Hi There - Newbie introducing themselves

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:22 pm

Hi everyone
I am Gabes - i am based in Brisbane Australia.

Firstly can i say what a wonderful site, the posts and discussions have been a wealth of information!
I was diagnosed 5 days ago, spent the first 3 days being a bit overwhelmed by the technical information on the web. Found this site yesterday and now do not feel weird or isolated. I giggle at D free days celebrations!! at the moment i get excited when i have more than 4 hours D free.

From what i can tell i am a 'youngen' for this condition, I am 39. I will continue to read and learn about foods and additives so i can find the foods that will assist in the management of the symptoms and not aggravate them

Jan · Post by **Jan** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 4:04 pm

Gabes,

Yes, there is a lot to read here. Be sure to jot down any questions and ask them.

I think we have a couple of folks on here from Australia. Hopefully they will also give you a shout out.

Jan

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 4:10 pm

Thanks Jan

I am starting to have some questions. (you must have known!)

Re the stool testing for intolerences, does anyone know of this being available in Australia?

Bifcus16 · Post by **Bifcus16** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 6:04 pm

Hi Gabes,

Welcome to our group. Good to see another Aussie around.

At some point you will meet Liz, who is another Brisbane person. I spent a couple of years there, but moved back to Canberra about two years ago.

I haven't tried to do Enterolab testing. I have been lucky enough that it has been pretty clear cut what causes me problems (dairy, gluten). Since Harma can do it from the Netherlands, it should be possible to do from here, if you want to. You would get never get the samples back into Oz, but there shouldn't be a quarantine problem exporting poop to the US.

You will have read the information about the diet. You might find it challenging to start the diet at this time of year, but do give it some thought. You will find that both Coles and Woolies have 'health food' sections where they put the GF stuff. Your local health food shop will also have a good range - look for Orgran brand stuff as it has hardly any bad things and is usually pretty good.

For what it's worth, I haven't had D since about April this year, and that was caused by HRT medication. Never took any drugs for the D. My gut has healed sufficiently now that I can even eat a little dairy without problems.

The group will help you get back on track.

Lyn

Jan · Post by **Jan** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 6:15 pm

I don't know if they ship to and from Australia or not. I do know they have done Hong Kong and the Netherlands. Here is their website: https://www.enterolab.com/Home.htm . I am sure they would be more than willing to help you figure it out.

Good luck on this journey.

Jan

Post by **Rosie** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 8:53 pm

Welcome, Gabes. This is a great forum, and such good, positive vibes around taking charge of your disease.

I would encourage you to try and do the Enterolab testing, as it can provide important information of your food intolerances so that you can start the healing process as soon as possible. Many people have done it by trial and error, but if you can afford it, Enterolab testing is the way to go.

Rosie

Post by **tex** » Mon Dec 21, 2009 10:04 pm

Hi Gabes,

Welcome to our internet family. Actually, contrary to what most doctors claim, microscopic colitis is a disease of all ages. Our youngest member was only 2 years old, when she was diagnosed - she is now 3, and she has been in remission for over a year. Well, actually, she is not a member - her mother joined on her behalf.

This disease can indeed be pretty overwhelming, (and very humbling, at times), but the symptoms can definitely be controlled, and yes, you can get your life back.

Again, welcome aboard.

Tex (Wayne)

connie · Post by **connie** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 1:30 pm

Hi Gabes,
Welcome. Sorry you had to find the site but you will find the best support and information right here.
There is alot to learn but these folks have been living with this disease for years.
Hope you will feel free to ask anything.
I am new too and have found this website to be invaluable.
:flowersmiley:

Connie

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 3:14 pm

Thanks for your messages!

I did find the information regarding the intolerance testing for Australia. to do a comprehensive test is $995 AUD. My acupuncturist has a technique to do it and it will be far cheaper to do it via acupuncture than the $995 AUD send a sample to Germany option, so in the new year i will commence that journey.

I am lucky that Christmas is a not a big affair as i dont live near family. I will be having bland meal with a friend (in a house where i have my own toilet)

looking forward to more chats etc

take care
Gabes

barbaranoela · Post by **barbaranoela** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 8:37 pm

Hiya Gabes---first I luve the quote from Katy Hepburn---

And I wanted to say

to the family----and as U have read some of the post U can see that the info here is pretty damn good---
Interesting about your acupuncturist has a method of TECHNIQUE --just what does he do that can come up with some answers--

I had gone to one----with NO help-----but he sure was a handsome guy---

The problem was---not being an MD. I was not covered for his fees---and it got to be a bit costly to continue--
The best I felt after his visits was total----calmness---and that was terrific--

So lets keep hearing how U progress!!

Barbara

Post by **tex** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 8:54 pm

Hi Gabes,

I'm not sure what sort of intolerance testing you are referring to, but apparently it is not the tests offered by Enterolab, because if I didn't miscalculate, a complete set of tests at Enterolab would cost $645.95 AUD.

There are all sorts of intolerance tests offered, all over the world, but believe it or not, the Enterolab tests are the only tests, that are reliable and accurate, for food intolerances. Some of the other tests offered are somewhat useful for allergy testing, but they are mostly worthless for food intolerance issues.

I have no idea what sort of tests your acupuncturist is offering, but any results from it will not be beneficial for treating your MC. There are no food intolerance testing labs in Germany, that offer tests that have a proven track record for providing reliable and accurate results, that are helpful for treating MC. The only lab that can do that, is located in Dallas Texas, and they do not license their technology to any other labs, anywhere else in the world. They aren't just the best, they are the only lab that can provide accurate and reliable food intolerance test results. Anything else is a waste of good money.

Tex

harma · Post by **harma** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 3:32 am

Hi Gabes, you also found this group very soon after your diagnoses. I think that is great, it will help you a lot (at least I did for me). Here you find so much more information than else you can find on the internet of hear from your GI doc. I can recommend the enterolab testing. After I was diagnosed I have started taking budenofalk (more or less same as entecort) and the symptoms D were gone, but other problems showed up, like pain, cramps, bloating. After I got the results back from the enterolab I started my diet and since than it goes better every week. The pain and cramping is gone, less tired and the fog in my head is clearing up. It really made a huge difference. I am sure more here have the same experience.

Ordering the tests is quite easy, you can do it on their website and pay with credit card. Sending it back is your responsability. You also pay for it (people in the US don't) In my case it was about 90 Euros. On their website they also say, it has to be send back overnight. In my case that was not possible, so it took 48 instead of 24 hrs. But it still went okay. The package instructions to send it back are quite clear. I used FedEx to send it back. The only thing that can cause problems is the category you have to label the stuff in your box. It is clear in the instructions but when you call FedEx, you have to tell and explain to them what you are sending and which category it is. I found the right information on the internet. When the time is there and you need it, just ask and I can look it up for you. And any other questions just ask. I am sound now, I know it so well. That is because I have done it and know now how it works. But I was quite nervous about it, if it would work out and how. It is not a daily thing sending a stool sample the US.

And of course Welcome!!!

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 2:13 pm

Thank you all for your replies - it is fantastic to have these discussions with wonderful people who are willing to share their knowledge. Through this process due to the D i have felt very isolated, being accepted as part of your family has been great.

Tex thanks for the warning that the Endolab is the only test. I was a bit concerned about the integrity of the test that i found (given the cost!)

Some more questions if someone has 5 mins to reply.

I was diagnosed a week ago, Gastro Specialist put me on Loperamid (gastro stop) Dipentum (anti inflammatory) and Questran Lite drink
a week later i still have D about 12 times a day, the motions are small in volume, like runny mud. (and while i am with a group of people that i can talk about it, the skin of my bot bot is very inflammed and sore, i know why babies cry!)

I am keen to start seeing what foods are my enemies, after reading other peoples posts i got the feeeling that i need to be having semi normal motions before so i can tell if a food is giving me D
as it is summer xmas break in australia, I have 10 days off work and i am keen to try and improve the situation before i return to work. (It has been sligthly embarrassing to be at work this week and having to walk out of the middle of a meeting to run to the toilet.)

I have been following Gluten Free, Yeast Free, Lactose Free eating principles for about 9 years due to IBS (post 2 x bowel contusion surgery)
for the past 9 years i have followed this about 95% of the time and have 'treats' here and there. given what i have read here and advice of acupuncturist and naturopath, no more treats. I am following it very diligently.

Any advice or background on how i can gauge reactions to foods while i still have diarrhea will be appreciated. I have asked Santa for a D free day.

Re the questions/discussions about Acupuncture -I am very blessed, my dearest friend is a naturopath and i have been going to an awesome acupuncturist for 9 years. In australia our health plans are different, we pay for our health coverage that subsidises treatments. I would rather invest my money in Acupuncture treatments than clothes. The guy i go to uses a combination of Japenese and Chinese type techniques
the two of them work together to look at my symptoms and what my body is telling them (eyes etc) and treat accordingly. This also means that i get vitamins and herbs etc at cost price (only way i can afford them)

They cant 'cure me', what the acupuncture does is help my body cope with the stress it is under, help reduced inflammation within my body, I have also found over the past 9 years that if i am a bit overwhelmed emotionally. the treatments sort of cleanse me, and i always have clearer more logical thought processes. i joke that my treatments are 'tune ups'

Post by **tex** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 3:33 pm

Loperamide is an opiate-based medication, which merely slows down motility, it has no inflammation-suppressing capabilities. Dipentum is one of the 5-ASA drugs, which work better at maintaining remission, than in achieving it in the first place. In some patients, the 5-ASA drugs cause D, rather than to control it. Questran is an anti-spasmodic, often prescribed to treat IBS, but it usually is not particularly effective for treating the symptoms of MC. None of those meds is likely to bring remission from the symptoms of MC, anytime soon. The most effective, (safe), med available for that purpose is budenoside, (Entocort EC, or Budenofalk).

"Baboon butt", (and in many cases, hemorrhoids), is a very common problem with active MC. This old thread has many suggestions for restoring tranquility to that region of the anatomy.

http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=10052

Gabes wrote:Any advice or background on how i can gauge reactions to foods while i still have diarrhea will be appreciated. I have asked Santa for a D free day.

The only way you can possibly tell, is by noticing that reactions are more severe at times, (more symptoms, explosive D, etc.). Basically, once you stop reacting to gluten, and your gliadin antibodies diminish sufficiently, you will be able to tell more about the other foods to which you are intolerant. Gluten, though, dominates the reactions, and it takes a long time for the antibody production to subside, (that's why you should never cheat with gluten - the other antibody reactions have a much shorter half-life). Basically, it usually takes 6 months or more for the diet to bring remission, (because the body continues to produce antibodies to gluten for roughly two years after gluten is totally withdrawn from the diet), unless you supplement it with budesonide, to suppress the symptoms much faster. Be sure to eliminate all sources of dairy products, because it is not just the lactose that causes problems - casein, (the primary protein in milk), is the worst offender, and casein is in all dairy products.

Yes, you have to be very, very diligent in order to achieve remission. Once you have been in remission for a year or so, then if you slip up, (or cheat a little), you will have a much less severe reaction, and it will not last very long. While your intestines are still hypersensitive, though, it can seem as though you are reacting to anything and everything, sometimes.

I agree with you 100%, about accupuncture. It cannot "cure" MC, (nothing can), but it can certainly help you to feel better, so there is nothing wrong with using it, if it helps you to feel better.

I hope this is helpful. If I only confused the issue, or I didn't address some of your concerns adequately, please don't hesitate to bring it to my attention.

Tex