Connect
Microscopic Colitis
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.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.
Connect
Hi Sarah (and Margot)
I have been lucky as well. Had 6 weeks of diarrhea in December and then was diagnosed with MC. Tried Budesonide and the 9 mg. starting didn't do well for me. But when I had problems again, they started me on 6 mg and tapered to 3. I've been on 3 since mid June with really no significant side effects. I pretty much eat what I want and am doing well overall. I am a little on the constipation side, but have BM every day and it's not significant. I'm afraid to go off it and don't want to mess with it. In my initial reading I remember someone saying they went off, had another flare, and then the Budesonide the 2nd time didn't work. There's not much about long term use. I guess we are guinea pigs. Is anyone else on 3 mg long term? -Jan 65y
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI was diagnosed in October, 2023 and started Budesonide then. After two failed attempts to taper off of it, I am continuing with a maintenance does of 3 mg daily for the foreseeable future. I am fine with this as it is working for me and I have had no side effects at all.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI was diagnosed with Collagenous Colitis. It took forever. I had the diarrhea for almost a year. Budesonide stopped it. I finished the regiment and it came back immediately. Continues for another 6 weeks and finally went off of it and all was calm for about 4 months and the watery diarrhea was back. That has repeated and I only get 3-4 months in between. I hope this isn’t going to be the rest of my life.
I can’t take Budesonide. Makes me nauseous. Imodium doesn’t work. I just had diarrhea for 3 weeks and nothing worked to stop it. Wish I’d known about charcoal pills.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsWelcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, @nvshaxpur. That's unfortunate that budesonide makes you nauseous. I've taken a couple of medications that had that effect on me. It was rough.
Your diarrhea eventually stopped, then? If so, do you know what made it go away?
Hi, @1961deb - glad to hear the budesonide was effective to stop your diarrhea. Having diarrhea for as year sounds miserable. I had basically chronic diarrhea from taking semaglutide (Wegovy), and it was wearying.
Is your doctor looking at having you take it long-term to control the diarrhea, or are they concerned about side effects?
No, it’s still a mystery. I’ve been living on apples, figs, and multigrain bread with peanut butter and pumpkin for several days. I mix in fiber powder with my protein shakes and take Metamucil gummies. Maybe this overload of fiber is slowing things down. I have had this colitis for 8 years, but only correctly diagnosed the last 5. I’ve been prescribed Colestipol, 1 gm, 4x day, which was supposed to stop the loose bowels. That hasn’t worked lately. I just had a flex sig on Monday and did a lab stool test on Tuesday. I’ll see my doctor next week to find out if he now has any new suggestions for me—and ask why he never told me about charcoal pills! The last thing I need is to be told that I need a colostomy bag. But I’ve been “dry” for 2 days now, so maybe my body is healing itself (I should be so lucky 🍀).
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionInteresting that you say your MC went away and then came back. I’ve had it for 8 years but only correctly diagnosed for 5. I’m interested to hear about how effective Budesonide is. It’s been on my allergy list for years after it was prescribed to counter a leg infection I had. It made me so sick that I said I couldn’t ever take it again. But now hearing how effective it is for MC, I’m thinking about trying it again if my GI approves. The regular meds he’s prescribed haven’t been working like they used to, so maybe it’s time for a new regime.
Hi All,
I've just been told by my GI doc to decrease my 3mg. Budesonide, which has been working well for me, to MWF only. They said that steroids can be a drug you depend on and when it wears off, you'll have to increase. I'm afraid to do this. I'm happy with the status quo but maybe it'll work?
I’m not sure. I have an appointment coming up. I will see what ideas they have, and suggest this idea as well. She tried to put me on cholestyramine and the diarrhea immediately got worse.