Feel free to discuss any topic of general interest, so long as nothing you post here is likely to be interpreted as insulting, and/or inflammatory, nor clearly designed to provoke any individual or group. Please be considerate of others feelings, and they will be considerate of yours.
I've joined the world of MC with a diagnosis of LC a week ago. This is a wonderful site and ya'll have taught me so much. I'm sure some of you can relate to the term I've coined for myself but it's probably not new and that is constipative diarrhea CD. Oh, my goodness!!! Started with the S/S of LC labor day 2010 but thought this would pass soon. WRONG!!! My self treatment with Flagyl (since I thought I had giardia or the like) helped quite a bit but the monster CD kept coming back to tag me when I left home base of Flagyl for 3 or 4 days.
This site is certainly not missnamed. I've been gluten free now for the last 3 days now but my GI doctor, who did my colonoscopy, basically said, "we don't know much about LC. Here's some Entocort. Good luck." I'd be open to anyone who can tell me where the best buys are on this medication. Walgreens where I've gone 'til now seems very expensive.
Thank you so much for this site and all your posts. Bob
Are you sure the world really isn't a toilet? Oh, to live without constantly knowing just how far one is from a bathroom. Welcome, Bob!! I am just a few weeks further into the journey than you are. This is a great site.
Question: why do people put motion sensors in public bathrooms so that you have to open the stall door and wave at it to turn the light back on?
Marliss Bombardier
Dum spiro, spero -- While I breathe, I hope
Psoriasis - the dark ages
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - Dec 2001
Collagenous Colitis - Sept 2010
Granuloma Annulare - June 2011
Welcome to the board. I had alternating C and D, myself, but it seemed so much better than the constant D that so many others have to put up with.
Unfortunately, there are no bargains on Entocort EC in this country, and there are no legal generic formulations available in this country. If you don't mind ordering it from a foreign pharmacy, you can buy a 30 day supply, (90 capsules), of the generic form of Entocort EC for $40.50 plus shipping. It's a reliable product, that seems to work just as well as the outrageously-priced brand-name version that's sold in this country. Shipping usually takes several weeks, though, since it has to pass through customs on it's way into the country.
Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.
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.
Well, I sure feel for you. Joining us is not what anyone would want to have to do, but we are here for you, for information, if you have any questions, or if you just want to rant and rave.
The entocort from the website Tex gave you, Alldaychemist, is affordable and great. I just got my second order, delivered to the US, and it only took about ten days to get here (much better than the first time, delivered to Canada.)
Good for you that you have decided to try cutting out gluten. Hopefully, and likely, it will bring you some relief.
Hoping you see improvement soon.
Linda
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible."
The 13th Dali Lama
Welcome! Your doctor sounds kinda like my scope doctor. "They don't really know what's wrong with you. Here's some Asacol. See you in a month." Thank goodness for this forum
Hi Bob, you've found the best place for help, hope, and healing. When I was on entocort, I used the generic and it worked just fine and the price was affordable. I ordered it from a Canadian pharmacy(which we have discovered probably isn't in Canada) and AllDayChemist. JoAnn
Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway. John Wayne
Everyone!!! Thank you sooooo much for all the wonderful information. I will try what you said Tex!!! I don't have any problems using a pharmaceutical from another country. The FDA is as much about money for the drug industry as for our safety if not more so since they've banned several drugs that were efficacious and as safe as drugs still on the market that have killed people but inexpensive. My GI doctor was wonderful in that he at least admitted not knowing much about LC.
Let me ask those of you that have had this for a while a rather personal question (although not for this forum); Once diagnosed with this is a pre MC bowel movement ever possible again (those with this condition will probably know what I mean so I won't describe) or am I just kind of SOL (pun intented)? Bob
Once diagnosed with this is a pre MC bowel movement ever possible again
For me, physically yes. But I never know if it is going to last,....so psychologically it is never possible.... I am always inspecting, rationalizing, being aware of it.....that is why we are 'potty people'......but......i am "OK" with that
Welcome to the PP family - I'm so happy for you that you have found this wonderful place, full of caring and knowledgeable people, early on in your illness. Hopefully with your own diligent efforts and the advise you're getting here, you'll be able to "nip it in the bud".
I found this forum a little over 2 months ago, after suffering with LC for over 10 years. After going gluten free about 4 months ago, then dairy, egg, yeast and soy free, I have experienced enormous improvement with diet alone. The process has been slow and methodical, and I often feel tempted to try entocort. However, I'm retired and have the time to focus on my healing, which makes it much easier to be patient.
Lots of luck to you in managing your LC - there is a wealth of information on this sight, and people able and willing to assist with wonderful advise as you move along in your healing process.
Warm regards,
Kari
P.S. I do believe that there will be a time in the not too distant future where my BM's will be normal (it's hard to remember what that's like after over 10 years :).
"My mouth waters whenever I pass a bakery shop and sniff the aroma of fresh bread, but I am also grateful simply to be alive and sniffing." Dr. Bernstein
Kari, I too have been using just diet alone, and over the past 15 months there were times when I was tempted to try Entocort when I would get discouraged over my somewhat limited diet choices and uneven progress. Also, on long trips, the "protection" Entocort might give was tempting. But I have stuck with the diet, and like you, I am retired and that helps a lot. Those who have to work each day have a much harder time! I'm finally in a good place right now, and have been able to slowly add back some foods that previously were irritating to my healing gut. But it does take a lot longer than you think it should for the gut to heal, and patience with the process is hard sometimes........
Rosie
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time………Thomas Edison
Rosie. certainly diet alone is the best way to go if you can manage the symptoms with it. I can say that with either Entocort or Imuran that the dietary choices do not improve. The medications do not seem to allow for more choices, just help with the symptoms and maybe help reduce the length and severity of a flare.
I am always in awe of those who can manage this disease without meds, that's a great accomplishment.
Visit the Microscopic Colitis Foundation Website
seems very expensive. 
Oh, to live without constantly knowing just how far one is from a bathroom. Welcome, Bob!! I am just a few weeks further into the journey than you are. This is a great site.
