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Gloria, your story about the bathroom reminded me of one of my own. During the last 6 years when I was still working (with MC), I had a fabulous bathroom down the hall from me :). The toilets did not have individual water tanks, so as long as you held the lever down, the water kept gushing with lots of loud noise. So as soon as I sat down, I simply reached back with my right hand and held the lever down from beginning to end. This took care of camouflaging both the odor and the sound :):):). That bathroom was my very good friend :).
The most difficult MC symptom for me to deal with while working (besides the constant D) was brainfog. Fortunately, during those years, my job was very stable and I had a couple of people reporting to me who became like family. They were very supportive and understanding, and could step in whenever I was having a rough time.
Love,
Kari
A New Experience - Straining When I Go
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
GLORIA!!!
This is terrific!! I got a huge smile on my face when I realized that the author of the post on straining was YOU!
TA DA!!!!
I know we are often afraid to shout it from the rooftops for fear of jinxing everything, but in this case I can't help it. You SO deserve this.
OK, here is a question for you.........once you are able to add back in some foods, what is the first one you are anxious to try?
Love,
Polly
This is terrific!! I got a huge smile on my face when I realized that the author of the post on straining was YOU!
TA DA!!!!
I know we are often afraid to shout it from the rooftops for fear of jinxing everything, but in this case I can't help it. You SO deserve this.
OK, here is a question for you.........once you are able to add back in some foods, what is the first one you are anxious to try?
Love,
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
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wonderwoman
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Gloria, I am so happy for you. Yours has been a long difficult journey. 
I also am reducing my Entocort. I am down to 5 a week. I was going to go about it much slower but like you, I am not having a BM every day and sometimes straining. Therefore, I think I can reduce to 4 a week.
Two nights ago my husband and I went to the mall and after walking awhile my husband stopped and ordered an ice cream cone. I said I'd have one too. Without even thinking I also ate the cone. I know there can be gluten in some ice cream but have eaten ice cream before without a problem but never a cone. I immediately became very concerned because that was the only time I know of that I ate gluten since March. I have had no reaction and if I were going to have one I would have had it by now.
I also am reducing my Entocort. I am down to 5 a week. I was going to go about it much slower but like you, I am not having a BM every day and sometimes straining. Therefore, I think I can reduce to 4 a week.
Two nights ago my husband and I went to the mall and after walking awhile my husband stopped and ordered an ice cream cone. I said I'd have one too. Without even thinking I also ate the cone. I know there can be gluten in some ice cream but have eaten ice cream before without a problem but never a cone. I immediately became very concerned because that was the only time I know of that I ate gluten since March. I have had no reaction and if I were going to have one I would have had it by now.
Polly,
I would also love to eat fruit - any fruit. I'm a little worried that I have a fructose intolerance because an avocado still will give me small mouth sores, but so far no apparent digestive problems. I really miss tomatoes, too.
I miss having a wide range of vegetables and especially miss potatoes, sweet potatoes and squash. I tested baby food carrots and sweet potatoes a couple of months ago and had problems, so I'm nervous about root vegetables.
Being methodical like I am, I will probably first add the foods that seemed safe for a long time. I have already tested coconut, and it is fine so far. This week I tested broccoli, and I had no reaction. Yeah! Another vegetable! I've also tried vanilla extract in the coconut pudding, and it's been OK. Maybe cinnamon will be next.
I'm anxious to try potatoes. That would allow me to eat breakfast out with DH again.
When I told DH that I think I might have beaten this beast, his only comment was "So when can we go out for a steak again?" Sigh. I'm so grateful that everyone here understands what my progress means and is excited for me. You've always been my cheerleaders and I appreciate it more than words can say.
Gloria
That's an intriguing question, Polly. Of course the one I miss the most is chocolate, because it is such a quick comfort food, requiring no preparation. But I know that you still can't eat it, and I share all but one of your intolerances (corn). I've always held your list of intolerances in the back of my head and have been cognizant of the chocolate on your list. I'm also concerned that Joan hasn't been able to add it back.Polly wrote:once you are able to add back in some foods, what is the first one you are anxious to try?
I would also love to eat fruit - any fruit. I'm a little worried that I have a fructose intolerance because an avocado still will give me small mouth sores, but so far no apparent digestive problems. I really miss tomatoes, too.
I miss having a wide range of vegetables and especially miss potatoes, sweet potatoes and squash. I tested baby food carrots and sweet potatoes a couple of months ago and had problems, so I'm nervous about root vegetables.
Being methodical like I am, I will probably first add the foods that seemed safe for a long time. I have already tested coconut, and it is fine so far. This week I tested broccoli, and I had no reaction. Yeah! Another vegetable! I've also tried vanilla extract in the coconut pudding, and it's been OK. Maybe cinnamon will be next.
I'm anxious to try potatoes. That would allow me to eat breakfast out with DH again.
When I told DH that I think I might have beaten this beast, his only comment was "So when can we go out for a steak again?" Sigh. I'm so grateful that everyone here understands what my progress means and is excited for me. You've always been my cheerleaders and I appreciate it more than words can say.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
stopping entocort
yea, you go girl! Try one pill a day. You will know when to stop Entocort. One day soon you will just be able to eat something you could not eat before, and Voila success!
Hi Gloria,
I hope that is an improvement for you.
But for me, straining is not a good sign. It means inflammation according to my doctor and I feel he is correct.
Please DO NOT strain or exert. That will cause a host of additional problems. Trust me on this.
Just relax. Someone once told me to act like you are gentling blowing out a candle from across the room, and that keeps you from straining while getting things moving.
There are days where I actually prefer the D because when I go the other way, the straining and the feeling of incomplete BM is awful.
Good luck, dear.
Rich
I hope that is an improvement for you.
But for me, straining is not a good sign. It means inflammation according to my doctor and I feel he is correct.
Please DO NOT strain or exert. That will cause a host of additional problems. Trust me on this.
Just relax. Someone once told me to act like you are gentling blowing out a candle from across the room, and that keeps you from straining while getting things moving.
There are days where I actually prefer the D because when I go the other way, the straining and the feeling of incomplete BM is awful.
Good luck, dear.
Rich
"It's not what I believe. It's what I can prove." - A Few Good Men
Gloria, this is good news for you! I hope it continues and that you can continue to add in foods you want. I'm glad you can have coconut. Having coconut products has really helped me not feel deprived. I've whipped up coconut milk for toppings, add it to shakes, cook in the oil, and use it like butter. I hope your streak continues and you never look back. JoAnn
Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway. John Wayne
An Update
I thought I'd post an update...
I reduced Entocort to 2 pills/day a week ago and I no longer have been straining. Norman is still visiting with no deterioration, just once a day, and all continues to go well. Keeping my
Gloria
I reduced Entocort to 2 pills/day a week ago and I no longer have been straining. Norman is still visiting with no deterioration, just once a day, and all continues to go well. Keeping my
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
Gloria - thank you so much for posting the update!!! Can't tell you how happy I am that things are going well for you. This bit of news made my day!!!
Love,
Kari
Love,
Kari
"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
