Well, it's been about 5 or so days on the Caltrate. Well, it sure did "firm" things up. LOL I was constipated one day. I pretty much have a BM every morning like clockwork. And even on the days where I could go I was definitly constipated. And today I noticed that my stool is more pale than normal, though they still sink so I am still digesting my fats.
Next week I am going to try the Costco Calcium that is similar except for that it it's Citrate instead of Carbonate. And Citrate is supposedly less constipating. I have to see how that works for me as it went a bit too far to the other extreem. Seems like there isn't much room one way or the other, I'm either too constipated or too unformed. Somewhere in the middle would be prefered. :)
Mike
Bile Acid Malabsorption?
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Hi Mike,
That's interesting. So, I wonder if it's constipating for everyone or only people who have excess bile acid. Did you use the one in the purple box? The reason I ask is I remember looking at the various Caltrate options and the one in the purple box had soy I think. There was one other that didn't contain that....but I remember Marsha saying that that one in the purple box was the magic one. Just wondering which you tried.
Love,
Cristi
That's interesting. So, I wonder if it's constipating for everyone or only people who have excess bile acid. Did you use the one in the purple box? The reason I ask is I remember looking at the various Caltrate options and the one in the purple box had soy I think. There was one other that didn't contain that....but I remember Marsha saying that that one in the purple box was the magic one. Just wondering which you tried.
Love,
Cristi
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Hi Mike,
I've been away for a while, but I had to log in today for a couple reasons: 1) to see if you'd tried Caltrate, and 2)to tell you about what I found on the internet about egg whites.
So, I'm glad Caltrate works, and yes, it is kind of a balancing act finding the exact correct dosage of Caltrate. But 5 days really isn't very long. What you're experiencing after 5 days is what I would expect when just starting it. I would just cut back on the amount, or the frequency that you take it, and give it another week for your body to get used to it. I bet you will normalize in a couple more days.
And about egg white, I ran across a conversation in a support group (for something or other) that referred to acid relux and egg white as a treatment because it was a very strong base that neutralized acid. Following up, I found this link:
http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:ktA ... =clnk&cd=7
So I'm thinking that overproduction of stomach acid might be my problem, rather than bile acid. I don't really know if there's any difference, except that they're produced in different parts of the body, but I do recall that my doctor said I had signs of acid reflux after my last endoscopy/colonoscopy.
Since Caltrate really does help you, at least to an extent, maybe you'd be interested in trying egg white also. I eat some of my egg white cookies for dessert every night, and that seems to be enough to stop all my stomach problems. It works as well as or better than Caltrate.
Besides that, I am going to do some science experiments with my grandkids as soon as possible. I love that link!
Love, Marsha
I've been away for a while, but I had to log in today for a couple reasons: 1) to see if you'd tried Caltrate, and 2)to tell you about what I found on the internet about egg whites.
So, I'm glad Caltrate works, and yes, it is kind of a balancing act finding the exact correct dosage of Caltrate. But 5 days really isn't very long. What you're experiencing after 5 days is what I would expect when just starting it. I would just cut back on the amount, or the frequency that you take it, and give it another week for your body to get used to it. I bet you will normalize in a couple more days.
And about egg white, I ran across a conversation in a support group (for something or other) that referred to acid relux and egg white as a treatment because it was a very strong base that neutralized acid. Following up, I found this link:
http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:ktA ... =clnk&cd=7
So I'm thinking that overproduction of stomach acid might be my problem, rather than bile acid. I don't really know if there's any difference, except that they're produced in different parts of the body, but I do recall that my doctor said I had signs of acid reflux after my last endoscopy/colonoscopy.
Since Caltrate really does help you, at least to an extent, maybe you'd be interested in trying egg white also. I eat some of my egg white cookies for dessert every night, and that seems to be enough to stop all my stomach problems. It works as well as or better than Caltrate.
Besides that, I am going to do some science experiments with my grandkids as soon as possible. I love that link!
Love, Marsha
Re: Bile Acid Malabsorption?
I’m new to the MC support group but I feel certain that my gallbladder removal 2 years before MC hit me out of the blue that and a GI referred me to a surgeon for IBS issues to check my gallbladder and he convinced me that my gallbladder was not functioning properly I needed to have it removed. I asked if removing my gallbladder could wait but he said the longer I waited the more issues I would have. I had zero gallstones!!!!!
Since having MC I have regretted so terribly the decision I made with trusting the surgeon and not researching a malfunctioning gallbladder. I have no doubt at all that my lack of having my gallbladder has caused BAM.
The GI who diagnosed me with MLC in 2022 after a much to lengthy time I had to wait for my appointment to see what was wrong it was 6 months before I was diagnosed with MLC.
I lost 45 pounds in 4 months. The diagnosis was nothing I had ever heard of or knew a thing about….. of course Budesonide was prescribed and thankfully it soon helped. After the diagnosis me and my daughter researched MC and my daughter found the condition BAM. We both felt sure this was an issue I was having too….. At my next appointment I asked the GI and he had no issue prescribing me Cholestyramine packets. They helped too….. but I learned they will cause constipation for me.
BAM is still an issue and I take Cholestyromine but not daily only when my stools keep the odd and oily in appearance consistency….. I back off the powder as soon as possible but to have a decently acceptable stool Cholestyramine helps me and doesn’t make me feel bad.
My advise to anyone is DO NOT have your gallbladder removed without a great deal of research and understanding of your condition and why!!! If a surgeon tells you your gallbladder is malfunctioning and causing issues be certain to have you gallbladder removed is truly necessary!!!!! I regret that I had mine removed and trusted the surgeon without researching or getting a 2nd opinion!!!!! It was covid summer 2020…… did the surgeon need a procedure for his paycheck at that time??? I certainly wonder but it’s too late now!!!!!
In my research after being diagnosed with MLC was the day I found The Microscopic Colitis Foundation and a man named Wayne Persky who has devoted so much to help hisself (when no GI even recognized MC). Me Persky’s determination, dedication, commitment and devotion to MC is the best help I have seen or heard of. The gastroenterology community would better serve and help their patients if they would read and learn what Wayne Persky has learned for them already! I am forever grateful and thankful for him and all he has learned to help us with MC.
Sincerely
Teresa Dee
Since having MC I have regretted so terribly the decision I made with trusting the surgeon and not researching a malfunctioning gallbladder. I have no doubt at all that my lack of having my gallbladder has caused BAM.
The GI who diagnosed me with MLC in 2022 after a much to lengthy time I had to wait for my appointment to see what was wrong it was 6 months before I was diagnosed with MLC.
I lost 45 pounds in 4 months. The diagnosis was nothing I had ever heard of or knew a thing about….. of course Budesonide was prescribed and thankfully it soon helped. After the diagnosis me and my daughter researched MC and my daughter found the condition BAM. We both felt sure this was an issue I was having too….. At my next appointment I asked the GI and he had no issue prescribing me Cholestyramine packets. They helped too….. but I learned they will cause constipation for me.
BAM is still an issue and I take Cholestyromine but not daily only when my stools keep the odd and oily in appearance consistency….. I back off the powder as soon as possible but to have a decently acceptable stool Cholestyramine helps me and doesn’t make me feel bad.
My advise to anyone is DO NOT have your gallbladder removed without a great deal of research and understanding of your condition and why!!! If a surgeon tells you your gallbladder is malfunctioning and causing issues be certain to have you gallbladder removed is truly necessary!!!!! I regret that I had mine removed and trusted the surgeon without researching or getting a 2nd opinion!!!!! It was covid summer 2020…… did the surgeon need a procedure for his paycheck at that time??? I certainly wonder but it’s too late now!!!!!
In my research after being diagnosed with MLC was the day I found The Microscopic Colitis Foundation and a man named Wayne Persky who has devoted so much to help hisself (when no GI even recognized MC). Me Persky’s determination, dedication, commitment and devotion to MC is the best help I have seen or heard of. The gastroenterology community would better serve and help their patients if they would read and learn what Wayne Persky has learned for them already! I am forever grateful and thankful for him and all he has learned to help us with MC.
Sincerely
Teresa Dee