Wanted to say hi and update
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Wanted to say hi and update
Hi everyone. Even though I have not posted lately, I do check in and see how everyone is doing. I was diagnosed 4 years ago with MC after 2 years of horrible D. I realized I was dairy protein intolerant (even though my Dr said he didn't think so) and was on many meds, which didn't help. Entocort was the only one that helped and I weaned myself off after 2 years and had been doing fairly well with avoiding all dairy and taking my Metamucil everyday-which has been my lifesaver. The past 2 months have been tough and I'm back to needing to know where all the bathrooms are!! I realize I probably need to check into avoiding gluten although it never seemed to be a problem. I have been using all soy products and had been doing well so I don't think it is the soy. I started using Pepto B again and that has helped a little. Any suggestions from all of you. Would appreciate any input. I really don't want to back to my gastro Dr because he will just want me to go on meds again. I did start on Tumeric for my arthritis but all the literature says it is an anti-inflammatory and many use it for colitis. Thanks to all of you and I promise to check in more often.
Hi,
Often when you take out one food that causes a problem, another rears its head. Pepto helped me, too - and to help it do its job you could do a trial of total GF/SF. As you know from avoiding dairy, you have to do it "all the way" or it doesn't work, and you have all the inconvenience of avoiding foods with no answers.
You might look into Enterolab testing, which I (and many others) found helpful for clarifying food sensitivities. You could have been OK with soy before, and not now... and gluten likewise. Most of us seemed to able to eat gluten just fine most of our lives... right up till we can't tolerate it at all (sigh).
I sometimes add turmeric to recipes, and am willing it to do its anti-inflammatory magic. I think the only way to get D under control is more about removing triggers than adding helpful herbs or supplements, or even meds. Some things can make matters worse in a major flare, but be helpful once symptoms abate and some healing takes place (I'm thinking of fish oil - all oils bothered me in the beginning, and that is common as you probably know).
Fiber also can aggravate D once the gut is inflamed. You might see whether your body would appreciate a week off from Metamucil, which can be quite harsh on a tender gut.
I hope you feel better soon,
Sara
Often when you take out one food that causes a problem, another rears its head. Pepto helped me, too - and to help it do its job you could do a trial of total GF/SF. As you know from avoiding dairy, you have to do it "all the way" or it doesn't work, and you have all the inconvenience of avoiding foods with no answers.
You might look into Enterolab testing, which I (and many others) found helpful for clarifying food sensitivities. You could have been OK with soy before, and not now... and gluten likewise. Most of us seemed to able to eat gluten just fine most of our lives... right up till we can't tolerate it at all (sigh).
I sometimes add turmeric to recipes, and am willing it to do its anti-inflammatory magic. I think the only way to get D under control is more about removing triggers than adding helpful herbs or supplements, or even meds. Some things can make matters worse in a major flare, but be helpful once symptoms abate and some healing takes place (I'm thinking of fish oil - all oils bothered me in the beginning, and that is common as you probably know).
Fiber also can aggravate D once the gut is inflamed. You might see whether your body would appreciate a week off from Metamucil, which can be quite harsh on a tender gut.
I hope you feel better soon,
Sara
Hi,
Sorry that you needed to come back here. but welcome back. Never hesitate to log on, anytime you have a question. Even if we can't come up with a satisfactory answer, (which is rare), at least we don't charge for dumb looks, which is more than can be said about some of our doctors.
Obviously, if you don't want to try any drugs, then diet is the only game in town. The big question is, "how long ago did you stop taking Entocort?". If it was less than 4 months ago, and you have been reacting for at least 2 months, then the Entocort was probably masking your symptoms, and you are probably gluten-sensitive. On the other hand, if you were in remission for, say, 6 months to a year or more, after discontinuing the use of Entocort, then there is a chance that you might be sensitive to something other than gluten, and soy would be a likely suspect. (Of course, that doesn't necessarily prove that you aren't also sensitive to gluten, either). Even if you don't react to gluten specifically, you might just be asymptomatic, (like many celiacs), and it might still be damaging your intestines. Of course, there are also other possibilities, such as eggs, corn, yeast, etc., but those sensitivities are not as common among members, here, as gluten, dairy, and soy.
You're probably right about your GI doc prescribing meds, again - that's what they're trained to do, and they seem to love to write prescriptions.
Incidentally, I would think that turmeric would be helpful for RA, since RA is a result of inflammation. Flax seed oil, and fish oil often helps, too. FYI, I had bad arthritis roughly 10 years ago. My knees were so bad that sometimes I had to use not just one, but 2 canes, if I wanted to hobble around. The joints of some of my fingers were inflamed, and excruciatingly painful, and they caused those fingers to grow crooked and twisted.
After I figured out what was going on, and I adopted the GF diet, all that foolishness stopped, and though those fingers are still permanently crooked and twisted, (as a reminder of where I was headed, if I hadn't changed my diet), they haven't changed since my gut healed - no more arthritis.
Tex
Sorry that you needed to come back here. but welcome back. Never hesitate to log on, anytime you have a question. Even if we can't come up with a satisfactory answer, (which is rare), at least we don't charge for dumb looks, which is more than can be said about some of our doctors.
Obviously, if you don't want to try any drugs, then diet is the only game in town. The big question is, "how long ago did you stop taking Entocort?". If it was less than 4 months ago, and you have been reacting for at least 2 months, then the Entocort was probably masking your symptoms, and you are probably gluten-sensitive. On the other hand, if you were in remission for, say, 6 months to a year or more, after discontinuing the use of Entocort, then there is a chance that you might be sensitive to something other than gluten, and soy would be a likely suspect. (Of course, that doesn't necessarily prove that you aren't also sensitive to gluten, either). Even if you don't react to gluten specifically, you might just be asymptomatic, (like many celiacs), and it might still be damaging your intestines. Of course, there are also other possibilities, such as eggs, corn, yeast, etc., but those sensitivities are not as common among members, here, as gluten, dairy, and soy.
You're probably right about your GI doc prescribing meds, again - that's what they're trained to do, and they seem to love to write prescriptions.
Incidentally, I would think that turmeric would be helpful for RA, since RA is a result of inflammation. Flax seed oil, and fish oil often helps, too. FYI, I had bad arthritis roughly 10 years ago. My knees were so bad that sometimes I had to use not just one, but 2 canes, if I wanted to hobble around. The joints of some of my fingers were inflamed, and excruciatingly painful, and they caused those fingers to grow crooked and twisted.
After I figured out what was going on, and I adopted the GF diet, all that foolishness stopped, and though those fingers are still permanently crooked and twisted, (as a reminder of where I was headed, if I hadn't changed my diet), they haven't changed since my gut healed - no more arthritis.
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.
lab test for food intolerance
I looked into the aforementioned lab test for gluten intolerance and was sad to see it costs $367. I'll have to save for a bit for the test. Does anyone think insurance may cover such a test or my GI's office can do such a test?
CoryGut
Age 71
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis Sept. 2010
On and off Entocort(Currently Off)
Age 71
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis Sept. 2010
On and off Entocort(Currently Off)
Cory,
That panel actually contains tests for antibodies to gluten, milk, egg, and soy, plus the gene test. It includes $545 worth of tests, (if ordered separately), for only $369. It's an excellent set of tests, but the gluten test is available separately, (by itself), for only $99.
Some, (not all), insurance companies will pay for these tests, especially if your doctor orders them. The problem is that many doctors won't order them, because they are not familiar with the lab, and they don't like to order tests from labs that they don't routinely deal with. Whether or not a GI specialist will order a test from Enterolab, usually boils down to whether or not they are aware that food sensitivities are connected with MC. Most doctors who refuse to recognize that food sensitivities affect MC, aren't familiar with the stool tests, so they will claim that the tests are a waste of money, and they will usually refuse to order those tests for the patient. Well informed GI docs, who are up-to-date with their education, (concerning MC), will usually order the tests.
Tex
That panel actually contains tests for antibodies to gluten, milk, egg, and soy, plus the gene test. It includes $545 worth of tests, (if ordered separately), for only $369. It's an excellent set of tests, but the gluten test is available separately, (by itself), for only $99.
Some, (not all), insurance companies will pay for these tests, especially if your doctor orders them. The problem is that many doctors won't order them, because they are not familiar with the lab, and they don't like to order tests from labs that they don't routinely deal with. Whether or not a GI specialist will order a test from Enterolab, usually boils down to whether or not they are aware that food sensitivities are connected with MC. Most doctors who refuse to recognize that food sensitivities affect MC, aren't familiar with the stool tests, so they will claim that the tests are a waste of money, and they will usually refuse to order those tests for the patient. Well informed GI docs, who are up-to-date with their education, (concerning MC), will usually order the tests.
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.
testing
thanks tex,
I'm adding that to the notes - questions for GI appointments. Even I can afford the gluten only $99 test. I hadn't noticed that was an option.
I'm adding that to the notes - questions for GI appointments. Even I can afford the gluten only $99 test. I hadn't noticed that was an option.
CoryGut
Age 71
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis Sept. 2010
On and off Entocort(Currently Off)
Age 71
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis Sept. 2010
On and off Entocort(Currently Off)