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Need help with the natural route

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/27/2010 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
I am new to all this but I am reading through lots of posts and am interested in some natural treatments. I am wondering about what is good to take and if its ok to take with prescribed meds. I have seen probiotics etc and also what is good to eat and not eat?
I am on Pentasa sachets and enemas and generally healthy I have never been on any medication long term so I am a bit reluctant to stay on meds long term would love to check out alternatives
Posted 1/27/2010 11:00 PM (GMT 0)
I'm a believer in alternative treatments but please research your wish to abandon western meds. Right now the best way to treat UC is with maintenance drugs (5ASA). Not only does it keep the inflammation down but it helps reduce the incidence of colon cancer. Remember too that alternative treatments are also drugs but don't have the research behind them. Just because it's natural does not mean it's safe! If you choose to have a complimentary program, eastern plus western, please check with your pharmacist to ensure that what you are taking does not compromise your health. I urge you to get educated about your new disease. It's a chronic life long disease.

Sue
Posted 1/27/2010 11:51 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for your quick reply yeah I think I am just frantic at the moment I plan on staying on the Pentasa its working my Gp did say I can stop the enemas next week so I think that will help, they are ok but are definitely looking forward to bedtime without them. This forum is really helpful I suppose I just need to find my balance and for now I think I need to just relax and let the meds work
Posted 1/28/2010 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
I know it's not fun using enemas, but I am staying on them at twice weekly for my maintenance dose (I'm in remission). Studies show that people who use them twice weekly, in conjuction with oral meds, stay in remission for longer than people who just use oral meds...a little food for thought!
Posted 1/28/2010 4:57 AM (GMT 0)
Vitamin E enema to me is by far the best natural treatment for UC
Posted 1/28/2010 6:06 AM (GMT 0)
here are some alternative medicine that have worked for me

Psyllium, Chia, Pumpkin and sunflower seeds all raw with lots of water

Slippery elm powder

MSM, Manuka honey

Mainly vegetarian diet (lots of green salads) with a little lean meat (no pork)

No coffee or artificial sweets

No artificial sauces

No additives

No dairy - some hard cheeses maybe ok

Fruits should be eaten seperately before meals - (try not to mix fruits together especially melons)

It really takes a lot of patience but try adding items back into your diet slowly 

reading one of d'adamo's blood diet books helped me understand the role blood plays in the digestive process

www.dadamo.com

I hope some of this helps

Posted 1/28/2010 7:10 AM (GMT 0)
kitty's kat, you can check out my sig below...I don't respond or am allergic to oral RX, so I had to put my skeptisism aside and try the natural route, along with altering my diet for some relief...thankfully I am able to use rectal meds when needed, oddly enough I haven't had to rely on them ever since starting probiotics, could be coincidence, all I know is that I've been using probiotics for going on 6 yrs now and haven't had proctitis issues since and that's the longest I've ever gone without having proctitis issues in my 19 yrs of having crohn's colitis (CD affecting the colon).

Good luck and do lots of research....often what helps some doesn't help all and each persons combination (often works better to use a few things than rely on just one thing) differs from person to person with this disease being so individualistic.

:)
Posted 1/28/2010 7:09 PM (GMT 0)

In most cases, alternative approaches do not interfere with medications, but you can always check with your doctor. Alternative therapies can reduce your need for meds or help your meds work better. I've had good luck with sulfasalazine (azulfadine) which is a 5ASA and is fairly safe for long-term use - especially when compared with steroids or immunosuppressants. I take a maintenance dose, even though I've been mostly in remission for many years and I also take alternative supplements and have never had any problem with interactions.

There are healing supplements and supplements that reduce inflammation. Omega-3s (fish, flax, Udo's oil), l-glutamine and George's aloe vera have helped me. There are natural supplements and meds that can help rid your digestive system of bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Once these are cleared, a good, high quality probiotic in high doses will help rebuild good gut flora. A change in diet to eliminate foods that are problematic for you and to eat more foods that heal and/or reduce inflammation will be helpful. A couple of great books I'd recommend to help you arm yourself to be your own best health advocate are Optimal Digestion and Listen to Your Gut.

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