MICROSCOPIC COLITIS SUPPORT

Hello: I'm a newbie at all this and according to my doctor I probably have IBD. I don't think that I necessarily agree with her. Very briefly, this is my history with diarrhea. Four years ago, I was diagnosed with h pylori, a nasty bacterial infection for which the treatment was 3 antibiotics taken together over several weeks. The treatment was worse than the infection and it took a long time for me to regain reasonably normal bowel habits, possibly because I'm 77. During this time, I would have days with diarrhea from time to time. Last November, I had uncontrollable diarrhea which lasted a month and in February 2021, I had a colonoscopy during which a small polyp was removed. The doctor at the time told me there was no evidence of inflammation or cancer. And for a while, everything was fine and then the diarrhea began again. Roughly every 10 days. I would have a day of watery uncontrollable diarrhea with accidents even when at home and in easy reach of bathroom. I controlled it with Immodium. Several weeks ago I consulted Dr Google using the search term watery diarrhea and discovered your website and microscopic colitis. I realize that compared to some posters that I'm very lucky, but I don't want MC taking over my life. So far I'm in the process of switching to a gluten free diet - easy to make mistakes with this I'm discovering.

My questions are:

For several years, I have taken a collagen supplement. Is it possible that this could contribute to the development of collegenous colitis?

When I leave home, I sometimes take Immodium and I would prefer that this didn't become a habit. How do others cope with this? Does anyone use meditation or acupuncture as a way to control MC?

Thank you for your comments or thoughts on my questions.

Ruth

Hi Ruth,

Welcome to the group. I looked at your other post, and no, you don't have IBS, because IBS isn't even a disease. The reason why, requires a rather long explanation, which I won't get into now, but I've posted it several times in various places on this board, so suffice to say, you can't have IBS. Microscopic colitis has traditionally been misdiagnosed as IBS by doctors who don't understand the disease. From your description, It's almost certain that you have microscopic colitis. It's caused somewhat often by long antibiotic treatments. If your doctor had bothered to take biopsies from the proper locations, when he did the colonoscopy earlier this year, he would have been able to diagnose the disease.

Taking a collagen supplement does not trigger microscopic colitis. Our bodies are held together by collagen. Without the collagen matrix to hold them together, the cells that form our body would simply collapse into a pile on the floor.

Many members here have taken Imodium to reduce the urgency, when they needed to go out, whenever their disease was active. And many members here have used meditation, and a few have used acupuncture, to relax, and relieve the stress. Stress can trigger the disease.

I hope this helps. Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.

Tex

Thank you for your speedy reply Tex! It's good to know that there is a place to go to ask questions.

hi there
and welcome to the group (sympathies you had to find us)

Meditation and any functional treatments that help relaxation and optimise healing are definitely good to do

I have used acupuncture treatments for over 20 years (long before I had MC Dx)
in our guidelines to recovery section we do have suggestions for good reads etc to help the mental and emotional aspects of healing

many here will use Imodium or cholestryamine as the 'safety net'. I carry cholestryamine with me at all times, especially if I am travelling for work or socialising for work via dinners etc (common pre covid days)

The first option I do if I am going to be eating out OR going into situations that highly likely to be stressful, in the days prior I will increase things like Vit D3 and do extra magnesium soaks to help the body with inflammation levels / increase in toxins etc

hope this helps

Hi Gabes and thank you for your reply and suggestions. It's good to know about the extra Vitamin D3 and magnesium as a way to cope with eating out or stressful situations. Even though I live in Atlantic Canada, which has been relatively free from Covid, I have found the last 18 months to be rather stressful and I will check out the useful mental health reads in the guidelines for recovery section.

Hi Ruth,

Welcome! If you have uncontrollable WD it sounds like you have MC. Antibiotic use can cause MC.

Tex's book on MC is well worth it. I believe the link to the book is at the top of the forum and I'm sure it can be shipped to Canada.

Brandy

Hi Brandy

Thank you for your email. I ordered Tex's book and it has arrived and I'm reading it.

I'm in the process of changing my diet. It's a bit overwhelming and I'm proceeding slowly. I'm trying to eat slowly and to chew everything well. Don't know if that helps. Some days I'm not at all hungry.

Ruth