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Strangely, IBS gets all the press, while everyone continues to ignore the end disease, MC. Anyway, it appears that a lot of evidence exists to substantiate our claim that MC can be triggered by stress.
Researchers looked at 2,623 people and found that psychological and emotional traumas -- such as divorce, death of a loved one, house fire, car accident, and mental or physical abuse -- were more common among adults with IBS than those without the condition.
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.
When I read this, the first thing coming to my mind is, how high this figure would be with any other diseases as heart diseases, cancer, auto immune diseases. In other words would't there be a correlation between emotional (and other) stress and development of (any) physical discomfort/disease in general? Stress can have an huge impact on the immune system.
When I read this with IBS (what is not even a disease, just a set of symptoms with course unknown), I get the feeling it gives doctors another tool to tell patients "it is all between your ears" and send people to a psychiatrist or a therapist. Or the label IBS will even be quicker given to people with bowel problems, if something traumatic happens in their live.
Before my MC started also a very traumatic thing happened in my life, well with this research in mind, the diagnosis is clear: IBS.
"As the sense of identity shifts from the imaginary person to your real being as presence awareness, the life of suffering dissolves like mist before the rising sun"
Well, I know I had a hugely traumatic 6 mo. before my symptoms started in earnest. Not just one thing but several hit all at once. Along with the rest of you, I know that stress can bring on symptoms/make them worse. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out.
I wish the medical profession would take MC more seriously and the research professionals too... and then I think about all the incorrect and even harmful conclusions/ideas they have come up with in other areas and then think I'd be happy if they just looked harder for the diagnosis. I am grateful I got lucky with a speedy diagnosis. I believe a lot of people suffer with no idea why for years, even lifetimes.
Love, Shirley
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
I LOVE Harma and Shirley's comments here, very thought-provoking. I wonder who funded this research and why. Obviously none of us gets through life w/o stress and trauma and neither of those are good for anyone's health. I fear that this type of research will just be used to label patients rather than to help cure illness, but it did lead me to look further and I learned some interesting stuff today.
There are some really interesting articles written by Diana Gitig Ph.D here: http://www.celiac.com/authors/563/Diana-Gitig-Ph.D. and this led me to look more closely at the FODMAP diet, which I see has been discussed previously here.
Resolved MC symptoms successfully w/L-Glutamine, Probiotics and Vitamins, GF since 8/'09. DX w/MC 10/'09.
Stress definitely played a factor in my worst flare that preceded me getting diagnosed earlier this year. However, right now I'm going through arguably the worst stress of my life and I have had no symptoms. I was sure I would. I guess I still might, but I believe if I weren't controlling my sypmtoms so well through diet that I would be in very bad shape right now.
Well I am sure stress was a trigger for me at the onset of MC. Since then many flares were triggered by stress. Currently, things are in a very stressful situation with extended family and I have been handling things pretty well. However, this weekend has to have been the worst I spent flaring in a couple of years. Party stress but I think the major trigger was undetected gluten. Restaurant we always eat out - one of only a couple I chance - and I am sure I got glutened. New cook and didn't listen enough to what I was saying. However, last week I chanced Olive Garden and they could not have been more helpful and individually address each person who has allergies. They also have gluten free pasta now and it was quite good. Now to put this flare behind me - didn't mean that pun.
Love, Maggie
Maggie Scarpone
___________________
Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
I'm entering what will be the most stressful time in my life yet again. My husband was diagnosed with mesothelioma last week. The prognosis is poor and since I lost my first husband to cancer, I have a pretty good idea of what is to come. I know a lot of the physical problems that I have are exacerbated by this kind of stress. So far, I've pretty much lost my appetite but have not strayed from the GF, SF, DF diet. Apparently wine doesn't bother my stomach, thank God. I'm hoping that the entocort will keep things under control. If I have to up the dosage to 2 or 3 pills a day I'll do it. I cannot afford to get sick now or in the next several months. Sorry to dump this depressing story on you all.
Sheila
To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.
A person who never made a mistake never tried something new. Einstein
I'm so sorry. Most heartful thoughts to you and to your husband. I think you're wise to hold fast to the diet that's been working, and being willing to turn up the powers of Entocort if necessary. (And the wine.)
I'm so sorry that you and your husband are faced with such devastating news. We never know what life may hold for us around the next corner.
My thoughts will be with you, and I wish the very best for you both. Please don't forget to take care of yourself.
Love,
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.
I'm so sorry. You and your husband will be in my prayers, for good treatment for him, and grace to walk this difficult journey for both of you, and your extended families.
Visit the Microscopic Colitis Foundation Website
Anyway, it appears that a lot of evidence exists to substantiate our claim that MC can be triggered by stress.
didn't mean that pun.
