Struggling to find remission, looking for help!

[JohnnyG]

I’ve been told that there are many ups and down with MC, boy is that the truth for me.
I have been totally gluten, soy and casein free for about 6 weeks now. I have been on Budesonide(9 mg per day) since first of August. I’ve had the EnteroLab tests done.
About 7 weeks ago I was taking 8 Imodium per day. Shortly after changing my diet (6 weeks ago) I have been able to almost eliminate Imodium. My stools were getting solid and no concerns of blowouts. Now for the last 3 weeks I just can’t seem to figure out why I can’t get rid of the diarrhea. I constantly have D first thing in the mornings and then maybe one or two times more before noon. The D is very loose and often watery. My understanding is that something is triggering my D. I just can’t figure out what.
Can it be that I’m just being impatient or do I need to figure out what is causing the D?

I am taking 10,000 IU of vitamin D and 1,000 mcg of B-12 and 200 mg Cleated Magnesium and about 500 mg Magnesium oil each day. My diet consists of banana and turkey each morning. For lunch and dinner usually pork, turkey or lamb along with carrots, cauliflower and/or white rice. Sometimes I will eat Fritos corn chips for a snack.

I have purchased and am using a new crockpot ( concerns of contamination). I also have had the house tested for mold concerns. I am grasping for answers or ideas. Again maybe I’m just being impatient. Thanks in advance for any help or ideas.

[tex]

Hi John,

Your diet sounds as if it's generally OK. That said, your reaction pattern suggests that cross-contamination might be sneaking in somewhere. Probably, you just need more time. Six weeks is not enough healing time for most of us. Your healing did not start when you started taking Budesonide. Budesonide just masks the symptoms. Your healing started when you started the diet, and normally that takes a few months.

Tex

[JohnnyG]

Thanks Tex!
I just finished your new book and it is very good. I really appreciate all of your work and research that is so helpful to us who feel helpless at times!

From reading both of your books there is one thing that is not addressed and I am curious about your thoughts. How do you feel about exercising? Can it be harmful or help in the recovery process?
I know for a while there was just not enough energy but I also feel sometimes we need to force ourselves to get out and exercise to help the healing process.

Thanks again,
John

[tex]

Hi John,

My bad for not mentioning exercising. I guess the problem is that I subconsciously always viewed exercise as a waste of energy that could be put to good use because my work always involved hard labor (until I had the stroke). At any rate, I never needed any exercise, so I never even considered it. So it was never on my mind. Obviously though, when one's work doesn't provide enough exercise, one needs to exercise to stay in good health.

When recovering from MC, if you are able to muster enough energy to be able to do so without overdoing it, exercise is usually very beneficial. Not only does it usually make you feel better because it sort of gets MC off your mind for a little while, but exercising usually gives you more energy and makes you feel better in the long run. By making your muscles do what they were in intended for, it encourages every other system in your body (including your digestive system) to work better.

Now I'm talking about moderate exercise, not trying to do more than you are capable of at the moment, because exertion will cause your digestive system to shut down, as an autonomic primal instinct response. We have to remember that when we have active MC, we aren't as physically capable as we once were because our immune system requires much of our energy just to fight the inflammation. But in moderation, yes, exercise is beneficial. We get run down in a hurry when we are not active. That fact really became clear when I was recovering from the stroke. It dawned on me that if we don't use it we really will lose it.

Thanks for reminding me. I'm in the process of editing my first book to bring it up to date. Before I finish the revised edition, I'll try to remember to include a few lines about the benefits of exercise.

Tex

[JohnnyG]

Tex,
Thanks for the response. It is what I expected you to say but it is good to hear it from someone who has done such extensive research. Again, I can't thank you enough for all you do! It’s a blessing to many of us!

John

[Gabes-Apg]

my 20 cents worth,
apologies for dot points - I am short on time but was keen to reply to you

- healing takes time - months not weeks
- there are contaminates / or ingredients that causing inflammation are you sharing kitchen with gluten eating people? did you get new cookware and utensils etc when you went gluten free? with full dose budenside loose stools should not return unless contact with triggers is causing more inflammation than the medication can calm.
- moderate low aerobic/muscle stretching is good - excess exercise in early stages of healing is not ideal. it depletes key nutrients the body needs at the moment. aerobic exercise also causes imbalance with stomach acid etc
- you mention what you are eating, what are you drinking each day?
- sleep quality - are you having good sleep (ie min 6-8 hours)
- what are stress levels like during the day - work home etc? is there ongoing stress?

[JohnnyG]

Thanks Gabes for the reply.
Sounds like I’m just being impatient!
I am drinking lots of water, probably 8 quarts a day. Occasionally I will drink some caffeine free ice tea, no sweetener.
I do get plenty of sleep, usually 8 hours and as much as 10 per night.
My work does have its challenges. I took a week off last weeks to try to focus on myself and diet. Problem is the travel and stress of the travel and trying to do so while on the strict diet.
I usually go to a grocery store and eat what I can, sometimes I drive and take a cooler and groceries. Life can be stressful and especially so when dealing with LC. I am working on this daily.
Thanks for your thoughts, you are very helpful.

John

[UkuleleLady]

I reacted to rice - you might be reacting to rice. I ate very little grain when I was first starting out, and chose ones I never really ate previously - e.g., millet and quinoa. Not everyone can handle quinoa, but I was alright with it. I made my own muffins by grinding millet. And ate a whole lot of turkey sausage and bacon and beef. I reacted to chicken.

Keep eliminating things if you can - it might be worth it. Eat more meat, the ones you can tolerate.

Potato might work for you, or sweet potato in smaller quantities as that is somewhat more loosening I have found.

It is 2 steps forward 1 step back for a while.

I almost never react anymore, but I'm gluten free for life, and currently dairy free again.

Hope this helps - don't be discouraged. you're making good progress.