Anybody diagnosed with microscopic colitis?

I have had intermittent bouts of diarrhea for most of my adult life and most could be contributed to specific foods. In the last nine months it has become much worse. It started with pain under my ribs on the left side and bloating. In late January 2020, My gastroenterologist related my problem to diet and bacteria in my bowels. He had me start taking a probiotic and recommended the lowFODMAP Diet. Mid February I saw my primary doctor for flu- like systems. Test for flu was negative . After my flu symptoms began to reside, I began having nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea and the pain in my left abdomen increased. I messaged my gastroenterologist and he prescribed antibiotics. The antibiotics caused severe diarrhea and bad abdominal cramping. After 5-6 days he said to stop taking the antibiotics and ordered Cdiff test. The stool result was negative.
My primary ordered more stool tests in May. All were negative or within the normal range except for Calprotectin which was 171. Lab recommended the test be repeated in 4-6 weeks. This was not done. The gastroenterologist recommended having a flexible sigmoidoscopy with biopsies. I had this done on July 9 and the examined portion appeared normal. I now await the results of the biopsy.

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I cannot take antibiotics and have similar issues that you have. I have found no relevant medication to ease my problems and am now turning to herbal remedies.

@turtlegalsandy - What an ordeal you have been through!
I also had a sigmoidoscopy some years ago for severe diarrhea. The biopsy showed collagenous colitis - about same as lymphocytic colitis.
I was treated with weekly injections of Metothrexate for a month. The diarrhea disappeared. I was told that it might return. Not yet. It can also be treated with steroids.

Did you ever have a full colonoscopy and endoscopy? CT scans or MRIs?
I hope you can be treated shortly.
Please follow up with us!

I have had several colonoscopies over the years. And had both colonoscopy and endoscopy in December 2018. I had had some benign polyps. An ultrasound was done in October 2019 after I had increased abdominal girth and pain. Nothing remarkable was shown in Pancreas, liver, spleen, gallbladder. On January 22, 2020 I thought I was having a heart attack...severe pain radiating to to my jaw. Because I had previously had abnormal EKG, the cardiologist had me carry nitroglycerin tablets. I put one of the tablets under my tongue and in a few minutes the pain went away. My husband took me to the nearest clinic affiliated with the doctors that we use. They had me transported to the hospital. After most of the day in the ER with several EKGs taken and blood work, they determined that I had not had a heart attack and was released. 2019 and 2020 have not been kind to me. In January 2019 some malignant cells were found in my right breast. I had a lumpectomy and followed with radiation treatments. All follow up exams and mammograms have been normal. Looking forward to a diagnosis and a better fall and winter.

@turtlegalsandy - Question- Have you been tested for celiac disease? I assume that you have- especially having had endoscopes and colonoscopies over the years.
You mentioned that your doctor put you on antibiotics for presumed bacterial infection in intestines. Was the term SIBO mentioned? Small intestine bacterial overgrowth. Causes bloating,gas and discomfort.
The antibiotic Xifaxan is often given for that, since it only works inside the intestine and won’t cause side effects as broad spectrum antibiotics do.
Sorry about the breast cancer- good that you could be treated with lumpectomy and radiation.
(I also had breast cancer years ago.)

My gastroenterologist called me a few minutes ago with the results of the biopsies. No sign of microscopic colitis. He is ordering a CT scan .

Biopsies for microscopic colitis was negative. My gastroenterologist is scheduling a CT scan.

Dear Sandy,
You have been through a lot. Our bodies are complex.
Glad that your colitis has not returned and your biopsies were negative.
I think we should have a GI (gastroenterology) group!
A group for each body part?!!
We are a complex miracle of many parts🧗🏻‍♀️
Keep climbing!

I have lymphocytic colitis Do probiotics help?

@vacres- probiotics are helpful for any illness that interferes with digestion and motility. I had collagenous colitis in the past / similar to microscopic colitis. Your doctor can recommend the type of probiotics you need, since there are so many on the market. Stay well!