Anybody diagnosed with microscopic colitis?

Posted by bobthebuilder54 @bobthebuilder54, Oct 12, 2011

Hi, wondering if anybody here has this for a dx. I have been having a flare for about two months, it is getting a little better with the meds but the doctor wants me to go on a short dose of steriods. I already have a muscle disease so hate to go the steriod route, (plus do not need to gain weight) lol. But if anyone has any hints for me I would appreciate it on how to control this. It is the longest flare I have had.
Susie

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Profile picture for mjzd @mjzd

I just shared this comment with someone else in this thread. I hope it is helpful to you, good luck!

I was diagnosed with MC early 2021 as well. Change of diet is not an option, it is a necessity. While your lower G.I. tract is healing, it cannot handle the foods that irritate it. Irritating foods must be eliminated and then can be very slowly re-introduced in the months following relief of symptoms.

Here is an oversimplification of what needs to happen to relieve your symptoms and eliminate the MC:

VEGGIES- greens: NO RAW, only fully cooked. Potatoes and puréed squashes are OK No tomatoes or onions.
FRUITS - you may eat bananas, applesauce or applesauce pouches that contain other cooked fruits, then you may slowly re-introduce melons. No citrus fruits! Avocados are ok!!
MEATS - Low fat, no spices, broiled or baked only
GRAINS - Cream of wheat, oatmeal, lower fiber cereals, pasta or white breads are OK. Higher fiber breads or greens may be introduced once symptoms have disappeared. Plane crackers, saltines, plain goldfish, Parmesan or cheddar goldfish, Cheez-Its, animal crackers, etc are OK.
NO DAIRY PERIOD. You may drink almond or oat milk. As for cheese, yogurt, etc., there are plenty of no dairy alternatives.
COFFEE, TEA, HOT drinks: The best bets are decaffeinated tea OR a latte with dairy free alternative milk and decaffeinated

NO-NOs:
NO SPICES,
NO EXTRA FATS or FRIED FOODS
NO ACIDIC FOODS
NO ALCOHOL
NO SELTZER WATER
NO CHOCOLATE
NO COFFEE, even decaf
😞

I did use grated Parmesan cheese and cinnamon/nutmeg for spices, I completely cut out garlic, onions and most of the other spices that I love. I slowly re-introduced everything and have been mostly symptom free since June.

Basically you have to eat bland, easy to digest Foods for a few months. My normal diet is high in uncooked greens, fibers, nuts, dark chocolate, and of course dark red wine at least once a week! So it was extremely hard for me to do this but eliminating the MC was worth the work. also keep in mind that long-term irritation of your G.I. tract can cause other diseases and potentially lead to cancer as well.

My A1C rose significantly because of this but now it is back on the way down.

If you are interested, I am happy to provide you with additional information regarding my experience and as well as two others with the same diagnosis. ❤️

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Thank you for sharing your experience.
I will try to work on my diet as you have kindly provided detailed information on Dos & Don't advisory.
I would really appreciate further advice and hopefully, it would put me in the right path.
Many thanks

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Profile picture for mjzd @mjzd

Also, I forgot… No artificial sweeteners. You also may want to try Metamucil (sp?) or a similar product with/without a probiotic. If you try one of these fiber supplements, make sure you drink plenty of water as they can have a constipating effect if there is not enough fluid intake.

Let me know how you make out, all of these things work for me, I hope they work for you!

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I was diagnosed with Collagenous colitis which is microscopic colitis and have been in remission for at least 6 months. Was told to get on steroid Butesonide which I refused and went on metamucil and probiotic which sent my body into serious hives and allergies which was a nightmare experience. Nobody ever heard of being allergic to probiotic but I called company and they sent me my money back which affirmed my belief that it is probiotic. But it took a very long time to get it out of my system. It took my entire summer of welts, itching, redness and misery. It was Natures Bounty and I firmly believe that it was just me because the company was in way unaccountable. And I appreciate their honesty.
Good luck to you.

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Profile picture for Kristi Motch @kristimotch

I am looking for others diagnosed with microscopic colitis. I'm new to the group and the condition. Any help or information about what my future holds would be appreciated.

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I was diagnosed with collagenous colitis 2008. I was treated with Methotrexate and symptoms disappeared. However, it seems like I developed a different kind of intestinal autoimmune illness after a year or so. Budesonide helped some, but not enough. After a few years I tried Imuran, immunosuppressive. It worked, but there were side effects such as severe infections. After 7 months I stopped taking it and I have not had any recurrence. I have other GI problems keeping me busy, but nothing autoimmune.

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Profile picture for Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor @astaingegerdm

I was diagnosed with collagenous colitis 2008. I was treated with Methotrexate and symptoms disappeared. However, it seems like I developed a different kind of intestinal autoimmune illness after a year or so. Budesonide helped some, but not enough. After a few years I tried Imuran, immunosuppressive. It worked, but there were side effects such as severe infections. After 7 months I stopped taking it and I have not had any recurrence. I have other GI problems keeping me busy, but nothing autoimmune.

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I was diagnosed with collagenous colitis about 4 months ago along with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. I believe I have the EPI under control with Creon, but am having trouble distinguishing EPI from CC. Are there any CC indicators?

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Profile picture for Kristi Motch @kristimotch

I am looking for others diagnosed with microscopic colitis. I'm new to the group and the condition. Any help or information about what my future holds would be appreciated.

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My husband has microscopic colitis and was prescribed budesonide which helped only slightly and was very expensive, even with insurance. I did a LOT of research and found this information: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/gastroenterology_hepatology/_pdfs/small_large_intestine/collagenous_lymphocytic_colitis.pdf and figured it was worth a try. It's essentially 8 weeks of 2 Pepto Bismol chewables 4 times per day. A lot cheaper than the steroid, and only the black tongue and stools as side effects. I highly recommend trying it. His gastro had no problem with this protocol, but I was kind of annoyed that he didn't suggest it as the first line of treatment.

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Profile picture for crankyyankee @crankyyankee

My husband has microscopic colitis and was prescribed budesonide which helped only slightly and was very expensive, even with insurance. I did a LOT of research and found this information: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/gastroenterology_hepatology/_pdfs/small_large_intestine/collagenous_lymphocytic_colitis.pdf and figured it was worth a try. It's essentially 8 weeks of 2 Pepto Bismol chewables 4 times per day. A lot cheaper than the steroid, and only the black tongue and stools as side effects. I highly recommend trying it. His gastro had no problem with this protocol, but I was kind of annoyed that he didn't suggest it as the first line of treatment.

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I should add, my husband considers this a miracle cure. Maybe won't work for everyone, but certainly worth a try. And I'd love to hear others' experiences with this Pepto course.

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Profile picture for Kristi Motch @kristimotch

I am looking for others diagnosed with microscopic colitis. I'm new to the group and the condition. Any help or information about what my future holds would be appreciated.

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@crankyyankee - Very interesting article. I have always believed in Pepto!
I use it for all of my GI problems. It didn’t help the collagenous colitis. My diarrhea was too bad.
Nowadays I use Pepto to treat episodes of SIBO ( small intestine bacterial overgrowth). It has worked as well as antibiotics. It’s definitely anti- inflammatory and anti- bacterial.
I still think there is not one perfect way to treat this colitis, but it’s worth trying methods that have been found to be useful.

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Profile picture for lelarkin @lelarkin

I was diagnosed with collagenous colitis about 4 months ago along with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. I believe I have the EPI under control with Creon, but am having trouble distinguishing EPI from CC. Are there any CC indicators?

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@lelarkin - I think the watery diarrhea is specific for CC.

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Profile picture for Kristi Motch @kristimotch

I am looking for others diagnosed with microscopic colitis. I'm new to the group and the condition. Any help or information about what my future holds would be appreciated.

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I seem to see two types of watery diarrhea, one that looks like brown coffee grounds and one that looks like mucus and is more explosive and less controllable. Thinking the coffee grounds are the EPI and the mucus might be CC. Thoughts?

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Profile picture for crankyyankee @crankyyankee

I should add, my husband considers this a miracle cure. Maybe won't work for everyone, but certainly worth a try. And I'd love to hear others' experiences with this Pepto course.

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need to ask an obvious question...what happened after the 8 weeks?

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