Newly diagnosed

Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum, but not new to Healing Well. I have had fibromyalgia for over 25 years and chronic lower back pain.

about five months' ago I caught what I thought was a cold, but it went on for two weeks and I had a lot of achey muscles and overall felt like garbage. Because of fibro, very difficult for me to decipher a fibro flare from the flu, but at two weeks, I figured it was indeed a flu, even though I had a flu shot. Then suddenly diarrhea began. I thought ok, this flu bug has now settled in my GI system. Well, it continued for three months. During that time, I was having a lot of lower back pain along with sciatic pain and I really didn't know which way to turn, what to take care of first. The "D" was pretty bad, during the entire period, never had a normal BM, and I was going on average 6-12 times a day, complete water. I decided to get an epidural steroid injection for my back and the very next day the D stopped, for three weeks, then out of nowhere, began again and so it continues through today. Today I went to see a gastro doc, brought with my stool culture records which showed all negative except for white blood cell count which was extremely high. Also brought with a copy of colonoscopy from 5 years' ago which was completely normal. He asked me a bunch of questions and then told me he feels I have collagenous colitis. He recommended I take Pepto Bismal, 3 tablespoons four x a day, only cooked fruits and veggies, very bland diet, no caffeine and go for a colonoscopy to confirm diagnosis. I came home and began to do some research and read that there are some studies showing holistic treatments could work, a specific probiotic along with some herbs - boswallia strata (??). Wondering if anyone here has tried to control this with holistic treatments? He also wants me to take steroids, he said they are non-absorbable, so will not have the side effects of something like prednisone. I would love some input, please. Also, is this something that can be cured or do I have to prepare myself to live with this? Thanks so much, Miriam

I responded to you over at IBS. Welcome to the forum!

No Larry, have not taken antibiotics in many, many years. Only thing I "took" was an epidural steroid injection, in my lower back, that stopped the "D" cold, for three weeks, and then it came back with a vengeance and has not stopped. Gastro doc recommended Pepto Bismal, 3T 4x a day, which I am doing and yes, he made me aware of the black stools, not to be concerned. I do have a colonoscopy scheduled for Tuesday, so I am hoping that will confirm his diagnosis, or tell us what it is if not what he thinks it is. My symptoms are classic for collagenous colitis, something I knew nothing about, never heard of it. Sure, I heard of colitis, I never knew there were so many types of it, then again, never had a problem with it until 5 months' ago. I take a lot of medication, I have fibromyalgia, chronic lower back pain, high blood pressure, which is very well controlled, meds for cholesterol, tryglycerides, thyroid (hypo) and many supplements. I am hoping I do not have to add on any more, but I am willing to take them; I don't want to live as I have been. This is very disruptive. Thankfully I no longer work so I can schedule my errands, etc around the times when I think I need to be close to a bathroom, which is usually 2 hrs after I eat. Well, I am probably not telling any of you anything new. It gets me up at night, not every night, but quite a few. I will save you any more description ...thanks for responding
Miriam