotic past. I was so busy thinking about the D, I did not put it all together. I now know abx definitely messed with my innards!
This is a monster illness, and we need it gone.
garina
Though some people have had bouts of D in the past before full blown D, I was just the opposite in that ever since the teen years, I had always been constipated to the point of having tried everything from prunes/prune juice to Miralax/Metamucil/Citrucel, even having been to the doctor for severe C with tons of tests taken. In fact, I still have a supply of Miralax on my shelf.
When the D started, I was in total shock, having never had D....ever.
However, I believe, since I have had numerous amounts of heavy antibiotics due to Lyme Disease back in 2002-2004, that it has in some way caused this D problem. I will never know for sure. Interestingly, the MC only just started in 2010.
Sara, your post started me thinking about my antibiotic past. I was so busy thinking about the D, I did not put it all together. I now know abx definitely messed with my innards!
This is a monster illness, and we need it gone.
garina
Hi Nancy,
It certainly sounds like you have at least eliminated some of your problem foods. But I am curious . . . . you said your diarrhea "slowed"so I am assuming there are still some issues. Have you thought about giving GF a try since so many of us are gluten sensitive? I'm wondering if that might completely turn things around. I think GF is easier than DF becasue there are many GF replacements.
I know antibiotics messed with my innards. I went through a period where I was getting lots of migraines. I would also get a runny nose (allergy like symptoms). I was given antibiotics for sinus infections over and over and over. I know now that I was having histamine headaches and other symptoms related to histamine. I'm not sure I ever had a sinus infection in my entire life.
Mary Beth
It certainly sounds like you have at least eliminated some of your problem foods. But I am curious . . . . you said your diarrhea "slowed"so I am assuming there are still some issues. Have you thought about giving GF a try since so many of us are gluten sensitive? I'm wondering if that might completely turn things around. I think GF is easier than DF becasue there are many GF replacements.
I know antibiotics messed with my innards. I went through a period where I was getting lots of migraines. I would also get a runny nose (allergy like symptoms). I was given antibiotics for sinus infections over and over and over. I know now that I was having histamine headaches and other symptoms related to histamine. I'm not sure I ever had a sinus infection in my entire life.
Mary Beth
"If you believe it will work out, you'll see opportunities. If you believe it won't you will see obstacles." - Dr. Wayne Dyer
Hi Mary Beth,
That was a post going back to January. Since then I have been on Entocort and DF, EG, and SF since April. I had gone down to 102 pounds and now working my way up again. I am at 105. I am now down to 2 Entocort and also GF. Right now I am feeling really good. I am not eating much fiber, only very well cooked veggies, just a little fruit here and there. I make my own almond milk and that is working. This week I want to try a smoothie with the milk, frozen strawberries and bananas to start. I would like to add a protein supplement, but not sure which one would be beneficial. I saw one on a GF website that looked good. Nutribody (vegan), but it's so expensive. Would you have any ideas about that. I would like to make a smoothie for lunch. Breakfast and dinners are OK and I can come up with meals for that, but lunches are tough. Can't wait to have a salad!!!
Thanks for your concern.
Nancy
That was a post going back to January. Since then I have been on Entocort and DF, EG, and SF since April. I had gone down to 102 pounds and now working my way up again. I am at 105. I am now down to 2 Entocort and also GF. Right now I am feeling really good. I am not eating much fiber, only very well cooked veggies, just a little fruit here and there. I make my own almond milk and that is working. This week I want to try a smoothie with the milk, frozen strawberries and bananas to start. I would like to add a protein supplement, but not sure which one would be beneficial. I saw one on a GF website that looked good. Nutribody (vegan), but it's so expensive. Would you have any ideas about that. I would like to make a smoothie for lunch. Breakfast and dinners are OK and I can come up with meals for that, but lunches are tough. Can't wait to have a salad!!!
Thanks for your concern.
Nancy