Pregnancy and MC

[audreybutler22]

Hi folks,

I (34 year old female) have been struggling to get my MC into remission. Since last September when I received my Enterolab results, I have been following healing recommendations and have strictly cut out all foods indicated by the test, avoided eating out like the plague (I bring home-cooked food in tupperware everywhere I go), supplemented magnesium and vitamin D, limited stress, etc etc.

Unfortunately, I have seen little progress. It's hard not to feel discouraged.

Anyway...my partner and I are planning to start trying for a baby this fall.

I know that studies about MC are limited — oh, the joy of having a "nuisance disease with a benign course" that isn't taken very seriously by the medical community and is therefore a criminally underfunded area of research — but I'm wondering if anyone could shed some light on the following:

- Is there any evidence to suggest that I'd have a harder time getting pregnant that someone without celiac/MC? I'm sure having chronic malabsorption and inflammation isn't going to help things along.

- I know that Tex has often pointed out that due to hormonal shifts, pregnancy often sends MC into remission (and vice versa if you've already reached remission), which would be most welcome. If I continue to follow the diet once the pregnancy/lactation stage is over, is there any chance that I'd be able to keep it in remission?

- Any and all personal anecdotes in this arena would be most welcome!


Thanks for taking the time to read this.

[tex]

We've found that in most cases where meticulous diet control efforts fail to bring remission for MC, the remaining problem is bile acid malabsorption (BAM). Have you reviewed the January, 2024 newsletter that the Microscopic Colitis Foundation published? If you haven't, you might find it helpful. For your convenience, here's a direct link where you can either read or download a copy:

https://www.microscopiccolitisfoundatio ... mplate.pdf

Regarding postpartum MC status, most women who are not in remission before pregnancy, and then go into remission during gestation, tend to remain in remission as long as they continue to nurse the baby. After weaning, their MC usually relapses, unless they've made some other changes that prevent a relapse.

I hope this helps.

Tex

[audreybutler22]

Thanks as always for your guidance and thoughtful responses, Tex.

Yes, I have used Cholestyramine to test out the BAM hypothesis in the past but I think it was only about 4 weeks after an unfortunate glutening incident, so perhaps that hampered its efficacy.

I'll try again (I still have the packets) and maybe try to up the dosage a bit.

[tex]

It should be worth a try, because cholestyramine is probably the safest medication available for treating MC, in cases where it works.

Tex

[HockeyMom]

Can I ask how much cholestyramine you tried in the past? You may need LOTS more than you think! Ask me how i know .