Nearly Three Years Since the Microscopic Colitis Flood

[DJ]

My flood of MC diarrhea began almost three years ago. What a difficult time that was, having to learn so many new (and restrictive) things while dealing with continuous pooping, weakness, and a foggy brain. Time helped a lot. I eat very differently now than I did prior to MC and it has become very clear that stress is a factor for me.

One thing that has improved over time is the extreme exhaustion I was experiencing. My blood pressure was dropping to as low as 70/40 after eating in the evening, causing me to feel that I had to lie down right away. That no longer happens.

My intestines remain challenging. It's a bit of a roller coaster but I have not experienced a full relapse. Small accidental exposures to gluten send me in the wrong direction and stress does also. I work hard at maintaining my diet and controlling stress.

As we all know, having food restrictions is a lot of work and is socially challenging. During my learning phase, I threw away lots of food. I found delicious GF bread, except it wasn't actually GF. It contained trace gluten. I learned that I can't tolerate trace gluten. Along the baked goods journey, I also learned that I can't tolerate tapioca or xanthan gum. So much specialty food went in the trash. Socializing changed for me. I focus on non-food activities as much as possible. When food is part of the activity, I try to bring my own or make other plans ahead. On two recent occasions, we were overnight guests of close friends. I suggested that they provide the lodging and that we bring the food and cook. They loved it! Early on, politeness hindered my recovery. I learned that my own survival and ability to stand on my two feet trumps politeness!!! Just because someone made something especially for me, it doesn't mean I should eat it if it will make me sick and I don't.

I can say that I've come a long way. I continue to look for new solutions. At this point, drinking black tea helps episodes of diarrhea a bit. Tea would not have made a difference in the acute phase. Reverting back to a very high meat diet helps too. I visit the board on occasion to share whatever I find. I'll be sure to let you all know if I find anything exciting. Be well.

DJ

[tex]

DJ,

Thank you for sharing your insight. That's interesting about the black tea.

And I totally agree with you that living with this disease is a constantly-evolving learning experience. If nothing else, MC certainly makes life interesting/challenging.

Tex

[Marcia K]

Hi, DJ. This disease certainly does make life more interesting/challenging. I totally agree about not eating something that was made especially for you if you don't trust it. I know I've hurt some feelings but I have come to the point that I will not be sick in order to make someone else happy. I'm planning what to take to my mother's 80th birthday party. I'm making meatballs for the masses (I have a large family) but I'll probably eat turkey, sweet potato and steamed broccoli and I'm good with that. It's all about celebrating my mom's birthday, not what I'll eat. I'm glad that you're doing well. I know that was hard to believe three years ago. I'm at a little over two years and it's hard to think back about how badly I felt.

[DJ]

Hi Tex. It sure does make life interesting/challenging. I'm retiring soon and that will reduce my stress and increase the time I have to buy and cook food. That should help a lot.

Hi Marcia, It's good that you have the strength to eat differently at social occasions. It's so important!
I don't like thinking about the acute phase of M/C either My husband blew out his knee at the time of my onset. We were quite the pair! I hope your mother has a wonderful birthday and I hope you enjoy the day with your mom.

DJ

[Marcia K]

Hi, DJ. That's wonderful that you will be retiring soon. I so look forward to that day as my job is becoming more and more stressful. I can tell the difference in how I feel on the weekends. We had a great time at my mom's birthday party, thank you. I really didn't even mind watching everyone eat chocolate cake with peanut butter icing. In my former life it was one of my favorites, but now, no big loss. I took a coconut bar along but I didn't even want it. Through my LC journey I have come to appreciate the time spent with my family so much more. I no longer take anything for granted!

[DJ]

I'm happy that your family party went well. I totally understand how it becomes ok to decline foods that are offenders. Those foods remind me of how sick I was. I don't get the urge to sneak a little, EVER.
Maybe you can find a way to make your job less stressful. In my case, the job is absolutely stressful. Beyond that, I have a personality type that causes me to go full tilt and try to fix everything, even if it's unreasonable. I need to change.