Visit the Microscopic Colitis Foundation Website
FOR DAN,
Morning. I was a vegan for 35 years and as so, consumed many grains and soy products and was eventually diagnosed with CC and immediatley went gluten free. It took so much out of my diet that was "protein" based. Soon after diagnosis and going gluten free I found little to no betterment to the condition and within a year had to drop soy since I was intolerant of it. Note intolerances I have. Finally about 9 months ago I was advised by my doctors that I had to either waste away due to no protein or start eating meat, fish, etc. This was a very major decision on my part due to being a Buddhist. However, after much soul searching I found that it was the way to go for me. I applaud you being a vegetarian but do bear in mind that protein is major for the body to survive. Does not have to be huge quantities as some people believe but it needed.
Sorry I got long winded but wanted you to hear another (previously) non-meat eater's journey.
Love, Maggie
Hello
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
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MaggieRedwings
- King Penguin
- Posts: 3865
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 3:16 am
- Location: SE Pennsylvania
Hiya Mags......I think it's Andi who is the vegetarian. 
I see that Dan's avatar shows him catching a fish!
Dan,
What kind of fish is it? Is it a dolphin (can't see the top of it)? We spent quite a few years deep sea fishing for marlin, tuna, wahoo, dolphin, king mackerel (my favorite eating fish) etc. We did a lot of tagging thru the Woods Hole Program.
Re your autoimmune question, I have a family history too. Both my mom and mat. grandma had Hashimoto's disease (autoimmune hypothyroid condition), and my grandma had rheumatoid arthritis too.
I'm sure my mom had diarrhea a lot too. She denies it, but I remember her making mad dashes to the bathroom, plus she always stayed close to home. We also have a lot of ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder) in the family......I've seen where some propose that it is autoimmune too.
I am hoping Dr. Fasano's research will help us. He is studying 4 autoimmune conditions (celiac, diabetes type I, multiple sclerosis, and I forget the 4th (LOL). Anyway, he found that in all 4 cases there is an increase of zonulin in the body, the chemical that opens up those "gates" in the small intestine that allow foreign protein into the body and thus sets up an autoimmune (AI) response. He has developed a drug to reduce the amount of zonulin, and it is now in late-stage human clincal trials. Wouldn't it be cool if it can prevent any foreign protein from entering????? It could potentially help so many AI conditions.
Also, I recall at least 2 members here who had been suspected of having lupus as well as MC when they first came here. Both had a disappearance of lupus symptoms after going gluten-free.
Have a good day!
Polly
I see that Dan's avatar shows him catching a fish! Dan,
What kind of fish is it? Is it a dolphin (can't see the top of it)? We spent quite a few years deep sea fishing for marlin, tuna, wahoo, dolphin, king mackerel (my favorite eating fish) etc. We did a lot of tagging thru the Woods Hole Program.
Re your autoimmune question, I have a family history too. Both my mom and mat. grandma had Hashimoto's disease (autoimmune hypothyroid condition), and my grandma had rheumatoid arthritis too.
I'm sure my mom had diarrhea a lot too. She denies it, but I remember her making mad dashes to the bathroom, plus she always stayed close to home. We also have a lot of ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder) in the family......I've seen where some propose that it is autoimmune too.
I am hoping Dr. Fasano's research will help us. He is studying 4 autoimmune conditions (celiac, diabetes type I, multiple sclerosis, and I forget the 4th (LOL). Anyway, he found that in all 4 cases there is an increase of zonulin in the body, the chemical that opens up those "gates" in the small intestine that allow foreign protein into the body and thus sets up an autoimmune (AI) response. He has developed a drug to reduce the amount of zonulin, and it is now in late-stage human clincal trials. Wouldn't it be cool if it can prevent any foreign protein from entering????? It could potentially help so many AI conditions.
Also, I recall at least 2 members here who had been suspected of having lupus as well as MC when they first came here. Both had a disappearance of lupus symptoms after going gluten-free.
Have a good day!
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Polly,
I am an avid fisherman, born into it you might say. My paternal Grandfather plied the coasts of Scotland, my maternal Grandfather fished a wee bit to the south in Ireland, my father fished the Maine coast before coming to California in the 50's, I was raised on the deck of a salmon trawler out of Fort Bragg California. Nowadays I live on the California Delta with my wonderfully understanding wife Marguerita, 2 cats and 2 labs. The picture is a largemouth bass which I love to chase down throughout the year, but my favorite fish these days (since salmon fishing was cut off this past year due to poor numbers) is the striped bass. Ha ha, I have been described a lot of different things, but never a vegan, my dreams are consumed with big fat cheesburgers and greasy french fries-I haven't had one in 10 mos or so, of course on my way to the office this morning a Jimmy Buffet song was on the radio, "Big fat Cheeseburger" was the name of the song, fitting I guess.
Tex, thank you for the links they are of tremendous help to me. I can see now the value of getting some clinical testing done. As I stated RA runs deeply in my family (maternal and paternal) many cases so severe that they became crippled by middle age sometimes earlier, I had a cousin in Oregon who has been wheelchair bound in her late 20's she passed away at 46 this past year. I myself have not been tested but have had mild (severe to me) joint pain the last 1 1/2 years, also in the past year just prior to MC getting hold of me I had visited the doctor due to pin's and needle feeling, generally starts around my mid-section, spreading downward to my thighs and upward to my chest, not in the hands or feet, my doctor has ruled out diabetes, but has been stumped to diagnose this unkown nueropathy. Not being from the medical/biology/scientific world, half of what I read might as well be Martian, but I have to plod along and do my best to get an understanding of this and regain my life back, or at least some measure of control.
Dan
I am an avid fisherman, born into it you might say. My paternal Grandfather plied the coasts of Scotland, my maternal Grandfather fished a wee bit to the south in Ireland, my father fished the Maine coast before coming to California in the 50's, I was raised on the deck of a salmon trawler out of Fort Bragg California. Nowadays I live on the California Delta with my wonderfully understanding wife Marguerita, 2 cats and 2 labs. The picture is a largemouth bass which I love to chase down throughout the year, but my favorite fish these days (since salmon fishing was cut off this past year due to poor numbers) is the striped bass. Ha ha, I have been described a lot of different things, but never a vegan, my dreams are consumed with big fat cheesburgers and greasy french fries-I haven't had one in 10 mos or so, of course on my way to the office this morning a Jimmy Buffet song was on the radio, "Big fat Cheeseburger" was the name of the song, fitting I guess.
Tex, thank you for the links they are of tremendous help to me. I can see now the value of getting some clinical testing done. As I stated RA runs deeply in my family (maternal and paternal) many cases so severe that they became crippled by middle age sometimes earlier, I had a cousin in Oregon who has been wheelchair bound in her late 20's she passed away at 46 this past year. I myself have not been tested but have had mild (severe to me) joint pain the last 1 1/2 years, also in the past year just prior to MC getting hold of me I had visited the doctor due to pin's and needle feeling, generally starts around my mid-section, spreading downward to my thighs and upward to my chest, not in the hands or feet, my doctor has ruled out diabetes, but has been stumped to diagnose this unkown nueropathy. Not being from the medical/biology/scientific world, half of what I read might as well be Martian, but I have to plod along and do my best to get an understanding of this and regain my life back, or at least some measure of control.
Dan
Dan,
Have you tried vitamin B-12? The body usually stores enough B-12 to last for a year or so, but people with MC are often short of B-12, because of a malabsorption problem, and a deficiency of B-12 can cause all sorts of neurological issues. The best way to take B-12 is by using the sublingual form, (designed to melt under the tongue). This form of B-12 is known as methylcobalamin, and it is very well absorbed. Cyanocobalamin is the more common form, but very little of it is absorbed, especially by those with a malabsorption problem. It's pretty much worthless to most of us, before we heal.
You need folic acid, in order to utilize B- 12, so a good combination is 1000 IU B-12 tablets, that also contain 400 IU of folic acid, (folate). Be sure they're for sublingual use, though. It's possible to OD on folate, but not on B -12, so keep that in mind, if you take much of it. About 800 to maybe 1200 IU of folic acid is about all you can safely take, per day, I believe, but you can take thousands of IUs of B-12.
It may not work, but it's a cheap fix, if it does work, and it won't hurt you, if you don't need it. Also, if you take vitamin C, it can interfere with B-12 absorption, so take them at least an hour apart.
In fact, a deficiency of just about any of the B vitamins can have neurological effects, so be sure you aren't short of any of them, but B-12 is the one most likely to be deficient for MCers.
Tex
Have you tried vitamin B-12? The body usually stores enough B-12 to last for a year or so, but people with MC are often short of B-12, because of a malabsorption problem, and a deficiency of B-12 can cause all sorts of neurological issues. The best way to take B-12 is by using the sublingual form, (designed to melt under the tongue). This form of B-12 is known as methylcobalamin, and it is very well absorbed. Cyanocobalamin is the more common form, but very little of it is absorbed, especially by those with a malabsorption problem. It's pretty much worthless to most of us, before we heal.
You need folic acid, in order to utilize B- 12, so a good combination is 1000 IU B-12 tablets, that also contain 400 IU of folic acid, (folate). Be sure they're for sublingual use, though. It's possible to OD on folate, but not on B -12, so keep that in mind, if you take much of it. About 800 to maybe 1200 IU of folic acid is about all you can safely take, per day, I believe, but you can take thousands of IUs of B-12.
It may not work, but it's a cheap fix, if it does work, and it won't hurt you, if you don't need it. Also, if you take vitamin C, it can interfere with B-12 absorption, so take them at least an hour apart.
In fact, a deficiency of just about any of the B vitamins can have neurological effects, so be sure you aren't short of any of them, but B-12 is the one most likely to be deficient for MCers.
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.
Tex,
I used to take a over the counter "mens multi-vitamin", curiously they started giving me very bad stomach aches right around the time symptoms starte, I had forgotten about that. So the answer is no, at the present time I take zero vitamins. I will take your knowledge and put it into practice ASAP.
I guess this isn't something my Doctor should've enen thought of
Growing my Mom took all of us kids to Dr. Lucy, she worked out of her home, I remember the perscriptions she would give to my mother went something like "two soft boiled eggs, no bread or anything with yeast for two weeks" "a shot of b?" or extra C or something like that for an ear infection. I've made plenty of jokes about that over the years, makes me wonder now how far off she was with her vitamin and egg concoctions. Come to think of it, eight brothers and sisters in my family and not a single tonsil ever removed, hmmm.......
Tex if this helps I owe you one big time, the pins and needles has really kicked into gear the past week or two, I just took the dogs for a long walk and it felt like I was being stung the whole time. Thank you.
I used to take a over the counter "mens multi-vitamin", curiously they started giving me very bad stomach aches right around the time symptoms starte, I had forgotten about that. So the answer is no, at the present time I take zero vitamins. I will take your knowledge and put it into practice ASAP.
I guess this isn't something my Doctor should've enen thought of
Growing my Mom took all of us kids to Dr. Lucy, she worked out of her home, I remember the perscriptions she would give to my mother went something like "two soft boiled eggs, no bread or anything with yeast for two weeks" "a shot of b?" or extra C or something like that for an ear infection. I've made plenty of jokes about that over the years, makes me wonder now how far off she was with her vitamin and egg concoctions. Come to think of it, eight brothers and sisters in my family and not a single tonsil ever removed, hmmm.......
Tex if this helps I owe you one big time, the pins and needles has really kicked into gear the past week or two, I just took the dogs for a long walk and it felt like I was being stung the whole time. Thank you.
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kate_ce1995
- Rockhopper Penguin
- Posts: 1321
- Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 5:53 pm
- Location: Vermont
Dan,
You mention the joint aches. Don't know if you experience muscle aches too, but when I decided to try a gluten free diet, I did so because I had been diagnosed with 2 diseases that people were saying they were finding relief with wheat (or gluten) free diets. So, I tried it more as preventative medicine, and about 2 weeks of starting the diet, the muscle pain I'd been complaining to doctors about for several years started to abate. My feet used to feel like they'd been in a vice any time I was off them for extended periods of time (particularly overnight), and those first steps in the morning were very painful until they "stretched out" again. Now my feet rarely bother me.
I do go through periods of having my hands fall asleep more than others at night, and I've read about B vitamins and nerve health, so have in the past taken a Complex B vitamin and it has helped.
There are definately more connections than we (I) fully understand. Sounds like you are starting to make those connects...you are well on your way!
Nice fish...I like to fish with my husband, and the largest large mouth bass I've caught was only about 12 inches! Ah well, the peace of floating in a canoe on the pond while fishing is well worth it regardless of size. Neither my husband or I like fish to eat that well, so we catch and release. Occasionally take one home for his parents.
Katy
You mention the joint aches. Don't know if you experience muscle aches too, but when I decided to try a gluten free diet, I did so because I had been diagnosed with 2 diseases that people were saying they were finding relief with wheat (or gluten) free diets. So, I tried it more as preventative medicine, and about 2 weeks of starting the diet, the muscle pain I'd been complaining to doctors about for several years started to abate. My feet used to feel like they'd been in a vice any time I was off them for extended periods of time (particularly overnight), and those first steps in the morning were very painful until they "stretched out" again. Now my feet rarely bother me.
I do go through periods of having my hands fall asleep more than others at night, and I've read about B vitamins and nerve health, so have in the past taken a Complex B vitamin and it has helped.
There are definately more connections than we (I) fully understand. Sounds like you are starting to make those connects...you are well on your way!
Nice fish...I like to fish with my husband, and the largest large mouth bass I've caught was only about 12 inches! Ah well, the peace of floating in a canoe on the pond while fishing is well worth it regardless of size. Neither my husband or I like fish to eat that well, so we catch and release. Occasionally take one home for his parents.
Katy
Dan,
It's usually a good idea to try to locate allergen free vitamin supplements, when you've got MC.
I notice that Joanna has located another excellent reference on enteropathic arthropathies:
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8823
That looks like a great source of information on the topic. Be aware, though, that some of that information is outdated. For example, collagenous colitis sufferers definitely wouldn't want to try to treat arthritic hands and wrists with NSAIDs, unless they actually enjoy chronic diarrhea.
You're most welcome - I hope it works.
Tex
It's usually a good idea to try to locate allergen free vitamin supplements, when you've got MC.
I notice that Joanna has located another excellent reference on enteropathic arthropathies:
http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=8823
That looks like a great source of information on the topic. Be aware, though, that some of that information is outdated. For example, collagenous colitis sufferers definitely wouldn't want to try to treat arthritic hands and wrists with NSAIDs, unless they actually enjoy chronic diarrhea.
You're most welcome - I hope it works.
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.
Tex,
Well I went down to my local health foods market, he and I went over what "he" had available, and what he had confidence in the brand and product. I purchased two things on his advice , one a sublingual form of B-12 with folate, and the other a whole food supplement which is essentially vitamins in lower doses from natural sources, both products are allergen free. I started taking the B-12 alone, I wanted to be certain in the results and I am learning to slow my pace a little, starting and stopping things one at a time and keeping track of the results. Today was day 6, since I started on B-12 I have not experienced a single episode of the dreaded "pins and needles". In that time I have logged close to 20 miles of walking and a full days fishing, my symptoms have generally come on with just the slightest bit of physical activity, not a single episode-wow it feels great. Tex I thank you, and my two labs thank you even more. The boys have been dying of boredome during what is usually a very active time of the year for them, duck seaon and pheasant season, not a single bird in the freezer yet for Thanksgiving, by now there is usually a dozen or so, that should change in the next couple of days.
Kitty quartz-nice welcome, thank you!
Well I went down to my local health foods market, he and I went over what "he" had available, and what he had confidence in the brand and product. I purchased two things on his advice , one a sublingual form of B-12 with folate, and the other a whole food supplement which is essentially vitamins in lower doses from natural sources, both products are allergen free. I started taking the B-12 alone, I wanted to be certain in the results and I am learning to slow my pace a little, starting and stopping things one at a time and keeping track of the results. Today was day 6, since I started on B-12 I have not experienced a single episode of the dreaded "pins and needles". In that time I have logged close to 20 miles of walking and a full days fishing, my symptoms have generally come on with just the slightest bit of physical activity, not a single episode-wow it feels great. Tex I thank you, and my two labs thank you even more. The boys have been dying of boredome during what is usually a very active time of the year for them, duck seaon and pheasant season, not a single bird in the freezer yet for Thanksgiving, by now there is usually a dozen or so, that should change in the next couple of days.
Kitty quartz-nice welcome, thank you!
Well that's great news. Hopefully you can keep those two adequately exercised, now. I'm beginning to get a little envious, though - stripers, and pheasants, too? I may have to move out there, yet. 
I hope the B-12 keeps working.
Tex
I hope the B-12 keeps working.
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.
MO, Tex
I am going to try that, too. I have had some weird things with my toes and feet. Some nerve stuff and some crampimg that I attributed to statin drug use but I have been off it for a while.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor and don't play one on TV.
LDN July 18, 2014
Joan
LDN July 18, 2014
Joan
Back when I was still having problems due to malabsorption, sometimes I would have really severe cramps in my calves, and/or feet, on pretty much of a daily basis, usually when I was in bed, or getting up. Occasionally it would wake me up during the night, with pain so severe that I was afraid that I was going to tear a muscle, or a tendon. Sometimes, I had to get up, and stand on my feet, to get the cramps to stop.
On another note, I could be standing on a cold floor, like when I stepped into a bathtub or shower, and the bottoms of my feet would feel as though I were standing on a red-hot surface. At first, I couldn't believe what was happening, and I would usually reach down and check the temp with my hand, but it was always quite cold to the touch, of course. All that foolishness stopped, when I started using sublingual B-12, and now that my gut seems to have finished healing, of course, I no longer have a malabsorption problem, so I no longer have to take supplemental B-12.
Tex
On another note, I could be standing on a cold floor, like when I stepped into a bathtub or shower, and the bottoms of my feet would feel as though I were standing on a red-hot surface. At first, I couldn't believe what was happening, and I would usually reach down and check the temp with my hand, but it was always quite cold to the touch, of course. All that foolishness stopped, when I started using sublingual B-12, and now that my gut seems to have finished healing, of course, I no longer have a malabsorption problem, so I no longer have to take supplemental B-12.
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.