Lymphocytic Colitis

What do I need to know about lymphocytic colitis?

My wife (40 yrs old) has just been diagnosed with lymphocytic colitis (a couple
of days ago). The specialist's office called back after weeks of a variety of
tests, finally doing a colonscopy. The colonoscopy looked OK, but microscopic
inspection of some tissue found the problem. This took about 2 months from her
first attack. The only information we have so far is what I have found on the
internet. Our primary care provider is out until Monday so I have been
searching the internet and stumbled onto this group. I will go into more
detail about the events that we think led up to this. We are thrilled to
finally have a diagnosis, and understand it a little better based on what we
have read on the internet.

12/27/98: We had a boiled dinner (Ham/potatoes etc.) which I wonder might have
been the initial reason for her attack(s). Everything was fine until a couple
of days later.

12/29/98: 7pm We had spaghetti with meatballs) 11pm: My wife started vomiting.
The vomiting occurred every 15 minutes for about 4 hours hours. We finally
called a doctor. The doc said it was probably the flu. After a couple more
hours of vomiting we decided to go to the Emergency Room. She became
dehydrated. A number of blood tests were done. On an Xray they thought they saw
a partial blockage in the intestine, which other docs seemed to have discounted
later. She was put on a restrictive diet by her primary care doc. the most
chronic sympton (which she has currently) is constant watery diarrhea and (now)
mild abdominal pain and bloating, and somewat chronic fatique at the end of the
day.

12/30-1/6/99: She felt somewhat nauseated and weak did not go to work at all.
She called the doctor back and had some more tests scheduled.

1/20/99 (approx): She had more Xrays, blood tests, and an upper GI all came
back fine. she had last about 15 lbs since 12/30.

2/10/99: Coloscopy done. Colon looked normal during the procedure. Some
tissues were take for biopsy's.

2/25/99: Specialist's office called back with a diagnosis of Lymphocytic
colitis. They were unable to (or unwilling explain what it was or meantat that
time). They said talk to primary care doc.

2/26/99: Called primary care doc, on vacation, call back Monday.

During this time anytime she would go away from the restrictive diet (like any
meat such hamburgers, steak etc. - she would feel nausea, and sometimes vomit.
She only did steered from her diet 3 times in the past 2 months. Each time she
did she would pay for it

We discovered giardia in our well last summer (7/98) after some very unusual
floods that hit in June and July. We are beginning to think that this may have
been the beginning cause of her problems. Atleast in some of the research on
the internet it sounds like that could possibly be one of root causes.

We discovered last summer it because my wife raises cats and some of them were
getting sick, and we had our well water tested after ruling out a bunch of
other things for the cats.

We would be anxious to hear from others with the same or other similar
diagnosis. If this is not the place to discuss this particular disease
let us know. Thank you very much.

I too was diagnosed with microscopic colitis at about the same time your
wife was. I tried the Asacol route but had a serious flare up this last
week so I began taking prednisone (a corticosteroid). I feel like a
completely new person right now. For almost 10 years I have had symptoms
that were apparently all indicative of an autoimmune disorder, but every
time I would go to a doctor they would only look at the current symptom and
never consider my medical history. I finally had a major flare up with
multiple symptoms and had a doctor who was informed enough to take a
complete history. This has made all the difference in the world. I fell
like there might be light at the end of the tunnel after all. They are
thinking that I might have lupus as well as the colitis, but are still doing
testing.

I have also printed out the information about treatment with pepto bismol to
take to my doctor and let him read it. I have full faith in my
gastroenterologist and will take his advice. Personally, I am thinking that
if I can go into remission by taking pepto bismol instead of
prednisone...OK! If not, well I am just so happy to be symptom free right
now.

I would suggest your wife might want to persue the possibility of celiac
sprue as well as microscopic colitis, mostly because the vomiting was her
first symptom. Find a good doctor who is willing to work with her and not
just prescribe the latest medication. I am surprised that the
Gastroenterologist referred her back to her primary care physician without
first setting up a treatment plan for her.