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Do people on this board continue to see their gasteroenterologist yearly after diagnosis or do you just manage the symptoms yourself with diet and not go back unless needing drugs?
i ate earh balance butter for the first time this weekend and it was like eating chocolate, it was so good to be able to eat that............
thanks,
sheila
frequency of GI appts.
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Joefnh
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Hi Sheila that's a great question. Some here do not see their doctor and manage the symptoms by themselves. This is easier if you don't need any prescriptions and even then some can get thier PCPs to give them the prescriptions needed.
Since I'm dealing with crohns disease in addition to the MC, I see my GI doctor at least once a year.
I would say that if your able to manage this without any meds by diet alone, that's the best option. Don't be afraid of any meds, as meds like Entocort do help bring the inflammation down to allow the diet to maintain healing.
If you have any doubts certainly see your doctor, just be prepared that he or she may not understand what a key role that diet plays in managing MC. Most of us see our docs to be able to get the medications we need like entocort, but try to manage this mainly through diet.
Joe
Since I'm dealing with crohns disease in addition to the MC, I see my GI doctor at least once a year.
I would say that if your able to manage this without any meds by diet alone, that's the best option. Don't be afraid of any meds, as meds like Entocort do help bring the inflammation down to allow the diet to maintain healing.
If you have any doubts certainly see your doctor, just be prepared that he or she may not understand what a key role that diet plays in managing MC. Most of us see our docs to be able to get the medications we need like entocort, but try to manage this mainly through diet.
Joe
Joe
frequency of visits
Hi Joe,
correct me if i am wrong but with Crohns disease, dont the GI doctors tell you that diet plays a big part in irritating the inflammation more or soothing it, so you have to eat a particular diet?
so if MC is also a kind of inflammation, why dont the doctors agree then that if you dont want to make the inflammation worse you have to eat certain foods also as in less fiber, dairy etc...
same with caeliac disease, why is it such a far cry for them to assume that it might also work with MC.
it makes no sense to me at all.
sheila
correct me if i am wrong but with Crohns disease, dont the GI doctors tell you that diet plays a big part in irritating the inflammation more or soothing it, so you have to eat a particular diet?
so if MC is also a kind of inflammation, why dont the doctors agree then that if you dont want to make the inflammation worse you have to eat certain foods also as in less fiber, dairy etc...
same with caeliac disease, why is it such a far cry for them to assume that it might also work with MC.
it makes no sense to me at all.
sheila
Hi Sheila,
The last time I saw a GI was 4-5 years ago. At that time I had been suffering with explosive WD for about 6 years and felt certain it had to do with my diet. However, he told me that food had nothing to do with it and said we would get it under control with meds. Well, I wasn't willing to try steroids, so my relationship ended there.
Since I have treated my LC with diet alone for the last 16 months (after discovering the gluten connection on the Enterolab website), and feel sooo much better, I have no use whatsoever for a GI.
Love,
Kari
The last time I saw a GI was 4-5 years ago. At that time I had been suffering with explosive WD for about 6 years and felt certain it had to do with my diet. However, he told me that food had nothing to do with it and said we would get it under control with meds. Well, I wasn't willing to try steroids, so my relationship ended there.
Since I have treated my LC with diet alone for the last 16 months (after discovering the gluten connection on the Enterolab website), and feel sooo much better, I have no use whatsoever for a GI.
Love,
Kari
"My mouth waters whenever I pass a bakery shop and sniff the aroma of fresh bread, but I am also grateful simply to be alive and sniffing." Dr. Bernstein
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Joefnh
- Rockhopper Penguin
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- Joined: Wed Apr 21, 2010 8:25 pm
- Location: Southern New Hampshire
Actually Sheila the diet my GI doc recommended for Crohns is pretty much the same as what most of us with MC find works well (I have both) my GI doc gave me a pamphlet to read which recommended avoiding raw fruits and veggies, high fiber foods, carbonated beverages, caffeine, alchohol, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. As these may be trigger foods that can cause or make a flare worse. Overall this is similar to what we have found with MC that can make the symptoms worse.
What I have heard from my GI doctor is that the attitude is shifting and that they are starting to view MC in the same way as crohns disease or ulcerative colitis. This is evident in the types of meds they are prescribing and the dietary info that he supplied for the treatment of MC. What I have not heard yet is the MC link to gluten, soy and dairy.
Joe
What I have heard from my GI doctor is that the attitude is shifting and that they are starting to view MC in the same way as crohns disease or ulcerative colitis. This is evident in the types of meds they are prescribing and the dietary info that he supplied for the treatment of MC. What I have not heard yet is the MC link to gluten, soy and dairy.
Joe
Joe
Sheila - know just what you mean about EB - it's safe for me and it tastes like a giant treat (I would say better than chocolate, as I seem to be losing my sweet tooth :)) !!!
Love,
Kari
Love,
Kari
"My mouth waters whenever I pass a bakery shop and sniff the aroma of fresh bread, but I am also grateful simply to be alive and sniffing." Dr. Bernstein
Joe,
Do you think it's the carbonation itself, or the ingredients typically in sodas, that puts them in the "avoid" category? We have been making seltzer with one of those Sodastream gizmos. When I'm having an off day, it never seems to overtly bother me, but I'll feel a little gassy (or at risk of an unladylike belch).
Kari,
"Better than chocolate" really got my attention! I haven't tried EB yet, but that is quite a recommendation
Love,
Sara
Do you think it's the carbonation itself, or the ingredients typically in sodas, that puts them in the "avoid" category? We have been making seltzer with one of those Sodastream gizmos. When I'm having an off day, it never seems to overtly bother me, but I'll feel a little gassy (or at risk of an unladylike belch).
Kari,
"Better than chocolate" really got my attention! I haven't tried EB yet, but that is quite a recommendation
Love,
Sara
Sara,
It's the sugar or artificial sweeteners, caffeine, and acids such as citric, phosphoric, malic, or tartaric acids, (however, note that citric acid is in all citrus fruits, and several fruits, especially apples, contain a lot of malic acid). Anyway, the point is, soft drinks are usually very acidic, independently of any possible CO2 reactions. Many/most also contain artificial flavorings, preservatives, etc.
Gee, they sound a little like junk food, don't they. LOL.
Personally, I'm not so sure that CO2 is such a bad thing, (contrary to enviromentalist's claims) - it's an essential ingredient for life, here on earth, (in proper amounts, of course).
Tex
It's the sugar or artificial sweeteners, caffeine, and acids such as citric, phosphoric, malic, or tartaric acids, (however, note that citric acid is in all citrus fruits, and several fruits, especially apples, contain a lot of malic acid). Anyway, the point is, soft drinks are usually very acidic, independently of any possible CO2 reactions. Many/most also contain artificial flavorings, preservatives, etc.
Gee, they sound a little like junk food, don't they. LOL.
Personally, I'm not so sure that CO2 is such a bad thing, (contrary to enviromentalist's claims) - it's an essential ingredient for life, here on earth, (in proper amounts, of course).
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.
Sara,
When you grow plants, especially if your livelihood depends on it, you come to appreciate the virtues of CO2 much more than Al Gore ever could.
Tex
When you grow plants, especially if your livelihood depends on it, you come to appreciate the virtues of CO2 much more than Al Gore ever could.
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.