Visit the Microscopic Colitis Foundation Website
Mornin' Wayne!
Hope you are not too stiff/sore today. Yes, finding a safe analgesic is difficult for MCers. I don't have any ideas but maybe Wayne does - I think he had some luck with the boswellia herb.
I also agree with Gloria about the BM. I'm sure Dr. Fine's lab has seen it all. One of our earlier members here was taking her BM in a can to a local lab for testing, and it exploded! If you don't mind my asking, how do you feel your BM is different? Both times I have sent poop to Enterolab, it has been pure liquid. But the home collection process is quite easy. Fortunately, the UPS worker who picks it up at your door has no idea what it is. LOL.
I think your plan is excellent! You can order more tests later (for individual food intolerances) if you need to because the lab saves your poop for a while. I think you will feel so much better just KNOWING what the problem really is. It will be the first step on your road to recovery.
You are to be congratulated for your determination and persistence to find answers through the traditional medical system. You are an incredibly loyal and trusting patient, and as a doc, I appreciate that. However, at this point, I do believe it is time for you to take matters into your own hands.....to take charge and make your own plan for getting well. And, as Gloria said, don't expect any encouragement or support from the system.
As you can see from this Board, so many have gone into remission by charting their own course. And of course, with the fabulous caring, support, and knowledge from our members here.
Thanks for the birthday bouquet. I love the color combinations! I live one state "above" you, so we have probably had similar weather. Since April 1, we have had over 20 inches of rain (more than double the usual amount) and only 10 "clear" days. Are you listening, Tex? Wish I could send some to you! Our farmers here are having the opposite problem - soggy, rotting crops.
Love,
Polly
Elevated liver enzymes
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hi Wayne,
I'm glad you've been able to be less concerned about the enzyme issues. For all I know, Tylenol may affect me the same way - I've never checked. I only use it when I really need to use it, though. I use it if I feel a significant headache coming on, for example, but I almost never use it for sore muscles - I usually just let sore muscles run their course. I did use it for an extended length of time a year or two ago, though, when I was having a bout of chronic plantar fasciitis, but maybe I just didn't have any blood tests done during or immediately after that period of time. When I do use Tylenol, I use the max strength, (500mg), tablets or capsules, two at a time, with food. Usually, just one dose will do the trick for me. If it doesn't, I follow up with a second dose, four hours or more, later.
I'm sure Gloria and Polly are right, about the samples, considering the line of work that the folks at Enterolab are in. I have a hunch that it would take a pretty incredible "sample", to raise any eyebrows there.
Yes, I hear you, Polly. Y'all try to enjoy the wet weather if you can. We've been too dry and too warm here in Texas for over a year and a half, but we've been locked into an especially hot, dry weather pattern for about a month now. Everything that should be green, is rapidly turning brown. The ponds are almost dry, and many of the creeks have stopped running. We're having August weather, which means the growing season is over, two months ahead of time. The drought that started, as soon as the flooding stooped, a couple of years ago, is still going strong, apparently. 
Wayne, I can't add much to what Polly and Gloria have said, but I really believe that the right diet changes would do wonders for the exhaustion and depression you're experiencing, (to say nothing of the D). If you need "indisputable evidence", before you begin, the tests at Enterolab would be a good investment, IMO.
Thanks, I hope you're having an enjoyable weekend, too,
Tex
P. S. I forgot about the boswellia. Yes, as Polly mentioned, I've had some success with boswellia serrata extract, though I haven't had but a couple of opportunities to try it, (I don't get headaches very often). If you want to try it, the product I've been using is called 5-Loxin, 150 mg, (that's 150 mg per "serving" of two capsules). The capsules are mighty small, so two are probably not going to do much good for pain, (there are no label recommendations for pain) - I usually try 4, and then take a couple more, after 3 or 4 hours, if needed, but I really haven't used it enough to establish a decent dosage recommendation. I bought it here:
http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-5-Loxin-AKB ... ta-Extract
I'm glad you've been able to be less concerned about the enzyme issues. For all I know, Tylenol may affect me the same way - I've never checked. I only use it when I really need to use it, though. I use it if I feel a significant headache coming on, for example, but I almost never use it for sore muscles - I usually just let sore muscles run their course. I did use it for an extended length of time a year or two ago, though, when I was having a bout of chronic plantar fasciitis, but maybe I just didn't have any blood tests done during or immediately after that period of time. When I do use Tylenol, I use the max strength, (500mg), tablets or capsules, two at a time, with food. Usually, just one dose will do the trick for me. If it doesn't, I follow up with a second dose, four hours or more, later.
I'm sure Gloria and Polly are right, about the samples, considering the line of work that the folks at Enterolab are in. I have a hunch that it would take a pretty incredible "sample", to raise any eyebrows there.
Yes, I hear you, Polly.
Y'all try to enjoy the wet weather if you can. We've been too dry and too warm here in Texas for over a year and a half, but we've been locked into an especially hot, dry weather pattern for about a month now. Everything that should be green, is rapidly turning brown. The ponds are almost dry, and many of the creeks have stopped running. We're having August weather, which means the growing season is over, two months ahead of time. The drought that started, as soon as the flooding stooped, a couple of years ago, is still going strong, apparently. Wayne, I can't add much to what Polly and Gloria have said, but I really believe that the right diet changes would do wonders for the exhaustion and depression you're experiencing, (to say nothing of the D). If you need "indisputable evidence", before you begin, the tests at Enterolab would be a good investment, IMO.
Thanks, I hope you're having an enjoyable weekend, too,
Tex
P. S. I forgot about the boswellia. Yes, as Polly mentioned, I've had some success with boswellia serrata extract, though I haven't had but a couple of opportunities to try it, (I don't get headaches very often). If you want to try it, the product I've been using is called 5-Loxin, 150 mg, (that's 150 mg per "serving" of two capsules). The capsules are mighty small, so two are probably not going to do much good for pain, (there are no label recommendations for pain) - I usually try 4, and then take a couple more, after 3 or 4 hours, if needed, but I really haven't used it enough to establish a decent dosage recommendation. I bought it here:
http://www.vitacost.com/NSI-5-Loxin-AKB ... ta-Extract
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,
Gloria
I had pretty severe pain with plantar fasciitis until I got fitted with orthopedic inserts. I haven't had a bit of pain since. I wear them all day; I even have a pair glued into thongs. I don't know if you've tried orthotics, but they've been lifesavers for me.I did use it for an extended length of time a year or two ago, though, when I was having a bout of chronic plantar fasciitis
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
Hi Gloria,
It was a fairly serious problem for me, because part of my work involves stacking 50 lb. bags of corn on pallets, a ton per pallet, and carrying that extra weight, was really rough on my feet - they were killing me at the end of the day. I considered looking into getting a pair of custom orthotics made, but before I got around to doing something about it, I happened to discover that Dr. Scholl's makes a product for this purpose. I bought a pair, and they felt like I was walking on air. After using them for a few weeks, I found that I could do without the Tylenol on some days, and before long, I didn't need it at all. I replaced the inserts after about 6 months, and after about a year, I no longer needed them. I have to say that for the money, they are an incredible bargain, in terms of pain relief. That was about a year ago, when I stopped using them, and I haven't had any problems since.
http://www.drscholls.com/drscholls/prod ... archArg=46
I appreciate the tip, though. I would assume the custom inserts work better, but I was very happy with the way these OTC inserts performed.
Tex
It was a fairly serious problem for me, because part of my work involves stacking 50 lb. bags of corn on pallets, a ton per pallet, and carrying that extra weight, was really rough on my feet - they were killing me at the end of the day. I considered looking into getting a pair of custom orthotics made, but before I got around to doing something about it, I happened to discover that Dr. Scholl's makes a product for this purpose. I bought a pair, and they felt like I was walking on air. After using them for a few weeks, I found that I could do without the Tylenol on some days, and before long, I didn't need it at all. I replaced the inserts after about 6 months, and after about a year, I no longer needed them. I have to say that for the money, they are an incredible bargain, in terms of pain relief. That was about a year ago, when I stopped using them, and I haven't had any problems since.
http://www.drscholls.com/drscholls/prod ... archArg=46
I appreciate the tip, though. I would assume the custom inserts work better, but I was very happy with the way these OTC inserts performed.
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.
Wayne,
I regret that I've not been keeping up with everyone on the board lately, so I should already know the answer to this, but will just throw something out for whatever it's worth.
If you've recently had a colonoscopy and received IV medication during the procedure or any other procedure, surgical or diagnostic, you just may have received medication which would temporarily elevate your liver enzymes.
Sometimes I really think that people combine a number of things, yet each in seemingly small amounts, that, taken together, constitute as big an effect on their liver as if they'd taken too much of any one of them by itself.
Since I've not been reading, I don't know what you might've had test or surgical wise recently that may have contributed to these elevated enzymes. A BIG contributer is likely the fact that your antigens are causing havoc to your entire system until you remove the appropriate ones, if in fact, you are sensitive to one or more of them.
Sounds like you've already begun to peal back things that definitely are known to damage the liver with resulting enzyme elevation. Keep up the good work.
Good luck with that garden and gardening!
Yours, Luce
I regret that I've not been keeping up with everyone on the board lately, so I should already know the answer to this, but will just throw something out for whatever it's worth.
If you've recently had a colonoscopy and received IV medication during the procedure or any other procedure, surgical or diagnostic, you just may have received medication which would temporarily elevate your liver enzymes.
Sometimes I really think that people combine a number of things, yet each in seemingly small amounts, that, taken together, constitute as big an effect on their liver as if they'd taken too much of any one of them by itself.
Since I've not been reading, I don't know what you might've had test or surgical wise recently that may have contributed to these elevated enzymes. A BIG contributer is likely the fact that your antigens are causing havoc to your entire system until you remove the appropriate ones, if in fact, you are sensitive to one or more of them.
Sounds like you've already begun to peal back things that definitely are known to damage the liver with resulting enzyme elevation. Keep up the good work.
Good luck with that garden and gardening!
Yours, Luce
Hi All,
Trying to deal with Plantar Fascitis is a vexing situation, made worse by intolerance to the various analgesic medications that most people in this group are prone to.
I definitly think it is called “BEING BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE”.
I have had the distinct non-pleasure of experiencing PF 2x in my life so have a good idea of how difficult PF is to deal with. And it was the last round of trying to medicate for PF, that I do believe, was the precursor to my development of MC.
FWIW – the one and only thing that I finally found to give relief was the use of an orthopedic boot. The whole objective of using this kind of appliance is simply to hold the foot in perpendicular position to the leg continuously, instead of allowing the foot to droop downward, which we all do normally while at rest.
Maintaining the foot in that perpendicular position keeps the plantar fascia in a full-out stretched position, instead of allowing the fascia to shorten (contract) slightly when the foot is allowed to droop when in resting mode. Remember --- the pain of PF is most profound when getting back on your feet after a period of rest. The reason for this is that the fascia, which has been allowed to contract (or shortened) slightly while at rest, is being s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d back to full length when we stand up. And it is the stretching back to full length that is (OUCH!!!) painful.
Personally, I found that I could not wear my BOOT appliance at night. It is just to cumbersome to allow any movement in bed. I did however, strap the thing on any time I was sitting to read, watch TV, or play on the computer. It is basically the same principle as the stretching exercises they advise, but easier apply a continuous stretch with the boot appliance while you are dong something that has you off your feet anyway.
This is a relatively simple mechanical approach to addressing the discomfort of PF. And IMHO - Far superior to pharmaceutical approaches, which are of dubious help with PF anyway.
Cheers,
Gayle
Trying to deal with Plantar Fascitis is a vexing situation, made worse by intolerance to the various analgesic medications that most people in this group are prone to.
I definitly think it is called “BEING BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE”.
I have had the distinct non-pleasure of experiencing PF 2x in my life so have a good idea of how difficult PF is to deal with. And it was the last round of trying to medicate for PF, that I do believe, was the precursor to my development of MC.
FWIW – the one and only thing that I finally found to give relief was the use of an orthopedic boot. The whole objective of using this kind of appliance is simply to hold the foot in perpendicular position to the leg continuously, instead of allowing the foot to droop downward, which we all do normally while at rest.
Maintaining the foot in that perpendicular position keeps the plantar fascia in a full-out stretched position, instead of allowing the fascia to shorten (contract) slightly when the foot is allowed to droop when in resting mode. Remember --- the pain of PF is most profound when getting back on your feet after a period of rest. The reason for this is that the fascia, which has been allowed to contract (or shortened) slightly while at rest, is being s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d back to full length when we stand up. And it is the stretching back to full length that is (OUCH!!!) painful.
Personally, I found that I could not wear my BOOT appliance at night. It is just to cumbersome to allow any movement in bed. I did however, strap the thing on any time I was sitting to read, watch TV, or play on the computer. It is basically the same principle as the stretching exercises they advise, but easier apply a continuous stretch with the boot appliance while you are dong something that has you off your feet anyway.
This is a relatively simple mechanical approach to addressing the discomfort of PF. And IMHO - Far superior to pharmaceutical approaches, which are of dubious help with PF anyway.
Cheers,
Gayle
I paid on the net with a credit card. I didn't like doing that either but have been for years and only once have I had a problem. Just a charge on a card that wasn't mine (in France, no less). If I'd had my identity stolen I'm sure I'd be more wary. Too bad they don't do PayPal. I really like that alternative.
Love, Shirley
Love, Shirley
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
-- Winston Churchill
Gayle,
That's an interesting alternative treatment. I hope I never get a relapse of that stuff, but if I ever do, I'll look into that treatment option.
Thanks,
Tex
That's an interesting alternative treatment. I hope I never get a relapse of that stuff, but if I ever do, I'll look into that treatment option.
Thanks,
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.
Wayne,
The sample containers from Enterolab are much larger - more like "Tupperware". LOL.
IMO, repeat colonoscopies for MC are rather pointless, but the Barret's Esophagus is an entirely different matter. I suspect that virtually any GI doc worth his or her salt, would want to monitor that on a regular schedule.
If your current GI doc isn't making a bit of headway, treating the MC, then why would he want to do a colonoscopy every couple of years? Your colonic mucosal histology is not going to significantly change, as long as the clinical symptoms don't significantly change, but of course, he apparently doesn't realize that, and he's probably hoping that he can learn something about it by using you as a "guinea pig".
How are you at grilling? A grill is a great place to get started with GF cooking, if you're already into grilling. There's always the microwave, also, if you're hesitant about jumping right into conventional stove-top cooking.
Tex
The sample containers from Enterolab are much larger - more like "Tupperware". LOL.
IMO, repeat colonoscopies for MC are rather pointless, but the Barret's Esophagus is an entirely different matter. I suspect that virtually any GI doc worth his or her salt, would want to monitor that on a regular schedule.
If your current GI doc isn't making a bit of headway, treating the MC, then why would he want to do a colonoscopy every couple of years? Your colonic mucosal histology is not going to significantly change, as long as the clinical symptoms don't significantly change, but of course, he apparently doesn't realize that, and he's probably hoping that he can learn something about it by using you as a "guinea pig".
Well, those are certainly two valid points, and you're definitely not the first member to recognize those as major obstacles. The diet is never easy, though it does get much easier as time passes. One way to approach the cooking issue, is to view it as an opportunity to take on a new hobby, or to learn to become a skilled chef. It's a skill that will pay dividends for the rest of your life. Heck, you might pick out a few recipes, from the hundreds that Dee has listed, and try one a day, (or even just one per weekend), and before you know it, you might surprise yourself with much better tasting food than you're used to having. Besides, the fact that the two are linked, might make it easier to become dedicated to both pursuits.Wayne wrote:I guess one thing I'm worried about is not having enough discipline to maintain such a diet ... I'm not much of a cook either.
How are you at grilling? A grill is a great place to get started with GF cooking, if you're already into grilling. There's always the microwave, also, if you're hesitant about jumping right into conventional stove-top cooking.
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.
Wayne and Joan,
That time discrepancy is due to the inability of the php code that operates these boards, to allow for daylight savings time changes. IOW, the board code is set up to operate on standard time zone settings. In order to "force" the system to display the correct time in your zone, when daylight savings time is in effect, you have to go into your profile, and set your time zone to the zone just east of the zone you live in. IOW, I live in the central time zone, so once daylight savings time begins, I have to change my time zone to Eastern time, in order for it to display the correct time.
No programmer has ever bothered to create the necessary code changes that would allow the board to do that automatically, and in view of the fact that the government may change their minds, and change the starting and stopping times for DST, according to their whims, I'm not inclined to try to figure out how to recode it to automatically allow for DST, either, since I'm not really a qualified php programmer, though I do tinker with minor changes, now and then.
Anyway, that's why it occurs. Apparently no one has ever considered the problem to be significant enough to be worth the time and effort it would take to correct the code. One of these weekends, maybe I'll look into that, and try to figure out how difficult it might be to make those changes - it bugs me too.
Tex
That time discrepancy is due to the inability of the php code that operates these boards, to allow for daylight savings time changes. IOW, the board code is set up to operate on standard time zone settings. In order to "force" the system to display the correct time in your zone, when daylight savings time is in effect, you have to go into your profile, and set your time zone to the zone just east of the zone you live in. IOW, I live in the central time zone, so once daylight savings time begins, I have to change my time zone to Eastern time, in order for it to display the correct time.
No programmer has ever bothered to create the necessary code changes that would allow the board to do that automatically, and in view of the fact that the government may change their minds, and change the starting and stopping times for DST, according to their whims, I'm not inclined to try to figure out how to recode it to automatically allow for DST, either, since I'm not really a qualified php programmer, though I do tinker with minor changes, now and then.
Anyway, that's why it occurs. Apparently no one has ever considered the problem to be significant enough to be worth the time and effort it would take to correct the code.
One of these weekends, maybe I'll look into that, and try to figure out how difficult it might be to make those changes - it bugs me too. 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.
Hiya Wayne!
Your posts make me laugh - you are a funny guy! Am still laughing at the image of a stool exploding inside someone and your Tupperware comment! Clever!
The collection device is about the size a soup bowl and easy to use. It has flaps that extend from the side that fit under the top seat of the toilet, so it's pretty much like just taking a normal poop. In other words you don't have to squat on the floor or go through any contortions to do the collection. You also never have to touch or manipulate the specimen. LOL! Aren't our discussions here RICH???!!! Also, you could probably use it several times (keep it refrigerated and add to it in order to get a larger sample), but you might want to check with the lab first. They can advise you on how much they need, etc. I do remember that the stool had to be collected on certain days so that it could get back to the lab to be processed before the weekend.
I agree that your esophagus needs followup, but not the colon. So you might want to "go easy" on the doc, if that feels more comfortable to you. I firmly believe that you will be able to go into remission using your own dietary treatment plan. I also think that the esophagus may improve as the MC improves. Time will tell. However, don't expect any support from your doc for those ideas.
Keep us posted!
Love,
Polly
Your posts make me laugh - you are a funny guy! Am still laughing at the image of a stool exploding inside someone and your Tupperware comment! Clever!
The collection device is about the size a soup bowl and easy to use. It has flaps that extend from the side that fit under the top seat of the toilet, so it's pretty much like just taking a normal poop. In other words you don't have to squat on the floor or go through any contortions to do the collection. You also never have to touch or manipulate the specimen. LOL! Aren't our discussions here RICH???!!! Also, you could probably use it several times (keep it refrigerated and add to it in order to get a larger sample), but you might want to check with the lab first. They can advise you on how much they need, etc. I do remember that the stool had to be collected on certain days so that it could get back to the lab to be processed before the weekend.
I agree that your esophagus needs followup, but not the colon. So you might want to "go easy" on the doc, if that feels more comfortable to you. I firmly believe that you will be able to go into remission using your own dietary treatment plan. I also think that the esophagus may improve as the MC improves. Time will tell. However, don't expect any support from your doc for those ideas.
Keep us posted!
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Wayne,
I agree with Polly, that your Barret's Esophagus condition may improve as you get your MC symptoms under control. Here's why we feel that way: the damage to the mucosa of the esophagus, caused by refluxed stomach acid, leads to infiltration by "T" lymphocytes. This is the same type of inflammation that is present in the mucosa of the colon, (and often the small intestine), when lymphocytic colitis, (LC), is present. "T" cells are also present with CC, of course, but there are more of them present, when LC is the diagnosis. I'm guessing that you have LC. As we are well aware, (on this site, at least), MC can affect any and all portions of the GI tract. Ergo, the odds are very high, that controlling the inflammation in the colon, will also be accompanied by a reduction in the level of inflammation in the rest of the GI tract, (and in the rest of the body, as well).
Of course, as Polly pointed out, "don't expect any support from your doc for those ideas", because most GI docs believe that MC is a disease of the colon, (only).
Tex
I agree with Polly, that your Barret's Esophagus condition may improve as you get your MC symptoms under control. Here's why we feel that way: the damage to the mucosa of the esophagus, caused by refluxed stomach acid, leads to infiltration by "T" lymphocytes. This is the same type of inflammation that is present in the mucosa of the colon, (and often the small intestine), when lymphocytic colitis, (LC), is present. "T" cells are also present with CC, of course, but there are more of them present, when LC is the diagnosis. I'm guessing that you have LC. As we are well aware, (on this site, at least), MC can affect any and all portions of the GI tract. Ergo, the odds are very high, that controlling the inflammation in the colon, will also be accompanied by a reduction in the level of inflammation in the rest of the GI tract, (and in the rest of the body, as well).
Of course, as Polly pointed out, "don't expect any support from your doc for those ideas", because most GI docs believe that MC is a disease of the colon, (only).
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.