Recently diagnosed newbie :)

[kara]

Hi everyone,

I was finally diagnosed with MC on 3/9. I was actually really relieved to finally have an answer! In the grand scheme of things, my diagnosis didn't take too long once I realized I was having issues. I'd been having bloating and fullness in my upper abdomen, so much so that I would always wear oversized pants to it comfortably at work. But for a long time I attributed it to being overweight.

But then I started to lose weight, and was still having issues, so I made a GI appointment. The first guy I went to was a nightmare! The whole appt. only lasted 20 minutes, he interrupted me to ask the next question while I was still answering the last one and he prescribed a med that could have interacted with my birth control even though I wrote it on the form and told him again when he asked the same information that was on the form!

I dropped that guy like a bad habit and found the wonderful doctor I've been with since. She did lots of tests, but since my symptoms were all upper, that's where we focused. Because I'd also been having a little depression and anxiety, she prescribed sertraline this past November. It made such a difference, but then at Christmas I started with D every day, and was losing weight. After a month of it, I gave her a call and she started on lower testing. Everything came back negative. So after all the other tests were ruled out, I went in for a colonoscopy the first week of March. I'm 34, so it was a bit unusual, but I was willing to do anything to find out what was wrong.

Lucky for me I did, or I'd be walking around thinking I had IBS! Plus, sertraline can be an issue, so I've come off that and guess what--no more daily D! So now I'm trying my best to eliminate caffeine and dairy (I'm already pretty good about fatty foods). I struggle with food in several ways, so I know it's going to be a challenge. But I wish that when the doctor handed out the list of things to eliminate, that they also gave a list of recommended/soothing foods. One of the things I've found that I can count on is steamed white rice with steamed veggies. Also stomach ease tea from Yogi has been a godsend!

I was so happy to find this site specifically for MC! It seems like all the books/info out there is on ulcerative colitis, and I'm not sure if that's helpful for me or not. Well, I've gone on long enough. Thanks for being here and nice to meet you all!

Kara

[tex]

Hi Kara,

Welcome to our internet family. Your first GI doc sounds familiar to many of us, (GI docs like that are a dime a dozen, it seems), but I'm glad to hear that you're second doctor is willing to work with you.

The problem with sertraline is that it is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, (SSRI), and it is one of the SSRIs that have been shown to cause MC. That's why stopping it, stopped the D.

If you are avoiding caffeine because you have found that it actually causes digestive system problems, or if you are avoiding it because it contributes to the formation of fibrocystic breast changes, then you should continue to avoid it. However, if you are avoiding it simply because most doctors recommend avoiding it if you have MC, be aware that that recommendation has no basis in fact. Most of us have found that if caffeine did not bother us before we developed MC, then it does not bother us after we have MC. IOW, most of us continue to use caffeine, without ill effects.

Please feel free to ask anything that comes to mind, and again, welcome aboard.

Tex (Wayne)

[Gabes-Apg]

Kara

welcome to the site and you are very blessed to have a supportive doctor.

I was diagnosed just before xmas. my transition to the MC diet has its good days and bad days..... i think the biggest impact has been the limitation on socialising unless i take my own food. there are some great recipes and substitution ideas in the dees kitchen section of this site.

this is a fantastic place not just because it is specifically for MC more so it is the wonderful people that give support and their love unconditionally. you can share good days, bad days, ask any questions (about gas, poo whatever!) sure enough there will be at least one person who has experienced something similar...
I found this site within a week of my diagnosis, it has been my saviour.

good luck with the adjustment to MC world!

take care

[harma]

Hello kara, also welcome to this - one and only - MC support group. Sorry to hear you have MC too. If I understood you well, after you've stopped the medication the D is over? Does this mean that all the bowel problems are solved or only the D? You are also writing about bloating. That could be due to a gluten intolerance. Most of us here are gluten and diary free, about half soy free and some have even more intolerances.

Also sometimes mental problems, like (mild) depression and anxiety can also be due to a gluten intolerance. This is not scientific proven knowledge (yet), but it is the experience of a lot of people here.

Just take a look around here, soon enough you will read about food intolerances and the relationship with MC.

[JLH]

Kara, I'm so glad you found us. Read and read on this site (start at newbies) and at www.enterolab.com

[ant]

Kara from Hong Kong.

Happy reading of this website. It is full of wisdom, care and understanding....and wishing you all the best in your journey to remission, Ant

[MaggieRedwings]

Welcome Kara,

So happy to hear that you ditched the first uncaring doc and found one that is willing to take the time with you and to also listen to you. We are a real family here and do not hesitate to ask questions and also browse the site since there is a wealth of information here.

Maggie

[barbaranoela]

Kara-my first GI--opened a medical book to a page where it stated the name of the GI that diagnosed MCC~~~waaaaaay back--and with his finger kept pointing at the passage~~~~saying *see see!!!!
Ok, say I--*what am I supposed to do---read the book to find out WHY he had nothing else to list as to the whats--whys--how to do and etc.???

And how did he know it was MCC if he didnt know what it was?????--DUH~~~~~~~~~~~

Barbara