A New Experience - Straining When I Go

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 9:25 am

For the past week, I've been straining almost every time I have a BM. That hasn't happened in more than 4 years. I'm still eating and drinking the same, and I've begun to reduce my Entocort dosage.

I have sensed that this time is different compared to the past times when I've weaned off Entocort. My whole system seems calmer and less reactive. I have one Norman a day. If I'm away from home, I usually can't go and I'm able to wait until I am home, sometimes up to 36 hours between BMs. Every other time, I would fluctuate between Normans and softer BMs. I'd also often have more than one BM per day. Not so this time.

I was going to reduce Entocort very slowly, but I think I will do it more quickly, because of the straining. I also will increase the amount of water I drink. Maybe, just maybe, I've finally mastered my diet. I'm afraid to get my hopes up. I'll keep everyone posted.

Gloria

Ginny · Post by **Ginny** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 9:44 am

Oh Gloria I do hope this is your big turn around!

What a good sign. Wishing you the very best success. Take it slowly, you have been waiting a long time for this good news. Love Ginny

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 10:27 am

Keeping you in my thoughts, Gloria. It's time you had total success.

Love, Shirley

Linda in BC · Post by **Linda in BC** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 10:43 am

Gloria, I am very happy to hear your news. Doesn't that straining just feel so weird?? I must admit, when I got constipated when I first started on the Entocort (because i was taking more than I needed, I guess) it was the first time in over 12 year that I had to strain (and probably one of the few times in my life) and I didn't like it at all. I would have preferred the D! Better the devil you know, I guess....

Linda

Kari · Post by **Kari** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 10:53 am

Gloria,

Can't tell you how happy I am for you!!! What an achievement with everything you've been through - shows that diligence and perseverance pays off. The best course of action with tapering the entocort is what YOU feel is right. It's amazing how tuned in to our own bodies we become, isn't it? I wish you the best of luck with your continued MC journey. I'm sure you'll keep us all posted, and I look forward to your next "report".

Love,
Kari

mbeezie · Post by **mbeezie** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 11:07 am

Gloria,

I'm hoping that you are right and that your are now on the right diet to keep things under control. It certainly has been a long journey.

Love,

Mary Beth

Post by **Rosie** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 11:55 am

Gloria, I'm so pleased that you might finally have figured this out! You have been such an inspiration with your dogged determination and careful analyses of your food issues. I have learned a tremendous amount from your journey about how to ferret out the tricky food sensitivities. If anyone deserves a reward for hard work, it has to be you!!

Rosie

Post by **tex** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 1:58 pm

If sounds as though this time might be the charm.

Best of luck through this critical stage.

Tex

catsrule · Post by **catsrule** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 2:28 pm

I am jealous!

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 2:57 pm

Catsrule,

You need to read this thread: http://www.perskyfarms.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=6730

Gloria

catsrule · Post by **catsrule** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 4:39 pm

I am reading it Gloria, thanks. Did you have any joint pains? How did you go to work every day?

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 4:59 pm

Yes, I had and have joint pains, but Entocort made them better. I expect that they will return as I reduce my dosage.

I worked for about 1 1/2 years after I got MC. There was a bathroom down the hallway from my office, which helped. Sometimes the janitors were cleaning it and sometimes students were there, making it uncomfortable when I needed to go, so I quickly went to another bathroom further away. Sometimes I didn't make it. I'm glad that I didn't get MC until I stopped teaching. Teachers can't just leave their classroom to go to the bathroom.

I don't think that I ever suffered brain fog like others here. I've always had trouble staying asleep, so I frequently don't get enough sleep. Years ago I decided that I wasn't going to die for lack of sleep, so I just stopped worrying about it. I used to take an aspirin to help me fall back asleep. For some reason it worked for me. But I have a feeling that the aspirin also contributed to my MC.

Dealing with the food issues while working wasn't too hard. I brought homemade soup, using purchased broth. I made my bread and rice milk on the weekends. The hardest part was not being able to eat the faculty lunches, brunch, etc.

Of course, this board has made all the difference in the world. I wouldn't have come this far without it.

Gloria

catsrule · Post by **catsrule** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 5:05 pm

Thanks Gloria. I just don't know if I'll ever go back to work again. I hate the pain, and having fibromyalgia on top of it doesn't help. I don't know how you ever did it, and how others do it. It is hard to work when you are in so much pain. I'm still reading!

catsrule · Post by **catsrule** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 5:41 pm

Wow Gloria! You are a strong and determined woman. Please keep us informed of your journey. I hope it all goes your way this time.

Deb · Post by **Deb** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 5:50 pm

This is a really great forum. I've never been on one before that was so kind
and supportive. Congrats, Gloria for the good news. I've been feeling more normal
this last week than I've felt in over 4 months. Thanks, ya'll!