I have been having chronic diarrhea for a year now. Stool cultures came back negative. Have ruled out with my doctor: IBS, Lactose Intolerance, Gluten Intolerance, and Diverticulitis. I have no pain at all. Just watery and loose diarrhea. Have lost maybe 15-29 lbs so far. This microscopic colitis could be the answer. Can't afford a colonoscopy as I have no insurance.

I've had colitis off and on all my life. Finally, I was diagnosed eight years ago with microscopic colitis after a colonoscopy. I think it is probably from daily ibuprofen for treatment of fibromyalgia. This is probably why people with fibromyalgia often have colitis. The only thing that works when it gets really bad is Entocort EC. I only take it when I absolutely must because of the price ($650 for 30 days). I am due for another colonoscopy this year and will ask for a full battery of tests to be sure it isn't gluten as well. I probably will try a lactose-free diet, but that takes out of my diet part of the little that I can eat right now during flare-ups.

I started having watery diarrhea when I was 32. I've suffered over the past four years with watery diarrhea up to 10-12 times a day. I've had two colonoscopies and an EGD. I was diagnosed with collagenous colitis. Entocort has worked wonderfully for me except my GI doctor says I can't stay on it long term. I've already lost bone density from taking it. I'm not sure what to try next.

I get watery diarrhea 10 times a day with extreme weakness and episodes of supraventricular tachycardia (very fast heartbeat). The doctor concentrated on my heart and said to keep a food diary and take immodium which did not work. Two months later the pain started again. I had a sigmoidoscopy and was diagnosed with lymphatic colitis. Five different prescriptions did not work. Generic entocort finally helped. I have lost 32 pounds. When I phased off the Entocort, the symptoms returned. The name brand of this prescription is $1200 a mont. the generic works for me at $400 a month.

I have had diarrhea off and on for several years. Last spring I started having it once a week and then every other day. Conventional medicine did not help. After having a colonoscopy and being diagnosed with microscopic lymphatic colitis I went to a clinic that specializes in natural, holistic treatments. I was put on a strict lactose and gluten-free diet with low fiber and was given Zypan, DGL and Intestinal Repair preparation that contains glutamine and other natural ingredients, as well as a probiotic and a Chinese herb for the fatigue and faintness. The diarrhea cleared up within a week and I feel much stronger and have more energy. It has been six weeks and I feel great.

I was diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis when I was 34 after being told I had IBS for years. It was a relief to actually be diagnosed with something! I totally avoid all NSAIDs now. I would get terrible diarrhea when I used them (I didn't use them for long - say twice a month - not realizing they were making me worse!) I had long term diarrhea for a few years. I avoided fibre too. I seem to be Ok now (I'm 42), except when I get a gastro bug - which I tend to get worse than everyone else. Had a gastro bug for four weeks once and lost 7 kilos. Went to the hospital and they said they could do nothing for me. I cried for two hours!

I was diagnosed almost a year ago with Microscopic Colitis after 7 years of chronic diarrhea. When I say chronic I mean, 18-20 episodes a day and up 2-4 times a night, IF it woke me up. When it didn't wake me up, well...you can imagine. I was convinced I had no choice but to live this way. I was constantly sick, exhausted, dehydrated, and couldn't gain weight if you paid me. I had been to a gastroenterologist after the first 2 months of diarrhea and was told it was "colitis, self limiting". In other words, "It'll pass. See ya in two years." After 7 years, I'm down to 95 lbs, and on the verge of malnutrition, and I followed up. He took 6 biopsies of my colon and all 6 were positive for microscopic colitis, even in the cecum. I've been taking Entocort and Colazol since the day he gave me the verdict. I gained 8 lbs the first month!!! I have not been able to stop the meds, however. every time I try, the diarrhea, nausea, cramping, and fatigue return within a week. Looks like I'm a lifer.