Mommy of 2 who needs encouragement!

Hello,

Thank you in advance for your answers... I sure do appreciate your help!

My question is regarding the flare-up I'm currently experiencing. Here's some quick background: 10 years ago the doctors said, "We aren't sure but we THINK you have ulcerative colitis..." When offered the meds, I said no thanks and started a diet very similar to the SCD. I responded amazingly and shortly had zero symptoms. I remained symptom free for about 8 years, until we moved to a 3rd world country as missionaries. The lifestyle, pressures, lack of rest and a 2nd pregnancy caught up to me and we sadly had to return home due to my declining health.

After coming back to the States, things improved for me and praise the Lord, we had a healthy baby boy. However, about 3 months later, I was in terrible shape... worse than even 10 years ago. I started the SCD, saw improvement immediately and was almost symptom free for nearly 5 months. Then about 6 weeks ago a terrible flare up started. Looking back, I can identify some of the imbalances I believe landed me here, perhaps in addition to the common "3 month flare-up" which may have come to me later than most. It is just taking so much longer than before to see significant improvement. The pain and laying in bed with 2 little boys begging to play with their mommy is difficult to say the least and my husband and I are starting to get discouraged. My husband has even had to stay home from work for weeks because I can hardly get out of bed. I could sure use some of help and encouragement!

At the start of the flare-up, I went back to the intro diet for about a week and have been eating easy foods since with slow & minimal improvement. For the past 2 days, out of desperation, I've been on a fast, drinking only homemade broth & watered down legal juice. My plan is to continue on that for 3 full days, then add in super easy foods & SCD yogurt.

I know I should be measuring my success in inches, not miles. When I look for tiny improvements, I do see a few, but it seems to be taking ever so long. Perhaps I am spoiled by regaining health so quickly before? My husband and I are just beginning to feel discouraged and are wondering if we are missing something or if this is just the way it is sometimes.

Sorry, that took a bit to explain. Here are my questions:

1.) Am I doing something wrong? Is it normal for a flare-up to last this long and be right back to such pain, hardly leaving the bathroom, bleeding, ridiculously weak & tired and unable to live any kind of normal life after 6 weeks?

2.) Are flare-ups often worse than your previous symptoms?

3.) What is your opinion of fasting? Our thinking behind it was that fasting is a healthy practice in general and to hopefully give my poor colon a break. I know I need nutrition to get well, so we're hoping the broth & juice can provide that while hopefully giving the ulcers a chance heal.

4.) Is it time for us to try some complimentary natural remedies or do I need to just have patience. That gets a bit complicated as I am nursing so lots of herbs and things are out for me. If I need to just hang in there, please oh please tell me that? Your encouragement would go a long way as right now it feels that there is no end in sight.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Gratefully,

myturn

Hi future and welcome to Healingwell. So sorry you have to be here though. I agree with Roni, fasting is not good for us, but definetly try clear liquids for a few days. Maybe slowly working your way to full liquids, then soft/bland and so on.

I hope some of our SCD'ers will be along with some good advice. Those who follow the diet might have better suggestions than I do. I personally follow a low residue diet as it works best for me.

Big hugs Mama, and hang in there, better days will be ahead. Do not wait too long to see the doc, or things could only get worse. Hugs!

Welcome Future to HW;
My heart goes out to you... I think the most agonizing part of this disease was when my kids were little and couldn't understand why sometimes mommy wasn't being mommy. During one particular long flare my poor kids were passed around day after day to family, caring neighbors and friends in church. They never knew where or who they would be with each day, and in the end my husband took off more and more work and was eventually laid off to deal with our family crisis. I will never forget that experience. But, I can also say we now have 3, successful, wonderful teenager/young adult kids. So try not to worry so much...kids are amazingly resilient. I also think my kids are more receptive to the needs of others, they have a deeper level or empathy than most kids and I think it relates to having a mom with a chronic illness. Another positive thing, even though I had many days of pain and illness in bed, I made those days to spend extra time listening, cuddling and reading stories, coloring, etc. with kids.
As far as your diet, I agree with the other members, fasting at this point is not good. Our bodies need good nutrition to heal. Unfortunately there is no set diet or set foods for everyone, some foods will bother one person and be fine with another. I thought I was doing great on a gluten free diet and then two huge flares within a year..so searching for the next diet myself.

fasting...mmm i wouldn't your body still needs vitamins etc..i find when i flare up i just stil to liquids..soups. shakes ..that kind of stuff.. I agree with inflamed..you need to get back to your gi. I have spent many a day with my little girl hanging out in bed with me.. Hugs to you and your family