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Hmmm, I worked as a medical assistant for an OB/GYN for 3 years (participating in all the exams) and never heard them tell someone they had "vaginal inflammation" with no known cause. Maybe it was an incidental finding on many women, so they never mentioned it? We certainly tested many women for yeast, bacterial vaginitis, etc. when they complained of symptoms. When few lactobacilli were found under the miscroscope, the doctor often recommended douching with a good quality yogurt (not that I'm advising that). Of course sex, condoms, douching, even synthetic or fragranced maxi pads and tampons can cause inflammation. I for one cannot use Always brand or most commercial pantiliners, etc. So yes, I'm sure many women have nonspecific vaginal inflammation. If it doesn't bother you, I suppose you leave it alone.
OK, I've been trying to avoid posting on this topic, since this is a little outside of my area of expertise, (as if I actually have any area of expertise 
), but I feel obligated to point out that in most exams or tests of that sort, the doctor is almost certainly going to be looking for the wrong markers, for someone who has MC, any IBD, or probably, any autoimmune disease. They are going to be looking for markers that are typically present with that specific type of inflammation. While such an infection can certainly befall any of us with an IBD, (or whatever), IMO, there is another distinct possibility for us, namely an autoimmune response that is either part of, or secondary to the inflammatory pattern that is causing our MC.
They can't find what they don't look for, so if they don't specifically look for this type of reaction, (the diagnosis of which would presumably require biopsies), they are simply going to be totally unaware of it. IMO, the inflammation that we are discussing here is almost certainly of the same type that is causing the MC-related inflammation. IOW, the doctors should be looking for the immunomodulatory effects of cytokines, leukotrienes, etc., such as infiltrated T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, etc., rather than convention pathogens, (after they've ruled out a possible pathogenic etiology).
FYI, when I was fully reacting, (and sick as a dog, most of the time), my bladder and urethra were almost always also severely inflamed. Because of the inflammation, I had extremely limited bladder capacity, whenever this was going on. It was often so bad, (and so connected), that I couldn't even urinate, without triggering a BM, (with watery D, of course). I just assumed that it was part of the reaction, and I never pursued a UTI diagnosis, (or any other diagnosis), and sure enough, it always resolved, when my MC symptoms resolved.
I went through this cycle many, many times, because I had alternating D and C, for years, so I'm pretty doggone confident that I'm looking at this correctly. Anyone who went through these cycles as many times as I did, (probably a hundred times, or more, over the years), would have almost surely needed to get medical help, occasionally, if UTIs, or any other infection were involved. Since they resolved on their own, I submit that they were connected with an immune system reaction.
So you can chalk this up as another wild theory of mine, regarding MC, but I'm convinced that in general, (if not in detail), it's an accurate analysis of the issue.
Tex
), but I feel obligated to point out that in most exams or tests of that sort, the doctor is almost certainly going to be looking for the wrong markers, for someone who has MC, any IBD, or probably, any autoimmune disease. They are going to be looking for markers that are typically present with that specific type of inflammation. While such an infection can certainly befall any of us with an IBD, (or whatever), IMO, there is another distinct possibility for us, namely an autoimmune response that is either part of, or secondary to the inflammatory pattern that is causing our MC.They can't find what they don't look for, so if they don't specifically look for this type of reaction, (the diagnosis of which would presumably require biopsies), they are simply going to be totally unaware of it. IMO, the inflammation that we are discussing here is almost certainly of the same type that is causing the MC-related inflammation. IOW, the doctors should be looking for the immunomodulatory effects of cytokines, leukotrienes, etc., such as infiltrated T cells, macrophages, neutrophils, etc., rather than convention pathogens, (after they've ruled out a possible pathogenic etiology).
FYI, when I was fully reacting, (and sick as a dog, most of the time), my bladder and urethra were almost always also severely inflamed. Because of the inflammation, I had extremely limited bladder capacity, whenever this was going on. It was often so bad, (and so connected), that I couldn't even urinate, without triggering a BM, (with watery D, of course). I just assumed that it was part of the reaction, and I never pursued a UTI diagnosis, (or any other diagnosis), and sure enough, it always resolved, when my MC symptoms resolved.
I went through this cycle many, many times, because I had alternating D and C, for years, so I'm pretty doggone confident that I'm looking at this correctly. Anyone who went through these cycles as many times as I did, (probably a hundred times, or more, over the years), would have almost surely needed to get medical help, occasionally, if UTIs, or any other infection were involved. Since they resolved on their own, I submit that they were connected with an immune system reaction.
So you can chalk this up as another wild theory of mine, regarding MC, but I'm convinced that in general, (if not in detail), it's an accurate analysis of the issue.
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.
.Zizzle wrote:I wish I could say the same for the men in politics!
Actually, I suspect it's probably rather rare, and in my case, I didn't become aware of it until after I had already been reacting for probably a couple of years. By then, most of my body was probably "eat up" with antibodies and cytokenes, and who-knows-what. Most people probably take steps to intervene much sooner than I did. Back in those days, I knew virtually nothing about the disease, and neither did my doctors, so I just lived with it for several years or so, before the light bulb came on, one day. And even after I figured out that there was a food connection, it still took me another year and a half to reach remission.
Also, I might just be lucky enough to have the right genes.
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.
The obgyn that i went to happens to specialize in women who are pregnant with colitis or chrohn's. He said this type of inflammation is common in women and did not seem to connect it to the colitis. of all people i think he would connect it if there was a connection b/c he definitely knows a lot about colits. I don't think he views my colitis as outside the realm of other types. Thanks for your responses. I gues i'm kind of hoping there is no connection b/c it makes me feel like my body is such a mess and will it ever end?! what next!?
Belle
meanwhile he said i can't take antibiotics cuz that will adversley affect the colitis and i can't use any vaginal creams to heal it b/c this type of inflammation gets worse with creams. help! he said to soak in dumeboro solution. has anyone ever heard of that. also a holistic dr. gave me silver water to drink and said it absorbs the bad bacteria. i was wondering if anyone has tried that also. thanks
Belle
Regardless of his qualifications, remember that roughly 99.9% of GI docs don't realize that mast cells have anything to do with MC, (or any other IBD). That implies that docs in the other specialties would be even less likely to recognize a connection.Belle wrote:The obgyn that i went to happens to specialize in women who are pregnant with colitis or chrohn's. He said this type of inflammation is common in women and did not seem to connect it to the colitis. of all people i think he would connect it if there was a connection b/c he definitely knows a lot about colits.
The creams that he recommended avoiding all contain either an antibiotic or an anti-fungal. Right? Those would be contraindicated for inflammation caused by mast cell activation, (such as T cells, macrophages, eosinophils, etc.), because they can make the inflammation worse, by triggering additional mast cell degranulation.
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.
It sounds as though he may realize the real cause of the inflammation, (lymphocytic infiltration), but he simply doesn't realize that it's associated with MC, and doesn't know how to treat it.Belle wrote:tex,
why would it help to look for those things that you mentioned and then what can be done if they are found?
Try taking an antihistamine - an H2 blocker may work better than an H1 blocker, unless you know that they cause your MC symptoms to become worse.
Please let us know if it works, since you are the first to report this issue.
Tex
Belle
Hi Belle. This is going to sound weird, but I actually have an autoimmune vaginitis called DIV. If you don't have a discharge, then you probably don't have the same thing, but this was the first thing I came down with ( 13 years ago). It took four years and 6 doctors to get a dx. Anyway, one of the things I do as treatment is put a hydrocortisone Acetate suppository in once a week ( it use to be more often until it was under control). It's usually used for rectal use, so it's very unconventional. PLUS, I take a Singular once a day. Sounds odd, but when I tried to go off of them, the symptoms came screaming back.
Hope this helps
Leah
Hope this helps
Leah