Update

[ant]

Dear Friends

Sorry I have not posted for a while.

First, to all newbies. You do not need me to tell you what a wonderful board this is. It has saved so many from misery and worse (including me)... and continues to do so. It teaches that even when things are really bad and you are feeling hopeless there is hope and there are people you care and listen and know what you are going through. It teaches that this is not an easy disease (and certainly much more than a nuisance). It teaches self-reliance, patience, strength of character, search for the truth, and above all compassion and love. It teaches you CAN get your life back!

And on the subject of people with MC having a life.....

Wow!! Gabes and Joe what a party you are having down under!! Fantastic.
Jodi, Wow!! Presidential Award.
Gloria, Wow!! Making progress and again off the entocort.
Naty, Wow!! All that academic progress.
Harma, Wow!! Moving back to a life in Jordon.
Kari, Wow!!, Hitting the ski slopes.
Tex, Polly and many, many, many others (I have not been able to read all posts), Wow!! This board is rocking.

In case it useful here is a quick update on me. Been on one entocort every other day since March 17th. Still on the same diet (GF, DF, SF and other legume Free, Nightshade Free). Eating a fair amount of cooked (not actually overcooked veg) often fried in olive oil . Avoiding most sugar, eating meat, fish, shellfish, rice and drinking wine. Wondering if I can really tolerate coconut even when guar gum free??

Taking 4000 to 5000 vit D, B12 and Zinc supplements a day. Weight is stable, arthritis symptoms pretty much gone. Most days BMs are 2 to 4 a day Norman or firm. A total of 5 BMs were “D” and 14 “loose” since 17th March (but D and loose has always resolved within a day). About three times they were what I would call ‘urgent’.

Sooooo…… much better, but not out of the woods. I am working and able to socialize pretty well. But, of course, I still worry about long term use of entocort. I know I must look into MRT as my next step.

Best wishes to all, ant

[tex]

Ant,

Thanks for the great update. It sounds as though things are going pretty well - and that's certainly good to hear.

You obviously have developed a program that works well for you, and I hope that you continue to make progress.

Tex

[Kari]

Ant,

Thanks so much for sharing your upbeat news - you are an inspiration and offer proof that a good life is achievable, even though living with MC!!!

Wishing you continued progress - I have no doubt that with your diligence with the diet, along with a positive attitude, you will eventually heal enough to get off entocort completely.

Love,
Kari

[hoosier1]

Ant,

Good to hear from you and that you have found your balance.

Rich

[Gloria]

Hi Ant,

Glad to read your update. I've been wondering how you've been doing. Your progress sounds similar to mine now that I'm off Entocort completely. I usually can trace any problems I'm having to something I thought I could eat. Once I simplify and go back to the basics, Norman returns. That's how it's been so far, anyway. I've only taken 1/2 Imodium once and am not even close to considering resuming Entocort. I still have six more weeks before I'm out of the woods - a pretty long in MC time.

I hope you continue to maintain your equilibrium. Keep us posted.

Gloria

[Pat]

Ant,

Making progress!!!

Pat

[Gabes-Apg]

Ant
great to hear from you and that you are doing so well with the work social and mc balance, and that you are still enjoying wine! woo hoo

the weekend exploring some new territory in the local area and then spending time with great friends was awesome, the days out and about we were totally blessed with great weather, coming home yesterday it started to rain, and today is overcast and cold, so we couldnt have asked for more than that.

If you cant find MRT we will have to get you to Qld for the BIA, Joe is halfway through his write up of the BIA assessment he had, and he will be posting it soon on the forum.

[sarkin]

Ant,

It's very encouraging to hear how you're doing - you've come so far. Your "chef card" idea has been great for me - quite honestly, until I made the effort to create something like that, I was confused myself, and my husband was starting to find grocery shopping baffling.

It's just wonderful to hear that your weight is stable, and arthritis symptoms fading away.

I wish you all the best in the next steps (whether BIA, MRT, reduced Entocort, or whatever combination).

Sara

[Polly]

Hi Ant,

I've been hoping you would update us, and I am so happy to see your progress. The arthritis is finally better......hooray! It sounds as if you have reached an equilibrium. I'll bet anything that the "D and loose" that resolve within a day are due to some unidentified food sensitivities. I agree that MRT (or Gabes' BIA) would be the next step to fine tune your diet. It was such a surprise to me to see that I was sensitive to many seemingly "benign-type" foods, like carrots, yellow squash, cucumber, mango, lamb, etc.

Hope all is well with you - and Mom.

Love,

Polly

[Joefnh]

Hi Ant it's so great to hear from you. It's great that you have found a plan that is working for you. As Gabes mentioned while up in Toowoomba I was able to visit with Gabes nutritionist who is an expert in BIA analysis. To say the least what I discovered was incredible. I could not believe how well the BIA analysis correlated with the MRT results, the analysis also picked up on both current and some past medical issues that I did not discuss with the nutrishionist before the session. As a science guy I was totally and pleasantly surprised at how accurate this simple 30 minute process was. I am working on a post and will try to finish that in the next week.

Take care Ant

Joe

[MaggieRedwings]

Morning Ant,

So happy to hear that you have struck a balance in your life and things are going so much better. At times I know it is difficult to keep up with everything being posted here but you are always in my thoughts.

Love, Maggie

[ant]

Thanks everyone for responding!

Gabes and Joe..... I only need an good excuse to come and see you in Oz. If there is a knowledgeable MC doc there and I can get a good BIA test, I will be there asap. What is the difference between BIA and MRT? Should I do both?

Best, ant