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Olivia-Micro-Colitis
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 119
- Joined: Fri Mar 26, 2010 8:51 pm
- Location: Fallbrook, Ca
Newbie!
Hello, My name is Olivia. Yesterday I was diagnosed with MC/LC. I am 21 years old and I'm a Marine stationed in Camp Pendleton, Ca. Ever since i found out i've been trying to research and find people who are experiencing the same things i am. Its hard being a female in a male dominate work enviroment and all my superiors are infact males. Its been embarrassing to explain to them what i'm dealing with when i'm not 100% sure myself. No offense to military docs or anything but many of them have no idea about MC. I've also noticed that not many people my age have MC. I just feel so full of different emotions and different medicines. It took me 6 months to get a real diagnoses A.K.A (military docs) lol. I can't have Lactose so i've cut that stuff out. Also i do take multivitamins, vita pack, probiotics, immodium(is horrible stuff), paxil, iron, nausea meds, and now prednisone. I'm a lil scared to take steriods. as a marine apprearence is everything and i was told i might gain weight. I'm so glad i finally found a group that is about MC. So now i know i'm not crazy and their are other people out there like me.
WOW, Olivia. You are in a tough position.
I have always felt fortunate that my MC didn't begin until after I had retired so I didn't have to try and work.
Like you, I was first given prednisone. I ended up being on it for 3 months and yes, I did gain a lot of weight. Be careful. The "up" part of prednisone is that it usually eliminates symptoms almost immediately. If you can transition from pred to Entocort soon, I think (my opinion) that would be ideal for controlling symptons and giving your insides a chance to heal. Usually, at least 6 months is needed. Some Dr.'s doing like to prescribe it for that long though. You may choose to try and alter your diet during that period but I can't imagine how that would work out for you being in the service.
Please read and research on this site as much as possible. Only you can really decide how to handle this disease. We are all so different it seems.
I wish you the very best outcome possible and I'm very interested in how everything turns out for you.
Shirley
I have always felt fortunate that my MC didn't begin until after I had retired so I didn't have to try and work.
Like you, I was first given prednisone. I ended up being on it for 3 months and yes, I did gain a lot of weight. Be careful. The "up" part of prednisone is that it usually eliminates symptoms almost immediately. If you can transition from pred to Entocort soon, I think (my opinion) that would be ideal for controlling symptons and giving your insides a chance to heal. Usually, at least 6 months is needed. Some Dr.'s doing like to prescribe it for that long though. You may choose to try and alter your diet during that period but I can't imagine how that would work out for you being in the service.
Please read and research on this site as much as possible. Only you can really decide how to handle this disease. We are all so different it seems.
I wish you the very best outcome possible and I'm very interested in how everything turns out for you.
Shirley
When the eagles are silent, the parrots begin to jabber"
-- Winston Churchill
-- Winston Churchill
Hi Olivia and WELCOME-
So sorry to hear all that you are going through. It's tough having MC at any age, but being young and having an active lifestyle makes this tons worse. It took me approximately six months to get diagnosed by a civilian doc, so frustrating!
I completely understand both military medicine and the VA system. My husband and I met while stationed in Millington, TN. We were both Corpsman in the Navy. After I was discharged, we moved to Oceanside where he was stationed with a Marine unit. He loved it! My oldest son was actually born at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton. Years after I was discharged I finally got around to being seen by VA and it was determined that I have a service connected disability. Had nothing to do with me getting out of the Navy, just something that happened while I was on active duty. My VA doc prescribed 600 mg of Ibuprofen three times a day. I mention this to you because that may be why I am having GI issues now. Who know???
Okay, enough about me. I agree with Shirley that pred. is scary. I know military docs prescribe the least expensive drugs first and then go from there, but if a steroid is necessary I would push for Entocort. Not nearly as many side effects.
Are you living off base or in the barracks? Diet is huge (no matter what the proffesionals say) and it would be much easier to control your diet if you are not having to eat all of your meals at the mess hall. If you've been reading previous posts, you'll see how going gluten free has helped many. It's a start, even if you still need meds to get you through, if you are able to tweak your diet you'll feel better much sooner.
This disease can be embarrasing to explain to anyone, but I understand how you feel when you are in a male dominated workplace, and they want you to "toughen up, suck it in, and deal with it".
Thank you for what you do. I don't even know you, but I am so proud that you serve our country and sacrifice much to do it!
Also, it's been 15 years since we lived down in sunny, southern california, but I recall when my husband had to have a medical procedure done that they sent us to San Diego. Seems like the medical facility there was much more equipped to take care of things. Have you been down there and is that an option?
You will get your life back and others here will provide you with useful information. Ask anything. No question or comment is inappropriate. That's what we're here for.
-Rebecca
So sorry to hear all that you are going through. It's tough having MC at any age, but being young and having an active lifestyle makes this tons worse. It took me approximately six months to get diagnosed by a civilian doc, so frustrating!
I completely understand both military medicine and the VA system. My husband and I met while stationed in Millington, TN. We were both Corpsman in the Navy. After I was discharged, we moved to Oceanside where he was stationed with a Marine unit. He loved it! My oldest son was actually born at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton. Years after I was discharged I finally got around to being seen by VA and it was determined that I have a service connected disability. Had nothing to do with me getting out of the Navy, just something that happened while I was on active duty. My VA doc prescribed 600 mg of Ibuprofen three times a day. I mention this to you because that may be why I am having GI issues now. Who know???
Okay, enough about me. I agree with Shirley that pred. is scary. I know military docs prescribe the least expensive drugs first and then go from there, but if a steroid is necessary I would push for Entocort. Not nearly as many side effects.
Are you living off base or in the barracks? Diet is huge (no matter what the proffesionals say) and it would be much easier to control your diet if you are not having to eat all of your meals at the mess hall. If you've been reading previous posts, you'll see how going gluten free has helped many. It's a start, even if you still need meds to get you through, if you are able to tweak your diet you'll feel better much sooner.
This disease can be embarrasing to explain to anyone, but I understand how you feel when you are in a male dominated workplace, and they want you to "toughen up, suck it in, and deal with it".
Thank you for what you do. I don't even know you, but I am so proud that you serve our country and sacrifice much to do it!
Also, it's been 15 years since we lived down in sunny, southern california, but I recall when my husband had to have a medical procedure done that they sent us to San Diego. Seems like the medical facility there was much more equipped to take care of things. Have you been down there and is that an option?
You will get your life back and others here will provide you with useful information. Ask anything. No question or comment is inappropriate. That's what we're here for.
-Rebecca
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barbaranoela
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 5394
- Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 6:11 pm
- Location: New York
OLIVIA---Often has been the phrase----*we all react differently to meds*-----how true it is---
Entocort--2 days worth---was a killer for me-----so that was stopped--(neurological stuff)
The dreaded Prednizone was of great help to me-----I didnt gain weight---it did make me a mexican jumping bean---and being on that I had to walk every day----as my GP Xplained---the PRED. sorta puts all your inner vitals to *sleep* so the walking made sure that I kept them AWAKE~~
MY GI (who took care of me) slowly lowered me off the prednizone----and I mean VERY slowly---so as to allow my system to *wake* up and function properly----hopefully I am Xplaining it to make sense to U~~~~~
Also Immodian did help me!!! had no issues with that--
So keep in touch and lets hear how these miserable issues begin to decrease and U start to feel better--
Barbara
the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control
Hi Olivia,
Welcome to our internet family. Yes, we definitely appreciate what you are doing, and I sincerely hope that we can help you to get your MC under control, so that you can get on with your life. Don't feel like the Lone Ranger, many of us have had to deal with this disease for years, before finally receiving a definitive diagnosis. GI docs are getting better at diagnosing the disease, but precious few of them truly understand the disease well enough to be able to treat it effectively. Most of them refuse to even recognize that diet has anything to do with MC, but many of us here have found that diet is our salvation. IOW, many of us have been able to achieve remission, and maintain it, by diet alone.
Using a drug will allow you to reach remission sooner, and many members use both a medication, and diet changes, (eliminating all sources of gluten, and in most cases, dairy products, most fruits, and many vegetables), in order to get control of their symptoms as soon as possible, but you can't continue to use Prednisone indefinitely, especially at your young age - it will destroy your adrenal function, among other things. That's why I totally agree with Rebecca - you need to request a change to Entocort EC, because Entocort can safely be taken for long-term use, if necessary, since unlike the other corticosteroids, only about 10 to 15% of it is absorbed into the bloodstream. Because of that characteristic, the risk of side effects is much lower, than with any of the other corticosteroids. A small percentage of members, (including Barbara), have experienced adverse reactions to Entocort, but in general, it is the safest, effective drug available, for treating MC, and most members who have tried it, have had good results with it.
Incidentally, it isn't just lactose, (which is a sugar), that causes many of us problems with dairy products. The primary protein in milk, casein, causes an autoimmune reaction, similar to gluten, (for most of us who are gluten sensitive), which tends to perpetuate the inflammation that gluten causes in the intestines. About half of us are also sensitive to soy, so some of us have to avoid all sources of soy, in our diet. Some members also have to eliminate certain other foods. As has already been pointed out by others, we are all different in how we react to food allergens, and our responses to medications, and/or the diet, also vary individually. Incidentally, fiber is contraindicated for MC, as it tends to irritate the gut, when it is already hypersensitive, because of the inflammation. That's why most fruits must be avoided, (especially the peels), and also many vegetables, and the ones that are eaten, must be overcooked, in order to make them more easily digestible. Never eat raw fruit or vegetables, until after you are in remission, as they will prolong your flare.
Also, please be aware that the celiac blood tests are worthless for detecting the type of gluten sensitivity that most of us have. Those tests will only detect fully developed celiac disease, so that only those of us who also have fully developed celiac sprue, in addition to MC, will receive a positive result to those tests, even though most of the rest of us are just as sensitive to gluten, as the average celiac. Note that not all of us are sensitive to gluten, but the percentage is very high, statistically.
It takes a while for the gut to heal, from the damage caused by the inflammation, but with dedicated effort, you can definitely get your life back. Again, welcome to the board.
Tex (Wayne)
Welcome to our internet family. Yes, we definitely appreciate what you are doing, and I sincerely hope that we can help you to get your MC under control, so that you can get on with your life. Don't feel like the Lone Ranger, many of us have had to deal with this disease for years, before finally receiving a definitive diagnosis. GI docs are getting better at diagnosing the disease, but precious few of them truly understand the disease well enough to be able to treat it effectively. Most of them refuse to even recognize that diet has anything to do with MC, but many of us here have found that diet is our salvation. IOW, many of us have been able to achieve remission, and maintain it, by diet alone.
Using a drug will allow you to reach remission sooner, and many members use both a medication, and diet changes, (eliminating all sources of gluten, and in most cases, dairy products, most fruits, and many vegetables), in order to get control of their symptoms as soon as possible, but you can't continue to use Prednisone indefinitely, especially at your young age - it will destroy your adrenal function, among other things. That's why I totally agree with Rebecca - you need to request a change to Entocort EC, because Entocort can safely be taken for long-term use, if necessary, since unlike the other corticosteroids, only about 10 to 15% of it is absorbed into the bloodstream. Because of that characteristic, the risk of side effects is much lower, than with any of the other corticosteroids. A small percentage of members, (including Barbara), have experienced adverse reactions to Entocort, but in general, it is the safest, effective drug available, for treating MC, and most members who have tried it, have had good results with it.
Incidentally, it isn't just lactose, (which is a sugar), that causes many of us problems with dairy products. The primary protein in milk, casein, causes an autoimmune reaction, similar to gluten, (for most of us who are gluten sensitive), which tends to perpetuate the inflammation that gluten causes in the intestines. About half of us are also sensitive to soy, so some of us have to avoid all sources of soy, in our diet. Some members also have to eliminate certain other foods. As has already been pointed out by others, we are all different in how we react to food allergens, and our responses to medications, and/or the diet, also vary individually. Incidentally, fiber is contraindicated for MC, as it tends to irritate the gut, when it is already hypersensitive, because of the inflammation. That's why most fruits must be avoided, (especially the peels), and also many vegetables, and the ones that are eaten, must be overcooked, in order to make them more easily digestible. Never eat raw fruit or vegetables, until after you are in remission, as they will prolong your flare.
Also, please be aware that the celiac blood tests are worthless for detecting the type of gluten sensitivity that most of us have. Those tests will only detect fully developed celiac disease, so that only those of us who also have fully developed celiac sprue, in addition to MC, will receive a positive result to those tests, even though most of the rest of us are just as sensitive to gluten, as the average celiac. Note that not all of us are sensitive to gluten, but the percentage is very high, statistically.
It takes a while for the gut to heal, from the damage caused by the inflammation, but with dedicated effort, you can definitely get your life back. Again, welcome to the board.
Tex (Wayne)
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.
Dear Olivia
on board.
I agree that in addition to switching to entocort going on a 100% gluten and diary free diet is likely to be your best plan (also possibly Soy free and other foods like legumes, eggs, nightshades if you have multiple food intolerance). I imagine it may be difficult to do this in a mess environment, especially as diet is not considered by mainstream medicine as a necessary treatment. I hope you can get a sympathetic hearing on that. Anyway, keep reading and asking questions.
All the very best on your journey to recovery, ant
on board. I agree that in addition to switching to entocort going on a 100% gluten and diary free diet is likely to be your best plan (also possibly Soy free and other foods like legumes, eggs, nightshades if you have multiple food intolerance). I imagine it may be difficult to do this in a mess environment, especially as diet is not considered by mainstream medicine as a necessary treatment. I hope you can get a sympathetic hearing on that. Anyway, keep reading and asking questions.
All the very best on your journey to recovery, ant
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Olivia-Micro-Colitis
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 119
- Joined: Fri Mar 26, 2010 8:51 pm
- Location: Fallbrook, Ca
Thank you
Thank you for all the replies! It trully makes me feel like i am not alone. I am going to Balboa Naval Hosp in San Diego for treatment. It was just so hard to get my Flt Surgeon to forward me to the GI clinic in Balboa. I've been asking around to see if i might have to go on a MED board because of this disease. The thing is that no one really knows much about the disease and i don't think anyone has ever really gotten this disease while on active duty. None of the docs seem to have any clues. the only ones they know of for sure is Cr and UC. I am explain enough how great it is to know there are other people out there who know what i'm going through so i'm not crazy! I'm trying to do the gluten free diet, my husband and i went to Fresh and Easy last night and got some snacks for me like gluten free pretzels. I do not live on base, infact i spent my first 2 years in the usmc in Oceanside but now my husband and i reside in Fallbrook. Rebbeca-you are right the one thing the usmc is quick to get is Ibuprofen, they give it out as a "fix-all" i've been taking 800mg since i've been in. I'd say one of the hardest things for me is trying to give up on raw fruits and veggies. I love growing my own my husband and i are from Wyoming and everyone growns their own veggies.
Its been really difficult at work for me. I live a very active life and this disease feels like its sucked the life out of me. I can't run with my fellow Marines because if i have to go to the bathroom and we are on a run in the hills and can't get to one i'll go in my pants. its so embarrassing. I've been in and out of the ER with dehydration. I think a total of 8 times in 2 months. I've been on IV's out the ying-yang. I keep drinking water and gatorade but my body doesn't seem to want to hold on to anything. I just want to get back to my life it really affects my work. Its hard because i'm suppose to be "tough" infront of my junior marines and sometimes its just so hard. Lately i've been vommiting a lot. i think its all the medicines. its also hard to eat on the go. i never know when i'll get home or if i have to work late sometimes i just gotta eat what ever is available in the geedunk. i never knew how many foods have gluten and lactose in them! all the best kinds!!! lol
Today i feel so weak. I get tired just walking up my stairs to my bedroom. Some days when the D is so bad my husband inflates the air matress down stairs so i can sleep near the bathroom so i don't have to run up and down the stairs. Last week i was so dehydrated i pastout while i was walking in the middle of the road. from there i was taken to the ER again. I'm scared to go on a MED Board i love my job and being a Marine. My squadron (HMLA 469) is scheduled to go on a training det on a boat. But now i'm considered "out of the fight" aka non-deployable. It takes my morale away. I love deploying i've been to iraq and afghan in 08 &09. i've been sitting in the states for a lil over a year now and i've been itching to get out on a deployment. It makes me feel less as a Marine especially when everyone says i'm "Broken".
This is also been hard on my husband who is also a Marine in another squadron called MALS 39. He is night crew and i am Day crew. He works so hard to take care of me. Some days hes up all day taking me to my apts and then going to work all night. The gas is so expensive out here hes even taking up side jobs on the weekends to help us get through. He just doesn't understand and can't really relate to whati'm going through even though he really tries.
does anyone else take melesamine the liquid enema for inflammation? i have to take that ones a day as well. Immodium hurt me so bad if i took one pill it left me constipated for 3 days and when i finally had to go it hurt my tummy so bad it felt like my intestines were on fire. so i learned my lesson on that one.
Thank you all for being so supportive and welcoming to me. it means so much.
Its been really difficult at work for me. I live a very active life and this disease feels like its sucked the life out of me. I can't run with my fellow Marines because if i have to go to the bathroom and we are on a run in the hills and can't get to one i'll go in my pants. its so embarrassing. I've been in and out of the ER with dehydration. I think a total of 8 times in 2 months. I've been on IV's out the ying-yang. I keep drinking water and gatorade but my body doesn't seem to want to hold on to anything. I just want to get back to my life it really affects my work. Its hard because i'm suppose to be "tough" infront of my junior marines and sometimes its just so hard. Lately i've been vommiting a lot. i think its all the medicines. its also hard to eat on the go. i never know when i'll get home or if i have to work late sometimes i just gotta eat what ever is available in the geedunk. i never knew how many foods have gluten and lactose in them! all the best kinds!!! lol
Today i feel so weak. I get tired just walking up my stairs to my bedroom. Some days when the D is so bad my husband inflates the air matress down stairs so i can sleep near the bathroom so i don't have to run up and down the stairs. Last week i was so dehydrated i pastout while i was walking in the middle of the road. from there i was taken to the ER again. I'm scared to go on a MED Board i love my job and being a Marine. My squadron (HMLA 469) is scheduled to go on a training det on a boat. But now i'm considered "out of the fight" aka non-deployable. It takes my morale away. I love deploying i've been to iraq and afghan in 08 &09. i've been sitting in the states for a lil over a year now and i've been itching to get out on a deployment. It makes me feel less as a Marine especially when everyone says i'm "Broken".
This is also been hard on my husband who is also a Marine in another squadron called MALS 39. He is night crew and i am Day crew. He works so hard to take care of me. Some days hes up all day taking me to my apts and then going to work all night. The gas is so expensive out here hes even taking up side jobs on the weekends to help us get through. He just doesn't understand and can't really relate to whati'm going through even though he really tries.
does anyone else take melesamine the liquid enema for inflammation? i have to take that ones a day as well. Immodium hurt me so bad if i took one pill it left me constipated for 3 days and when i finally had to go it hurt my tummy so bad it felt like my intestines were on fire. so i learned my lesson on that one.
Thank you all for being so supportive and welcoming to me. it means so much.
Hi Olivia,
Maybe I've missed something in other posts, but here you say ------
In my particular situation, over use of NSAIDs --- at Dr's direction --- probably precipitated my MC/CC. A high price to pay.
I can now get away with a couple ASA if I have a bad headache. But that is an indulgence that is very restricted!
Gayle
Maybe I've missed something in other posts, but here you say ------ Were you told when they made your MC diagnosis that you should avoid taking all NSAIDs? Hopefully you are no longer taking Ibupropfen. This is often a real toughie for folks with MC, but only acetaminophen (Tylenol type products) is recommended as an analgesic for people with MC.Rebbeca-you are right the one thing the usmc is quick to get is Ibuprofen, they give it out as a "fix-all" i've been taking 800mg since i've been in.
In my particular situation, over use of NSAIDs --- at Dr's direction --- probably precipitated my MC/CC. A high price to pay.
I can now get away with a couple ASA if I have a bad headache. But that is an indulgence that is very restricted!
Gayle
Olivia,
Gayle is right on target about the use of NSAIDs. If you are still taking any of them, (Ibuprofen, for example), stop taking them. NSAIDs are notorious for causing MC. In fact, in some cases, where the use of an NSAID caused the MC originally, discontinuing all use of them can sometimes bring prompt remission, without any other treatment. Most of us are not that lucky, though.
I often had nausea, and occasional vomiting, when I was reacting, and you really have to watch out for dehydration, when stuff is coming out of both ends, at the same time.
My biggest electrolyte problem was running low on potassium, so I tried to eat a banana most days, but sometimes I couldn't handle it, of course.
Be aware that severe nausea/vomiting can also be the result of an adverse reaction, (side effect), to Prednisone, and this symptom is listed as severe, on the label, requiring immediate medical attention, in some cases, especially if other significant symptoms are present.
I assume you're referring to Rowasa, (the mesalamine enema). To the best of my knowledge, no member here has ever been prescribed that treatment. That's a UC treatment, and IMO, it's unlikely to penetrate far enough to provide much benefit for MC, because MC is typically most prevalent in the proximal colon, (the end near the small intestine), but it tends to be scattered in patches all over the colon. UC is almost always concentrated in the distal colon, (the bottom end), so that's why Rowasa works for it.
Some members wear "Depends", (adult diapers), if they are flaring, and they have to go somewhere, and they want some extra security.
Hopefully, after a few months on the diet, you will be improved enough that you will be able to resume your normal activities.
Tex
Gayle is right on target about the use of NSAIDs. If you are still taking any of them, (Ibuprofen, for example), stop taking them. NSAIDs are notorious for causing MC. In fact, in some cases, where the use of an NSAID caused the MC originally, discontinuing all use of them can sometimes bring prompt remission, without any other treatment. Most of us are not that lucky, though.
I often had nausea, and occasional vomiting, when I was reacting, and you really have to watch out for dehydration, when stuff is coming out of both ends, at the same time.
My biggest electrolyte problem was running low on potassium, so I tried to eat a banana most days, but sometimes I couldn't handle it, of course.Be aware that severe nausea/vomiting can also be the result of an adverse reaction, (side effect), to Prednisone, and this symptom is listed as severe, on the label, requiring immediate medical attention, in some cases, especially if other significant symptoms are present.
I assume you're referring to Rowasa, (the mesalamine enema). To the best of my knowledge, no member here has ever been prescribed that treatment. That's a UC treatment, and IMO, it's unlikely to penetrate far enough to provide much benefit for MC, because MC is typically most prevalent in the proximal colon, (the end near the small intestine), but it tends to be scattered in patches all over the colon. UC is almost always concentrated in the distal colon, (the bottom end), so that's why Rowasa works for it.
Some members wear "Depends", (adult diapers), if they are flaring, and they have to go somewhere, and they want some extra security.
Hopefully, after a few months on the diet, you will be improved enough that you will be able to resume your normal activities.
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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Olivia-Micro-Colitis
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 119
- Joined: Fri Mar 26, 2010 8:51 pm
- Location: Fallbrook, Ca
so
so as soon as i found out about MC i stopped taking ibuprofen. i'm on Rowasa for the inflmation in the colon. My GI doc said that it was temporary inflmation and that it would help. so i dunno. today i'm not feeling to well. i've got a fever too of 99.9. Thanks for all the replies
"Temporary" is a relative term. Yes, it is temporary, in terms of light years, but it will persist, until the gut stops producing new inflammation, and until the it has had sufficient time to heal. It can take months to years, depending on the treatment, and the circumstances.
You may be coming down with some sort of virus - there is a bug or two going around in this part of the country, causing GI issues. Whatever it is, I hope it doesn't last long.
Tex
You may be coming down with some sort of virus - there is a bug or two going around in this part of the country, causing GI issues. Whatever it is, I hope it doesn't last long.
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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Gabes-Apg
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 8367
- Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 3:12 pm
- Location: Hunter Valley NSW Australia
Hi Olivia
greetings from Australia.
I too work in a male dominated work place (we build helicopters for the australian defence force)
when i first had the chronic D symptoms before diagnosis i too struggled emotionally and mentally with trying to cope with the symptoms in a male dominated environment.
since diagnosis (Dec '09), i have adopted the attitude that i havent done anything to cause this and i shouldnt be embarrassed. what is is what is. although i mostly office based so it is relatively easy for me compared to yourself.
if you decide to do a use diet control principles check your vitamins and probiotics for gluten/lactose etc.
weight wise - there seems to be the two situations. Some lose weight and struggle to put it on, and then others (like me) do have a bit of weight gain and struggle to lose it!
my friend who is a naturopath believes this is linked to the small amount stress that our bodies are constantly under (especially during flares) and how individuals bodies react to this. (metabolism, adrenals etc)
the one thing i have found is there is no right way or wrong way.... there is what ever works for you.
(and there are no short cuts or easy way.... it takes time)
this site is fantastic, there are wonderful amazing people who share their wealth of knowledge, you can ask anything (poo and gas is openly discussed and even joked about) you can share your good days and share your bad days.
greetings from Australia.
I too work in a male dominated work place (we build helicopters for the australian defence force)
when i first had the chronic D symptoms before diagnosis i too struggled emotionally and mentally with trying to cope with the symptoms in a male dominated environment.
since diagnosis (Dec '09), i have adopted the attitude that i havent done anything to cause this and i shouldnt be embarrassed. what is is what is. although i mostly office based so it is relatively easy for me compared to yourself.
if you decide to do a use diet control principles check your vitamins and probiotics for gluten/lactose etc.
weight wise - there seems to be the two situations. Some lose weight and struggle to put it on, and then others (like me) do have a bit of weight gain and struggle to lose it!
my friend who is a naturopath believes this is linked to the small amount stress that our bodies are constantly under (especially during flares) and how individuals bodies react to this. (metabolism, adrenals etc)
the one thing i have found is there is no right way or wrong way.... there is what ever works for you.
(and there are no short cuts or easy way.... it takes time)
this site is fantastic, there are wonderful amazing people who share their wealth of knowledge, you can ask anything (poo and gas is openly discussed and even joked about) you can share your good days and share your bad days.
Gabes Ryan
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama
"Anything that contradicts experience and logic should be abandoned"
Dalai Lama