Visit the Microscopic Colitis Foundation Website
Hello I am a new member
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hello I am a new member
I thought I should introduce myself. Just joined after seeing what a wonderful, informative and caring place you have here. My symptoms started about a year ago while living in India. They were diarrhea, often watery, and seem to have been set off when I had a high fever and 'flu' in the head and throat which move down to the stomach. Initially I just thought it was "Delhi Belly". But diarrhea did not go away. There followed about 3 and half months of various antibiotics (on and off) and simple diet - no red meat, no shell fish, no alcohol, keeping off curries, no coffee, not much milk etc. (but lots of spaghetti and toast - hmmm, having found out more, that may have been a mistake!). Then I went back to my home town, Hong Kong, and had a colonoscopy. LC was diagnosed. Straight on to BP for 8 weeks with initially pretty good results. Relaxed my diet restrictions (but stayed off milk) and felt about 80% ok with BMs. Then came off BP and gradually diarrhea returned. I decided to move back to Hong Kong which I did this February. Tried to stay off BP, but ended up relaying on it. Sort of in self-denial until last week when I went back to the GI and he has put me on Entrocot (sorry can't spell it yet - but it ain't steak!). 9mg for 8 weeks and then a review. It is the third day of the meds and I have (so far) better BMs, but I feel a bit bloated. Is that usual? I have also started a GF, DF diet and started taking pro-biotic pills. The GI did not recommend the diet but also did not say I was stupid - just advised that I need not be too restrictive with myself on the diet front. Well I am staying on GF and DF anyway, but I do like wine and, especially red wine. So I still have a glass or two - hope that is OK?. Also, I wonder if I should have a food tolerance test and how to go about it? Sorry I have waffled on a bit but needed to talk to sympathetic people. Thanks for listening. Best Ant
Ant, we are so glad you found us. I'm sure Tex will be along soon to answer your questions. What is BP? Do you mean PB for Pepto Bismol?
In the meantime, read as much as you can on this site and ask any questions.
YES, stay gluten and dairy free. I am trying to handle my LC by diet alone. I also have to eliminate all soy. Tex says about half of us are intolerant of soy.
DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor and don't play one on TV.
LDN July 18, 2014
Joan
LDN July 18, 2014
Joan
Dear Joan
Thanks so much for your colorful welcome. Yes PB is Pepto Bismal. In Hong Kong there is a lot of soy around. Many Asian dishes use soy source. On the positive side there are also lots of rice dishes. If I come off soy I am going to be have to become quite a food detective. I am still exploring much on the site and will, I am sure, find many answers. all best ant.
Thanks so much for your colorful welcome. Yes PB is Pepto Bismal. In Hong Kong there is a lot of soy around. Many Asian dishes use soy source. On the positive side there are also lots of rice dishes. If I come off soy I am going to be have to become quite a food detective. I am still exploring much on the site and will, I am sure, find many answers. all best ant.
Ni Hao and to Ant!
Entocort is an excellent medication choice! And as for bloating, it is almost always part of the MC process. It should get better as your gut heals. Your GI doc sounds a little more enlightened than some! Most have no clue about the role of diet. Be sure to check with the manufacturer of your probiotic to make sure it does not contain any gluten or dairy.
I agree that you are wise to avoid gluten and dairy. The best tests for food intolerances are performed at Enterolab in Texas using stool tests (not blood or skin tests). Check out this lab at www.finerhealth.com. I don't know if it is possible to send stools from Hong Kong, but I know they have done so from Spain. If you would like for me to call them and find out, I'd be happy to. Just let me know.
Aaaah, wine! I like wine, too, and have been able to continue drinking it since my diagnosis 9 years ago! And I have multiple food intolerances, including yeast. Yeast is used in wine; however, in a dry red wine, the yeast has consumed all of the sugar and died. So I drink merlot without problems.
Looking forward to further chats.
Love and zai jian,
Polly
P.S. I've just started with mandarin lessons this summer.
to Ant!Entocort is an excellent medication choice! And as for bloating, it is almost always part of the MC process. It should get better as your gut heals. Your GI doc sounds a little more enlightened than some! Most have no clue about the role of diet. Be sure to check with the manufacturer of your probiotic to make sure it does not contain any gluten or dairy.
I agree that you are wise to avoid gluten and dairy. The best tests for food intolerances are performed at Enterolab in Texas using stool tests (not blood or skin tests). Check out this lab at www.finerhealth.com. I don't know if it is possible to send stools from Hong Kong, but I know they have done so from Spain. If you would like for me to call them and find out, I'd be happy to. Just let me know.
Aaaah, wine! I like wine, too, and have been able to continue drinking it since my diagnosis 9 years ago! And I have multiple food intolerances, including yeast. Yeast is used in wine; however, in a dry red wine, the yeast has consumed all of the sugar and died. So I drink merlot without problems.
Looking forward to further chats.
Love and zai jian,
Polly
P.S. I've just started with mandarin lessons this summer.
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
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no-more-muffins
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 90
- Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2009 5:37 pm
Welcome Ant!
I am new here too and have found this board to be wonderful and very supportive. The people here have been through it all so not only are they very knowledable but also very understanding and experienced.
Watch out for the soy sauce. I have found very few brands that don't contain wheat.
I am new here too and have found this board to be wonderful and very supportive. The people here have been through it all so not only are they very knowledable but also very understanding and experienced.
Watch out for the soy sauce. I have found very few brands that don't contain wheat.
Hi Ant & No-more-muffins )Oh yes you can have muffins!!!)
I'm Dee & want to welcome you both.
If you look under my kitchen of the forum you will find a recipe to make your own soy sauce which does not contain wheat, dairy, or soy.
Dee~~~
I'm Dee & want to welcome you both.
If you look under my kitchen of the forum you will find a recipe to make your own soy sauce which does not contain wheat, dairy, or soy.
Dee~~~
"What the heart gives away is never gone ... It is kept in the hearts of others."
Hi Ant,
Welcome to our internet family. I believe that you have correctly analyzed your situation. If your symptoms relapsed after the Pepto Bismol treatment ended, then you are almost guaranteed to be gluten sensitive, and very likely also dairy intolerant. The soy that you have there is different from the soy that we have in the U.S., so that might improve the odds that you are not intolerant to it. Not only are the species of soya plants that are cultivated there different from the ones grown in the U.S. and South America, but the processing methods are different, also.
I agree with everything that the other members have already said, of course, and I think that you are off to a good start with your treatment. In 8 weeks, you will probably be in remission, with the Entocort, but 8 weeks is not anywhere near enough time for your gut to heal from the damage done by the MC and gluten, so if the Entocort is stopped then, (or the dosage rate reduced too far), you will probably relapse, again. Eventually, you should be able to control all the symptoms by your diet, alone, but it can take up to a year for the gut to heal enough for the diet to completely control your symptoms, without Entocort. Some people require less healing time, of course, but don't be discouraged if it takes 6 months or longer. If your GI doc will allow you to use Entocort for 6 months or longer, (if needed), then that will make your journey back to health much easier.
In view of the differences in the soy products in your country, compared with here in the U.S., it might not cause you any problems. However, if your BMs are not "normal" by the end of the eight week Entocort treatment, or if diarrhea returns every time you try to reduce the dosage rate of Entocort, then I would cut out all traces of soy, if I were in your shoes. Those of us who are sensitive to soy are usually extremely sensitive to it. Even the slightest traces of soy, (such as the tiny amount in certain vitamin supplements), will usually cause a severe reaction, if we are intolerant of soy.
Thank you for the kind words about our site, and again, welcome aboard, and please don't hesitate to ask any questions that come to mind.
Tex (Wayne)
Welcome to our internet family. I believe that you have correctly analyzed your situation. If your symptoms relapsed after the Pepto Bismol treatment ended, then you are almost guaranteed to be gluten sensitive, and very likely also dairy intolerant. The soy that you have there is different from the soy that we have in the U.S., so that might improve the odds that you are not intolerant to it. Not only are the species of soya plants that are cultivated there different from the ones grown in the U.S. and South America, but the processing methods are different, also.
I agree with everything that the other members have already said, of course, and I think that you are off to a good start with your treatment. In 8 weeks, you will probably be in remission, with the Entocort, but 8 weeks is not anywhere near enough time for your gut to heal from the damage done by the MC and gluten, so if the Entocort is stopped then, (or the dosage rate reduced too far), you will probably relapse, again. Eventually, you should be able to control all the symptoms by your diet, alone, but it can take up to a year for the gut to heal enough for the diet to completely control your symptoms, without Entocort. Some people require less healing time, of course, but don't be discouraged if it takes 6 months or longer. If your GI doc will allow you to use Entocort for 6 months or longer, (if needed), then that will make your journey back to health much easier.
In view of the differences in the soy products in your country, compared with here in the U.S., it might not cause you any problems. However, if your BMs are not "normal" by the end of the eight week Entocort treatment, or if diarrhea returns every time you try to reduce the dosage rate of Entocort, then I would cut out all traces of soy, if I were in your shoes. Those of us who are sensitive to soy are usually extremely sensitive to it. Even the slightest traces of soy, (such as the tiny amount in certain vitamin supplements), will usually cause a severe reaction, if we are intolerant of soy.
Thank you for the kind words about our site, and again, welcome aboard, and please don't hesitate to ask any questions that come to mind.
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 Polly, JLH, no-more-muffins, Dee and Tex
Thank you all for your welcome. It is such a good feeling to have so many people respond. Joan and now all of you.
The probiotic brand I have bought is called Kyo Dophilus. The "proprietary blend" is lactobacilus acidophilus, bifidobacterium bifidum and bifidiobacterium longum. Other ingredients: gelatin, potato starch and silica. The label says free of preservatives, sugar, sodium, milk, yeast, gluten, artificial colors and flavors. The company is Wakunaga. It is Japanese, but the product comes from their USA company in Madero, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 U.S.A. I assume they are OK?
Polly, thanks for the link to finerhealth. I have just sent them an email, but I will surely let you know of I need help getting through to them. Good to know I can stay with the wine. Merlot is also a favorite of mine. Your learning Mandarin puts me to shame. I have very basic Cantonese and even more basic Mandarin. It takes a long time to memorize all the Chinese characters and the Chinese I mix with all speak English - I am just lazy!
Dee, I have not yet checked out the kitchen forum, but I sure will.
Tex, thanks for your wise and highly informed advice on my overall situation and the soy. I will try and do some of my own investigation on the differences between western and Asian soy. (actually I am finding the scientific side of all this interesting in its own right). When I last talked to my GI, I got I sense that he will allow me to stay with Entocort, but at a reduced rate, after the first 8 weeks. I will certainly be arguing to stay on for as long as possible to allow healing time.
It is late now in Hong Kong so turning in. All best ant
Thank you all for your welcome. It is such a good feeling to have so many people respond. Joan and now all of you.
The probiotic brand I have bought is called Kyo Dophilus. The "proprietary blend" is lactobacilus acidophilus, bifidobacterium bifidum and bifidiobacterium longum. Other ingredients: gelatin, potato starch and silica. The label says free of preservatives, sugar, sodium, milk, yeast, gluten, artificial colors and flavors. The company is Wakunaga. It is Japanese, but the product comes from their USA company in Madero, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 U.S.A. I assume they are OK?
Polly, thanks for the link to finerhealth. I have just sent them an email, but I will surely let you know of I need help getting through to them. Good to know I can stay with the wine. Merlot is also a favorite of mine. Your learning Mandarin puts me to shame. I have very basic Cantonese and even more basic Mandarin. It takes a long time to memorize all the Chinese characters and the Chinese I mix with all speak English - I am just lazy!
Dee, I have not yet checked out the kitchen forum, but I sure will.
Tex, thanks for your wise and highly informed advice on my overall situation and the soy. I will try and do some of my own investigation on the differences between western and Asian soy. (actually I am finding the scientific side of all this interesting in its own right). When I last talked to my GI, I got I sense that he will allow me to stay with Entocort, but at a reduced rate, after the first 8 weeks. I will certainly be arguing to stay on for as long as possible to allow healing time.
It is late now in Hong Kong so turning in. All best ant
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barbaranoela
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 5394
- Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 6:11 pm
- Location: New York
Greetings ANT~~~~~~ I was so thrilled to see from where U are posting-----and so very happy that U are able to gather information to help U beat this ailment!!!!
As I have said many times----I have been very lucky in *my healing*---I was a royal screw up from the first GI that I saw--but 2nd was my *hero*
I am a native NEW YORKER----so some of my wording is in NOO YAWK-eas-----and if U wonder about that it just means my aXent is applied in some things I say!!!!
But is just that and a very warm to our family--
Barbara----in remission from MCC
As I have said many times----I have been very lucky in *my healing*---I was a royal screw up from the first GI that I saw--but 2nd was my *hero*
I am a native NEW YORKER----so some of my wording is in NOO YAWK-eas-----and if U wonder about that it just means my aXent is applied in some things I say!!!!
But
is just that and a very warm to our family-- Barbara----in remission from MCC
the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control
Dear Barbara
Thank you for your welcome from NY!. My ma was born in New York (1920) and moved to the UK when she was about 8 yrs old. This forum is so wonderful to get information, face realities, find support and, hopefully, get fully mended in time. I am wondering if there is anyone else posting from Hong Kong? All best Ant
Thank you for your welcome from NY!. My ma was born in New York (1920) and moved to the UK when she was about 8 yrs old. This forum is so wonderful to get information, face realities, find support and, hopefully, get fully mended in time. I am wondering if there is anyone else posting from Hong Kong? All best Ant
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barbaranoela
- Emperor Penguin
- Posts: 5394
- Joined: Wed May 25, 2005 6:11 pm
- Location: New York
wow ANT----now if that isnt some coincidence------your mom born in NY----I knew I could hear a *.little* NY in your tone of posting-- 
We do have many areas represented here---Liz is from Australia----and being she and I celebrate the same birthdays--we call each twinee;s of cours I was born a bit earlier than Liz so I am the SENIOR of the 2 and Liz is the Junior ----she is a super lady---hopefully she will pop in to say hello!!
Angy is cross the
too---and she is a neat person----funny and witty---
Ant U can look us all up in the member area!!!!
When is your special day???
So happy to have U here----and wishing U the best--
So is ANT your real name or is it just a nickname that U decided upon??
Time for me to say
for now--been a hectic day---and what day ISNT hectic!!! 
Catch U again---
Luve Barbara
We do have many areas represented here---Liz is from Australia----and being she and I celebrate the same birthdays--we call each twinee;s of cours I was born a bit earlier than Liz so I am the SENIOR of the 2 and Liz is the Junior ----she is a super lady---hopefully she will pop in to say hello!!
Angy is cross the
too---and she is a neat person----funny and witty---Ant U can look us all up in the member area!!!!
When is your special day???
So happy to have U here----and wishing U the best--
So is ANT your real name or is it just a nickname that U decided upon??
Time for me to say
for now--been a hectic day---and what day ISNT hectic!!! Catch U again---
Luve Barbara
the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control
Welcome Ant!! 
What would we do without the Internet? You are on the other side of the world, but still able to connect with people on other continents who have your disease.
It may or may not be easy for you to get off Entocort and retain your remission. It largely depends on how many food intolerances you have and how quickly you are able to discover them. I have been on Entocort for nearly two years now, though I am taking just one pill a day. We are all different and I sincerely hope you can figure out your food intolerances quickly.
I have found it helpful to keep a food/elimination diary, noting when and what type of BMs I have during the day. The diary makes it easier to see a relationship between the food you eat and the reactions you have.
You have found the best site on the web to help you with your MC. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions you have. We are here to help each other.
Gloria
What would we do without the Internet? You are on the other side of the world, but still able to connect with people on other continents who have your disease.
It may or may not be easy for you to get off Entocort and retain your remission. It largely depends on how many food intolerances you have and how quickly you are able to discover them. I have been on Entocort for nearly two years now, though I am taking just one pill a day. We are all different and I sincerely hope you can figure out your food intolerances quickly.
I have found it helpful to keep a food/elimination diary, noting when and what type of BMs I have during the day. The diary makes it easier to see a relationship between the food you eat and the reactions you have.
You have found the best site on the web to help you with your MC. Please don't hesitate to ask any questions you have. We are here to help each other.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
Ant,
I believe that you are the only member from Hong Kong. Since MC is strongly linked with gluten sensitivity, like celiac disease, that implies that most members are of European descent. IOW, native citizens of a lot of countries are very unlikely to develop MC. Also, since this board is only available in an English language version, that tends to limit participation from certain non-English speaking countries. We do have a couple of members from Spain, though, since gluten sensitivity is definitely a problem there. Most of our members are from the U.S, Canada, England, Scotland, Australia, and Spain, I believe, but we have one or two members from India, Morocco, and a few other countries. I've probably forgotten a few.
Tex
I believe that you are the only member from Hong Kong. Since MC is strongly linked with gluten sensitivity, like celiac disease, that implies that most members are of European descent. IOW, native citizens of a lot of countries are very unlikely to develop MC. Also, since this board is only available in an English language version, that tends to limit participation from certain non-English speaking countries. We do have a couple of members from Spain, though, since gluten sensitivity is definitely a problem there. Most of our members are from the U.S, Canada, England, Scotland, Australia, and Spain, I believe, but we have one or two members from India, Morocco, and a few other countries. I've probably forgotten a few.
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.
