Lymphatic Colitis / Lymph Swelling / Chronic Diarrhea

[shazbot]

Today I was given the results of endoscopy and colonoscopy biopsies - Lymphatic Colitis / Duodenitis...basically "itis" of the digestive tract...
I have had diarrhea almost consistently for the past 4 years (before that not consistently...) that seemed to coincide with my second pregnancy. During the beginning of my second pregnancy I was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism, and was prescribed PTU, this made me quite ill, however did resolve the thyroid issue. I have also had lymph swelling, fatigue, weight loss (currently I am 112 at 5'7" ...normal weight is around 135)....and a laundry list of other issues. I am not a hypochondriac, but I am starting to feel like I am constantly complaining about feeling like ****...aside from the diagnosis (which comforts me just knowing that it's not all in my head), I am being tested for celiac. I just wonder if anyone else out there has / is experienced these symptoms. I wonder if there is any correlation...surely there is a cause for the inflamation? Didn't quite get an answer as to a cause for the colitis? inflammation in digestive system...it has been determined that this is not bacterial. Any comments or responses are welcome.

[CalGal]

Lymphocytic colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel problem (one of two forms of microscopic colitis) and as such it will have to be treated with anti-inflammatory meds. You need to work closely with your doc to find the one or ones that will help you the most.

I'm glad to hear your doc is up-to-date enough to understand the tie-in between this inflammatory problem and diet. It's very possible that you may feel a lot better if you go gluten free. Even if the test turns up negative, give it a try. It can be difficult, but it could make a BIG difference in how you feel. If going gluten free doesn't seem to help, try taking all forms of dairy out of your diet and see if that makes a difference.

You can read about some of this on www.enterolab.com.

No one really knows what causes LC, just as no one really knows what triggers Crohn's or ulcerative colitis, unfortunately.

[beyourownhero]

You may want to look into CANDIDA.  Many articles I have read about Inflammatory conditions may be triggered by a systemic fungal infection.  Try probiotics and a no sugar diet.  If symptoms clear...You should look into this further.  Candida or yeast infections can take up to a year to treat.  Read about it on the internet...but also read about any supplements someone tries to sell you.  Make sure you know if any toxic warnings, or recalls, are associated with a supplement--they are "unregulated" medications.  General advice on health issues:  You need to always educate yourself.  Read at least 5 books cover to cover on any health condition you have.  No short-cuts.  Then, go to "pubmed"--it's a website that has almost all medical journal papers published on health issues.  Do a search on your health issue, read the summaries ("abstracts") and if you see a paper that looks useful, go to a medical library and order these papers.  Do not be intimidated.  You can read these papers and understand the basic info.  Then, continue what you have done, contact others who have similar problems and ask what has worked for them.  Find out the best treatment centers for your medical condition and read doctor profiles (online) to find a good fit for expert advice.  You may have to travel and this costs money...but if your condition is life-threating, do what you can to find the very best doctor.  And you may have to get multiple opinions.  I was diagnosed with breast cancer--I visited Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins, Sloan Kettering,  a doctor who has Oprah as a patient (no joke), and finally settled on Miriam Levy, a radiologist in nyc and Allison Goldfarb, a breast surgeon, who also is trained in plastic surgery, also located in NYC (THEY WERE SIMPLY THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!).  The point is with health conditions one must be informed--with a firm background and the latest findings.  You must be alert and ready to speak to your doctor, almost as a peer--so know EVERYTHING YOU CAN and then find the ABSOLUTE BEST DOCTORS and then MAKE SURE THEY ARE WILLING TO LISTEN AND GIVE YOU THE BEST CARE...I did this.  It took a long time and a lot of money--many tears--many power struggles with doctors who refused to listen to my ideas, or who failed to know the latest treatments.  I know this is stressful and being this thorough can be difficult--due to time, money, education--BUT DO YOUR BEST OR ENLIST SOMEONE KNOWLEDGEABLE TO HELP YOU.  Another piece of advice: Sometimes it's possible to contact the authors of your books for info.  Don't abuse this possibility.  Write down your questions, be brief and keep it to 5 minutes...Also, call national associations that specialize in your health issue, they have many ideas...maybe even funding suggestions.  All of my advice can be applied to any health concern.  And if you don't know reputable hospitals--start with the places I listed (especially for cancer), but Mayo Clinic, Harvard Medical School and NIH are good resources, as well.  Finally, eat well.  
Get books on nutrition, a good one is "Nutritional Healing from A-Z" (sorry, I don't know how to underline title)--this book gives a good overall explanation as to what we need to eat and why, lists health conditions and then gives many alternative therapies to try--written by a medical doctor--not simply a "new age" person.  Pick and choose what you want to try, but make sure you read the beginning, just to have an overall understanding of what a body needs.  All that we are are the food we eat, the water we drink, the environment we come in contact with, and the chemical reactions that our feelings inspire.  Genetics--yes.  But never forget how every cell is fueled by food and water.  ALL HEALTH CONDITIONS CAN BE HELPED--SOMETIMES CURED BY THE FOOD AND WATER WE CHOOSE.  Do not forget this.  I wish you well.  Love to those suffering.  Follow my advice and I promise you, if there is an answer out there--YOU WILL FIND IT.  I SAY AN ANSWER IS ALWAYS OUT THERE.  BE RELENTLESS.  And when you are sad, remember my words...keep going.  You are not alone.  I know what it means to cry everyday for over a year, take strength in my survival, you can do this, do not wait for your local doctor to find the answer, learn it yourself...you can do this...you found this email...now go get your answers...love to those suffering...
--Beyourownhero