YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT PLACE

[LJL547!]

As message to my brother and sister colitis sufferers: if you are on the Microscopic Colitis Foundation website, you are in the right place.

Six years ago, I got a surprising and scary diagnosis: collagenous colitis, brought on by medication (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories). I had the usual conversation with my GI Doctor:
“How can I manage this disease in terms of diet and lifestyle?”
“There is no scientific evidence that diet or lifestyle help with colitis – only anecdotal evidence. The only good option is to take steroids, and unfortunately the chances are good your symptoms will recur at the end of your steroid course.”
“!!!”

I took Budesonide, which immediately took my symptoms away. For several weeks I was happy and carefree, eating whatever. When I stopped with the steroid, my symptoms came trotting back into my life.

Time to research alternatives. Soon I discovered the Microscopic Colitis Foundation, and ordered Wayne Persky’s book, which I read cover to cover during an outdoor folk music concert, a beautiful sunny day. I felt like I was going to be saved.

And I was. For 6 years I managed my symptoms with – can you guess? – diet and lifestyle changes! Then I got Covid, and took some Ibuprofen to help manage some brutal symptoms, thinking…what was I thinking? I guess I was not thinking. The Covid was the least of it, as it turned out.

I had a colitis flare up but remembered how to change my diet. I lost 5 pounds but within 2 weeks I was feeling fine, so I started eating normally again, including gluten. Big mistake. A couple of days after gluten I was back to square one, with worse symptoms which lasted 2 months and took 8 more pounds. This time I got Wayne’s The Microscopic Colitis Diet Book and read about safe food, magnesium, and Entero Labs. I gritted my teeth and spent the $400 for the Entero Lab analysis. While waiting for the lab results my symptoms resolved, and I started branching out again with food. Things were going well until I ate a piece of toast. Boom!

Square one, 2 more months, 7 more pounds, and this time the symptoms were very challenging. I was weak, depleted, unable to get much nourishment from my food, afraid to eat, afraid not to eat, just plain afraid. In the dark, desperate for answers.

Then I discovered the Microscopic Colitis Foundation’s Forum. I signed up and started asking questions. Without judgement, without delay, I started getting answers. From people who were not doctors, but they had lots of experience. I also get my Entero Lab results back, and learned I was eating some of the wrong foods.

I changed my diet, I learned that while gluten is mostly out of my system in 6 to 8 weeks, the antibodies remain for up to 8 months! And if I eat gluten before the antibodies are gone…boom!

Slowly I struggled through the past 2 months, sending many messages to my Microscopic Colitis friends, and hearing back right away. I got advice about books, electrolytes, exercise, constipation, antibodies, magnesium oil, self-compassion, foot soaks, and patience. I am once again emerging from sickness into health, but before I go, I need to say thank you.

As it turns out, the anecdote was the antidote.

[tex]

Thanks for sharing. It's good to see that you are able to reach remission by making the proper diet choices. And I hope that your remission continues. Incidentally, note that for most of us (virtually all of us) gluten is a permanent sensitivity, once it begins.

Tex