Microscopic Colitis

[twe0708]

I was told over a year ago I have microscopic colitis. Not sure why the doctor didn't treat me for it, but a new doctor I went to see today gave me a prescription for Entocort 3MG - 3 capsules in the morning for 30 days. Has anyone else been treated for this and did they use this medicine?

I need to add that I don't have D or problems with being constipated. The only thing I am experiencing is loose stools. Just trying to figure out if taking a medication that could cause other problems is worth it?

[nurse93]

I was diagnosed with microscopic colitis in October of 2009. I was also put on Entocort 9mg daily. I had suffered from loose stools an D for about four weaks and ended up in the hospital for three days for dehydration and malabsorbtion. The Entocort helped immediately within 24 to 48 hours. I took it for 8 weeks and then was weened off of it. After two months off of entocort the loose stools and D returned. Then I was put on Pepto Bismol 2 tabs 4 times a day for 8 wks. Again the stools returned to normal. All the while I researched MC and found that up to 80% of those with MC are gluten intolerent or have celiacs. I asked my GI to test for celiacs, he said it wasnt necessary because I had a diagnosis of MC and initially responded to treatment. The more I read about MC and celiacs I was convinced I had it. Fast soward to August 2010, I was told I needed open heart surgery to replace aortic valve. I told my GI doc I wanted to be tested for celiacs because it would have a major impact on the valve I would choose. He reluctantly agreed. 4 days before my scheduled surgery the GI doc called and confirmed I had celiacs. I forgot to mention I had endoscopy while in the hospital for MC which showed damage to villi they said was gastritis. Sorry for the long post but I just wanted to let you know that the docs arent always right. My GI has now begun testing his MC patients for celiacs. Also I was sent to cardiac specialist and the surgery was cancelled for now. I dont know which was worse, facing open heart surgery or being diagnosed with celiacs. Hope this helps.

[twe0708]

I was diagnosed with microscopic colitis in October of 2009. I was also put on Entocort 9mg daily. I had suffered from loose stools an D for about four weaks and ended up in the hospital for three days for dehydration and malabsorbtion. The Entocort helped immediately within 24 to 48 hours. I took it for 8 weeks and then was weened off of it. After two months off of entocort the loose stools and D returned. Then I was put on Pepto Bismol 2 tabs 4 times a day for 8 wks. Again the stools returned to normal. All the while I researched MC and found that up to 80% of those with MC are gluten intolerent or have celiacs. I asked my GI to test for celiacs, he said it wasnt necessary because I had a diagnosis of MC and initially responded to treatment. The more I read about MC and celiacs I was convinced I had it. Fast soward to August 2010, I was told I needed open heart surgery to replace aortic valve. I told my GI doc I wanted to be tested for celiacs because it would have a major impact on the valve I would choose. He reluctantly agreed. 4 days before my scheduled surgery the GI doc called and confirmed I had celiacs. I forgot to mention I had endoscopy while in the hospital for MC which showed damage to villi they said was gastritis. Sorry for the long post but I just wanted to let you know that the docs arent always right. My GI has now begun testing his MC patients for celiacs. Also I was sent to cardiac specialist and the surgery was can

Thanks for the information. I was dx with celiac over a year ago. Just want to double check - you aren't thinking that the medication they gave you affected your aortic valve, are you? Are you good now, or are you still having problems with MC? I hate taking medication for one thing when it can cause 10 other problems and if I am only going to be right back wher I started from in 3 months, what's the point of taking something that will not work in the long run? And believe me do I know what you mean about doctors not always being right. Mine has tried many times to get me to take meds that I didn't need and didn't take so I make sure I do my homework!

[nurse93]

No the heart problem started in 2008. What iam saying is the entocort helped me alot the first time I took it. With MC you can go into remission for weeks, months or even years without another flare. When i was diagnosed with celiac I had not had any more problems with the MC. I started the gluten free diet and within two weeks the MC flared again. Ith was very frustrating. I thought the diet would resolve both problems. I was put back on Entocort for 8 more weeks and again it helped immediately, however about a month after weening off the stools became loose again. I also have high blood pressure and the entocort increases the blood pressure. i had to to take more BP meds while on on it. I did not have any other side effects from it. Now I am taking sulfasalazine for the MC. 1000mg twice a day. The MD did not want to put me back on the entocort because of the high BP. Sulfasalazine is an anti-immflammatory med with few side effects so I can stay on it longer if needed. I am now six months gluten free and my celiac blood levels have returned to normal. I am still on the sulfasalazine with no side effects and normal BM's for last two months. The docs said I should be able to lower the dose and then discontinue the med soon. Some people never have problems again after the entocort therapy. There is a MC forum with lots of info on this subject. I dont know the web address of the top of my head, but you can google it and it will come up.

[twe0708]

No the heart problem started in 2008. What iam saying is the entocort helped me alot the first time I took it. With MC you can go into remission for weeks, months or even years without another flare. When i was diagnosed with celiac I had not had any more problems with the MC. I started the gluten free diet and within two weeks the MC flared again. Ith was very frustrating. I thought the diet would resolve both problems. I was put back on Entocort for 8 more weeks and again it helped immediately, however about a month after weening off the stools became loose again. I also have high blood pressure and the entocort increases the blood pressure. i had to to take more BP meds while on on it. I did not have any other side effects from it. Now I am taking sulfasalazine for the MC. 1000mg twice a day. The MD did not want to put me back on the entocort because of the high BP. Sulfasalazine is an anti-immflammatory med with few side effects so I can stay on it longer if needed. I am now six months gluten free and my celiac blood levels have returned to normal. I am still on the sulfasalazine with no side effects and normal BM's for last two months. The docs said I should be able to lower the dose and then discontinue the med soon. Some people never have problems again after the entocort therapy. There is a MC forum with lots of info on this subject. I dont know the web address of the top of my head, but you can google it and it will come up.

Good to know. Thanks for all the information!

[willabec]

Good to know. Thanks for all the information!

i have both celiac (diagnosed 2001) and now diagnosed with mc in november 2010....was put on a prednisone for a brief period and then started entocort - 3 pills a day.....it seemed to help for about a month and then things kind of started going down hill....then after another month dr. put me on asacol 800 mg hd- 1 pill 3 times a day....i did some research and i think the recommended dosage is 2 pills 3 times a day. i am switching drs....going to get a second opinion on tues. we shall see what the new dr. says.maybe just switching to the recommended dosage of the asacol will help me. good luck! any other questions, feel free to ask.

[Streetlegal]

I was diagnosed with microscopic colitis 6 months after being diagnosed with celiacs--basically I wasn't getting better on the gluten-free diet.

My consultant told me there was no treatment for MC. I occasionally turn to Pepto Bismol when I am particularly bad. I have found lately that taking Metamucil--and a diet of high soluble fiber generally--may give some relief and regularity.

Don't know about you guys, but I NEVER know whether I have been glutened because I am continually vulnerable to bouts of diarrhea and loose stalls due the MC!!