Is lymphocytic colitis autoimmune?

@devenyk - How awful! Is this all due to an auto-immune situation? All the joint pain sounds like a rheumatoid arthritis onset. Since LC can be auto-immune, and other autoimmune diseases are also often present when there is one, I'm just wondering. Along with my LC, I got Hashimoto's thyroiditis and PPD, a skin disease - all auto-immune. The LC only causes bathroom trips for me - sometimes 15 a day! I don't seem to have any side effects from the budesonide, thank heavens, and at 80, I don't need any added joint pain! I am very active and would likely overdose on something if forced to slow down. I've been on budesonide now since January. Down to one pill a day for the next month, then finally OFF! I've gained about 8 lbs along with this.
Good Luck with diet control. I don't think I'd ever be disciplined enough to do that.

I had a reaction to the fillers in my Budesonide which was manufactured by Perrigo. I went to many pharmacies trying to find a different brand. I finally found a small local (unchained) pharmacy who agreed to order the Budesonide made by Amneal. Never had a problem since. However, you might also want to know, that once I tapered down to just 3mg a day, my rheumatologist switched my rheumatoid arthritis drug to Xeljanz and within 2 wks, I no longer needed the Budesonide at all. I have collagenous microscopic colitis. I take soluble fiber capsules each morning, along with colestipol since I no longer have a gall bladder. I still have to be careful about what I eat and when, but I rarely have diarrhea anymore. I still take generic prilosec for GERD, but I stopped the Nsaids for pain. I rely on tylenol and tramadol now. Lots of folks have more than one autoimmune issue. I hope that things improve for you. Good luck

I had a bout of severe LC several years ago that was definitely caused by a prescription antacid medication. I had taken the medication for 3 or 4 weeks with no side effects, then suddenly started losing all bowel control. It was truly awful, but it resolved shortly after I figured out what was going on and stopped taking the med.

I can take OTC antacids like Rolaids without any problem, but will never go near a prescription antacid drug again.

I have read about antacids being a trigger to LC. I do take a prescription Prilosec antacid and may try switching to Gaviscon when needed, but my GERD can be so painful and interrupting sleep. Happy that you have figured out your trigger and that your LC has resolved. I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. I quit all NSAIDS years ago when first diagnosed with LC. But it did not stop the awful attacks. It doesn't seem to matter what I eat (or drink) relative to the bouts of LC. And my Doctor agrees that food is rarely the trigger. But Doctors tend to lean toward drug control (budesonide) vs trying to find and eliminate triggers.

@rdf56 How resourceful of you to find the correct answer! I would never have thought about fillers being an issue. I don't seem to have any specific reactions to Budesonide, but notice possible weight gain, increased appetite and a lot more bruising (but I'm 80 yrs old and bruising suddenly has become common due to thinning skin.) I also have noticed that healing from injuries is a lot slower with infection/redness more common than before. Not sure what to blame that on. I'm ready to quit all meds and start adding back one at a time as necessary and see if I can eliminate some!

@reggiemc
Hi. Reggiemc. Your reactions to Budesonide are par for the course. It's a potent steroid and each 3 mg pill is the equivalent of 10 mgs of prednisone! A 9 mg dose is 30 mgs a day of prednisone! They say it's absorbed in the gut, but, in reality, it is "mostly" absorbed in the gut, but there's plenty of systemic action, thus the bruising, thinning skin, more infections and slower healing. It is also a drug known for causing adrenal suppression which can progress and become a big issue. Take the lowest dose possible for you, but try to rely more on pepto bismol and Immodium to keep you from needing the higher doses. Doctors don't pay much attention when they learn about MC because it doesn't lead to cancer like Crohn's or ulcerative colitis. They just consider this a "nuisance " disease, apparently not morbidly significant. The quality of life issue is often overlooked. I think this is especially true for the elderly patient. I guess because we're already falling apart. I'm kind of lucky my RA drugs weren't working out well enough and my doc switched me to a drug that happens to work on all kinds of colitis, including MC. But, it's only approved for the "deadly" kinds, so insurance won't cover it for MC. I'm sorry you're suffering. I hope that things improve for you.

Since your diagnosis with Hashimoto’s, has your doctor suggested to you to eliminate eating gluten, dairy, soy and seed oils? This may help you to feel better and it will get rid of inflammation in your body as those foods are inflammatory. I also have Hashimoto’s with Hypothyroidism and this elimination has helped a lot! Much luck to you!