1. < Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
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Microscopic Colitis

Posted by tlfrench @tlfrench, Nov 1, 2021

Just recently diagnosed
Have Hypothyroidism
Showing some positive for RA
Suffered years with CDiff
Need any help feedback anyone can give please

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debhammel | @debhammel | Aug 23, 2025
In reply to @kjane322 "Just an added note to clarify my personal experience. My microscopic colitis was diagnosed as an..." + (show)
Profile picture for kjane322 @kjane322

Just an added note to clarify my personal experience. My microscopic colitis was diagnosed as an inflammation in the colon from taking too much ALEVE. Yes, I’m guilty. I have osteoarthritis and joint pain from taking low doses of steroids for more than fifty years for adrenal insufficiency. I stopped using ALEVE immediately and started using budesonide to heal the colon. In less than a month my diarrhea was gone. I now use only Tylenol for pain. True, it doesn’t do the job of handling pain like ALEVE did, but I took ALEVE twice daily for way too many years. I over did it and payed the price. I’m a good example of knowing we can overdose without realizing it. Even though the directions were clear I ignored them in order to live a fast paced life that did not want pain to get in my way.
To be clear the budesonide did stop my diarrhea. Several years later I took one ALEVE for extreme pain from overdoing it while moving. Diarrhea came back almost immediately. Now I know for sure it is the ALEVE that I can no longer take. My thought to everyone is to investigate what might be causing your problems. I’m not a doctor but I do believe my experience is probably not the only one. Try to dig into what could be causing your diarrhea. It could surprise you as my case did. 😊

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I'm fairly certain my CC is the result of years of living on Advil for various aches and pains. I definitely took too much of it. There is a clear relationship between overuse of NSAIDS and colitis which unfortunately no one tell you since it's an over-the-counter medication - and we all assume it's safe.

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1961deb | @1961deb | Aug 23, 2025
In reply to @kjane322 "Just an added note to clarify my personal experience. My microscopic colitis was diagnosed as an..." + (show)
Profile picture for kjane322 @kjane322

Just an added note to clarify my personal experience. My microscopic colitis was diagnosed as an inflammation in the colon from taking too much ALEVE. Yes, I’m guilty. I have osteoarthritis and joint pain from taking low doses of steroids for more than fifty years for adrenal insufficiency. I stopped using ALEVE immediately and started using budesonide to heal the colon. In less than a month my diarrhea was gone. I now use only Tylenol for pain. True, it doesn’t do the job of handling pain like ALEVE did, but I took ALEVE twice daily for way too many years. I over did it and payed the price. I’m a good example of knowing we can overdose without realizing it. Even though the directions were clear I ignored them in order to live a fast paced life that did not want pain to get in my way.
To be clear the budesonide did stop my diarrhea. Several years later I took one ALEVE for extreme pain from overdoing it while moving. Diarrhea came back almost immediately. Now I know for sure it is the ALEVE that I can no longer take. My thought to everyone is to investigate what might be causing your problems. I’m not a doctor but I do believe my experience is probably not the only one. Try to dig into what could be causing your diarrhea. It could surprise you as my case did. 😊

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Be careful not to over do Tylenol, as well. It can cause liver damage.

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kjane322 | @kjane322 | Aug 23, 2025
In reply to @1961deb "Be careful not to over do Tylenol, as well. It can cause liver damage." + (show)
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Be careful not to over do Tylenol, as well. It can cause liver damage.

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Yes, I have heard that. 🫤

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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Aug 25, 2025
In reply to @ymoreno2 "To the person who posted that charcoal pills stopped diarrhea, a thousand thanks. I was diagnosed..." + (show)
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To the person who posted that charcoal pills stopped diarrhea, a thousand thanks.
I was diagnosed with microscopic colitis. I took Budesonide for a little over two months, and it was wonderful. After about a month after stopping, I started getting diarrhea and cramping again. After two months the diarrhea was every day. The Imodium never helped. After seeing the post, I added two charcoal pills before meals and no more diarrhea. Thanks for posting.

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Hi - As you mentioned ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) in discussion here, I thought I'd post some Mayo Clinic information on these medications, which you will note includes side effects:

- Ibuprofen (oral route) https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/ibuprofen-oral-route/description/drg-20070602

- Acetaminophen (oral route, rectal route) https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/acetaminophen-oral-route-rectal-route/description/drg-20068480

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piemonte | @piemonte | Sep 3, 2025
In reply to @ymoreno2 "To the person who posted that charcoal pills stopped diarrhea, a thousand thanks. I was diagnosed..." + (show)
Profile picture for ymoreno2 @ymoreno2

To the person who posted that charcoal pills stopped diarrhea, a thousand thanks.
I was diagnosed with microscopic colitis. I took Budesonide for a little over two months, and it was wonderful. After about a month after stopping, I started getting diarrhea and cramping again. After two months the diarrhea was every day. The Imodium never helped. After seeing the post, I added two charcoal pills before meals and no more diarrhea. Thanks for posting.

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I was diagnosed with microscopic colitis in June 2025. I’m tapering off 90 days of budesonide and have more gas, bloating and loose stools now that I’m down to 1 capsule/day.

Can anyone share what diet and medications have helped them deal with this?

Elaine

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9 replies
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seniormed | @seniormed | Sep 3, 2025
In reply to @piemonte "I was diagnosed with microscopic colitis in June 2025. I’m tapering off 90 days of budesonide..." + (show)
Profile picture for piemonte @piemonte

I was diagnosed with microscopic colitis in June 2025. I’m tapering off 90 days of budesonide and have more gas, bloating and loose stools now that I’m down to 1 capsule/day.

Can anyone share what diet and medications have helped them deal with this?

Elaine

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Have you tried bismuth subsalicyate or colestipol.?

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piemonte | @piemonte | Sep 3, 2025
In reply to @piemonte "I was diagnosed with microscopic colitis in June 2025. I’m tapering off 90 days of budesonide..." + (show)
Profile picture for piemonte @piemonte

I was diagnosed with microscopic colitis in June 2025. I’m tapering off 90 days of budesonide and have more gas, bloating and loose stools now that I’m down to 1 capsule/day.

Can anyone share what diet and medications have helped them deal with this?

Elaine

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No, just budesonide.
Elaine

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Mentor
Janell, Volunteer Mentor | @jlharsh | Sep 3, 2025
In reply to @piemonte "I was diagnosed with microscopic colitis in June 2025. I’m tapering off 90 days of budesonide..." + (show)
Profile picture for piemonte @piemonte

I was diagnosed with microscopic colitis in June 2025. I’m tapering off 90 days of budesonide and have more gas, bloating and loose stools now that I’m down to 1 capsule/day.

Can anyone share what diet and medications have helped them deal with this?

Elaine

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Hi @piemonte.

If you haven’t done so Mayo Clinic has a nice overview you can take a look at. The section on treatments addresses both diet and medications. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/microscopic-colitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351483

Which type of colitis do you have?

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1961deb | @1961deb | Sep 4, 2025
In reply to @piemonte "I was diagnosed with microscopic colitis in June 2025. I’m tapering off 90 days of budesonide..." + (show)
Profile picture for piemonte @piemonte

I was diagnosed with microscopic colitis in June 2025. I’m tapering off 90 days of budesonide and have more gas, bloating and loose stools now that I’m down to 1 capsule/day.

Can anyone share what diet and medications have helped them deal with this?

Elaine

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Budesonide works great for me, but when I taper off, the diarrhea starts again shortly after. Work with your doctor. They might try different dose management. For example now I am on 3 months-3 pills. 3 months- 2 pills, and 3 months 1 pill. If that doesn’t work better, I will have to stay on the lowest dose that works forever. If you Google this disease (mine is Collagenous colitis which is one type) you can see what is recommended for diet. Good luck. Hang in there. I know how frustrating and embarrassing this is.

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piemonte | @piemonte | Sep 4, 2025
In reply to @piemonte "I was diagnosed with microscopic colitis in June 2025. I’m tapering off 90 days of budesonide..." + (show)
Profile picture for piemonte @piemonte

I was diagnosed with microscopic colitis in June 2025. I’m tapering off 90 days of budesonide and have more gas, bloating and loose stools now that I’m down to 1 capsule/day.

Can anyone share what diet and medications have helped them deal with this?

Elaine

Jump to this post

Thank you! It is frustrating and embarrassing.

I’ve been on a 90 day course of budesonide. This month I’m down to 1 pill per day. As long as I eat a “clean” diet I have been fine.

Thankfully my GI PA is great and is willing to work with me.

I appreciate your reply.

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