While some people with microscopic colitis have it chronically “all the time,” is it possible that a lucky few might get a flare only once in their entire life?
I was inspired to cover this topic because I had microscopic colitis in 2010 and it resolved within eight weeks.
I registered with a microscopic colitis online community and posted that my doctor told me that microscopic colitis usually resolves in a few weeks.
One of the community members said this was laughable, and that it’s a chronic condition.
This reminds me of a pamphlet I read on plantar fasciitis, a painful heel condition.
The pamphlet said once PF gets to the point where you need custom-made orthotics, it will be a chronic condition.
Some months after getting my orthotics, the PF was completely gone and has never returned. That was years ago!
My point here is that it may seem that a condition, such as microscopic colitis, is necessarily chronic — that once you get it, you’ll get it again if it goes away — and again and again, back and forth throughout your life …
… or, you’ll have it continuously – because allegedly, there is no such thing as having a singular bout of microscopic colitis.
“The natural history of MC is quite variable and depends on the type of MC — lymphocytic or collagenous,” says John E. Pandolfino, MD, Director of the Esophageal Center, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and Associate Professor, Division of Gastroenterology at Northwestern University.
“The lymphocytic type is associated with a better outcome and can resolve — although it may return.”
Very interesting, because my type, indeed, was lymphocytic. I’ve had several bouts since my diagnosis. Thus, for me, microscopic colitis is not a chronic condition. It’s a very occasional condition.
Dr. Pandolfino continues, “The collagenous variant is less likely to resolve, but still has a favorable outcome.
“Certainly, avoiding the inciting cause — such as a particular medicine (e.g., NSAIDs), will help the disease to resolve, and it is also possible that some patients will have a chronic problem that may require maintenance treatment.”
