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Hello all, been a while since I have been here.
Update after about 6 months GF. Gut pain is completely gone, D is gone and has been for some time. Have gained so much weight I had to get some new pants. I am able to eat some things that I was not able to eat before, but still have a reaction if I should gluten myself by mistake which I have done on a few occasions, not fun.
I can't thanks you all enough for all the help that you provided me in find relief from my LC symptoms. I have some inclination that the gluten had some affect on my mental status as I was diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder and even that has calmed down some.
I am sure I still have a ways to go since I still have brain fog and my sinuses seem to even have reaction to my diet, I have cut out most dairy but not all.
I found Red Brick Pizza that servers GF pizza and its very good. Found a great health food store that has a great selection of GF products. My wife and I have become accustom to shopping at the other grocery stores and know which brands are really GF.
Now if I can just get my sinus to heal I would feel almost normal again.
I only have one question, what is everyone's experience ingesting gluten, how long after you eat does it take to react and how long does it last afterwards. I have noticed that my reaction usually take 24-72 hours to show up and then it can last up to a week afterwards (brain fog, feeling tired, flu-like and anxiety)?
Well a huge thanks for all the advice I got here, it really helped me get my life back. I am still working through it and each day things seem to get a little better. For those who are new here, read everything you can on this forum and there is hope.
Blessings,
Randy
Hello all update!!!
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Randy,
I seem to react "the next morning" - I wake up feeling bad, no matter what time of day I get glutened (which I have not had happen very often, but it's only been a few months). I would guess that might be because I'm still working on healing, and you sometimes get a 72 hour "grace period" because you've been getting stronger... but it's probably also the case that there's a lot of individual variation.
Glad to hear you're doing well - hope you get your sinuses on board, too!
I agree - the help available here is the absolute best weapon against MC.
All my best,
Sara
I seem to react "the next morning" - I wake up feeling bad, no matter what time of day I get glutened (which I have not had happen very often, but it's only been a few months). I would guess that might be because I'm still working on healing, and you sometimes get a 72 hour "grace period" because you've been getting stronger... but it's probably also the case that there's a lot of individual variation.
Glad to hear you're doing well - hope you get your sinuses on board, too!
I agree - the help available here is the absolute best weapon against MC.
All my best,
Sara
Hi Randy,
It's good to hear from you, and it's nice to see such an encouraging update.
Sinus problems are often a sign of a sensitivity to dairy products, (casein). Casein may also be the reason why you are still having problems with brain fog. Here are some good recommendations for dealing with sinus issues:
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA326609
Note that as Dr. Weil points out, it may take a couple of months of avoiding casein, before the sinuses completely clear up.
Thanks for the update, and I hope that you can get the sinuses and the brain fog cleared up, as well.
Tex
It's good to hear from you, and it's nice to see such an encouraging update.
Sinus problems are often a sign of a sensitivity to dairy products, (casein). Casein may also be the reason why you are still having problems with brain fog. Here are some good recommendations for dealing with sinus issues:
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA326609
Note that as Dr. Weil points out, it may take a couple of months of avoiding casein, before the sinuses completely clear up.
Thanks for the update, and I hope that you can get the sinuses and the brain fog cleared up, as well.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Hello Randy,
Glad to hear your good news. It is encouraging for the rest of us.
About the sinus issue. My husband had that for many years, he had every allergy test out there and was on an antibiotics at least four times a year and prednisone. We finally found a great doctor who first checked for polyps and found he had lots of them. He did the surgery, which for him was a breeze. It's been two years now without an infection. He couldn't believe the difference. So if you haven't been checked for polyps you might want to look in to that. Just a suggestion.
Nancy
Glad to hear your good news. It is encouraging for the rest of us.
About the sinus issue. My husband had that for many years, he had every allergy test out there and was on an antibiotics at least four times a year and prednisone. We finally found a great doctor who first checked for polyps and found he had lots of them. He did the surgery, which for him was a breeze. It's been two years now without an infection. He couldn't believe the difference. So if you haven't been checked for polyps you might want to look in to that. Just a suggestion.
Nancy
Randy,
Like Sara, I usually wake up the next day after being glutened with a hangover feeling. Then the urgent elimination begins and lasts a couple of days. The fatigue takes 2-3 days to pass. Sometimes i can tell I've been glutened immediately. My stomach swells like a balloon and the tummy rumbles and gurgles return.
Glad to hear you are feeling better. Like you, i had amazing improvement after cutting gluten (and dairy and most soy). However, other intolerances plus stress seem to prevent me from reaching full remission. But my energy levels are good and random aches and pains are gone. Now it's just uncomplicated, painless D.
Like Sara, I usually wake up the next day after being glutened with a hangover feeling. Then the urgent elimination begins and lasts a couple of days. The fatigue takes 2-3 days to pass. Sometimes i can tell I've been glutened immediately. My stomach swells like a balloon and the tummy rumbles and gurgles return.
Glad to hear you are feeling better. Like you, i had amazing improvement after cutting gluten (and dairy and most soy). However, other intolerances plus stress seem to prevent me from reaching full remission. But my energy levels are good and random aches and pains are gone. Now it's just uncomplicated, painless D.
Thanks everyone.
Tex, I have decided to go dairy free for a while to see what happens, its going to tough because I love cheese, milk, and ice cream. I stopped eating ice cream about a month ago and that seems to help. I did note that when I would eat ice cream, I would usually get a stuffy nose, even while I was eating it. At this point I am willing to try just about anything to get my sinuses to clear up. I have been taking clairatin for about a month and it seems to help some. I had some tummy trouble this week and thought I might have glutened myself, but it may be he dairy. Haven't had any dairy since and seem to be doing better, feeling pretty good today so we will see how it goes. I really don't like taking decongestants because they either make me really tired or really hyper. I know if I go to the Doc that is what he is going to want me to do so I try to solve things naturally by diet and such first. So I will cut out dairy for a while and see what happens.
Thanks for the gluten reaction information, its hard to tell what is causing some of the few symptoms I have left. One thing I have is my eyes sometimes get really dry and burning. But I have rosecea and I know that if affects the eyes sometimes.
Anyway, just trying one thing a time, hoping to find a normal balance here somewhere.
Thanks to all again.
Blessings,
Randy
Tex, I have decided to go dairy free for a while to see what happens, its going to tough because I love cheese, milk, and ice cream. I stopped eating ice cream about a month ago and that seems to help. I did note that when I would eat ice cream, I would usually get a stuffy nose, even while I was eating it. At this point I am willing to try just about anything to get my sinuses to clear up. I have been taking clairatin for about a month and it seems to help some. I had some tummy trouble this week and thought I might have glutened myself, but it may be he dairy. Haven't had any dairy since and seem to be doing better, feeling pretty good today so we will see how it goes. I really don't like taking decongestants because they either make me really tired or really hyper. I know if I go to the Doc that is what he is going to want me to do so I try to solve things naturally by diet and such first. So I will cut out dairy for a while and see what happens.
Thanks for the gluten reaction information, its hard to tell what is causing some of the few symptoms I have left. One thing I have is my eyes sometimes get really dry and burning. But I have rosecea and I know that if affects the eyes sometimes.
Anyway, just trying one thing a time, hoping to find a normal balance here somewhere.
Thanks to all again.
Blessings,
Randy
Randy,
That is really interesting - a dear friend from high school has rosacea. She was diagnosed by her opthalmologist (the dermatologist later agreed but didn't figure it out). Certainly gluten intolerance is associated with both rosacea and certain eye problems (including Sjogren's) - so it's possible that eliminating gluten *and* whatever additional intolerances you have will give you some relief in those areas as well.
I was pretty sad about cheese, but am totally past it. I know that's not much comfort...
I agree with you, the decongestants are more trouble than they're worth. Glad to hear you're feeling good today,
Sara
That is really interesting - a dear friend from high school has rosacea. She was diagnosed by her opthalmologist (the dermatologist later agreed but didn't figure it out). Certainly gluten intolerance is associated with both rosacea and certain eye problems (including Sjogren's) - so it's possible that eliminating gluten *and* whatever additional intolerances you have will give you some relief in those areas as well.
I was pretty sad about cheese, but am totally past it. I know that's not much comfort...
I agree with you, the decongestants are more trouble than they're worth. Glad to hear you're feeling good today,
Sara
Randy,
It's good to hear that you're feeling better. It sounds as though you're on the right path.
Good luck with the no-dairy trial. I hope that avoiding dairy will completely resolve the rest of your symptoms.
Please keep us updated.
Tex
It's good to hear that you're feeling better. It sounds as though you're on the right path.
Good luck with the no-dairy trial. I hope that avoiding dairy will completely resolve the rest of your symptoms.
Please keep us updated.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
As I understand it, most members here, who have already been on the GF diet for a significant length of time, respond to a dairy-free diet within a few days, as far as gastrointestinal issues are concerned, (that is, gas, bloating, D, etc., due to dairy products, disappear within a few days). The sinus issue is another matter, though, and from what I gather, it often takes a few weeks to maybe a couple of months for sinus issues to clear up. As you say, though, we are all different, so it's tough to predict how long it may take.
Tex
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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MBombardier
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Woo-hoo Randy!! Great update!!
BTW, totally random, except that my husband's name is Randy--my Randy said this evening that maybe he should go gluten-free to see if he would feel more energy, etc., etc.
I will mention to him at the opportune moment about your success!! Great news!!
BTW, totally random, except that my husband's name is Randy--my Randy said this evening that maybe he should go gluten-free to see if he would feel more energy, etc., etc.
I will mention to him at the opportune moment about your success!! Great news!!
Marliss Bombardier
Dum spiro, spero -- While I breathe, I hope
Psoriasis - the dark ages
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - Dec 2001
Collagenous Colitis - Sept 2010
Granuloma Annulare - June 2011
Dum spiro, spero -- While I breathe, I hope
Psoriasis - the dark ages
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - Dec 2001
Collagenous Colitis - Sept 2010
Granuloma Annulare - June 2011
Well I have been DF for just a couple of days, so of course no real progress.
Something interesting though, I bought some DF soy cheese and had with lunch yesterday, boy did I feel bad yesterday afternoon, so I am thinking I might have a soy issue also, wow this just gets to be more fun by the minute.
Still feeling not so good, but better than yesterday. I was hungry last night and had a steak and some well cooked veggies and that seem to go ok. No D, but feeling foggy and tired today. And I feel like I can't relax. I slept pretty well last night so that was good. Wondering if my GAD is kicking up again. Man what a bummer this gets to be, feel good for a while, then it seems I get drop kicked backwards.
Very seriously researching the paleo diet, I have been leaning in that direction for a while. Its going to take a lot of will power to do it because I have to give up some more of my favorite things, but really wanting to feel better and stay feeling good.
Some of my symptoms come and go, was feeling pretty bad yesterday and on my way home I stopped to talk to a new friend and as soon as I stopped to talk to him I was feeling better, pretty crazy what the mind can do to you. I feel really good in the morning, clear minded and fine, then about an hour into work I start feeling "bad" and it progresses through the day. I think it is allot of stress again.
Well back to work.
Randy
Something interesting though, I bought some DF soy cheese and had with lunch yesterday, boy did I feel bad yesterday afternoon, so I am thinking I might have a soy issue also, wow this just gets to be more fun by the minute.
Still feeling not so good, but better than yesterday. I was hungry last night and had a steak and some well cooked veggies and that seem to go ok. No D, but feeling foggy and tired today. And I feel like I can't relax. I slept pretty well last night so that was good. Wondering if my GAD is kicking up again. Man what a bummer this gets to be, feel good for a while, then it seems I get drop kicked backwards.
Very seriously researching the paleo diet, I have been leaning in that direction for a while. Its going to take a lot of will power to do it because I have to give up some more of my favorite things, but really wanting to feel better and stay feeling good.
Some of my symptoms come and go, was feeling pretty bad yesterday and on my way home I stopped to talk to a new friend and as soon as I stopped to talk to him I was feeling better, pretty crazy what the mind can do to you. I feel really good in the morning, clear minded and fine, then about an hour into work I start feeling "bad" and it progresses through the day. I think it is allot of stress again.
Well back to work.
Randy
Steak and well-cooked veggies are my new best friends ;) Glad you got some sleep, at least.
As far as feelings and stress and symptoms - I definitely find they all go together. When I feel awful, I'm stressed and anxious and the least little thing seems insurmountable and makes me more anxious (and less capable of fixing the problem at hand), and I really feel that "stomach in a knot" feeling (there must be a reason why that expression is a cliche).
I'm getting more stable with emotional stuff, too - less easily freaked out, more overall optimistic, etc. I hope you have the same experience. I have (mostly) avoided things like soy cheese (or the GF equivalents), because I'm afraid I might react to the *other* ingredients, and then how will I know whether it was soy or carageenan or something-gum. I'm definitely having a Paleo week.
I know what you mean about willpower - for me, it's not about giving up things (any food that hurts me, I can dump). But the willpower to retrain my shopping, chopping, cooking, etc. - we're all set for dinner tonight, but tomorrow I have to get my shopping list adjusted to the New Normal (or I'll starve by the weekend).
When D was bad, it was always worst in the mornings - I'm going to be more observant about time of day for other symptoms. That's an interesting observation, though I'm not sure what it means.
Hope you're feeling good, and getting better,
Sara
As far as feelings and stress and symptoms - I definitely find they all go together. When I feel awful, I'm stressed and anxious and the least little thing seems insurmountable and makes me more anxious (and less capable of fixing the problem at hand), and I really feel that "stomach in a knot" feeling (there must be a reason why that expression is a cliche).
I'm getting more stable with emotional stuff, too - less easily freaked out, more overall optimistic, etc. I hope you have the same experience. I have (mostly) avoided things like soy cheese (or the GF equivalents), because I'm afraid I might react to the *other* ingredients, and then how will I know whether it was soy or carageenan or something-gum. I'm definitely having a Paleo week.
I know what you mean about willpower - for me, it's not about giving up things (any food that hurts me, I can dump). But the willpower to retrain my shopping, chopping, cooking, etc. - we're all set for dinner tonight, but tomorrow I have to get my shopping list adjusted to the New Normal (or I'll starve by the weekend).
When D was bad, it was always worst in the mornings - I'm going to be more observant about time of day for other symptoms. That's an interesting observation, though I'm not sure what it means.
Hope you're feeling good, and getting better,
Sara