Hello --
I am a newbie. After struggling for over 2 years this time with gradually worsening WD, I was finally diagnosed the end of January, after a colonoscopy w/ biopsy as having CC. My GI put me on a low fiber, low diary diet and had me take Uceris for about 8 weeks, 9 mg/day, then a 2 week taper of 9 mg every other day. The WD mostly stopped its daily, many times a day, and comes back when I eat some things, among other foods, diet cola and sour cream & onion potato chips. But, now, constipation! I was surprised, when I found this website, that the constipation was also a symptom of MC. The GI just told me to add fiber back gradually, and to call her if I had any other problems. I'm still getting bloating, gas, and the feeling that I'm going to have D, but it doesn't occur too often.
I've been dragging my feet about GF, to see if that would help, but my eye DR. "STRONGLY ADVISED" me to change my diet to a GF one, citing inflammation in my eyes. I've been on it only about a week, but I seem to be feeling better already. I thought this was too soon to see any results, but the arthritis I have in almost every joint isn't hurting near as much. Is this an actual improvement, or is it "all in my mind"? I also have more energy which even my husband commented on this morning. I guess even if it is all in my mind, I'll take it.
I don't know yet if it will help my eyes, or the CC, but I'm sure that it will take much longer to see any results.
I have had polymyalgia rheumatic for close to 15 years. Since this is also an autoimmune disease, might there be any connection to the MC? Has anyone else had any experience with this?
Along the same lines of "Has anyone else noticed...........", In just one week of GF, I've been able to cut back on one of my blood pressure meds. Is this coincidence, or is it possible that the GF is helping it too?
For many, many years, I have been unable to eat arthropods (lobster, shrimp, crab, etc.) or drink red wine. In either case, within about 1/2 hour I would have projectile D and vomiting, along with a killer headache. This would last 24 - 36 hours. I later learned that I could minimize the effects with antihistamines, if taken early enough. After reading Wayne's book, I wonder if this could have anything to do with the mast cells he talks about?
I am really glad I found this forum. I don't feel so bad about needing to always be close to a bathroom. It helps to know you're not alone with your troubles. The information that I've found from everyone has been helpful. It seems that some of my physical troubles might be connected with what I do or do not eat, and I might be able to take control of my life and well-being.
Thank you all for this.
Elaine
mc
newbie
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
I think you for sure need to give up gluten and all dairy. I cannot eat gluten, dairy, soy & grains. Thank god I can eat eggs as that is one of my staples for breakfast. I feel if you give up gluten and dairy you will notice a huge difference. Also yes you can get constipated as well. When I first started taking Budesonide after the D stop within 2 days my doctor said to stay on 3 for another week and then drop to 2 and see how I did. I was eating a very strick diet along with this. I have been taking 1 for the last 7 months and will soon start my weaning off project. The diet is huge with the beast.
Good Luck,
Jan
Good Luck,
Jan
Collagenous Colitis, Benign Cramp Fasciculations in lower legs, Thyroid and High Cholesterol
Hi Elaine,
Welcome to our Internet family. Yes, some people do see improvement within a week. We are all different in how quickly we respond to the diet changes. Your rapid improvement is proof that gluten is probably the primary source of your inflammation. And as Jan mentioned, dairy products are very likely also causing inflammation.
MC is associated with many/most autoimmune diseases, and the inflammation that causes MC can lead to many other autoimmune diseases. Most of us here who had arthritis symptoms have seen our arthritis disappear after we eliminated all of our food sensitivities from our diet and our intestines began to heal. Since polymyalgia rheumatica is caused by inflammation, there is a very good chance that your symptoms will also fade away as your digestive system heals from the damage caused by years of eating gluten. Many of us have found that many problems that we have had for many years have faded away after we began to heal.
Yes, the problems that you discovered with arthropods and red wine are probably connected with mast cell activation disorder (MCAD). Here are links to a few short articles about how mast cell issues are associated with MC, that may be helpful:
What are mast cells?
How are mast cells associated with microscopic colitis?
How do I know if mast cells are causing problems for me?
How are mast cell issues treated?
Like most of us here, if you are willing to do what is necessary to change your diet, and you have the patience to stick with it, you can get your life back, and improve your health dramatically in the process.
Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.
Tex
Welcome to our Internet family. Yes, some people do see improvement within a week. We are all different in how quickly we respond to the diet changes. Your rapid improvement is proof that gluten is probably the primary source of your inflammation. And as Jan mentioned, dairy products are very likely also causing inflammation.
MC is associated with many/most autoimmune diseases, and the inflammation that causes MC can lead to many other autoimmune diseases. Most of us here who had arthritis symptoms have seen our arthritis disappear after we eliminated all of our food sensitivities from our diet and our intestines began to heal. Since polymyalgia rheumatica is caused by inflammation, there is a very good chance that your symptoms will also fade away as your digestive system heals from the damage caused by years of eating gluten. Many of us have found that many problems that we have had for many years have faded away after we began to heal.
Yes, the problems that you discovered with arthropods and red wine are probably connected with mast cell activation disorder (MCAD). Here are links to a few short articles about how mast cell issues are associated with MC, that may be helpful:
What are mast cells?
How are mast cells associated with microscopic colitis?
How do I know if mast cells are causing problems for me?
How are mast cell issues treated?
Like most of us here, if you are willing to do what is necessary to change your diet, and you have the patience to stick with it, you can get your life back, and improve your health dramatically in the process.
Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.
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.