Where do I go from here?

HI Eveyone, it's been a long time since I"ve been here, I've been on the ulcerated colitis board. I since had my colonoscopy and my UC is worse and my GI said it's probably from all the antibiotics and not taking my anti inflammatory meds.

My GI went on to say my doc her in Saginaw Michigan tells everyone they have Lyme's disease. But I told her I paid for a $1,000 ELISA test and my doc said I had it  or had had it at one time. So confusing.

Anyways I stopped all antibiotics and have been fine with my energy however my UC is still bad. My last thing I was suppose to be on was Flagyl and aren't you suppose to work up to that really slow? I was taking just a 1/4 of a tablet and I was getting diarreah.

I'm back on my anti inflammatories, sulfasalazine, but I'm wondering if I should get back on Flagyl since this is suppose to be helpful for those with UC and I guess lyme's as well.

I can't see my Lyme's doctor that much, he doesn't do insurance papers so it's $120-$160 each month he wants me to come back!!

What do I do, try flagyl again after I've been on my anti inflammatories a few weeks, go back to my Lyme's doctor and talk to him? I felt like my energy came back from taking all the antibiotics, but my UC got worse and he just re arranges my pills or prescribes new ones. I was doing bicillian injections, I did that for 14 weeks a shot a week and no improvement in my gut. Any suggestions??

I'm wondering if you have tried any of the following?

-Enteric Coated Fish oil - has been shown in clinical studies to be as effective at controlling inflammation associated with IBD (UC, Crohn's) as the 5-ASA anti-inflammatory medications (Asacol, Pentasa, etc.).

-Probiotics - VSL #3 has been extensively researched and has been proven to help UC (and pouchitis, for those who have had the colectomy) in clinical studies.

-Food Sensitivity testing and elimination diet - A blood test can be done to look for IgG antibodies to foods, which have been shown to correlate with IBS-type symptoms, and I also have read that UC may have a food allergy/sensitivity component to it for some people.

-Sulfites - sources include red meat (beef), wine, cultured or fermented foods (cheese, sourkraut, etc.), dried fruits, vinegar (commonly found in condiments - salad dressings, salsa, katsup, mustard, mayonnaise, etc.), tortillas, convenience foods, corn derivatives (corn syrup, some vitamins, etc.), lots of other foods (read labels!), and naturally found in grapes, tomatoes, etc., and also found in some medications, etc. Sulfite preservatives were connected with worstening of UC symptoms in a study done in the UK a few years ago. There is no test for sulfite sensitivity, but a trial elimination diet may help.

-Antihistamines - some people in the IBD support community have noticed a decrease in the severity of their disease when they take antihistamines regularly. Claritin and Zyrtec (& generics of both) are available over-the-counter and tend not to cause drowsiness as easily as the older meds (Benadryl, etc.).

-Herbs with anti-inflammatory properties, such as bromelain, tumeric, ginger root (don't use if have gallbladder problems), plant sterols (product name = Moducare), etc., have also been recommended by Naturopathic practitioners familiar with IBD.

-Coconut oil - contains medium chain triglycerides, which seem to have a beneficial action on the colon in those with various causes of inflammation. Coconut has also been helpful for some in the IBD support community.

-Homeopathic medicine - requires consultation with an experienced practioner, as the choice of remedy or remedies must be customized to your specific unique symptoms and symptom characteristics.

I hope this helps...take care,