Could VSL3 and Slippery Elm be helping me?

Well, I don't like to take prescribed medicines mainly because I don't handle them well, and I'm not really into changing my diet much either. I eat relatively healthy anyway, but I enjoy having pizza at least once a week. So for nearly 2 years I've been trying different herbs. Nothing seemed to help me heal completely. I've read Dr. Klein's book on healing ulcerative colitis, but I'm not ready to become a vegan even though I did learn about combining foods. Anyway, I guess you could say I've been flared for 2 years. Just after the New Year I started taking VSL3 8 caps a day (now only 7) and eventually will taper off to 6 if all keeps going well.

Last week I added the herb Slippery Elm because I read that it healed ulcers. I only went to the bathroom twice the whole week! They were perfect BMs both times as described in medical books. I did not feel urgency once! It was awesome! Week 2 still doing great with no bleeding and 2 BMs this week. I'm loving this, and I have not changed my diet. Maybe some of you have experienced this because as I've read your posts, I've seen people say "i'm flaring again"or "i'm in remission". I never understood this because this is my first time since being diagnosed I've experienced anything normal. Hoping it continues. Do you think it is because i'm taking the probiotic and slippery elm or could my body just naturally stop flaring for some reason?

Well, actually I just added the slippery elm after I read about it. I was already improving on the probiotic VSL3. I was just hoping for this so called remission everyone talks about. Thanks for sharing:)

VSL#3 is a powerful probiotic and it has helped many people achieve and sustain remission. I use VSL#3 DS daily and have for almost a year. It seem to be a very effective maintenance medication for me. In the past, my colon was quick to flare, even as I came to the end of my 8 week period between Remicade infusions. I have been off Remicade now since last February and have sustained remission with VSL#3 and a modified version of the SCDiet since. Different things work for different people. For some people Asacol works great and sustains them for years, for me Asacol caused nausea, vomitting and diarrhea and only worsened my flares. I wish Asacol did work for me as it was one of the first meds I was prescribed when I was first diagnosed. Rather than control my colitis, it worsened it and helped punch my round trip ticket to the hospital. Alas, we try different things and there are many members of this forum who find remission in different ways. You have found it with VSL#3 and slippery elm. Cheers and Enjoy!!

As a side note..is having a BM twice a week your normal baseline? That is rather infrequent and bordering on constipation. The bowels do need to empty regularly to function at their best. I am one who has always fought constipation in the years before my diagnosis of UC and believe that it contributes to dysbiosis of the large intestine which subsequently may be a contributing factor to the development of UC. I added psyllium powder to my diet that helps to bulk up stool and facilitate its passage through the colon. I do not consider part of my "prescription" but maybe I should as it does contribute to the general health and function of my colon.

All the best,

NapaCabs
35 yo Physician/Orthopedic Surgeon
In Remission
VSL#3 DS Twice daily
Psyllium Husks (1 teaspoon with water and a little juice for taste) daily
Modified SCDiet (gluten free; Brown rice, Quinoa ok)
Pure encapsulations 950 Multivitamin

Remember that not all phases of UC has ulcers...and there are two different kind of ulcers one can have with UC. It's not like ulcers of the stomach.

But..don't know about the slippery elm's healing qualities in your situation, but it is a mucilage...so it would thicken or bulk the stool. it also soothes/calms so maybe that's part of what you're experiencing. not necessarily UC, but maybe symptoms of IBS which you find a break at this point.

Remember as well that part of inflammation in the rectum will cause less firmer stools. healing, from a flare symptoms, but on the other hand, it could be the start of a flare.

I still encourage you to do the rectal meds...even the suppositories are better than nothing.

q