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I don't know how many people here have used this as a mode to getting better with MC, but I'd just like to report on how powerful this treatment has been for me - AGAIN. I had been strictly GF nearly 4 months before my being d/x with MC on advice of my ND and oldest daughter, despite being negative on the celiac blood test, which is notoriously unreliable, before I chose this treatment after my colonoscopy and being dx with both types of MC. So, after literally 3 weeks of using the L-G and PB's, I completely had my symptoms under control and after about 18 months of this protocol, under stressful conditions, I decided to stop taking everything but my B & D vites. This was about 18 months ago.
My life has been very stressful for many months now. I have been depressed because of my circumstances. I have been sporadically active here, for which I apologize. As one might expect, the dreaded D came back to visit and hadn't left for a long time. I had forgotten about being pro-active, forgotten that I had L-Glutamine and Pro-biotics in the frig and was just embracing my misery and hopelessness, and pretty much just allowing this "flare" to continue as some sort of insane "self-punishment" and death wish - perhaps some of you can empathize.
I had D all day, pooping stuff I literally hadn't even eaten yet, seriously, I was afraid to eat, I was eating one meal a day and there is NO WAY that what was coming out even remotely equated to what went in. I am hyper-vigilant about food and where it comes from - I am a caterer - I know, or "think I know", about food. I am very careful, but was waking up in the middle of the night thirsty - every night.
So, yesterday I decided to fight for myself and live. I went back to my original protocol for treatment, which was the L-G and Pro-Biotics. Within 4 hours of taking the L-G and P-B's I could feel a calming of my intestinal distress and miraculously, 20 hours later, I have now achieved Norman after over 4 months of D. I am stunned, quite frankly.
I highly recommend this as a first line of defense for MC. Long before I was d/x w/MC I had a close friend whose health was permanently destroyed by Prednisone and I have been deathly afraid of steroids ever since. Entocort was the only thing that was recommended by my GI after she D/X'd me with both types of MC in '09 and from what I've seen here, IMO, it still isn't a drug that most people have found to be very helpful. I've used the Vital Nutrients L-G that my ND stocks at his clinic, and I don't know how "pure" it is compared to what can be ordered on the Internet, but it appears to be working again.
Few of us here have a positive view of what our MD's have to offer. Reality is that they don't have the time or interest to go beyond their initial education and they rely on their further "education" coming from the drug reps who only have money as an incentive. There are no "warning labels" on my L-G other than to consult your physician before taking if you are pregnant and there are NO "warning labels" on my pro-biotics.
For anyone new to this, you have nothing to lose by trying this first - instead of using steroids - IMO.
Cannot say enough about L-Glutamine and Pro-biotics for MC
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Cannot say enough about L-Glutamine and Pro-biotics for MC
Resolved MC symptoms successfully w/L-Glutamine, Probiotics and Vitamins, GF since 8/'09. DX w/MC 10/'09.
Connie,
FWIW.
It's good to see that you finally got some relief.
L-Glutamine is a non-essential amino acid, that's utilized in the intestines, more than anywhere else in the body. It's thought to be be helpful for keeping the tight junctions closed, and it's thought to help protect the mucosa of the intestines. Some research has suggested that people with IBDs may be low on glutamine, but at least two clinical research trials that investigated the use of glutamine supplements, showed no benefits for patients with Crohn's disease. That suggests, (to me, at least), that glutamine supplements may only be beneficial for those who actually have a significant glutamine deficiency.
L-glutamine is found naturally in beef, chicken, fish, eggs, milk, dairy products, wheat, cabbage, beets, beans, spinach, and small amounts can be found in many vegetable juices. I'm not sure how many of those foods you are avoiding, but it's possible that you may be deficient in L-glutamine, and that's why you always show such a remarkable response to it. I suspect that those of us who eat plenty of protein, (from animal products), are less likely to run short of it, (but that's just a guess, of course).
I'm really wondering if L-glutamine might have properties that allow it to counter the effects of stress on the gut. IOW, I have a hunch that it might be useable as a prophylactic to prevent stress from triggering an MC reaction. I have a theory that the way this works, is that stress tends to open the tight junctions to some degree, and L-glutamine may be able to prevent that from causing problems by helping to keep the zonula occludens closed.
We might also find it helpful in cases that are initially refractory to treatment, when high stress levels are present, and/or when an L-glutamine deficiency might exist.
Anyway, I'm glad that you decided try it again.
Gloria, and Ginny, with your very limited diets, you may have developed a long-term L-glutamine deficiency - a supplement might be worth a try.
Tex
FWIW.It's good to see that you finally got some relief.
L-Glutamine is a non-essential amino acid, that's utilized in the intestines, more than anywhere else in the body. It's thought to be be helpful for keeping the tight junctions closed, and it's thought to help protect the mucosa of the intestines. Some research has suggested that people with IBDs may be low on glutamine, but at least two clinical research trials that investigated the use of glutamine supplements, showed no benefits for patients with Crohn's disease. That suggests, (to me, at least), that glutamine supplements may only be beneficial for those who actually have a significant glutamine deficiency.
L-glutamine is found naturally in beef, chicken, fish, eggs, milk, dairy products, wheat, cabbage, beets, beans, spinach, and small amounts can be found in many vegetable juices. I'm not sure how many of those foods you are avoiding, but it's possible that you may be deficient in L-glutamine, and that's why you always show such a remarkable response to it. I suspect that those of us who eat plenty of protein, (from animal products), are less likely to run short of it, (but that's just a guess, of course).
I'm really wondering if L-glutamine might have properties that allow it to counter the effects of stress on the gut. IOW, I have a hunch that it might be useable as a prophylactic to prevent stress from triggering an MC reaction. I have a theory that the way this works, is that stress tends to open the tight junctions to some degree, and L-glutamine may be able to prevent that from causing problems by helping to keep the zonula occludens closed.
We might also find it helpful in cases that are initially refractory to treatment, when high stress levels are present, and/or when an L-glutamine deficiency might exist.
Anyway, I'm glad that you decided try it again.
Gloria, and Ginny, with your very limited diets, you may have developed a long-term L-glutamine deficiency - a supplement might be worth a try.
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.
Connie,
After your Christmas story I am not surprised you are depressed. That was quite a day, and I am sure it's ongoing.
Sorry, though, that it triggered such bad D, but great that you got it under control so quickly and easily.
For the first few weeks after my diagnosis I was taking bit L-G and PB. Make no difference to me, so I stopped. One of these days I will try it again.
Good that it helped you! You certainly needed Norman and not D.
After your Christmas story I am not surprised you are depressed. That was quite a day, and I am sure it's ongoing.
Sorry, though, that it triggered such bad D, but great that you got it under control so quickly and easily.
For the first few weeks after my diagnosis I was taking bit L-G and PB. Make no difference to me, so I stopped. One of these days I will try it again.
Good that it helped you! You certainly needed Norman and not D.
I'm glad the L-G has helped you. I take it for a different reason. L-G is recommended to help with sugar cravings from the diet I'm trying to follow to lose weight. Gluten & refined sugar are the only things I'm avoiding so I'm not deficient in this protein. Since I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes, I have continued to take the L-G.
Take care
Take care
Brenda
L-Glutamine is also used by body-builders and athletes to repair tissue damage, Tex. I hypothesize that all of us with gluten damage have intestines that are leaking and that this "leakage" has made us susceptible to MAP which is contributory to a variety of staph infections we all probably had, that then led us to need the antibiotics that then led us to the onset of MC. Whew, I know that's a long sentence and I know I'm not an expert on all of this. I just know my history, and I know my family history.L-Glutamine is a non-essential amino acid, that's utilized in the intestines, more than anywhere else in the body. It's thought to be be helpful for keeping the tight junctions closed, and it's thought to help protect the mucosa of the intestines.
So, it's quite obvious as of this moment, that as a result of the past 4 months of being a stress-case and being depressed, I now have the first UTI that I've had since before this whole MC stuff surfaced in '06 for me, when I had 7 UTI's in one year that led me to believe I had MRSA and is what I took the massive dose of Cipro for that kicked off the non-stop D for me - that and my brothers suicide as an added stress. I've since tested negative for ever having MRSA.
Now I have a legitimate reason to go see my PCP to get antibiotics for this miserable UTI. I have had NO REASON to see my PCP for YEARS as she is worthless with GI issues and pretty much anything else that doesn't involve bacteria. So, when I go in tomorrow to have the culture done to confirm a UTI, I will ask for a blood test to show if I have the markers for MAP in my blood and if I have it again.
Clearly body-builders are under stress and L-G is said to be beneficial as a way to repair muscle and tissue that is over-used, which is the reason given that they use it pretty regularly. I don't know if it's usable to prevent stress from triggering an MC reaction by keeping the zonula occludens closed, I have no idea what zonula are, but I'll look into it. Leaky gut is what I hypothesize, Tex, as the cause of "endometriosis" in women and scar tissue in men. I am still learning, but looking back at my GF's history, MAP was clearly a player in his death. I am stubbornly holding onto that theory and stubborn is my middle name.
Resolved MC symptoms successfully w/L-Glutamine, Probiotics and Vitamins, GF since 8/'09. DX w/MC 10/'09.
Joan,
I am currently taking Natural Factors double strength acidophilus and Bifidus "10 billion active cells" that I bought at a high-end grocery store and is nowhere near 50 buck per 90 tabs and isn't DF. I plan to go to my NP's tomorrow and get some more Pro-Boulardi and don't remember what that cost, or if it is DF, but will let you know.
Have to go pee again now, TTYL
I am currently taking Natural Factors double strength acidophilus and Bifidus "10 billion active cells" that I bought at a high-end grocery store and is nowhere near 50 buck per 90 tabs and isn't DF. I plan to go to my NP's tomorrow and get some more Pro-Boulardi and don't remember what that cost, or if it is DF, but will let you know.
Have to go pee again now, TTYL
Resolved MC symptoms successfully w/L-Glutamine, Probiotics and Vitamins, GF since 8/'09. DX w/MC 10/'09.
I didn't know there were blood tests that look for indicators of MAP. What are they?
I have a jar of Vitamin Shoppe brand L-Glutamine powder in my cupboard, but I'm not sure how much, how and when to take it (morning, bedtime, with or without food, mixed in a drink?). Can you offer some guidance?
It seems my last stage of healing is closing my leaky gut -- my tests showed significant permeability despite reolution of most MC symptoms.
I take Culturelle probiotic several times a week, but not every day. I've reacted violently to others I've tried.
Thanks.
I have a jar of Vitamin Shoppe brand L-Glutamine powder in my cupboard, but I'm not sure how much, how and when to take it (morning, bedtime, with or without food, mixed in a drink?). Can you offer some guidance?
It seems my last stage of healing is closing my leaky gut -- my tests showed significant permeability despite reolution of most MC symptoms.
I take Culturelle probiotic several times a week, but not every day. I've reacted violently to others I've tried.
Thanks.
Until you have eliminated your food-sensitivities from your diet for a while, to lower the antibody levels, L-glutamine can't do much, because the inflammation is running rampant. Once the production of antibodies declines, then the L-glutamine can help to heal the gut. IOW, I'm not surprised that it didn't help, early on.Lesley wrote:For the first few weeks after my diagnosis I was taking bit L-G and PB. Make no difference to me, so I stopped. One of these days I will try it again.
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.
Yes, I'm well aware that bodybuilders are huge fans of L-glutamine. I'm also aware that their judgment is not always the best, as demonstrated by the fact that they are prone to using steroids, despite the risks. You have to remember that bodybuilders will grasp at any straw that they think might give them a slight edge. The effect in muscles outside the intestines is minor, but it does exist, so I'm sure that they probably do get some effect from it.Connie wrote:L-Glutamine is also used by body-builders and athletes to repair tissue damage, Tex.
The zonula occludens are the tight junctions that allow nutrients to pass from the intestine into the bloodstream, and when they open too far, or remain open when they should be closed, they allow the peptides that cause so many problems for us, to pass into the bloodstream, as well. I don't understand how that can cause endometriosis or scar tissue, though, (of course, there's a heck of a lot that I don't understand about the complexities of the digestive system).
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.
Hi Everyone,
I wasn't sure how to post a link but here is a cut and past of Connie's L Glutamine regimen that she posted in November 30, 2009. I was researching L Glutamine about a week ago on this forum and added it to my mix to help get off of Entocourt along with ginger tea (I'll post recipe this weekend) and adding tumeric to foods. L Glutamine powder is more economical than the pills and seems to be what the young people take. I don't know that brand matters so much, i.e. I think it is one of those things like sugar is sugar or salt is salt. I'm in a Division 1 college town and L Glutamine is heavily used by those under 30 years old and at least by the young people considered to be risk free. In the sports field it is taken after a workout to aid in "recovery." I've added L glutamine to my regimen about a week ago strictly due to Connie's report from 2009. My jar that I bought at a local vitamin place says to take 1 tsp (5 mg) in cup of water 3x per day. It looks like Connie was taking around approx 40 mg per day back in 2009. When I did my googling last week it appeared that 40 mg seemed to be the high end of what is medically recommended. I believe the Crohns studies that I read about on line studied patients with 40 mg intake. Tex is right the studies were inconclusive on Crohns.
About a week ago I started taking around 1 rounded tsp 3x per day mixed in cup of water---slightly higher than dose on jar but less than Connie's dose. I'm guessing I'm taking 20mg per day. I don't think I need to be at Connie's dose because I'm not in a flare. Hope this helps, Brandy, Connie's post is below.
From Stanz...Connie....Nov 30 2009 post:
I’d like to share my recent journey with MC. It’s been a very busy month and I haven’t had time to come on here to visit or do any more research. I’m so appreciative for the encouragement and support I've gotten here. Because of the generosity of everyone sharing their stories and recommendations for treatment, I chose a path and have avoided using steroids. Hopefully I’ve found my answer, as it appears that I may be on the mend. I’m still awaiting my test results from Enterolab, but previously was negative for celiac via the blood test.
My D started after a traumatic event in mid December ’07 and was unremitting. Often I could not even get through a meal w/o having to go to the bathroom. I had explosive D anytime I ate, and was up several times a night. I had my fair share of “accidents” and was becoming a recluse. My job and life is stressful and stress has always made it worse. In retrospect, it is likely that I have had signs of this since I was 9 and I am now 60. D would always follow some sort of trauma or stress, but until Dec. ’07 it had always been short-lived. This time I had lost 36 pounds and my hair was falling out.
My protocol:
2 rounded Tsp. Glutamine Powder - 3 times a day (Vital Nutrients)
2 PB 8 Pro-Biotic Acidophilus (Nutrition Now)
2 Loperamide Hydrochloride – 2 mg. /3 times a day (Kirkland Brand)
1 Proboulardi 2 times a day (Metagenics)
2 Vitamin D3 (2000 I.U.)
1 Tbsp. Organic Coconut Oil (Aunt Patty’s)
I take the first round of those when I first get up and follow it with this:
Banana smoothie:
1 RIPE Banana
3 Tbsp. Almond butter
1/2 C. Green Juice (Odwalla)
I’ve been gluten free since early August. Have been soy and (mostly) dairy free since I was Dx with both LC and CC in mid October (via colonoscopy/biopsy) and have been on this protocol for about 5 weeks now. I’ll probably stay on it until the first of the year and may add or delete stuff depending on the results from Enterolab. I’m actually feeling pretty good and am hopeful, which is HUGE.
I also did a lot of research on adding Low Dose Naltrexone to this regimen and my Naturopath considered prescribing that as well. I’ve been expecting to have to leave town on short notice for about a month now and will be gone for quite awhile once I leave, so he was hesitant to add it w/o being able to monitor me.
For the past week I have had NO D. I have 1-2 BM’s a day now (used to have probably 12, even though I was eating almost nothing) and they are what I would consider to be pretty normally formed. I’ve gained about 4 pounds in the last month, am actually beginning to have an appetite again and not as afraid to eat or go out.
Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and that the new year will be a good one for all of us.
_________________
Resolved MC symptoms successfully w/L-Glutamine, Probiotics and Vitamins and being GF since
I wasn't sure how to post a link but here is a cut and past of Connie's L Glutamine regimen that she posted in November 30, 2009. I was researching L Glutamine about a week ago on this forum and added it to my mix to help get off of Entocourt along with ginger tea (I'll post recipe this weekend) and adding tumeric to foods. L Glutamine powder is more economical than the pills and seems to be what the young people take. I don't know that brand matters so much, i.e. I think it is one of those things like sugar is sugar or salt is salt. I'm in a Division 1 college town and L Glutamine is heavily used by those under 30 years old and at least by the young people considered to be risk free. In the sports field it is taken after a workout to aid in "recovery." I've added L glutamine to my regimen about a week ago strictly due to Connie's report from 2009. My jar that I bought at a local vitamin place says to take 1 tsp (5 mg) in cup of water 3x per day. It looks like Connie was taking around approx 40 mg per day back in 2009. When I did my googling last week it appeared that 40 mg seemed to be the high end of what is medically recommended. I believe the Crohns studies that I read about on line studied patients with 40 mg intake. Tex is right the studies were inconclusive on Crohns.
About a week ago I started taking around 1 rounded tsp 3x per day mixed in cup of water---slightly higher than dose on jar but less than Connie's dose. I'm guessing I'm taking 20mg per day. I don't think I need to be at Connie's dose because I'm not in a flare. Hope this helps, Brandy, Connie's post is below.
From Stanz...Connie....Nov 30 2009 post:
I’d like to share my recent journey with MC. It’s been a very busy month and I haven’t had time to come on here to visit or do any more research. I’m so appreciative for the encouragement and support I've gotten here. Because of the generosity of everyone sharing their stories and recommendations for treatment, I chose a path and have avoided using steroids. Hopefully I’ve found my answer, as it appears that I may be on the mend. I’m still awaiting my test results from Enterolab, but previously was negative for celiac via the blood test.
My D started after a traumatic event in mid December ’07 and was unremitting. Often I could not even get through a meal w/o having to go to the bathroom. I had explosive D anytime I ate, and was up several times a night. I had my fair share of “accidents” and was becoming a recluse. My job and life is stressful and stress has always made it worse. In retrospect, it is likely that I have had signs of this since I was 9 and I am now 60. D would always follow some sort of trauma or stress, but until Dec. ’07 it had always been short-lived. This time I had lost 36 pounds and my hair was falling out.
My protocol:
2 rounded Tsp. Glutamine Powder - 3 times a day (Vital Nutrients)
2 PB 8 Pro-Biotic Acidophilus (Nutrition Now)
2 Loperamide Hydrochloride – 2 mg. /3 times a day (Kirkland Brand)
1 Proboulardi 2 times a day (Metagenics)
2 Vitamin D3 (2000 I.U.)
1 Tbsp. Organic Coconut Oil (Aunt Patty’s)
I take the first round of those when I first get up and follow it with this:
Banana smoothie:
1 RIPE Banana
3 Tbsp. Almond butter
1/2 C. Green Juice (Odwalla)
I’ve been gluten free since early August. Have been soy and (mostly) dairy free since I was Dx with both LC and CC in mid October (via colonoscopy/biopsy) and have been on this protocol for about 5 weeks now. I’ll probably stay on it until the first of the year and may add or delete stuff depending on the results from Enterolab. I’m actually feeling pretty good and am hopeful, which is HUGE.
I also did a lot of research on adding Low Dose Naltrexone to this regimen and my Naturopath considered prescribing that as well. I’ve been expecting to have to leave town on short notice for about a month now and will be gone for quite awhile once I leave, so he was hesitant to add it w/o being able to monitor me.
For the past week I have had NO D. I have 1-2 BM’s a day now (used to have probably 12, even though I was eating almost nothing) and they are what I would consider to be pretty normally formed. I’ve gained about 4 pounds in the last month, am actually beginning to have an appetite again and not as afraid to eat or go out.
Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving and that the new year will be a good one for all of us.
_________________
Resolved MC symptoms successfully w/L-Glutamine, Probiotics and Vitamins and being GF since
Thanks, Brandy, for pulling up my original protocol. Right now I am doing 2 probiotics/day plus 2 rounded tsp. of Vital Nutrients Glutamine Powder, which I purchase at my ND's office, but it also can be purchased online.
Wasn't able to see my PCP today, but did see another doctor and now have 3 days worth Bactrim for the UTI. This Dr. wasn't comfortable ordering blood tests so I now have an appt. w/my PCP for next Thursday.
Zizzle, I don't actually know if there is a test to show markers for having previously had MAP, but can't imagine there isn't. I wasn't tested for MRSA before she prescribed a massive dose of Cipro - which stopped several years of "bacterial infections" - but did have a blood test to see if I had markers for MRSA which I didn't.
Wasn't able to see my PCP today, but did see another doctor and now have 3 days worth Bactrim for the UTI. This Dr. wasn't comfortable ordering blood tests so I now have an appt. w/my PCP for next Thursday.
Zizzle, I don't actually know if there is a test to show markers for having previously had MAP, but can't imagine there isn't. I wasn't tested for MRSA before she prescribed a massive dose of Cipro - which stopped several years of "bacterial infections" - but did have a blood test to see if I had markers for MRSA which I didn't.
Resolved MC symptoms successfully w/L-Glutamine, Probiotics and Vitamins, GF since 8/'09. DX w/MC 10/'09.
Hi Connie,
I didn't mean to respond for you it just seemed like you are going through a tough time now and hopefully getting better. No offense meant. Thanks for your protocol by the way. I pulled it up last week during my research and I kept seeing your "signature line" regarding L Glutamine being helpful. Brandy
I didn't mean to respond for you it just seemed like you are going through a tough time now and hopefully getting better. No offense meant. Thanks for your protocol by the way. I pulled it up last week during my research and I kept seeing your "signature line" regarding L Glutamine being helpful. Brandy