What is Remission?

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Hazelbird
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What is Remission?

Post by Hazelbird »

Silly question, I suppose, but I would like to know what remission looks like. Is it the cessation of diarrhea, or of pain/cramps, or of frequency, or of urgency? Or is it the cessation of all of them?

How 'good' does remission get? With only dietary changes my LC is quite manageable most days but I can't say that it's what I used to call 'normal'. :wink:
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Gabes-Apg
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Post by Gabes-Apg »

Not a silly question at all Hazel

Remission is slightly different for each person

for me it is minimal symptoms most of the time. (noting I have multiple health issues and MC is not my main one)

here are some recent discussions on the topic with members thoughts on what is remission for them...

http://perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic ... =remission
http://perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic ... =remission
http://perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic ... =remission
Gabes Ryan

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Post by Pebbledash »

Great question.

Briefly, how long does a respite have to last before it is officially called "remission"?
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Post by CathyMe. »

Hi Hazel,
For me remission has meant normal BM's for an extended period of time. No watery, explosive episodes, no stomach gurgling and no pain.
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jlbattin
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Post by jlbattin »

Hi Hazel,

Not a silly question at all. For me, remission is being to manage my MC and leave the house living a sort of normal life. I've never had a "normal" BM since my diagnosis. I am always on the way softer side. But when I can control it, and I don't have the side pains anymore or the gurgling, I feel like I'm in remission.
Jari


Diagnosed with Collagenous Colitis, June 29th, 2015
Gluten free, Dairy free, and Soy free since July 3rd, 2015
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Erica P-G
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Post by Erica P-G »

I would have to agree with Gabes, Cathy and Jari...

Everyone reaches their own 'new normal' and only you will know what that starts to feel like. It does take time depending on how long it takes to get good healing underway.

Minimal symptoms, not always thinking about it are good signs things are taking on a new life.
To Succeed you have to Believe in something with such a passion that it becomes a Reality - Anita Roddick
Dx LC April 2012 had symptoms since Aug 2007
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Hazelbird
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Post by Hazelbird »

Thank you everyone! Ahhhh.......I like that: the 'new normal' and 'not always thinking about it'.

So, touch wood and cross fingers, I guess I could say that I'm in remission! Yay!!! I have no D, no pain, and don't have to stay close to bathrooms after the first 1/2 hour of the day. The only time I get D is if I eat a food I'm testing and it fails the test (or I try to cheat). :wink: And that's usually just a one time thing; often one or two doses of Peptobismol gets me back on track.

Well then, I guess this is all GOOD!!! I wish the same for everyone here!
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kbb
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Post by kbb »

I struggle with this as well. Being fairly new to the game and my symptoms were never 'that bad' I want to get back to NORMAL. The only reason I searched for a diagnosis was because things weren't normal so it seems to me that getting back to normal is what I should be striving for. But I'm slowly coming to the realization that I'm probably not going to get there, and if I do it's probably not going to be my doing. I think letting my need for control subside and just working on getting back to living will help with my healing anyway. I'm a bit to worked up about focusing on all this stuff so I know my stress level has got to be kind of high.

With all that said, I wanted to reply to give my two cents, of we probably all need to get rid of searching for normal so we can keep our sanity. Who's to say what normal is anyway!? :wink:
-Kelly

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Post by jlbattin »

Kelly,

You are so right. I'm just a little over 2 years into my diagnosis and have had several set backs due to other things. I found myself saying to myself one day, "I just want to be normal." That was when I realized that I was so focused on normal that I wasn't really living. I let it go and things have settled down. It's something we will have to live with the rest of our lives, but we have to quit focusing on "What is normal" and just let our bodies be our guide. Stress is not our friend and getting worked up just makes it worse!
Jari


Diagnosed with Collagenous Colitis, June 29th, 2015
Gluten free, Dairy free, and Soy free since July 3rd, 2015
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twirlitgirl
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Post by twirlitgirl »

jlbattin wrote:Kelly,

You are so right. I'm just a little over 2 years into my diagnosis and have had several set backs due to other things. I found myself saying to myself one day, "I just want to be normal." That was when I realized that I was so focused on normal that I wasn't really living. I let it go and things have settled down. It's something we will have to live with the rest of our lives, but we have to quit focusing on "What is normal" and just let our bodies be our guide. Stress is not our friend and getting worked up just makes it worse!
well said Jari cheers to all who are our own kind of normal. We are unique,. twirlitgirl :pigtail:
diagnosed with LC by biopsy
in May 2013 , supplements B complex, Vit C ,Vit D3 Zinc, with a multivitamin, and magnesium to round out the pack.
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Post by humbird753 »

I believe remission is different for each of us. I have been in remission for for at least 3-1/2 years. I am not at what used to be "normal" for me, but I have reached my new normal. My way of eating has changed from what it used to be, but it is well worth it. I am able to golf, take long walks, work out at a gym, and am also kayaking again - all without the fear or urgency to find bathrooms. I am so thankful to have my life back. As far as "normal" bm's, mine are on the softer side, but are no longer watery and explosive 30+ times a day. I remain GF, DF and SF, and eat whole foods which to me means clean, the least processed and chemical-free foods that I can find.
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Hazelbird
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Post by Hazelbird »

Absolutely! The 'new normal' is just fine with me because it could be (and was) so much worse. Just being able to carry on most normal activities equals 'normal'! For that I'm very grateful.

Since I last stated that I was 'in remission', out of the blue I had a flare. The worst of it only lasted a day but it took days to get back to my 'new normal'. 'Pride goeth before a fall.'

I was on a prescription topical hydrocortisone for some kind of ongoing dermatitis and it seemed to help my BMs. Is that possible? Now that I've stopped, things are not as good.

Just when you think you've figured out your MC, it throws you for a loop. :wink:
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tex
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Post by tex »

The topical hydrocortisone probably had systemic effects, so it had basically the same effect on your digestive system as budesonide.

You might have histamine effects from the bananas. Overripe bananas are a high-histamine food. Try to eat them no later than when they are barely ripe, before the histamine level gets high. Taking an antihistamine might help (if you have histamine issues). If you don't have histamine issues, it probably won't help.

Tex
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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.
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Hazelbird
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Post by Hazelbird »

LOL I need a computer to run my body! :lol:
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