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Hi all!
My name is Laura. I just turned 38 and was diagnosed about 2 months ago with LC.
Long story short, I started suffering from "gastrointestinal distress" at the beginning of November. I waited for what I thought was a stomach bug to go away. When that didn't happen, I saw my gp, saw my gastroenterologist. Blood tests, stool samples, all normal. Finally had a colonoscopy at the beginning of February, hence my diagnosis.
I am very happy to have found this board, and I'm hoping to learn a LOT!
My first question is--does anyone here also have Barrett's Esophagus or GERD? I was diagnosed with both 2.5 years ago. Barrett's is pre-cancerous, and b/c of that, I have to take a PPI in order to prevent further damage to my esophagus, but I keep reading that they can contribute to LC. I'm kinda wondering how I can begin to manage both of these conditions.
Thanks again! Looking forwarding to learning from all of you. :)
Laura
New member intro
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Laura,
You have come to the right place for some answers.
I used to have problems with GERD (not BE though) and took Nexium off and on for about 18 months. It may have played a role in developing chronic D. I encourage you to address diet for both MC and GERD. For MC most of us follow a gluten free diet and many of us also have to follow dairy free and soy free as well. In some cases, myself included, there can be multiple intolerances.
Triggers for GERD for me were soy, capsaicin (spicy foods), almonds and blueberries. I used both Enterolab and Mediator Release Testing to identify food triggers for D and GERD and currently D is under control without meds and GERD has never returned since eliminating those foods. There are many standard diets for GERD that say to avoid coffee etc, but I have never seen one that said to avoid blueberries, almonds etc. My point is that any food can cause a problem so it's best to do some detective work. BTW, coffee never once triggered GERD.
I encourage you to surf around this site - there is a great deal of valuable information.
Welcome aboard!
Mary Beth
You have come to the right place for some answers.I used to have problems with GERD (not BE though) and took Nexium off and on for about 18 months. It may have played a role in developing chronic D. I encourage you to address diet for both MC and GERD. For MC most of us follow a gluten free diet and many of us also have to follow dairy free and soy free as well. In some cases, myself included, there can be multiple intolerances.
Triggers for GERD for me were soy, capsaicin (spicy foods), almonds and blueberries. I used both Enterolab and Mediator Release Testing to identify food triggers for D and GERD and currently D is under control without meds and GERD has never returned since eliminating those foods. There are many standard diets for GERD that say to avoid coffee etc, but I have never seen one that said to avoid blueberries, almonds etc. My point is that any food can cause a problem so it's best to do some detective work. BTW, coffee never once triggered GERD.
I encourage you to surf around this site - there is a great deal of valuable information.
Welcome aboard!
Mary Beth
"If you believe it will work out, you'll see opportunities. If you believe it won't you will see obstacles." - Dr. Wayne Dyer
Dear Laura,
Welcome to the board from Hong Kong. So sorry you have both MC and Barrett's Esophagus.
I had reflux on and off for many years before MC set in. I was told it was a hiatus hernia and took a lot of gaviscon. I have noticed that with my changed diet (G,D,Legume (including Soy) and nightshade free) the reflux has more or less gone. Are you on any sort of diet?
IMHO it is quite possible GERD and MC are connected, but I will let more expert people comment on that.
Again welcome. Keep reading and asking any questions you like. This is the best place for knowledge and kindness.
Best wishes on your journey to better health, ant
Welcome to the board from Hong Kong. So sorry you have both MC and Barrett's Esophagus.
I had reflux on and off for many years before MC set in. I was told it was a hiatus hernia and took a lot of gaviscon. I have noticed that with my changed diet (G,D,Legume (including Soy) and nightshade free) the reflux has more or less gone. Are you on any sort of diet?
IMHO it is quite possible GERD and MC are connected, but I will let more expert people comment on that.
Again welcome. Keep reading and asking any questions you like. This is the best place for knowledge and kindness.
Best wishes on your journey to better health, ant
----------------------------------------
"Softly, softly catchee monkey".....
"Softly, softly catchee monkey".....
Hi Laura,
Welcome to our internet family. Unfortunately, GERD is somewhat common among people who have microscopic colitis, but as Mary Beth pointed out, it can virtually always be managed by diet changes, and there are other things that can be done to help. Mary Beth is a licensed dietitian, by the way, and one of the very few dietitians in this country who truly understand microscopic colitis, and it's related issues.
We have several members who have Barrett's Esophagus, but most of them don't post very often. Hopefully, some of them will notice your post. PPIs don't trigger LC for everyone, obviously, but we have at least several members who were able to trace their colitis to taking a PPI. For one or two of them, simply discontinuing the PPI was sufficient to bring remission from their MC, but that doesn't work for everyone. Some have to take additional measures to control their symptoms.
One of the problems with the PPIs, is that after they are used for a few weeks or so, the reduced gastric acid level in the stomach, tends to weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, leading to a dependency on the PPI. IOW, it is very difficult to wean oneself off them, once the body becomes accustomed to using them. It can be done, but the muscle tone of the lower esophageal sphincter has to be slowly strengthened, in order for it to regain the ability to function normally.
I had problems with acid reflux about a year ago, following surgery. I would awaken during the night, with a mouth full of acid, and my throat would be burning. As Mags mentioned, I was concerned about the risk of choking on my own vomit. Fortunately, I was able to resolve the problem by not eating anything within a few hours before bedtime, and by making sure that I never lie on my right side. Even though reflux is no longer a problem for me, if I lie on my right side, all bets are off, so I still have to avoid that position, because it places the stomach above the lower esophageal sphincter, compounding the problem. For those with persistent reflux problems, elevating the head of the bed a few inches will usually be a big help. And, of course, as Mary Beth mentioned, certain foods tend to cause reflux, and those foods are not necessarily the same for everyone, though some are more likely to be a problem than others.
Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.
Tex (Wayne)
Welcome to our internet family. Unfortunately, GERD is somewhat common among people who have microscopic colitis, but as Mary Beth pointed out, it can virtually always be managed by diet changes, and there are other things that can be done to help. Mary Beth is a licensed dietitian, by the way, and one of the very few dietitians in this country who truly understand microscopic colitis, and it's related issues.
We have several members who have Barrett's Esophagus, but most of them don't post very often. Hopefully, some of them will notice your post. PPIs don't trigger LC for everyone, obviously, but we have at least several members who were able to trace their colitis to taking a PPI. For one or two of them, simply discontinuing the PPI was sufficient to bring remission from their MC, but that doesn't work for everyone. Some have to take additional measures to control their symptoms.
One of the problems with the PPIs, is that after they are used for a few weeks or so, the reduced gastric acid level in the stomach, tends to weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, leading to a dependency on the PPI. IOW, it is very difficult to wean oneself off them, once the body becomes accustomed to using them. It can be done, but the muscle tone of the lower esophageal sphincter has to be slowly strengthened, in order for it to regain the ability to function normally.
I had problems with acid reflux about a year ago, following surgery. I would awaken during the night, with a mouth full of acid, and my throat would be burning. As Mags mentioned, I was concerned about the risk of choking on my own vomit. Fortunately, I was able to resolve the problem by not eating anything within a few hours before bedtime, and by making sure that I never lie on my right side. Even though reflux is no longer a problem for me, if I lie on my right side, all bets are off, so I still have to avoid that position, because it places the stomach above the lower esophageal sphincter, compounding the problem. For those with persistent reflux problems, elevating the head of the bed a few inches will usually be a big help. And, of course, as Mary Beth mentioned, certain foods tend to cause reflux, and those foods are not necessarily the same for everyone, though some are more likely to be a problem than others.
Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.
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.
Welcome Laura!
I was diagnosed with mastocytic enterocolitis (ME) two years ago and the folks on this board were lifesavers with their knowledge and expertise. I'm sure you will find the same.
Take note, as Mary Beth suggested, of your diet. Although it's a bit time consuming I did trials with eliminating foods and then reintroducing them to determine what foods set me off. As a result I no longer eat gluten, soy or any type of legume. It's a bit of a challenge since I don't eat meat, but having fewer GI symptoms is well worth the trade off!
Welcome aboard and good luck with your journey,
Julie
I was diagnosed with mastocytic enterocolitis (ME) two years ago and the folks on this board were lifesavers with their knowledge and expertise. I'm sure you will find the same.
Take note, as Mary Beth suggested, of your diet. Although it's a bit time consuming I did trials with eliminating foods and then reintroducing them to determine what foods set me off. As a result I no longer eat gluten, soy or any type of legume. It's a bit of a challenge since I don't eat meat, but having fewer GI symptoms is well worth the trade off!
Welcome aboard and good luck with your journey,
Julie