Down To Last Options....

I'm eighteen, had this disease since the middle of sixth grade, and the longest I've ever been in remission is probably a year (and that was on Remicade). Recently, it seems nothing has been helping me at all. I've been on every combo of meds possible--Asacol, prednisone, sulfasalazine, Remicade, Humira, Canasa, 6mp, probiotics--falling back on prednisone whenever I have a really bad flare.

I just got back home from college, and unfortunately, I'm having a really bad flare.

My doc says that we've pretty much exhausted all medical possibilities except for methotrexate, and after that, it'd prob be a good time to discuss surgery.

I suppose that would be just in time for my soph year of college (Whoopee!!)

But on a serious note...does anyone know of any alternative meds? I've been looking at boswellia, but i'm cash strapped; just looking for some ideas on combos before I go under the knife...

Thanks.

sheldon's diet?

I really feel for you. Sounds like you have been through an awful lot. To be able to stay in school with this disease is really an accomplishment. I hope you can take pride in that. :)

I've posted before about these, but here are my top "not-too-expensive" alternatives to taking lots of drugs:

1) hypnotherapy. (This website is about IBS (not IBD) and hypnotherapy but I had great success with taking classes with a doctor who trained with this researcher from UNC Chapell Hill: http://www.ibshypnosis.com/)

2) acupuncture. This costs a little more and it's tough to find a great practitioner. I had a near-miracle experience with acupuncutre but unfortunately, I didn't realize that I had to go every week to keep up the remission and after a year I missed nearly a month and then was back in a flare.

3) tylenol w/codeine. People will probably yell at me but my doctor says this is a perfectly reasonable way to control diarrhea. The codeine has constipation as a side effect. I take a half every night or every other night. But some people apparently get addicted, so you have to be really aware of what you personally can handle.

4) Sleep, exercise, and no processed foods. The food part is difficult, but if I at least cut down on processed foods, I feel like that's good enough.

Last, but this falls into the expensive category -- a complete vacation with zero stress and completely different food, air, everything. I swear that a trip to a beach resort put me back into remission once. I would definitely want to try that one before having surgery. :)