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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/6/2009 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
Has anyone had much success with acupuncture? I have been having a flare up for about two weeks. I have been miserable and decided to give acupuncture a try. I really was skeptical and didn't expect it to do a thing. Last night, I didn't need any pain meds and today my stomach feels a lot better. It was so bad that all that would come out was mucus but I have been able to pass a real stool today. I dunno, maybe there is something to this. I will keep y'all posted.  My GI doc just told me to take miralax and keep taking my meds. I did not take his advice on the miralax. I couldn't go b/c I had such bad inflammation and spasms. I'll take or do whatever helps. Oh, I also had some UTI symptoms that went away with the treatment. I am hoping it does not come back. I do NOT want to take antibiotics.
Posted 5/6/2009 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
I tried it a long time ago, but went into a flare anyway so gave up on it, it was expensive.
My naturopathic doc does accupunture but never has suggested it for me.
Posted 5/6/2009 5:39 AM (GMT 0)
No. I have not tried accupuncture.

But my sister has been getting accupressure done. It seems to have worked for her a number of times. She goes into remission after accupressure. The naturopath does the mud patch work on the tummy too. That helps her some time.
Posted 5/6/2009 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
As an adjunct thereapy, I hope it will help me. I have been in a flare for the past two weeks and it is really getting to me. Does anyone ever take antibiotics for a flare? How do you know when you need them? I do not have a fever and I also have diverticula on top of the colitis. I really thought my suffering was over when I got diagnosed and started meds but that has not been the case. I had no idea what was in store for me. If I did not have flexible hours with my job, I would have been fired. I wish my doctor had prepared me for this but he said nothing about prognosis. He says my disease is fairly benign but how can it be benign when I am sick so much? And he won't change my meds. I think they quit working. Sigh..... Thanks for listening.
Posted 5/6/2009 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
I love acupuncture. I don't think it does a ton for my UC symptoms directly, however, it lowers my stress SO much, which in turn helps with the UC. Also, she keeps my pain lower, and helps me to remain healthy. I think it is highly beneficial, and I was one of those types who felt it was just completely fruity before I agreed to give it a try. I agree it is expensive, so I don't get to go as often as I would like, but tbh, I view it as part of my medical expense, and I think it is worth the cost.

I started having problems a while back when my libido came back (after the pred taper), and I started drinking a lot of cranberry juice and taking cranberry pills. (as well as the whole peeing after sex thing) That has kept UTIs at bay every since. I shudder at the thought of antibiotics too!
Posted 5/6/2009 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
I think it has helped me a great deal. I was lucky in that I found an acupuncturist that had a lot of experience with UC and Crohns. It definitely helps with the cramping and pain. The effects are cumulative so you have to keep going for it kick in. It is expensive, but I worked out a special price for a large number of sessions with her. I don't think I could have made it the last few weeks without it.
Posted 5/6/2009 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, I am happy to hear it is working for others. Yes, I think it helped the pain. Yes, it is pricey and insurance often does not cover it on most plans.
Posted 5/6/2009 3:57 PM (GMT 0)

jeanneac said...
Does anyone ever take antibiotics for a flare? How do you know when you need them?

Never!! Antibiotics will CAUSE UC, and cause flares. Do not take them unless you absolutely must. They kill bad and good bacteria. Read up here about it. That's why we take pro-biotics (adding good bacteria), because we may have lost them from use of antibiotics or Accutane, etc.

Sorry your doctor did not prepare you for all this. I hope this forum helps. I had to figure it all out for myself, over many years!

Posted 5/6/2009 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
Oh absolutely, antibiotics as a LAST resort. I agree that they may have caused some of us to get sick. I had a test done and I had no good bacteria (lactobacillus.) I started taking some VSL #3 about two weeks ago. I think I need to get food sensitivity tests done. It sure does seem like a lot of people have problems with wheat. I wonder if that is my problem.
Posted 5/8/2009 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
You could just try going without wheat for a while. I noticed the difference in just a few days. I felt less bloated after I ate, so less feeling like I needed to go.
Posted 5/8/2009 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
Yea, I think I need to really buckle down and get wheat out of my diet for a while to see if it helps. When you like bread, that is tough and it seems like it is so easy on the stomach. Right now, I can't eat a lot of veggies because of the roughage, so I have been eating a lot of wheat. It isn't easy, is it? I have some gluten free flour in my pantry so I'll have to make some gluten free bread and such this weekend. If anybody has any good resources for recipes, I'd appreciate them! I live in a small town so I don't have a Whole Foods. The groceries carry Ezekiel bread, but that is about it. Even the health foods stores are small here but they are a good start. Thanks so much!

Posted 5/8/2009 8:42 PM (GMT 0)
Going off of wheat was a huge turning point for me. It was difficult but the results for me were very well worth it. I still indulge every once in a blue moon. I also do acupuncture and have found it to be extremely helpful. The results are not immediate like they can be with conventional medication. But if you are willing to stick with it then then I say give it a go.
Posted 5/9/2009 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
That's all good to hear. I went to an organic grocery store in another city tonight and got some gluten free stuff. So now, I am prepared to start and see how it goes for me.
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