Questions from a beginner...

[Keanna S]

Hello everyone!!

My name is Keanna, I am 20 years old, and I was diagnosed with collagenous colitis last month. The nurse who called to relay my diagnosis suggested I take Imodium as needed. They said nothing more about other medications, food elimination, why I may have developed CC, or any other information about the disease. To say that I felt a little lost and alone is an understatement. This platform has definitely mitigated that feeling of isolation and has provided a light at the end of the tunnel. However, I do have a few outstanding questions.

Before I list them, here is some context:

- Age: 20
- Current diet: vegetarian (but I plan to start eliminating gluten)
- Current Medications/supplements:
- Levothyroxine (I have hypothyroidism. My levels have fluctuated for the past few years but have been regular/normal for the last couple
months)
- Fluticasone nasal spray and Advair Diskus Inhaler (for non-allergic rhinitis)
- Imodium (one tablet in the morning and in the evening)
- Iron supplements (when I went through diagnostic tests a few months ago, my iron levels were really low)
- Birth control
Current CC Symptoms:
- Diarrhea (although I have found that my current routine with Imodium has definitely helped lessen frequency, urgency, and has helped my BMs
become more solid)
- Bloating
- OCCASIONAL (like really rare) sharp, very localized, pain in my abdomen

QUESTIONS:

- Could any of my medications/previously diagnosed conditions aided in the development of my CC or could they be negatively impacting my current symptoms?
- I am taking iron supplements, but are there any other supplements that would help with the inflammation/symptoms/or absorption of nutrients?
- Is Imodium or Pepto bismol generally more effective? I take the Imodium that is supposed to help with bloating, cramps, gas, pressure, and D.... What is different about Pepto bismol? Both medications do not target inflammation, right?
- What do you suggest to help with bloating?
- If inflammation is not reduced by diet elimination, what are the long-term effects? Will my symptoms/inflammation continue to get worse as I age?
- I do not plan on taking budesonide because I feel as though my condition is not as severe and the rate of remission after the medication is not high. Instead, I plan to eliminate gluten and use Imodium to help ease symptoms. Is this a good place to start?
- Do you have any suggestions for starting a gluten-free diet? I am totally new to food elimination and am a college student living on my own, so I do not have a lot of extra cash laying around to switch to GF products.
- Is food elimination the best way to reduce inflammation long-term?
- Lastly, what is one thing that you wish you knew/did when you were first diagnosed with MC?

Thank you again for creating this platform and sharing your stories. I have felt so much less alone reading though all of your posts! Also, please do not feel obligated to answer all of the questions, I know that there were quite a few! Anything helps at this point :)

- Keanna

[Gabes-Apg]

Welcome Keanna
and sympathies on your Dx and having to find us....

QUESTIONS:

- Could any of my medications/previously diagnosed conditions aided in the development of my CC or could they be negatively impacting my current symptoms?

yes and no - more so it is aspects like genetics, lifestyle and current food supplies not having enough essential nutrients that are more likely to cause an IBD

- I am taking iron supplements, but are there any other supplements that would help with the inflammation/symptoms/or absorption of nutrients?
if you head over to the 'guidelines to recovery' this is discussed. Vit D3 and magnesium are first step essentials for reducing inflammation and helping gut heal


- Is Imodium or Pepto bismol generally more effective? I take the Imodium that is supposed to help with bloating, cramps, gas, pressure, and D.... What is different about Pepto bismol? Both medications do not target inflammation, right?
correct - they do not treat the inflammation or root cause they just reduce intensity of D

- What do you suggest to help with bloating?
once you remove trigger foods (and this can be a bit individual) bloating will go
again rather than bandaid the symptom - treat the root cause

- If inflammation is not reduced by diet elimination, what are the long-term effects? Will my symptoms/inflammation continue to get worse as I age?
most definitely - the pattern i have seen here (and in other health forums) you have multiple auto immune health issues not just the MC.
the long term impact of chronic inflammation in the gut also leads to serious nutrient deficiencies and you can have early onset osteoporsis, hormone issues etc etc


- I do not plan on taking budesonide because I feel as though my condition is not as severe and the rate of remission after the medication is not high. Instead, I plan to eliminate gluten and use Imodium to help ease symptoms. Is this a good place to start?
yes - the guidelines to recovery section has lots of diet suggestions it is aimed at eating meat protein (apologies in advance)
we have had a few vegetarians convert to meat eating once they do some reading and research.
ie if it turns out you react to soy and legumes - this makes being vegetarian very difficult
Amino acids and protein are essential to the gut and healing


- Do you have any suggestions for starting a gluten-free diet? I am totally new to food elimination and am a college student living on my own, so I do not have a lot of extra cash laying around to switch to GF products.
avoid processed foods as much as possible - this is discussed in the 'guidelines to recovery' section. reason being, if you react to one of the 10 ingredients of gluten free flour, some GF processed products can be high in sugar.
long term wellness is improved eating minimal processed foods. things like veges and eggs, veges and safe proteins, etc


- Is food elimination the best way to reduce inflammation long-term?
yes. long story short
not all medications work for everybody - some medication options are expensive,
doing low inflammation eating plan is treating root cause rather than relying on medication
medication can reduce symptoms but it doesnt directly help the body heal.
(does this make sense)

- Lastly, what is one thing that you wish you knew/did when you were first diagnosed with MC?

mmmm good question - for me the Dx was a relief! it explained years of unexplained issues.
i have thought of something - the commercial underwear liners that I wore to protect underwear from the discharge that comes with MC etc ended up contributing to me getting a skin based auto immune issue in my private parts area. I now wear 100% cotton (home made) fabric liner over the top of the commercial liners
and go natural single ingredient as much as possible not just with foods but with skin products etc. I use things like pure shea butter and coconut oil on my skin etc avoid chemical as much as possible

hope this helps
link to the guidelines area https://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=79

and spend some time browsing and reading posts by other new people etc

[tex]

Hi Keanna,

Gabes appears to have answered all your questions, so I'll just add a , and please feel free to ask anything.

Tex

[Keanna S]

Thank you both so much for your responses! Such a great source of information. I will be sure to let you know if I have any other questions!