Hey all. I'm 25 and KIND of nuts, so bear with me.
Two Friday's ago (my BIRTHDAY) I was flaring, blood in the toilet, stomach pain, the works. I have been without insurance for about
a year and thankfully, have not flared. I do have a COBRA plan from when I was a teacher, so I still get my ASACOL and 6-mp.
I have flared several times in the past without any relief save from steroids, and needed a colonoscopy each time. I cannot afford a colonoscopy so I opted to try different methods.
I've tried every crazy thing I've ever read, so here's what I did (I can't recommend this to ANYONE, but it seems to have worked):
1) I'm a partier, so I have been through days without eating. What I did was take two days off from eating, and then eat for two days. I didn't GROSSLY alter my diet, but I mostly stuck to small meals of rice, chicken, fish, bananas, and cooked vegetables. However, on Cinco De Mayo, I enjoyed some guacamole I made and some tacos and paid for it the next day :P So there were some lapses in discipline, but overall I had little stomach pain.
2) I drank Whey Protein. I've recommended this stuff before but some people say it makes them flare, so use at your discretion. I took about
two scoops of Whey Concentrate (I usually use Isolate, but the Concentrate was cheaper) in water. I like to work out, so I wanted to keep a steady stream of protein. I mix it with bananas and peanut butter. My eating days consisted of one to two small meals and a large glass of the whey protein concoction. I used Vitamin World's brand, but I guess whatever would work.
3) I added Glutamine to the Whey. I've tried drinking cabbage juice before because I heard it was beneficial. It was AWFUL. I generally eat healthy, but seriously? Cabbage juice? Go f___ yourself! I recently read that the glutamine in Cabbage juice is what helps, so I bought a powdered variety (it was all they had) at Vitamin World. I added between one to two scoops in the protein shake (I was just going by ear... no real idea of proper dosage) and often another spoonful or two in water throughout the day.
4) I took probiotics. I had success before with Digestive Advantage's Colitis product, but to my chagrin they discontinued it. Instead, I took their Intensive Bowel Protection formula, but instead of the recommended one a day, I took two every time I took my regular meds. I do not recommend this, but I feel that these were instrumental to being without pain or noxious gas throughout this ordeal. Plus, they have coupons on their website!
5) I TOOK MY REGULAR MEDS.
6) I took my regular once a day vitamins from... GNC. Not Vitamin World.
From the forum rules:
2. No discussion of medical marijuana use.
This helped! I know it's kind of radical in terms of dosage and not eating for days, but this WORKED. This is the only time I've jumped back from a flare without needing steroids or a scope. Feel free to experiment with brands.
I hope this helps somebody. If you have questions please ask!
Post Edited By Moderator (Red_34) : 5/8/2011 11:02:10 AM (GMT-6)