HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

decision to not take medication?

Support Forums
>
Ulcerative Colitis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
1 2 3
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/10/2009 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
After a about a month on all these supplements I actually saw a huge difference although I do not think that I was in a remission. I feel like what I took helped to slow my bowels down and take away the pain and urgency however I do not feel like they ever helped with the inflammation.
Posted 8/10/2009 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
JingleBell......did you have any bleeding during this time?
Posted 8/10/2009 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
Nothing that was noticeable. Very rarely, and usually after I ate something I should not have, I would see a bit of blood or mucous but it was not to the extent that I had seen before.
Posted 8/10/2009 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
I am not taking meds right now...I have no blood, mucus or any other symptoms for 5 months now..but I will talk to my Dr. and will keep on top of this.
Posted 8/10/2009 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
JingleBell,

I have a question about your bowel movements. Are they of the normal size? I would think that with all that scar tissue obstructing your colon, they would either be thin or you would feel pain.

Did you take any pain killers? Pain killers are known to mask the problem.

Is it possible that your colon was already badly scarred and that the additional inflammation, although small, was enough to add additional scar tissue so that you now need a colectomy?

And sorry to hear that you need a colectomy. It's probably better than having to be on heavy medicines like 6 MP though.
Posted 8/10/2009 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
about 2-3 months ago I noticed my bowels became very small and thin. about the same time I experienced lower back pain on the side where the obstruction is. I did not think much about the size of my bowel because it was at this time that I started to drink an herbal tea that my acupuncturist gave to me plus there was still no noticeable blood and urgency. The lower back pain I just attributed to the fact that I was working out more intensely because I was feeling better. I have been in a flare for the past 5 years and I do think that I had significant scar tissue before I decided to stop all medication. However I have a colonoscopy every two years and two years ago these stricture were not there. Currently I just don't know what to think and I just don't know how this could have crept up on my like this.
Posted 8/10/2009 8:47 PM (GMT 0)

JingleBell said...
about 2-3 months ago I noticed my bowels became very small and thin. about the same time I experienced lower back pain on the side where the obstruction is. I did not think much about the size of my bowel because it was at this time that I started to drink an herbal tea that my acupuncturist gave to me plus there was still no noticeable blood and urgency. The lower back pain I just attributed to the fact that I was working out more intensely because I was feeling better. I have been in a flare for the past 5 years and I do think that I had significant scar tissue before I decided to stop all medication. However I have a colonoscopy every two years and two years ago these stricture were not there. Currently I just don't know what to think and I just don't know how this could have crept up on my like this.

Thanks for your response JingleBell. I really appreciate it. The last time I had a colonoscopy done, my GI said my recovery was remarkable. My poo also looks great, not thin or small or anything like that. It's been three years though; so I think I'll make an appointment for another colonoscopy just to make sure everything is okay. I have no idea what the scar tissue looks like. I don't think there is much though.
Posted 8/10/2009 9:41 PM (GMT 0)
My GI said pretty much the same thing about my recovery subdued. It has been a year since my colonoscopy.
Posted 8/11/2009 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
JingleBell,
Can you tell us the supplements you were taking? I certainly don't want to mask my problem either. Seems like anti-inflammatory supplements would genuinely help (if they have actually have an effect at all) but fiber might just mask it, for example.

I realized that Quercetin doesn't make much claim on UC, so I switched to Turmeric, four caps per day (1200mg of curcurmin total). After a week the plan is to I'm adding George's Aloe Vera.
Posted 8/11/2009 3:40 AM (GMT 0)
I certainly don't want to scare you all. Please keep in mind that I have had this disease for 28 years and for many of those years I was flaring due to the fact that most medications just don't work for me. But here it goes, I was taking an omega - 3 fish oil, probiotic, bee propolis, oil of oregano, and Curamin in addition to a daily iron pill. Hope this helps.
Posted 8/11/2009 2:05 PM (GMT 0)

I believe any supplement or medication that is healing your UC is ok for sure.  It is just the OTC medications that can make you feel better - live from day to day - but are NOT healing your colon and only covering the problem.  You know I use Imodium and pepto, etc. but I KNOW they are not healing me.  You need for your doctor to be aware of what you take, how you feel, narrowing of stool, etc.  Many supplements are good for our digestion and colon and we have seen here that we are all so different.

ElaineNY

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
123