How to manage microscopic (lymphocytic) colitis?

@lpockat I am 92 years old and have been diagnosed with colitis as result of taking Celebrex for many years. It has improved in the last two months and hesitate to have a colonoscopy due to my age and also hesitant to start on a medication like Budesonide at my age. All medications have side effects I now realize. I am careful with my diet no longer eating some salads, Alright with fruit in moderation. Unfortunately, I am now paying the price for taking Celebrex for so many years now taking blood pressure medication and being careful of my diet. Hopefully time will help.

I'm sorry to hear you have colitis. I would say that in my experience with budesonide I haven't encountered any side effects, though I don't think you're wrong about everything having side effects. the one drawback of budesonide is that eating too much tryptophan according to one new study reduces the effectiveness of budesonide.
here's to feeling better!

@margaretamelia Thank you for replying to my message. I have not had any bad side effects from the Budesonide- at least not yet. I am trying to cut back on it. I developed colitis after using an ointment (mupirocin) to get rid of MRSA before a surgery many years ago. I kept trying to get rid of it, and the ointment, putting it just inside the edge of my nose kept giving me diarrhea. The pharm. told me to stop using it - and to read the little paper that came with the ointment, as it says this med can cause colitis! About 6 months later I had microscopic colitis! I wish you well in handling all this.

@hoops17 thank you for your sharing your experience. I will keep an open mind on having a colonoscopy and looking into treatment for the colitis. I have been fortunate in having good health except for arthritis. Celebrex was great for keeping me active but can no longer take it- only medication for pain is Tylenol which is not very effective. I am careful with what I eat and that helps. I'll give it a few months to see if being careful with what I keeps it under control.
thanks,

@margaretamelia Thanks. I too am getting off of Escitalopram after many years. Hoping that that will do the trick. doing Lactaid, sourdough bread, limiting coffee and Liquor. The hard one is avoiding onions and garlic. who cooks without these ingredients!

I have had MC for 18 years. Was on Budesonide 15 years, which is the main go to for Gastroenterology. Its a steroid with many side effects. Thinning of skin, easy brusing, bloating, some research link to thining of bones in the lower back and more, but it does help. Thinning of bone in lower back and other side effects is why I got off it. I control most of it with diet. Most MC patients are gluten sensitive and some are dairy sensitive. I suggest you read Wayne Persky's book Microscopic Colitis and also his Microscopic diet book.

Have you read Wayne Persky's books, Microscopic Colitis and the Microscopic Diet book? You might start there.

@donnagail I'm sorry it's been so long for you. I haven't read Wayne Persky; we have "Microscopic Colitis Diet Cookbook" by George R. Wilson and Soren Redfield's Colitis Cookbook. I haven't been pursuing a special diet as I've been told by medical professionals to eat whatever I'd like to eat, though I have drastically all but eliminated alcohol. Budesonide is working fairly well for me at the moment. thanks for the Persky reference - I'll check it out.
here's to improving health for everyone.

@hoops17 Gastros know nothing about diet. They only write prescriptions. The Persky MC book had a website listed called Enterlab. I ordered a gluten test from them. It was $400 + $50 to ship the specimen from the US to the UK. They rate gluten in units. Normal is 10 units or under. Mine was 23! Best $450 I could have spent! Most MC patients have a major problem with gluten and some dairy.

@carolyne
I’ve was diagnosed with microscopic colitis in June 2025. I took a 90 day course of budesonide which controlled the symptoms.

I did not stay in remission. I’ve tried to stick to a gluten free, dairy free, low fiber diet to no avail.

I’m seeing my GI doctor today. I think we will talk about a biologic drug.

You seem to be doing well on Entyvio. Was there an adjustment period?

Thank you!
Elaine