Hello!

MotherGrizzly · Post by **MotherGrizzly** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 7:07 pm

Hello to all on this board--my name is Jennifer and I've recently been diagnosed with LC. For most of my life, I thought I had IBS. I'm 40, and was clinically diagnosed with IBS about 5 years ago. Of late, my hair has thinned significantly, I'm beyond fatigued, and I'm sick with D so regularly that I miss a lot of work.

While I was glad to find out what is making me sick (IBD as opposed to IBS), I am so overwhelmed with everything. I also have anxiety--had just started taking Cymbalta a month ago--and I don't know if I should switch that medication. I also have headaches every day, so I take Excedrin, which I've discovered aggravates our situation.

I modified my diet for IBS years ago and avoid most dairy, all eggs, beef, etc. I have never tried a GF diet and I have no idea how to even start--it's so much information! I am scared, stressed out, and sick.

I hope to find some help here! The people seem so great and supportive--I was reading through other posts. I wanted to introduce myself because I will probably be asking for a lot of advice in the near future.

Take care and thanks,

Jennifer

Post by **tex** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 7:26 pm

Hi Jennifer,

Welcome to our internet family. All of us were overwhelmed when we first realized what we were up against, but we learn to take life one day at at time, and that way it becomes manageable, as we work our way back to health. After we get our life back, then we can begin to plan ahead, again.

I wish I had a nickle for every person with MC who has been misdiagnosed with IBS.

Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.

Tex

MotherGrizzly · Post by **MotherGrizzly** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 7:38 pm

Tex--

Thank you so much for this note; I am so glad to find this site--there's a lot I need to find out and the information here is really helpful. Also, people are so supportive! It's so reassuring to find a group of people who "get it" why I'm in the bathroom for an hour at a time : / The stories I'm seeing here give me hope that I can start working on getting my life back. I know it's going to take time, but I have been spending years on treating my misdiagnosed IBS, so I'm prepared to start over.

The GF diet is intimidating, though. I have no idea what people eat on it. Since I'm so sick lately, I think I may just do the simple diet I am seeing here of the chicken, broth, baked fish, and potatoes. I was eating oatmeal every day and I guess that's out. I have a lot of research to do!

Jennifer

Post by **tex** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 8:49 pm

Jennifer,

It seems that no one really understands this disease, unless they actually have it. That's one of the reasons why we consider ourselves to be a family - because we all "get it".

Probably not every one of us is sensitive to oats, but a surprisingly high percentage of us are. A simple "elimination diet", that avoids all of the most likely food-sensitivities, is the fastest way to reach remission. It takes a while to work, especially for those of us who have had symptoms for years, but your intestines will slowly heal, if you avoid the foods that are causing the inflammation. If any medications are causing inflammation, they may have to be changed, also, but the diet changes are the most critical, for most of us.

Tex

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 9:54 pm

WELCOME JENNIFER!!

It sounds like you've been dealing with this for quite a while. Your experience of being misdiagnosed with IBS for the past 5 years is a familiar tale, unfortunately.

While most doctors scratch their heads about treatment for IBS, we have found ways to treat MC. Keep reading and learning. There is a wealth of information and experience here.

You will get your life back. We are here to help you.

Gloria

JoAnn · Post by **JoAnn** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 11:30 pm

Welcome Jennifer, I was diagnosed 3 years ago and before diagnosis was extremely sick going from dr to dr and just getting put on more and more harmful drugs which made my situation so much worse. Even after diagnosis, the Asacol they put me on made my situation worse. It wasn't until finding this board and following the diet along with Entocort that I finally found my way to remission. It will take time and patience to find your way, but you can do it. I remember that overwhelmed feeling with it all, but now my diet is just second nature to me and I have a good quality life. Everyone on this board is here to help you through it and you won't find a finer group of people or better advice anywhere (including your doctor's office!)
Keep reading and asking questions,
Love JoAnn

karenswans · Post by **karenswans** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 6:26 am

Hi Jennifer! I don't have a lot of advice yet, as I'm new too, but I wanted to welcome you.

-Karen

Martha · Post by **Martha** » Sun Sep 18, 2011 6:53 am

Welcome, Jennifer!

I'd really encourage you to try thegluten-free diet. I started on it in October 2011. My goal was to control the MC, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that I get far fewer headaches now. I used to get lots of headaches (I joked that I single-handedly kept Bayer in business), but since going gluten-free, I rarely get headaches.

I now eat gluten, dairy, and soy free. It sounds really intimidating and hard at first, but once you get used to cooking that way, it's not too bad. We have always eaten a lot of rice, so giving up bread and pasta wasn't that hard for me. I do like a slice of bread for breakfast, so I make gluten-free bread using Pamela's gf bread mix. There are lots of gf products out there if you want them; if not, you can just eat things that are naturally gf, like meat, potatoes, rice, vegetables, fruit. Some of us can't tolerate vegetables or fruit until our guts heal, but you should eventually be able to eat those.

You probably already know this, but controlling MC by diet takes patience and persistence. You may not see immediate results, but the results do come, and they are definitely worth it.

Love,
Martha