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Newbie here, LC without D?
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Tumbleweed
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:58 pm
Newbie here, LC without D?
I just found out I have Lymphocytic Colitis, but the thing is I don't really have D. I don't have normal BMs but rarely is it more than soft and more often it's toward the other end of the spectrum. The potty problems aren't really bothersome (just kind of weird) it's the stomach aches, fatigue and muscle and joint pain that I'm getting sick of living with. Does anyone else not have D? The doctor mentioned a trial and error of drugs, but I still need to see him (he was just giving me the results). I'm wondering why I would need to take drugs if I don't have D. Would it help with the other symptoms? Do the meds actually cure anything? Immediately after the procedures he had suspected celiac due to the rings being flattened in parts, but he didn't mention this as a result but I feel like there might be more to the puzzle. I'm not sure what is best to do and I don't want to go to the doc unprepared and come out with a prescription I don't want. I'm vegan as well so I hate to restrict my diet anymore unless it really will work, but I'm also sick of feeling ill. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Hi,
Welcome aboard. We have several members who have pretty much normal BMs, (before treatment), and a few members who have constipation as their primary GI symptom. When I was still reacting, I alternated between D and C.
You're right about the drugs. The ones that work for MC are anti-inflammatories that primarily help to resolve D. In fact, in patients who do not have D, drugs such as the corticosteroids will cause C. They can help to reduce body aches and pains, though, if the C problem doesn't get out of hand.
As you have surmised, no, the meds do not address the problem that causes the inflammation - they only treat the symptoms. The problem that causes MC is chronic inflammation of the mucosal surface of the intestines, and that inflammation is caused by autoimmune reactions due to food-sensitivities. Basically, most of us have found that if we can avoid all of our food-sensitivities, 100%, our symptoms disappear, and stay away.
In case you're wondering how you could suddenly become sensitive to foods that you've been eating all your life, the reason is due to the fact that when the genes that predispose to MC are triggered, certain genes that predispose to food-sensitivities, (especially gluten-sensitivity), are triggered at the same time.
If an examination of the biopsy samples taken during your upper endoscopy exam showed villus damage, (which I'm guessing is what your mention of "rings being flattened" refers to), then you are most definitely sensitive to gluten, regardless of what any celiac blood test might show. If some of the villi are already flattened, then you are already at a Marsh II level, and that meets the criteria for a celiac diagnosis. It's a moot point, though, because many of us with MC show at least a Marsh I level of damage, and if you control your MC symptoms, you will also control your celiac symptoms. IOW, the first step is to cut gluten out of your diet, 100%. Most of us are also sensitive to the primary protein, (casein), in all dairy products, and about half of us are sensitive to soy, (and all legumes). Some have additional sensitivities.
If I were in your shoes, I would forget the meds, and I would cut all gluten and dairy, (if you're not already avoiding it), out of my diet, and give that a month or two to show results. If symptoms persist, you may need to eliminate soy, (and all legumes), but as a vegan, you can't afford to do that, (and continue leading a vegan lifestyle, because protein is essential for healing the intestines, with MC), so let's not worry about that unless it becomes a real contingency.
Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.
Tex
Welcome aboard. We have several members who have pretty much normal BMs, (before treatment), and a few members who have constipation as their primary GI symptom. When I was still reacting, I alternated between D and C.
You're right about the drugs. The ones that work for MC are anti-inflammatories that primarily help to resolve D. In fact, in patients who do not have D, drugs such as the corticosteroids will cause C. They can help to reduce body aches and pains, though, if the C problem doesn't get out of hand.
As you have surmised, no, the meds do not address the problem that causes the inflammation - they only treat the symptoms. The problem that causes MC is chronic inflammation of the mucosal surface of the intestines, and that inflammation is caused by autoimmune reactions due to food-sensitivities. Basically, most of us have found that if we can avoid all of our food-sensitivities, 100%, our symptoms disappear, and stay away.
In case you're wondering how you could suddenly become sensitive to foods that you've been eating all your life, the reason is due to the fact that when the genes that predispose to MC are triggered, certain genes that predispose to food-sensitivities, (especially gluten-sensitivity), are triggered at the same time.
If an examination of the biopsy samples taken during your upper endoscopy exam showed villus damage, (which I'm guessing is what your mention of "rings being flattened" refers to), then you are most definitely sensitive to gluten, regardless of what any celiac blood test might show. If some of the villi are already flattened, then you are already at a Marsh II level, and that meets the criteria for a celiac diagnosis. It's a moot point, though, because many of us with MC show at least a Marsh I level of damage, and if you control your MC symptoms, you will also control your celiac symptoms. IOW, the first step is to cut gluten out of your diet, 100%. Most of us are also sensitive to the primary protein, (casein), in all dairy products, and about half of us are sensitive to soy, (and all legumes). Some have additional sensitivities.
If I were in your shoes, I would forget the meds, and I would cut all gluten and dairy, (if you're not already avoiding it), out of my diet, and give that a month or two to show results. If symptoms persist, you may need to eliminate soy, (and all legumes), but as a vegan, you can't afford to do that, (and continue leading a vegan lifestyle, because protein is essential for healing the intestines, with MC), so let's not worry about that unless it becomes a real contingency.
Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.
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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draperygoddess
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 558
- Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2011 6:49 am
- Location: Tennessee
Hello, Tumbleweed!
Welcome to the forum! This is the best place to find information and answers about LC. I can definitely relate to the stomach aches--even now that I'm not experiencing D anymore (unless I eat something really stupid), I still deal with C, and when I've eaten something that doesn't agree with me, the stomach pains will be the first indication. Not everyone has the same symptoms, but apparently you DO have the damage, which means that gluten is a real problem for you. I felt so much better once I took gluten and dairy off my menu! I would definitely try to get some relief via dietary changes before trying medication. Actually, going GF helped me get OFF some meds! And eliminating gluten and/or dairy isn't as horrible as it might seem at first, especially if it helps you to feel better.
Hope you find the answers you're looking for, and get back to your old self soon!
Welcome to the forum! This is the best place to find information and answers about LC. I can definitely relate to the stomach aches--even now that I'm not experiencing D anymore (unless I eat something really stupid), I still deal with C, and when I've eaten something that doesn't agree with me, the stomach pains will be the first indication. Not everyone has the same symptoms, but apparently you DO have the damage, which means that gluten is a real problem for you. I felt so much better once I took gluten and dairy off my menu! I would definitely try to get some relief via dietary changes before trying medication. Actually, going GF helped me get OFF some meds! And eliminating gluten and/or dairy isn't as horrible as it might seem at first, especially if it helps you to feel better.
Hope you find the answers you're looking for, and get back to your old self soon!
Cynthia
"Can we fix it? YES WE CAN!" -Bob the Builder
"Can we fix it? YES WE CAN!" -Bob the Builder
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Tumbleweed
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Fri Dec 16, 2011 6:58 pm