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Stage One Diet
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
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kariswalstad
- Little Blue Penguin
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Wed Oct 02, 2019 10:15 pm
- Location: Minnesota
Stage One Diet
Hello! I've been in a bad flare for many months now, and while my stool now has good formation maybe 75% of the time, I am struggling most with debilitating fatigue, extreme joint and muscle pain, brain fog, and mild depression. I went gluten free a month ago and that helped tremendously with gut pain after eating, but I still have sporadic diarrhea and bloating. Yesterday I went dairy free and am going to try the stage one eating plan, and the roast chicken with root veggies I made for supper sat well but "on top" of my stomach for hours. It's been crazy getting used to not having to rush to the bathroom after every meal! My question is this: If my stools are normalizing, but I'm experiencing the other awful symptoms listed above, do you think I can eat some things I don't react to in the bathroom? For instance, toasted GF bread with creamy peanut butter, eggs or banana, and other GF and DF snacks? IOW, can I assume my inflammation is healing if I am increasingly having "normal" stools? Thank you for any input!
Hi Kari,
Welcome to the group. Yes, you can assume that you are beginning to heal. But beginning to heal is a long way from healed, so be careful. This is not the time to experiment with risky foods. Some of us can tolerate GF bread. Some of us can't. Whether or not you can tolerate peanut butter depends on whether you are sensitive to soy, and the other ingredients in the peanut butter, Bananas are usually OK, but over half of us are sensitive to eggs.
Please don't jeopardize your recovery by trying to expand your diet too soon. Unless you've had the EnteroLab stool tests, you have no way of knowing which foods are safe to add, and which ones aren't. It usually takes a year or two of healing to resolve the fatigue and brain fog. The joint pain suggests that your diet may still be contaminated with gluten or some other major food sensitivity. Fatigue, muscle pain, and depression are symptoms of magnesium deficiency.
Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.
Tex
Welcome to the group. Yes, you can assume that you are beginning to heal. But beginning to heal is a long way from healed, so be careful. This is not the time to experiment with risky foods. Some of us can tolerate GF bread. Some of us can't. Whether or not you can tolerate peanut butter depends on whether you are sensitive to soy, and the other ingredients in the peanut butter, Bananas are usually OK, but over half of us are sensitive to eggs.
Please don't jeopardize your recovery by trying to expand your diet too soon. Unless you've had the EnteroLab stool tests, you have no way of knowing which foods are safe to add, and which ones aren't. It usually takes a year or two of healing to resolve the fatigue and brain fog. The joint pain suggests that your diet may still be contaminated with gluten or some other major food sensitivity. Fatigue, muscle pain, and depression are symptoms of magnesium deficiency.
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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kariswalstad
- Little Blue Penguin
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Wed Oct 02, 2019 10:15 pm
- Location: Minnesota
Thanks very much, Tex. I've been debating whether or not to get the EnteroLab tests, or continue elimination dieting on my own and decide what's working based on bathroom symptoms. Would you mind sharing your opinion on whether I should get their testing and why you feel that way?
I am going to look for topical magnesium and start on that ASAP and increase my 2,000 IU of D3 to 6,000 daily. Karis
I am going to look for topical magnesium and start on that ASAP and increase my 2,000 IU of D3 to 6,000 daily. Karis
Hi Karis,
Sorry that I guessed your name incorrectly in the last response. It's certainly possible to reach remission without the tests if you do some careful testing and keep a log book of what you eat at every meal and how you feel afterward. That's how I initially reached remission because I wasn't aware of EnteroLab at the time. But it took me a year and a half to do it that way. We've found that EnteroLab's tests are much more accurate and reliable for determining food sensitivities than any other lab. Personally, now that I'm aware of the tests, I kinda like them, and I've used them a couple of times to track down problems.
For example, my digestive system can tolerate dairy products just fine, but I ordered some tests to find out why my fingers were growing crooked and twisted, and the joints were swollen. EnteroLab's test results showed that I was producing antibodies to casein. So I cut all dairy products out of my diet, and sure enough, my osteoarthritis faded away.
I understand that they're offering Holiday pricing on some (maybe all, for all I know) of the tests right now, so it may be a good time to order (there's a recent post about their pricing). The results offer a lot of peace of mind when we're trying to decide which foods are safe for us to eat. Also, once you've eliminated some foods from your diet, eventually test results for those foods will begin to lose sensitivity. IOW, after a few months or so you may begin to get false negative results on some foods. Gluten is an exception. Gluten sensitivity will show up in their test results for a year or two after you cut gluten out of your diet. That's because gluten antibodies (anti-gliadin antibodies) have a half-life of 120 days. Most other foods have an antibody half-life of only 5 or 6 days. Virtually every member here who has ordered their tests has considered it the best money they have ever spent on their recovery (and their health in general). Once we eliminate the inflammation caused by food sensitivities by changing our diet, we significantly reduce our risk of developing any other autoimmune diseases (because all AI diseases are caused by inflammation).
I hope this helps,
Tex
Sorry that I guessed your name incorrectly in the last response. It's certainly possible to reach remission without the tests if you do some careful testing and keep a log book of what you eat at every meal and how you feel afterward. That's how I initially reached remission because I wasn't aware of EnteroLab at the time. But it took me a year and a half to do it that way. We've found that EnteroLab's tests are much more accurate and reliable for determining food sensitivities than any other lab. Personally, now that I'm aware of the tests, I kinda like them, and I've used them a couple of times to track down problems.
For example, my digestive system can tolerate dairy products just fine, but I ordered some tests to find out why my fingers were growing crooked and twisted, and the joints were swollen. EnteroLab's test results showed that I was producing antibodies to casein. So I cut all dairy products out of my diet, and sure enough, my osteoarthritis faded away.
I understand that they're offering Holiday pricing on some (maybe all, for all I know) of the tests right now, so it may be a good time to order (there's a recent post about their pricing). The results offer a lot of peace of mind when we're trying to decide which foods are safe for us to eat. Also, once you've eliminated some foods from your diet, eventually test results for those foods will begin to lose sensitivity. IOW, after a few months or so you may begin to get false negative results on some foods. Gluten is an exception. Gluten sensitivity will show up in their test results for a year or two after you cut gluten out of your diet. That's because gluten antibodies (anti-gliadin antibodies) have a half-life of 120 days. Most other foods have an antibody half-life of only 5 or 6 days. Virtually every member here who has ordered their tests has considered it the best money they have ever spent on their recovery (and their health in general). Once we eliminate the inflammation caused by food sensitivities by changing our diet, we significantly reduce our risk of developing any other autoimmune diseases (because all AI diseases are caused by inflammation).
I hope this helps,
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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kariswalstad
- Little Blue Penguin
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Wed Oct 02, 2019 10:15 pm
- Location: Minnesota
Tex, this does help a lot, thank you. (I wasn't too thorough on my profile, so I can't expect you to guess my name!) 
I called EnteroLab and the special of $399 will be on for a while so I have some time to consider. It's funny that while I am learning that my fatigue, body aches, vision problems, etc. are caused by MC, it still didn't occur to me that they may be the ONLY symptom, even if my digestion isn't affected. The brain fog certainly doesn't help...so thanks for taking the time to respond to me, because I've been overwhelmed searching the forum. I'm grateful to have found you (and your book, which I've read) and this website! Karis
I called EnteroLab and the special of $399 will be on for a while so I have some time to consider. It's funny that while I am learning that my fatigue, body aches, vision problems, etc. are caused by MC, it still didn't occur to me that they may be the ONLY symptom, even if my digestion isn't affected. The brain fog certainly doesn't help...so thanks for taking the time to respond to me, because I've been overwhelmed searching the forum. I'm grateful to have found you (and your book, which I've read) and this website! Karis-
kariswalstad
- Little Blue Penguin
- Posts: 48
- Joined: Wed Oct 02, 2019 10:15 pm
- Location: Minnesota
Tex, can you suggest a dose for the Doctor's Best Magnesium Glycinate I received yesterday? I took 200 with dinner and had some looser stool this morning. And should I have increased the D3 all the way to 6,000?
I am also wondering about a local support group. I am a grateful member of Alcoholics Anonymous and have been blessed with over 9 years of sobriety, thanks to that fellowship. I am viewing this elimination diet much the same way as quitting booze/drugs (but I sobbed today that I cannot have some damn cream in my coffee) and I just wondered if there are any locals, or a safe way to find out. Thank you! Karis
p.s. I ordered the full testing from EnteroLab today too.
I am also wondering about a local support group. I am a grateful member of Alcoholics Anonymous and have been blessed with over 9 years of sobriety, thanks to that fellowship. I am viewing this elimination diet much the same way as quitting booze/drugs (but I sobbed today that I cannot have some damn cream in my coffee) and I just wondered if there are any locals, or a safe way to find out. Thank you! Karis
p.s. I ordered the full testing from EnteroLab today too.
Hi Karis,
You may not be able to take the magnesium, until you're in remission. A few of us even have problems with topically-applied magnesium, especially while we're recovering. And even when in remission, it's a good idea to space out the tablets with meals, because too much at one time can cause some of us to have looser stools. The body can only absorb so much magnesium at any given time. Unabsorbed (excess) magnesium stays in the intestines and acts as a laxative. Since it's an electrolyte, the blood level of magnesium has to be maintained within a relatively narrow range (to keep vital organs functioning properly), and to do that the body uses the kidneys to remove the excess. Taking too much magnesium at one time can cause two undesirable things to happen:
1. looser stools (or even diarrhea)
2. Overworking the kidneys
In a situation where someone has kidney disease (or otherwise compromised kidney function), taking magnesium should only be considered after asking a doctor, due to the risk of cardiac issues if the blood magnesium level gets too high.
I take 300 mg of magnesium daily — 100 mg after each meal (but I've been in remission for 14 years)
In your situation, I would suggest taking 100 mg of magnesium after each of your two largest meals (for a daily total of 200 mg). If 200 mg causes problems, try 100 mg, or none at all, until you get to remission. After you've been in remission for a while you should be able to go to 300 mg (or more, if you want), as long as you space it out.
Normal vitamin D consumption by the body for an average person is around 5,000 IU per day. So somewhere in the 5,000–6,000 IU range range works for most of us, unless the body is fighting inflammation (in which case it may need more).
We made an effort to form local chapters several years ago, but we were unsuccessful, and had to abandon the idea. We're scattered all over the world, and we were unable to attract the interest of more than one or two people in any given city, even in the largest cities in the world. And medical system rules make it tough to locate possible candidates, because it's illegal to divulge medical records for any disease.
Some MC patients have joined local celiac groups and found them to be helpful. For a while, many celiac groups seemed to be suffering from elitism, and they snubbed anyone who dared to follow the GF diet without a celiac diagnosis. But I have a hunch that most of them may have outgrown that problem by now. It's worth asking a group anyway, if you're interested.
Tex
P. S. I use sugar cubes in my coffee.
You may not be able to take the magnesium, until you're in remission. A few of us even have problems with topically-applied magnesium, especially while we're recovering. And even when in remission, it's a good idea to space out the tablets with meals, because too much at one time can cause some of us to have looser stools. The body can only absorb so much magnesium at any given time. Unabsorbed (excess) magnesium stays in the intestines and acts as a laxative. Since it's an electrolyte, the blood level of magnesium has to be maintained within a relatively narrow range (to keep vital organs functioning properly), and to do that the body uses the kidneys to remove the excess. Taking too much magnesium at one time can cause two undesirable things to happen:
1. looser stools (or even diarrhea)
2. Overworking the kidneys
In a situation where someone has kidney disease (or otherwise compromised kidney function), taking magnesium should only be considered after asking a doctor, due to the risk of cardiac issues if the blood magnesium level gets too high.
I take 300 mg of magnesium daily — 100 mg after each meal (but I've been in remission for 14 years)
In your situation, I would suggest taking 100 mg of magnesium after each of your two largest meals (for a daily total of 200 mg). If 200 mg causes problems, try 100 mg, or none at all, until you get to remission. After you've been in remission for a while you should be able to go to 300 mg (or more, if you want), as long as you space it out.
Normal vitamin D consumption by the body for an average person is around 5,000 IU per day. So somewhere in the 5,000–6,000 IU range range works for most of us, unless the body is fighting inflammation (in which case it may need more).
We made an effort to form local chapters several years ago, but we were unsuccessful, and had to abandon the idea. We're scattered all over the world, and we were unable to attract the interest of more than one or two people in any given city, even in the largest cities in the world. And medical system rules make it tough to locate possible candidates, because it's illegal to divulge medical records for any disease.
Some MC patients have joined local celiac groups and found them to be helpful. For a while, many celiac groups seemed to be suffering from elitism, and they snubbed anyone who dared to follow the GF diet without a celiac diagnosis. But I have a hunch that most of them may have outgrown that problem by now. It's worth asking a group anyway, if you're interested.
Tex
P. S. I use sugar cubes in my coffee.
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.